Mineral sunscreens are generally one of the best sunscreens to use because they can be used by people with sensitive skin all the way to acne-prone skin, from a three-month-old baby all the way to an 80-year-old man. But people are now trying to avoid it, because of one major problem; it leaves a ghostly white cast!
White cast
What is white cast and why is it so prevalent in mineral sunscreen?
The white cast is caused by two core ingredients in mineral sunscreen or hybrid sunscreen: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Now, among the both, zinc oxide actually gives you the whitest cast, which is the whitish discoloration of your skin.
Importance of White Cast
The white cast of physical sunscreen is important because it reflects away UV radiation, which is harmful for your skin. Hence, the white in the whitish color and the particular white cast, or zinc oxide, will actually maximize the protection for your skin.
Those with darker skin tones find this white discoloration or the white cast caused by mineral sunscreen to be a little bit annoying. Because then, they have this dual skin tone whereby the skin on face is fair, but the skin on hands and on neck is dark.
Tips for Dealing with the White Cast
Here at Spheremedium I’ll share the five methods to reduce the white cast in physical or mineral sunscreens.
1. Tinted Sunscreen
Use tinted sunscreen. These sunscreens are actually mineral sunscreens, but along with zinc oxide, iron oxides are added to them, to give dark hue in color. So tinted sunscreen, instead of giving them that white-cast appearance, gives off more brownish kind of appearance. So it’s more suitable for people with dark skin tones.
However, this doesn’t affect the efficacy of mineral sunscreen because it gives you similar protection to zinc oxide and, at the same time, gives you maximum protection from high-energy visible light. It’s also suitable for acne-prone, sensitive skin Individuals.
Some popular tinted sunscreens are; Neutrogena pure skin+tinted sunscreen, super goop glow screen, Naked Sundays collagen glow mineral sunscreen.
2. Use beauty blender or pat it
Yes! You read it right. Normally, most of us apply sunscreen by rubbing it all over the face. Now, one of the ways to reduce the amount of white cast on your skin is instead of smudging it all over face, is to apply a little bit over your fingertips and then pat it on your skin.
Beauty blender can be helpful here. This patting action of the beauty blender prevents the formation of white cast streaks and instead gives you a more even, whitish tone on your skin. So yes, you’re still left with a white cast or whitish discoloration, but it wouldn’t be as severe as just streaking it all over your face.
3. Layer sunscreen
Usually sunscreen is applied in daytime when we are heading to work or school. We apply the sunscreen, rub it on face, and then head out the door. One way to reduce the white cast look is to slowly rub the sunscreen on face for a few minutes, because when it’s applied slowly and evenly, the white cast reduces in severity. I understand this method is time consuming, maybe not for days when you’re in hurry, but it works!
As recommended quantity to apply sunscreen is roughly one-quarter of a teaspoon of sunscreen to entire face in portions. First, apply some sunblock, and after a minute, layer it again. Keep layering till you’ve done a quarter of a teaspoon. Although it’s a bit of a time-consuming process, but it’s definitely worth it.
4. Top it off with bronzer
Now, even though it’s not generally recommended to blend your sunscreen with other products or to probably put something on top of your sunscreen, one of the ways to reduce the white cast is to put makeup on top of your sunscreen. Not the liquid ones as it will mess up with UV filters of sunblock; using bronzer is a good option on top of physical sunscreen.
Now what the bronzer does is cover up the white cast by sunscreen and gives skin nice natural skin tone.
5. Allow the sunscreen to set
It takes 5–10 minutes for sunscreen to set on face after its application. By leaving it on your skin; allow it time to blend by not doing anything. By doing so severity of white cast decreases by itself.
Physical/mineral Sunscreens whose whitcast disappear sometimes after application are; Skin1004 Madagascar centella air fit sun cream , Round lab birch juice moisturizing mild up sun cream ,Goodal heartleaf calming mineral filter.
So here are five ways to reduce the white cast of sunscreen. If you have no idea about sunscreens or sunblocks then please go through “Sunscreen Smarts: Physical vs Chemical Sunscreens – What’s the Difference?” at Sphere medium.
Do share which sunscreen you are using and if it leaves a white cast or not? And how do you reduce the white cast, if it has any?
FAQs
They both are same kind of sunscreen.
No, it’s due to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are the basic ingredients in physical/mineral sunblocks.
Because it is the best sunscreen for people with sensitive ,acne prone skin, since it doesn’t get absorbed in skin and works by forming a screen on top of skin.
It’s due to the physical blockers zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which reflect UV rays.
It’s best to use chemical sunscreen to avoid a white cast, as physical sunscreen always leaves a white cast. Or choose sunscreens labeled “non-whitening” or cosmetically elegant.
Use a small amount of sunscreen and blend well. Apply sunscreen to damp skin to help it absorb better. Use a makeup brush or beauty blender to apply sunscreen for a more even application. Set sunscreen with powder to reduce whitening.
I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
19 Comments
[…] end up applying it inadequately. To learn how to deal with White cast of sunblock please read “How to Avoid the White Cast of Sunscreen: Tips and Tricks for a Seamless Glow” at Sphere […]
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