Sunscreens and sunblocks are chemical or physical products used to protect the skin from sun damage which can lead to skin cancer, such as melanoma .
Sunscreen products provide various degrees of protection against the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Sunblock products prevent all ultraviolet light from entering the skin. They often contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and are used for high-risk areas such as the nose, lips, and shoulders. Chemical sunscreens and sunblocks protect the skin by absorbing visible and invisible, or ultraviolet, sun rays. Physical sunscreens and sunblocks protect the skin by reflecting, scattering, absorbing, and blocking sun rays. Sun Exposure Sunscreens and sunblocks have been developed to decrease the harmful effects of the sun on the skin.