Without fear of your face turning gray, this is what white cast means when using sunscreen and how to deal with it

foto: freepik.com

White cast is one of the things that is most avoided when using sunscreen.

Brilio.net - Sunscreen has become a daily skincare requirement for most people. The reason is, sunscreen is important to protect the skin from exposure to sunlight which disrupts skin health, especially ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB). Sunscreen usually contains active ingredients that absorb or reflect UV rays, such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, or octinoxate.

The various active ingredients in sunscreen are effective in warding off UV rays from the sun. But unfortunately, sometimes these ingredients can also cause white cast. What is white cast?

White cast is a term used to describe the white layer that is visible on the skin after application of sunscreen products. This effect often looks like a white residue or unwanted shine. This condition often occurs in people with darker or tan skin tones. For people who have white or olive skin, this effect may not be very visible or disturbing.

However, for people with dark skin color, white cast often changes skin color, making it difficult for sunscreen to blend with makeup. As a result, the makeup looks gray and putty.

photo: freepik.com

Quoted by briliobeauty.net on Monday (20/5), from the Journal of Investigative Dermatology page, the main cause of white cast is mineral content, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These two ingredients are generally used in physical sunscreen as a physical filter to block UV rays. Unfortunately, these two ingredients cause a white layer effect or what is called a white cast.

Not only caused by the ingredients, it turns out white cast can also appear due to inappropriate use of sunscreen. The reason is, applying sunscreen when facial skin is still too wet can also cause white casts to appear. Sunscreen products will react with water, causing a white layer.

Furthermore, choosing the wrong sunscreen product that is not suitable for your skin type can also cause a white cast effect. Therefore, make sure you choose a sunscreen product that suits your skin type.

If you are one of the people who experiences this condition, there is no need to worry, because you can overcome and prevent the appearance of white cast with the following tricks.

photo: freepik.com

In order not to cause white cast, you can pay attention to the content or formula that is light. So, you can choose mineral sunscreen, namely with a formula that provides a thinner finish. This means it is specifically formulated for invisible or very sheer results. This is because it contains transparent zinc oxide. You can also look for tinted mineral sunscreen to prevent the appearance of white casts.

If you don't want a white cast to appear after using sunscreen, you can choose chemical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreen does have a more transparent formulation on the skin and blends more easily with the original skin color. This is different from physical sunscreen, which has a heavier texture so it can cause a white layer.

photo: freepik.com

One mistake that most people rarely realize when using sunscreen is not giving the sunscreen time to completely absorb into the skin. Many people immediately do outdoor activities and apply makeup products after using sunscreen.

In fact, this skin care product takes time to absorb into the skin and form a complete layer of skin. As recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology, apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before outdoor activities.

Usually sunscreen is used by rubbing it on. However, this method may make the sunscreen uneven and leave a white cast. To overcome this, you can pat your skin after applying sunscreen. This method will make the sunscreen more even and absorb more quickly into the skin. The protective effect provided by sunscreen is also more optimal.

You can choose gel or spray sunscreen to avoid the appearance of white casts. The form, which is thinner than cream, will absorb easily and can reduce the possibility of white cast formation. Sunscreen spray or gel also produces a smoother and more natural appearance.

(brl/wen)