What is Mineral Lotion?

What is Mineral lotion?

Seeing strips of zinc on the faces of cricketers, soccer players and surfers is a familiar sight – and the fluoro zinc colours of the 80s are hard to forget!

More traditional zinc sunscreens, however, are beginning to fade in popularity in favour of newer mineral sunscreen lotions.

So, what are the differences between the two?

Zinc sunscreens

Traditional zinc sunscreens are visible on the face because they’re opaque, rather than transparent, when applied on the skin.

They’re also usually quite thick, so often they’re used for parts of the face – like the nose, lips or ears – rather than all over. The challenge with this is that sections of the face not covered in zinc can darken or tan, leaving skin permanently looking lighter where zinc was applied.

Traditional zinc sunscreens are often heavier on the skin and feel greasier, too.

How do they work? They use zinc oxide to form a barrier on the skin that actually reflects UV light, ensuring potentially harmful UVA and UVB rays can’t get through.

Mineral Lotions

Mineral sunscreen lotions – sometimes called physical sunscreens – also use zinc oxide as the key sun protection ingredient, acting as a physical barrier between our bodies and the sun. Their composition is different, though, and they’re designed to blend into the skin.

In Awe’s SPF50+ Mineral ZINC Sunscreen lotion – which has been tested under the harsh Australian sun and is ideal for using on the face and arms – absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves no opaque residue.

It’s more lightweight than other zinc sunscreens, so doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. And, as it’s all-natural and less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions, it’s perfect for sensitive skin.

In Awe’s Mineral ZINC Sunscreen lotion is also:

• non-greasy
• water resistant for two hours
• perfect for promoting skin growth and repair thanks to the vitamin C-rich Kakadu plum we’ve added.

On top of that, it’s vegan and gluten free!

We also offer an even lighter weight Chemical (organic) sunscreen lotion which offers broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.

Importantly, both of In Awe’s sunscreens are free from oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens and PABAs.

The rise of mineral lotions

Thanks to their many benefits, mineral lotions are gaining a lot of traction with sun-lovers.

As well as being gentler on skin, making them ideal for kids and those with skin issues, their composition ensures they work as soon as they’re applied, meaning they’re more convenient for those last-minute outdoor plans. Zinc oxide has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Additionally, mineral sunscreens free from oxybenzone and octinoxate – like In Awe’s – are reef friendly and better for marine life and the environment. They’re also biodegradable.

In Awe. Mineral sunscreen lotion that’s Australian-made and TGA approved.