Medik8 Physical Sunscreen

Medik8’s Physical Sunscreen is the high-performance, broad spectrum, nano-free, non-residue zinc oxide sunscreen our skin has been waiting for.

Did you know that 80% of all signs of skin ageing – manifested as lines and wrinkles, sun spots and pigmentation, and poor skin texture and tone – are caused by the sun? Do not fall victim to sun-damaged skin or, worse yet, skin cancer. Avoiding UV exposure and wearing sunscreen each and every day is absolutely vital to keeping your skin protected and youthful for longer.

Just in time for summer, Medik8 has reformulated its famed Physical Sunscreen. The new and improved Medik8 Physical Sunscreen is a high-performance SPF 50+ sunscreen that provides powerful broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays. Perfect for daily protection and rich in antioxidants, the innovative sunscreen is reinforced with anti-pollution, anti- infrared, and anti-glycation technologies to shield skin from environmental aggressors to help prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Medik8’s Physical Sunscreen is light enough for everyday use and strong enough to defend against all signs of photoageing, without leaving any residue or tackiness – a huge breakthrough when it comes to physical (also known as mineral to inorganic) sunscreens.

We caught up with Daniel Isaacs, Director of Research at Medik8, to ask him a few questions about sunscreen and learn more about how we can keep our skin protected in the sun.

CB: What’s the difference between a chemical and physical sunscreen?

DI: There are two main types of sunscreens: chemical and physical. Both chemical and physical sunscreens work by absorbing UV light and converting it into heat. The more accurate way of differentiating between sunscreen filters is by describing physical as “inorganic” filters and chemical as “organic” filters. Physical sunscreens (inorganic) can actually absorb up to 95% of the UV rays they are protecting you from.¹ The main difference between physical and chemical (organic) is that physical sunscreens can scatter a small amount of the UV spectrum, around 5%.

There are some more differences between physical (inorganic) and chemical (organic) sunscreens. For example, physical filters are often recommended for sensitive skin as zinc oxide and titanium oxide are very non-reactive, and they are often mattifying on the skin – perfect for oilier skin types.

CB: Why is being able to offer a nano-free sunscreen important? How does this align with Medik8’s philosophy?

DI: Having a non-nano physical sunscreen with an SPF of 50+ is very rare but something we consider to be important while the safety of nano-sized filters and their potential impact are still being discussed in the scientific community. We choose to use micronised physical filters expertly blended into the lightweight, high protection formula. They give the best light scattering ratio and decrease the whitening effect, while being larger than nano so that the particles do not penetrate deep into the skin. Our non-nano formula also keeps our sunscreens coral reef friendly – we do not use controversial filters like oxybenzone, octinoxate and nano-zinc oxide which have all been linked with coral reef damage.

CB: What specifically does Medik8’s Physical Sunscreen protect against? How does it do this (absorb and/or reflect, etc)?

DI: Physical Sunscreen has broad spectrum UVA protection. UVA has a significantly damaging effect on skin and its rays are the primary cause of premature skin ageing. It is the only UV ray which penetrates into the dermis, where collagen is found. For a “broad spectrum” UVA protection, the UVA protection factor should be at least one-third of its UVB protection, and its critical wavelength is >370nm.

Medik8 Physical Sunscreen contains mineral sunscreen filter zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is able to block UV light by both absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat, and reflecting UV waves away from the skin. This protects the skin from contact with UV waves. It is known for its protecting properties and is very gentle on the skin.

CB: Physical Sunscreen also contains anti-glycation technology. Can you explain what AGEs are?

DI: Around 70-80% of skin ageing is attributed to photoageing and UV radiation, however around 10-20% is attributed to glycation. Glycation is the reaction between sugar molecules and protein molecules, resulting in advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). This is caused by accumulated sugar molecules from the diet and from free radical damage. AGEs can be damaging when they accumulate in the skin. Deposition of AGE products in the upper dermis can cause a yellowing to the skin.

One way to reduce unwanted glycation is to provide ingredients which inhibit the binding of sugar to proteins, binding to lysine in its place. Carnosine is an anti-crosslinking agent and thus is used in Physical Sunscreen to prevent the build up of crosslinked collagen proteins.

CB: How much sunscreen should we be applying to our face every day? What step of our skincare routine should sunscreen be added?

DI: Every morning, as the final step in your skincare routine, apply one-quarter of a teaspoon sized amount of Physical Sunscreen to the face, neck and décolletage, avoiding the eye area. Apply the sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply during the day for maximum protection.

CB: Can Physical Sunscreen be used on all skin types?

DI: Physical Sunscreen is ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skins, who struggle to use chemical sunscreens that penetrate into the skin. Our physical formulas sit on top of the complexion, forming a nourishing, protective barrier over skin from external, environmental stressors. Physical Sunscreen also helps to minimise hyperpigmentation, as they successfully block UV light (SPF 50+). This sunscreen is perfect for preventing the visible signs of premature ageing.

Physical Sunscreen is non-sticky and non-greasy on the skin. The formula is lightweight, breathable and blends seamlessly, leaving a semi-matte finish on the skin. CBM

1. C. Cole et al, Metal oxide sunscreens protect skin by absorption, not by reflection or scattering, Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2015, 32(1), pp 5-10