Difference between Sunscreen and Sunblock: It is a good thing to know what the difference is between sunscreen and sunblock. With the attack of an unnatural weather change and the warmth of the sun getting to be hotter than common, it is presently somewhat vital to take measures for skin security. Sunscreen and sunblock are both good products in this regard. Both items work to shield the skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s UV (or ultraviolet) rays.
What is Sunscreen
In the mean time, what the difference is between sunscreen and sunblock lies primarily on the manner by which they protect the skin from the damaging UV rays.
A sunscreen, on the other hand, channels or screens the hurtful UV rays of the sun. It keeps most rays out yet it may let a tiny bit in.
The primary difference mentioned between a sunscreen and a sunblock is basically the result of the active ingredients that they respectively contained in order to possibly aid with sun protection.
The active ingredients contained in sunscreen are octisalate, octinoxate, oxybenzone, benzophenone, and methyl anthranilate.
Sunscreen is typically characterized by a transparent and light consistency. It is hardly noticeable when applied and thus fairly easy to wash off.
There are also other ingredients mixed in sunscreen but the ones pointed particularly play a big role in sun protection.
They absorb the UV radiation thereby reducing the amount that penetrates the skin.
The downside is that there are sunscreen products that have certain ingredients (i.e. PABA) which some people may be allergic to.
What is Sunblock
A sunblock, as opposed to a sunscreen, reflects away the unsafe rays of the sun and squares them out so they cannot infiltrate the skin.
Meanwhile, the active ingredients contained in sunblock are of metallic nature such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and iron oxide.
The metallic nature of these ingredients is essentially the reason why a sunblock acts the way it does for skin protection.
The ingredients contained in sunscreen and sunblock explain their respective consistencies as sun protection products.
On the contrary, a sunblock is usually thick and opaque inconsistency.
It may be noticeable when applied and thus harder to wash off compared with sunscreen. Some sunblocks these days though are now sold with a less visible consistency.
Difference between Sunscreen and Sunblock
Knowing what the difference is between sunscreen and sunblock helps us understand the ideal manner for their application.
Sunscreen has to be applied 20 to 30 minutes before heading out to the sun.
The skin has to be able to successfully absorb first the active ingredients of sunscreen before its effect activates. Also, sunscreen needs to be reapplied every after swimming or sweating regardless of being waterproof.
Sunblock, on the other hand, remains on the skin and is not absorbed due to its metallic ingredients.
And since, there is basically no need to wait for the ingredients to be absorbed, a sunblock works immediately upon application
