What is the Difference Between Sunblock and Sunscreen?

The main difference between sunblock and sunscreen lies in the way they protect the skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Here are the key differences:

• Sunscreen: Sunscreen works by filtering the sun's UV rays, using chemicals that absorb the rays before they hit your skin. Most sunscreens only cover UV-B rays, which are responsible for sunburn and skin damage.
• Sunblock: Sunblock physically blocks the sun's UV rays from penetrating the skin, acting as a barrier. Sunblocks contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and protect the skin against both UV-A and UV-B rays.

Both sunscreen and sunblock are packaged based on their Sun Protection Factor (SPF), which indicates the duration of protection. The higher the SPF number, the better the protection, but it's essential to understand what that number stands for. For most outdoor summertime activities, an SPF of 15 to 60 is generally recommended.

In summary, sunscreen absorbs UV radiation, while sunblock reflects it away from the skin. Both options can provide protection against the sun's damaging rays, but sunblock is considered more effective in blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays.

Comparative Table: Sunblock vs Sunscreen

Sunblock and sunscreen are two different types of sun protection products that work in different ways. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between them:

Both sunblock and sunscreen are effective at protecting the skin from sunburn and preventing wrinkles. The choice between sunblock and sunscreen depends on personal preference, skin type, and individual sensitivity to ingredients. It is essential to choose a product with at least SPF 30+ to ensure adequate protection from the sun's harmful rays.