{"id":462985,"date":"2026-02-06T20:47:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T20:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/462985\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T20:47:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T20:47:13","slug":"ucla-scientists-develop-mineral-sunscreen-that-reduces-white-cast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/462985\/","title":{"rendered":"UCLA Scientists Develop Mineral Sunscreen That Reduces White Cast"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated6 min readMineral sunscreens made with ingredients like zinc oxide often leave behind a white cast on the skin, which can make wearing sunscreen especially unappealing to folks with darker skin.A team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles developed a new mineral sunscreen formulation that may solve the white-cast problem. The new formulation was similarly effective at shielding skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.<\/p>\n

Can you believe that in the year 2026, the human race has managed to figure out how to send people to outer space just for the fun of it, but we’re still stuck slathering on sunscreens<\/a> that leave behind a dreadful and unsightly white cast? <\/p>\n

Yeah, me neither. <\/p>\n

Generally speaking, mineral (also called physical) sunscreens are more likely to cause a white cast compared to chemical ones. And that’s because physical sunscreens<\/a> are made with active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide\u2014white powders that sit on top of the skin, creating a physical barrier that shields your complexion from the sun. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, are made with non-mineral chemical compounds that work to absorb the sun’s ultraviolet, or UV, rays and convert them into heat, according to the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Meet the experts: Ajoa J. Addae, lead study author and chemical biology doctoral candidate at the University of California, Los Angeles; Joshua Zeichner<\/a>, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital; Paul Weiss<\/a>, PhD, study co-author, nanoscientist, and UC Presidential Chair in Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Mineral sunscreens are well-tolerated by most individuals, including those with sensitive skin. But that gnarly white-cast they often leave behind is so unappealing that it can lead people to avoid wearing sunscreen altogether. And that’s pretty concerning since sunscreen is crucial to preventing skin mutations that can lead to cancer, and can help fight wrinkles<\/a> and other visible signs of skin aging. <\/p>\n

Thankfully, white casts may become a thing of the past because a research team at the University of California, Los Angeles recently created a new mineral sunscreen formula that offers the same protection as the tried-and-true stuff, but without that ugly white residue. The investigators recently published data on their new formulation in the form of a study, and it involves some really cool science. Here\u2019s what experts want you to know about it. <\/p>\n

What did the study find? <\/p>\n

Ajoa J. Addae, a chemical biology doctoral candidate at the University of California, Los Angeles and lead author of the research letter is a dark-skinned woman\u2014so she knows firsthand how frustrating it can be when mineral sunscreens<\/a> leave behind a white residue, she says. And yet, \u201cthis is one of the biggest problems that plagues cosmetics sciences as it applies to sunscreen research,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

However, Addae and her team might have found a solution. According to the research letter, which was published in the journal ACS Materials Letters<\/a> in December, they tested a novel zinc oxide \u201ctetrapod\u201d sunscreen, and compared both its effectiveness and cosmetic appearance to that of traditional zinc oxide sunscreen formulations. <\/p>\n

Typically, zinc oxide in sunscreens is made through a chemical process called sol-gel<\/a>, which creates very small, uniform, spherical nanoparticles. When applied to the skin, those particles can clump together, and when those clumps scatter visible light back into the eyes, you perceive that chalky white cast that everyone despises. <\/p>\n

Related Stories<\/p>\n

For the study, researchers instead used a high-temperature flame to create larger zinc oxide particles with four arms jutting from a central core, a shape called tetrapods. This structure prevents zinc oxide from clumping. Here’s how it works: Imagine those four arms attached to each nanoparticle. Instead of collapsing into clumps like the conventional spherical particles do, the tetrapods force the particles hold one another at arm’s length\u2014pun intended. This forms a loose, porous network with space between the particles, which allows the zinc oxide to spread more evenly across the skin and reflect less visible light. <\/p>\n

In other words, the tetrapods reflect light differently than standard zinc oxide particles, creating a warmer look that more closely resembles natural skin tones and leaves behind less of a white cast. The new sunscreen formulation also seems to achieve a sun protection factor, or SPF, of about 30, according to the research letter, which is comparable to many standard mineral sunscreens on the market and aligns with the SPF the American Academy of Dermatology<\/a> recommends people use everyday. Pretty cool, right?<\/p>\n

These findings suggest that concerns about mineral sunscreen\u2019s white cast may be resolved simply by changing the shape of zinc oxide particles. No new sunscreen ingredients<\/a> necessary! <\/p>\n

Why does this matter?<\/p>\n

To put it plainly: People are more likely to use a product when they like the way it looks on their skin. Mineral sunscreens with less white-cast are therefore easier to apply consistently\u2014a huge deal considering that sunscreen can help prevent serious skin cancers like melanoma. In 2026 alone, more than 46,000 women are predicted to be diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cMineral UV blockers have the advantage of giving broad spectrum UV protection, including many of the skin cancer-causing” ultraviolet rays, explains Joshua Zeichner<\/a>, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital. By making mineral sunscreen use more appealing to use, particularly for folks with dark skin<\/a>, tetrapod zinc oxide sunscreen can perhaps increase regular application and potentially lower skin cancer rates. \u201cThere is an old saying that the best sunscreen is the one that you will wear,\u201d Addae says.<\/p>\n

Related Stories<\/p>\n

Some people might think, “Why not just use chemical sunscreen?” After all, those usually don’t leave behind a white cast to begin with, though they can sometimes be irritating to sensitive skin. Well, research<\/a> has shown that chemical ingredients can be absorbed into the human blood stream, and we don’t fully understand the long-term effects of that. \u201cThis does not mean that chemical sunscreens are unsafe,” Dr. Zeichner says, but rather that the United States Food and Drug Administration “does not have enough data to make a definitive statement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, are generally better tolerated and contain the only sunscreen ingredients currently recognized as generally safe and effective by the FDA, Dr. Zeichner explains. So if you want a product with the longest track record of safety and broad tolerability, mineral sunscreens are the clear winner, especially when those formulations manage to reduce white cast as well. <\/p>\n

TL;DR? Tetrapod zinc oxide particles can potentially solve the white-cast problem by making sunscreen easily spreadable, visually appealing, and easier to use\u2014all without sacrificing sun protection. <\/p>\n

So what happens now?<\/p>\n

Okay, here’s some less-than-ideal news: Despite this recent scientific breakthrough, tetrapod zinc oxide sunscreens aren’t going to be flooding drugstore shelves anytime soon. First, the team has more testing to do, and then they hope to get their formula out to the masses. \u201cWe are exploring how we might commercialize and translate this,\u201d says Paul Weiss<\/a>, PhD, study co-author, nanoscientist, and UC Presidential Chair in Chemistry at the University of Califoria, Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

So for now, we\u2019re still stuck using standard mineral sunscreens, though that could soon change. \u201cHopefully, this can move us in the right direction,\u201d Addae says. In the meantime, here are some sunscreens that experts recommend:<\/p>\n

4 Mineral Sunscreens Loved By Women’s Health Editors And Dermatologists<\/p>\n

Best For Oily\/Acne-Prone Skin<\/p>\n

\"Unseen<\/a>Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30<\/p>\n

If you have an oily complexion, the last thing you want to do is add a shine-inducing SPF to the mix. But you’re not out of options: This formula has a fluffy, weightless texture that won’t clog pores. Plus, it works great as a primer under makeup, so if you’re a concealer girl, you’ll love it.<\/p>\n

Best For Dry Skin<\/p>\n

\"Hydrating<\/a>CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50<\/p>\n

On the dry side (skin-wise, that is)? Here’s the SPF for you: It’s formulated with ceramides\u2014the building blocks of a healthy skin barrier<\/a>\u2014to keep moisture in, plus hyaluronic acid<\/a>, to attract more water into the deeper layers of your skin. <\/p>\n

Best For Dark Skin<\/p>\n

\"Eryfotona<\/a>ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50+<\/p>\n

Now 25% Off<\/p>\n

It’s a sad-but-true fact: Many mineral sunscreens leave behind a white or gray tint on darker skin tones. But not all! Those with a deeper complexion will want to look for a tinted mineral SPF, like this one, which our beauty editor raves about<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best For Sensitive Skin<\/p>\n

\"Daily<\/a><\/p>\n

This zinc oxide-based SPF is recommended by the National Eczema Association<\/a>, so you can be sure that it’s non-irritating and suitable for the crankiest of complexions. Also of note: It contains phytoplankton and microalgae to provide even more of an antioxidant boost.<\/p>\n

Until you can add tetrapod sunscreens to your cart, you can rest easy knowing these products will get the job done right. But thanks to science, we’re one step closer to having mineral sunscreens that protect your skin and blend like a dream. <\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men\u2019s Health, Women\u2019s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master\u2019s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Katie Mogg is the beauty editorial assistant at Women\u2019s Health. Since starting college at Northeastern University in 2020, her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NBC News and The Boston Globe. She strives to help readers lead happier and healthier lives through science-backed stories that explain how to care for hair, skin and nails. When she\u2019s not working, Katie enjoys live music, strolling through Central Park, planning her next beach getaway, and sharing hotpot with friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"6 min readMineral sunscreens made with ingredients like zinc oxide often leave behind a white cast on the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":462986,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[237473,237485,237482,237481,64,63,6458,2156,237483,481,123789,186786,237486,237484,237475,128,237478,237474,237477,8451,237479,237472,237480,237476,186785],"class_list":["post-462985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-science","tag-acs-materials-letters","tag-ajoa-j-addae","tag-american-academy-of-dermatology","tag-american-cancer-society","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-cleveland-clinic","tag-fda","tag-joshua-zeichner","tag-los-angeles","tag-melanoma","tag-mineral-sunscreen","tag-mount-sinai-hospital","tag-paul-weiss","tag-physical-sunscreen","tag-science","tag-spf-30","tag-tetrapod-nanoparticles","tag-titanium-dioxide","tag-ucla","tag-ultraviolet-rays","tag-university-of-california-los-angeles","tag-uv-protection","tag-white-cast","tag-zinc-oxide"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462985","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=462985"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462985\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/462986"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=462985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=462985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=462985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}