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 performed using the PubMed database, that provided an overview of physical blockers and focused on the efficacy of mineral sunscreens in offering broad-spectrum UV protection and safety concerns, including the controversy surrounding the use of nanoparticles.

In inference, it was stated that mineral sunscreens are an attractive, efficacious option for consumers who prefer alternative choices in sun protection.

Source: Dermatologic Surgery. 2020 Jun 9. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000002478.