How to Protect Your Skin With Mineral SPF

The Skinsmith | 22nd June 2026

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Did you know up to 90% of skin ageing comes from sun damage!

This means protecting your skin from damaging UV rays will not only help minimise sunburn, heatstroke and more serious concerns such as skin cancers but it will also keep your skin more youthful and healthy looking! So let us help guide you on how to protect your skin with mineral SPF products.

skinkraft

Let’s Start At The Beginning and Look At Sun Damage:

So what is sun damage exactly?

Factually sun damage or photoageing is structural changes to the skin caused by sun exposure to the ultraviolet radiation or UV rays. There can be short term and long term effects. Short term effects are things like a sun tan or worse a sunburn! Long term effects can include premature ageing, hyperpigmentation and even skin cancer.

Sun damage happens when UV rays get absorbed by the skin this causes free radicals within the layers of the skin which lead to cellular damage. These free radicals damage our skin by breaking down collagen fibres, they stimulate our melanocytes to produce melanin as a protective response and can even alter our skin cells DNA.

In some cases, the production of melanin from over exposure to the sun, can cause hyperpigmentation as melanocytes, the cells that product melanin become over stimulated and produce melanin even when we don’t need it = resulting in areas of darker skin.

I hate to say it but a tan is the bodies response to UV damage so a tan is not “healthy” as we used to say!

Our skin is exposed to potential sun damage whenever we are outside or near a window. The sunnier the day the higher the UV index, you should really use sun protection every day but without a doubt on sunny days!

There are 3 types of UV rays – but thankfully UVC gets absorbed by a healthy ozone layer.

  • UVA – this one absorbs further into the skin and when it comes to ageing our skin is the main contributor, think of the A for Ageing!
  • UVB – affects our skin more superficially than UVA and causes sunburn, it can contribute towards skin cancer as can UVA, think of the B for Burn!

 

(photo credits HatAttack and SkinKraft)

What Does Sun Damage Look Like?

The Common Signs

  • Wrinkles, Loss of Skin Elasticity & Sagging: UV contributes towards the breakdown of elastin and collagen fibres, leading to a loss of firmness, elasticity and tone.
  • Hyperpigmentation: A more common term would be sunspots or age spots (solar lentigines) this uneven, skin tone happens when melanocytes get over stimulated by the sun and produce areas of blotchy darker skin tone.
  • Broken Capillaries and Redness: Another effect of UV is the weakening of the blood capillary tissue, this can lead to more visible redness from more transparent or broken capillaries. These small blood vessels become visible especially on the nose, cheeks, and chest areas.
  • A More Severe Issue Is Rough, Scaly Patches Of Skin: These could be pre-cancerous and are dry, rough even scaly areas of skin known as actinic keratoses. In these cases, please seek medical advice.

Longer-Term Exposure & Risks

  • The Most Severe Issue Is Skin Cancer: When cell  DNA is damaged significantly from over exposure, prolonged exposure and sunburns it increases the risk of skin cancer or basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Medical advice is imperative and as many cases of skin cancer are treatable, early treatment is essential, so seek medical advice whenever you notice something different on your skin, a great guide is the ABCDEs of skin cancer.
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ABC

All is not lost though and don’t panic just yet! Everyone who’s anyone recommends you use a broad-spectrum product (protects against UVA and UVB) every day. This is the best way to prevent any new skin damage, while existing sun damage can often be treated successfully so again seek medical help as soon as you notice a skin oddity on your skin.

(photo credit ClevelandClinic)

How To Protect Your Skin With Mineral SPF

There are a lot of sun protection products on the market so how do you choose the best one for you. First of all, we believe the more healthy option for the skin are suncare products with mineral SPF protection.

Mineral SPF products contain ingredients derived from minerals and the most common are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Eminence is a big fan of zinc oxide as it is not only a very effective SPF product but it is very soothing and healing and is a great preservative too.

Eminence SPFs

Mineral Vs Chemical Sunscreen Products:

So why do we love mineral so much? There are a few reasons and here is how the sunscreens compare:

MINERAL SPF

  • Sits on the skins surface and reflects both Uva and UVB rays away from the skin. A bit like millions of tiny mirrors reflecting away the harmful rays.
  • They are usually non-greasy and do not cause heat in the skin and are often less likely to cause any irritation or skin reactions.
  • Mineral and organic often go hand in hand and mineral SPF products are generally healthier for the skin and the planet!
  • More and more resorts around the world are insisting on mineral SPF products and you can look for ones that are “reef safe”.
  • A high mineral content can mean a whiter product, you’ve probably seen sports professionals with white stripes on their faces, this is most likely a very high mineral SPF rated product. A light cast can happen however, proper application techniques can dissipate the lightness. Some products are even tinted to minimise any white cast!

CHEMICAL SPF

  • Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin, they work by absorbing UV rays like a sponge absorbs water as such they stop working after a certain amount of time just like that sponge which can only absorb so much water!
  • The process of absorbing UV rays results in the creation of heat, this can lead to skin rashes, irritations or other skin reactions.
  • Chemical is a bit of a clue as these types of sunscreen can contain ingredients that may not be healthy or safe for the skin.
  • You need to check that they protect you against both UVA and UVB as some only protect against UVA!
  • The harsh ingredients may not only be harmful to you but can also be harmful to the planet, especially ocean sea life and coral reefs!
  • They can also feel greasy and sticky!

https://eminenceorganics.com/us/blog/skincare/chemical-vs-mineral-sunscreen-whats-difference.html

Which Mineral SPF Product Should I Use?

Eminence has a great variety of different SPF products from moisturisers and fluids to mineral powders. Sometimes it is simply a matter of what you prefer so to help you along that journey consider your skin type, your lifestyle and application method that you prefer when choosing your perfect SPF.

Eminence Organics Sun Defense Mineral Powders

One of our new favourites! They are an SPF30 offering broad-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB and blue-light! The Sun Defense Minerals come in 6 versatile shades from a transparent sheer option to a beautiful deep tone, so there is one to suit everyone! They are easy to apply and re-apply throughout the day, because they are a powder with a brush applicator container you can take them anywhere and apply them anywhere. Plus you don’t need to remove your make up to re-apply!

SDM powders

The Fluids –

Daily Defense Tinted SPF50+

The highest SPF rated Eminence product in the sun care range, it is rated 50 + meaning it is a little more than 50 and that is great news! However as we mentioned earlier the higher SPF rating can cause a light cast! Eminence came up with the perfect solution and tinted this fabulous fluid with natural iron oxides to give a versatile sheer tint which suits most skin tones. Daily Defense Tinted SPF50+ blends into your natural skin colour and leaves the skin looking healthy and glowing. It also contains antioxidant from rosemary extract and prickly pear helping to nourish, hydrate and protect the skin from drying environmental stressors. It has a non-greasy formulation that is light-weight and does not clog pores.

Radiant Protection SPF Fluid – SPF30

This light-weight, non-greasy fluid has SPf30 protection with anti-ageing benefits too!

It contains natural retinol from bakuchiol, helping to minimise the look of fine lines and wrinkles, whilst deeply hydrating the skin for a great sun protection option for all skin types. Radiant Protection SPF Fluid can be applied on its own as your daily SPF moisturiser or over the top of your favourite Eminence moisturiser for additional benefits plus sun protection.

The Moisturisers –

Bright Skin Moisturiser SPF40

An old time favourite that is not only an SPF40 moisturiser suitable for all skin types but it is especially effective at helping to minimise and prevent hyperpigmentation dark spots and uneven skin tone. Bright Skin Moisturiser SPF40 is from the VitaSkin line of Bright Skin products which we recommend to help treat and prevent uneven skin tone. The range contains Natural Hydroquinone Alternative, an ingredient that reduces inflammation and promotes tyrosinase which is an enzyme that reduces melanin production. I have used this product to help treat areas of hyperpigmentation on my skin and have seen a significant reduction in darkness and even seen the darks areas evened out completely.

Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturiser SPF40 for the face!

Not just a lovely SPF moisturiser that protects against UVA and UVB but it contains cocoa seed extract and satsuma mandarin peel which helps to protect against and reduce blue-light damage as well. Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturiser is suitable for all skin types providing both indoor and outdoor protection for your skin. Perfect if you are concerned about your exposure to blue-light from electronic devices and artificial lighting. It has a light-weight formula which leaves skin protected and hydrated.

Liliko Daily Defense Sports Sunscreen SPF30 for the body!

As you skin does not stop at your neck Eminence has a mineral SPF formulation for the body as well.  Lilikoi Daily Defense Sports Sunscreen is water-resistant, formulated to keep protecting you even throughout those high-performance activities. It can be used on the face as well as the body with is non-greasy formulation. It remains effective in water for up to 40 minutes making it perfect for swimming, outdoor sports and high intensity workouts. It not only protects your skin from sun damage but helps reduce the look of existing sun damage with lilikoi seed oil, raspberry seed oil, antioxidants and vitamin C, all working together to hydrate, heal and reduce the signs of ageing in your skin.

Don’t Forget This Little Gem

Many of us are good and apply SPF moisturisers to our face and body daily… but have you thought about  your lips? They are also exposed to the sun on a daily basis and Eminence has a perfect sunscreen just for the lips, the Rosehip & Lemongrass Lip Balm SPF15. With rosehip oil, comfrey and lavender this hydrating lip moisturising balm restore moisture in the lips whilst plumping and firming the lips and protecting them with SPF15.

If You Need Some Guidance:

With a great variety of options from Eminence, there is an SPF product that is perfect for you, no matter what your preference to texture, the application technique you prefer and of course your lifestyle and your skin type.

https://eminenceorganics.com/us/blog/skincare/which-mineral-sunscreen-works-for-you.html

For help and advice on the best SPF for you please contact a member of our experienced and friendly team today on 01305 300950 or by emailing info@theskinsmith.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

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