Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen OEM FAQ

What is the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen?

Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on the skin and scatter or absorb UV. Chemical sunscreens use organic UV filters such as avobenzone or octinoxate, which absorb UV and convert it to heat. The practical differences are cosmetic texture, white cast, and regulatory status.

Which sunscreen filters are allowed in the EU and the US?

The EU keeps a positive list of authorized UV filters in Annex VI of the Cosmetics Regulation, each with a maximum concentration. The US regulates sunscreens as OTC drugs under a monograph; zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are generally recognized as safe and effective filters, while most chemical filters remain under continued regulatory evaluation.

What is the difference between nano and non-nano zinc oxide?

Non-nano zinc oxide has larger particles that sit on the skin surface and typically leave a whiter cast; nano zinc oxide uses smaller particles for a more transparent finish. Nano forms carry extra labeling and safety data obligations in the EU, so the particle-size choice affects both aesthetics and compliance.

Is zinc oxide better than chemical filters for sensitive skin?

Mineral filters are the common choice for sensitive-skin positioning because they sit on the skin surface and have a low irritation profile, while some chemical filters are associated with stinging in reactive skin. However, modern chemical blends can also be well tolerated — the decisive factors are the specific filter system, the base formula, and the claim you want to make.

What SPF can I claim for a private-label sunscreen?

Only the SPF that standardized testing supports. SPF numbers are measured by human testing under the applicable method for the target market, and the label number must match the test result within the method's tolerance. "Broad spectrum" and water-resistance claims also require their own testing protocols, and the test report belongs in the product file.

Can I sell the same sunscreen formula in the US and the EU?

Not automatically. The two markets use different filter lists and limits — for example avobenzone is capped at 3% in the US monograph and 5% in the EU Annex VI — and different product classifications, since US sunscreens are OTC drugs while EU sunscreens are cosmetics with UV filter rules. A formula must be checked and often adjusted per market before launch.