International Header

Different Types of Sunscreen Formulas & How They Work in the Skin

To prevent sun rays from penetrating the skin, sunscreens use either a Chemical Absorber by converting it to heat, or...

Different Types of Sunscreen Formulas & How They Work in the Skin

Last updated:
September 16, 2021
|  5 min read
A bottle of Sawyer sunscreen sitting in the sand and beach water foam

Different Types of Sunscreen Formulas & How They Work in the Skin

Different Types of Sunscreen Formulas & How They Work in the Skin

YouTube video highlight

To prevent sun rays from penetrating the skin, sunscreens use either a Chemical Absorber by converting it to heat, or...

Read more about the project

Different Types of Sunscreen Formulas & How They Work in the Skin

Thumbnail Slider Image
No items found.

To prevent sun rays from penetrating the skin, sunscreens use either a Chemical Absorber by converting it to heat, or a Physical Blocker to reflect the rays.

Chemical Absorbers
Chemical Absorbers generally include names such as salicalate, cinnimate, or benzophenone. There are several variations within those chemical families and a formula will often include two or more absorbers. By converting the energy of a sun ray into heat there is a reduction in the damage these rays can do to your deep skin. A newer absorber called avebenzone (Parsol 1789) has been shown to provide added protection against UVA rays under lab conditions. Though in applications in “real world” conditions, we feel as though the benefits of avebenzone are significantly diminished and often lost, which is why we choose not use this fairly common absorber in any of our sunscreen solutions.

Physical Blockers
Physical Blockers are either Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) or Zinc Oxide which literally reflect the sun's rays. While in theory these are wonderful, our extensive research has yet to see formulas which are able to hold these particles in place during activity nor have we been able to develop such a formula which meets or exceeds our current formulas. If such a technique were found the result would be truly better protection against UVA rays.

Delivery Systems
With those as the options for active ingredients, formulators now choose one of three delivery systems to present and hold the sunscreens to your skin:

  • Mid Layer Sunscreens
  • Top Layer Sunscreens
  • Surface Sunscreens

Different Types of Sunscreen Formulas & How They Work in the Skin

To prevent sun rays from penetrating the skin, sunscreens use either a Chemical Absorber by converting it to heat, or a Physical Blocker to reflect the rays.

Chemical Absorbers
Chemical Absorbers generally include names such as salicalate, cinnimate, or benzophenone. There are several variations within those chemical families and a formula will often include two or more absorbers. By converting the energy of a sun ray into heat there is a reduction in the damage these rays can do to your deep skin. A newer absorber called avebenzone (Parsol 1789) has been shown to provide added protection against UVA rays under lab conditions. Though in applications in “real world” conditions, we feel as though the benefits of avebenzone are significantly diminished and often lost, which is why we choose not use this fairly common absorber in any of our sunscreen solutions.

Physical Blockers
Physical Blockers are either Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) or Zinc Oxide which literally reflect the sun's rays. While in theory these are wonderful, our extensive research has yet to see formulas which are able to hold these particles in place during activity nor have we been able to develop such a formula which meets or exceeds our current formulas. If such a technique were found the result would be truly better protection against UVA rays.

Delivery Systems
With those as the options for active ingredients, formulators now choose one of three delivery systems to present and hold the sunscreens to your skin:

  • Mid Layer Sunscreens
  • Top Layer Sunscreens
  • Surface Sunscreens
Photo thumbnail Blog Author
News from Sawyer
Sawyer
More Than an Outdoor Company.
Here at Sawyer

Different Types of Sunscreen Formulas & How They Work in the Skin

To prevent sun rays from penetrating the skin, sunscreens use either a Chemical Absorber by converting it to heat, or a Physical Blocker to reflect the rays.

Chemical Absorbers
Chemical Absorbers generally include names such as salicalate, cinnimate, or benzophenone. There are several variations within those chemical families and a formula will often include two or more absorbers. By converting the energy of a sun ray into heat there is a reduction in the damage these rays can do to your deep skin. A newer absorber called avebenzone (Parsol 1789) has been shown to provide added protection against UVA rays under lab conditions. Though in applications in “real world” conditions, we feel as though the benefits of avebenzone are significantly diminished and often lost, which is why we choose not use this fairly common absorber in any of our sunscreen solutions.

Physical Blockers
Physical Blockers are either Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) or Zinc Oxide which literally reflect the sun's rays. While in theory these are wonderful, our extensive research has yet to see formulas which are able to hold these particles in place during activity nor have we been able to develop such a formula which meets or exceeds our current formulas. If such a technique were found the result would be truly better protection against UVA rays.

Delivery Systems
With those as the options for active ingredients, formulators now choose one of three delivery systems to present and hold the sunscreens to your skin:

  • Mid Layer Sunscreens
  • Top Layer Sunscreens
  • Surface Sunscreens
Photo thumbnail Blog Author
News from Sawyer
Sawyer
More Than an Outdoor Company.
Here at Sawyer
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
February 6, 2026
6 Min
The 2026 Badger Sponsorship
Read More

Media Mentions

Katie Houston
Katie Houston
Solo Thru-Hiker

Media Mentions

"With some of the pattern changes in our weather we are seeing insect-borne diseases in places we’ve not seen before."

Dr. Jeri Mendelson
Dermatologist

Media Mentions

This article was made possible with information and inspiration from Enock Glidden.

Katie Houston
Solo Thru-Hiker
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory