Soak Up The Sun: The Effectiveness Of Mineral-Based Versus Chemical-Based Sunscreen Against UVA Radiation When Exposed To Sweat

Sunscreen protects the skin against harmful UV radiation. One of the major characteristics that differentiates sunscreen is the chemical makeup: mineral-based—which includes titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide—and chemical-based—which includes avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate. Perspiration on skin can dilute applied sunscreen, decreasing its protective ability. This study aims to understand the difference in effectiveness between mineral-based and chemical-based sunscreen samples against UVA (315-400 nanometers) with the condition of sweat contamination. A UVA lamp and sensor were used to determine how much radiation passed through a swatch of each of the six tested sunscreen samples. The findings suggest that there is a negligible difference (p>0.05) in the average amount of UVA blocked by each sample. Mineral-based sunscreen performed slightly better on average (1.430 units escaped) compared to chemical-based sunscreen (1.856 units escaped). This similar level of quality between sunscreen makeups against UVA with added sweat means there is much more freedom involved for individuals whose skin is frequently exposed to both sweat and the sun. It reinforces the fact that mineral- and chemical-based sunscreens are both significantly effective and allows for consumers to focus more on personal preference when choosing sunscreen without any risk of less protection.