Although chemical sunscreens have traditionally been at the forefront of sun protection, safety concerns and increasing awareness of the environmental impact of personal-care products have led to greater interest in the use of mineral blockers as photoprotective agents.

A new study published in Dermatologic Surgery examined the safety and efficacy of mineral-based sunscreens to allow patients to make informed choices about ultraviolet (UV) protection.

This was a review of the literature that was performed using the PubMed database.The results provided an overview of physical blockers and focused on the efficacy of mineral sunscreens in offering broad-spectrum UV protection, as well as the safety concerns including the controversy surrounding the use of nanoparticles.

The review summarized that – mineral sunscreens are an attractive and efficacious option for consumers who prefer alternative choices in sun protection.

Source: Dermatologic Surgery. June 09, 2020 - Volume Publish Ahead of Print - Issue. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000002478