Difference between Sunscreen and Sunblock

Key Difference: Sunscreen products are those products that merely filter the sun’s rays. It allows some of the ultraviolet rays to go through and penetrate the skin. On the other hand, the sunblock product blocks all of the sun’s harmful rays from penetrating the skin.

In day-to-day activity, sun rays always worry everyone. This is the reason why everyone is so particular about sun lotions. People usually interchange the terms sunscreen and sunblock, however, they are entirely different forms of sun protection.

Sunscreen products are those products that merely filter the sun’s rays. They allow some of the ultraviolet rays to go through and penetrate the skin. The creams/lotions applied by men or women are to get protection from the direct sun rays while spending time on the beach. Sunscreen lotions tend to be more liquid in their consistency because they are spread around on the skin.

The sunblock product blocks all of the sun’s harmful rays from penetrating the skin. The men or women whose skin is very delicate and who experience rashes when spending long periods under the sun should apply sunblock products. The sunblock products are much denser compared to sunscreens because of their zinc oxide substance.

Comparison between Sunscreen and Sunblock:

 

Sunscreen

Sunblock

Description

Sunscreen filters out certain sun rays. It means they block some rays and allow others to penetrate the skin.

Sunblock products completely block off all of the harmful sunrays.

Product

Liquid form

Creamier form

Prevents

It prevents from UV radiations and reduces the amount of radiation that reaches skin.

It prevents from UV radiations and it completely blocks the radiation from reaching the skin.

When applied

Transparent and invisible when applied

Thicker and remain visible

Main ingredients

  • Aminobezoic Acid
  • Avobenzone
  • Benzophenone
  • Cinoxate
  • Dioxybenzone
  • Ensulizole
  • Homosalate
  • Meradimate
  • Octisalate
  • Octinoxate
  • Octocrylene
  • Oxybenzone
  • PABA
  • Sulisobenzone
  • Trolamine Salicylate
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Zinc oxide
  • Iron oxide

Must be applied

30 minutes before going out in the sun.

Effective as soon as it is applied, so that it can be applied immediately before sun exposure.

Advantage

It goes on skin relatively smoothly and does not leave a white tint on one's skin.

They are safe to use and can be sweat-proof, and water-resistant.

Disadvantage

  • One has to reapply the sunscreen more often
  • It sometimes becomes less effective
  • Some ingredients like benzophenone are not water-resistant

Because of the ingredients it can leave white tint on the skin.

Image courtesy: fitsugar.com, hanimlarindunyasi.com

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