The difference between Sunscreen and Sunblock, Which one is more suitable for daily activities?

When carrying out activities outside the house every day, our skin is certainly exposed to sunlight. This exposure can make the skin exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation which poses various risks, ranging from skin damage, premature aging, to increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Therefore, protecting the skin from UV rays becomes an important step that should not be overlooked. Two products commonly used for this protection are sunblock and sunscreen. Although both function as sunscreens, they have differences, both in terms of how they work and the ingredients used.

So that Implovers do not make mistakes in choosing and can get optimal skin protection, let's take a look at the complete explanation below!

Some Differences Between Sunscreen and Sunblock

1. Ingredients of Sunscreen and Sunblock
Generally, sunscreen contains active chemical ingredients that act as filters to absorb UV radiation before damaging the skin. Some ingredients commonly found in sunscreen include Octocrylene, Mexoryl XL, SPF, and PA.
Meanwhile, sunblock usually contains natural minerals such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These ingredients tend to be more stable and not easily degraded by sunlight, making them suitable for sensitive skin.

2. Texture of Sunscreen and Sunblock
In terms of texture, sunblock usually feels thicker and heavier when applied to the skin. On the other hand, sunscreen has a lighter texture and absorbs quickly.
Currently, sunscreen is also available in various forms such as cream, lotion, spray, gel, foam, and serum. One of the latest innovations is sunscreen in the form of a serum that is practical for daily use.

3. Function of Sunscreen and Sunblock
Looking at their functions, sunscreen works by absorbing sunlight that enters the top layer of the skin. In the past, sunscreen was known to protect against UVB rays, but now many sunscreen products are formulated to block both UVA and UVB rays, especially those with SPF 50+ PA++++.
On the other hand, sunblock generally provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays by forming a protective layer on the skin's surface.

4. How Sunscreen and Sunblock Work
The next difference lies in how they work. Sunscreen absorbs UV rays, then converts them into heat that is emitted back by the skin. Therefore, sunscreen needs to be applied about 15-20 minutes before outdoor activities.
On the other hand, sunblock works by reflecting UV rays so they do not penetrate the skin. Sunblock can work immediately after application. However, both sunscreen and sunblock still need to be reapplied every 2-3 hours for optimal results.

5. End Results of Sunscreen and Sunblock
For Implovers to better understand the Differences Between Sunscreen and Sunblock, here is an explanation of their end results in the form of a table:

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