Why Do Our Sunscreens Have a Whitening Effect and How Can You Avoid It?

Conventional, non-organic, sunscreens use chemical filters from petrochemicals. These are invisible on the skin, but their safety is dubious for our health and when present in the marine environment. They are suspected to contain molecules that may act as hormone disruptors. When it comes to Organic sunscreens, they use natural mineral powders that may be visible but also safely protect from the adverse effects of the sun. The good news is that the latest generations of formulas limit the whitening that may not bother surfers, but might if you are showing off on the boardwalk.

What are Mineral Filters?

Mineral screens are white powders that stay on the surface of the skin. In this way, they reflect UV rays like tiny mirrors and create a physical barrier.

At Laboratoires de Biarritz, we use a popular pair for broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, for optimal protection across wavelengths.

By combining the two, we achieve greater shielding effectiveness.

When using only titanium dioxide, the whitening effect is more pronounced because the size of the particles is larger to reach broad-spectrum protection.

In this way, by adding zinc oxide, the width of the shielded spectrum is expanded and the whitening effect noticeably reduced.

Galenic Formulation, the Key to Reduce Whitening

As you now understand, the titanium dioxide/ zinc oxide combo provides optimal cover of the UV spectrum.

But because we want to offer skincare with a perfect cosmetic effect, we work hard to guarantee perfect galenic formulation for cutting-edge, easy-to-apply products.

Indeed, the easier the product is to apply, the better it can be spread on the skin, and the lesser its whitening effect.

A challenge met by Laboratoires de Biarritz, where we emphasize great feeling textures without compromising protection and limiting whitening.

A Reassuring Whitening Effect

Most of our sunscreen products have a very slight, even inexistent whitening effect, even at high protection factors.

Even if the whitening may seem awkward, for parents it can be very useful.

Indeed, it is out of the question to leave even a square centimeter of skin unprotected, especially when it comes to our children.

The whitening effect is an excellent indicator if the product was well applied, and to see if your child is perfectly safe.

The mineral filters remain on the surface of the skin and are particularly water and swear-resistant for optimal protection.

And finally, if sunscreen gets on your clothes, a bit of hand soap works wonders!