Why Day Defence is great for sensitive skin

If you have truly sensitive skin, the thought of using certain products can be a bit scary as sensitive skin can be very reactive and easy to irritate.  Many people with sensitive skin skip sunscreen (which is a BIG no no) due to the irritation that certain filters can cause.  

Sunscreen is an essential product; this is not negotiable. SPF protects your skin against UVA and UVB rays, which are responsible for ageing and burning respectively.  We recently did a post on ingredients that you should avoid if you have sensitive skin and touched on why mineral filters are more suited to those with sensitive skin over chemical filters.  Let’s dive into more detail.

What are mineral filters?

Mineral filters refer to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.  These physical filters provide broad spectrum protection by forming a barrier on the surface of the skin that helps reflect UV rays away from the skin. 

What are chemical filters?

Chemical sunscreen ingredients penetrate the top layers of the skin to absorb UV rays. These filters absorb damaging UV rays before they can damage the skin. These sun protection ingredients vary in different continents, but common chemical filters include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.

Why are mineral filters better for those with sensitive skin?

Mineral filters aren’t irritating, unlike some chemical filters; they will not cause your eyes and skin to sting and the zinc present actually helps to soothe skin (think nappy rash cream, some acne treatments, etc.).  They are also better for those with heat-activated skin (like those prone to rosacea and extreme redness) since it deflects the heat given off by the sun along with UV rays.  Physical sunscreens are also easier to apply as you can see them on the skin, allowing you to get a nice even coat of product which will protect extra sensitive areas.

If you have had trouble finding a sunscreen that works with your sensitive skin, give Day Defence a try, our new broad sprectrum SPF30 day cream. In addition to the non-nano zinc oxide present, there is aloe which soothes and calms skin, shea butter esters which nourishes skin and buriti oil which helps to boost the SPF protection by fighting free radicals.

SHOP SKINCARE