Most of us know that applying sunscreen in summer is important, but do you know that it should be a year-round preventive health care habit? This is because sunscreen does not only prevent sunburn and skin damage but is also one of the best antiaging products you can buy. However, with so many options available in the market, one can get confused in selecting the best product.

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There are two types of sunscreen you can find- physical and chemical. Now, you might wonder what exactly these terms mean. Dr Jushya Sarin, in an Instagram post, recently explained the difference.

Physical sunscreen is made up of two mineral ingredients– zinc oxide and titanium dioxide– that create a layer on your skin that scatters and reflects UV rays away. Sarin explained, “They are called physical sunscreens because they do not chemically react with UV rays but rather form a physical barrier between your skin and the rays.”

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On the other hand, chemical sunscreen includes organic compounds that create a chemical reaction and work by changing UV rays into heat, then releasing the heat from the skin, the dermatologist said.

While physical sunscreen blocks a wide range of UV rays, one of the biggest disadvantages is that it feels heavy and can be rubbed off by sweat easily.

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But as chemical sunscreen is thinner in consistency, it tends to spread easily on the skin and can be worn every day without worries. 

“No matter what formula you choose, always remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours as well as after swimming,” Sarin advised in her post.