Everyone needs protection from UV rays, even during the cooler months of the year. Regrettably, inorganic sunscreen, the most common sunscreen on the market, leaves a white cast. This is because of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. When using an inorganic sunscreen, a white cast is unavoidable but reducible. Here are makeup industry tips for reducing sunscreen’s white cast.
How to Apply Inorganic Sunscreen
It’s best to apply inorganic sunscreen 15 minutes prior to heading out into the Sun. This allows the skin to soak up the sunscreen, reducing a white residue. Besides waiting 15 minutes, pat on sunscreen, and never attempt to rub it in. British researchers have found that when we vigorously rub in sunscreen, its protective effects are reduced. So not just does patting on sunscreen reduce a white cast, it reduces the absorption of free radicals, particles that cause skin cancer.
Cast Free Sunscreens
To avoid white cast, try tinted sunscreen. Organically tinted sunscreens, those that contain carbon compounds rather than metallic minerals, give a healthy glow, forgoing the white caste inorganic compounds leave behind. Best of all, organic sunscreens come in a hue for every skin tone.
Besides inorganic and organic, chemical sunscreens, those that contain avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone, don’t leave a white cast. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and are approved by the American Association of Dermatology. They block UV by soaking it up, rather than blocking it.
Chemical sunscreens may be the way to go this Fall. Sunscreen oil protects against the sun’s rays by absorbing them. Most often, these sunscreens come in SPF 15-30. They offer protection against both SUVA and VB. Gel sunscreens are another way to avoid looking like a ghost. They are made from octyl methoxycinnamate, avobenzone, phenyl benzimidazole, and sulphonic acid. Gel sunscreen goes on clear, leaving no white cast.
All things considered, looking for a dual-purpose sunscreen, like an organically tinted brand, maybe the way to go. However, it’s best to consider all factors when choosing a sunscreen. Often, sunscreens that leave behind a white cast, inorganic blends, have the highest SPF. If a white cast free Fall is what you’re going for, oil and gel sunscreens are unbeatable. However, the clear choice for avoiding a white cast is using an organic or chemical sunscreen.
