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Why a Mineral Sunscreen Will Never Be Invisible

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Why a Mineral Sunscreen Will Never Be Invisible

Can an invisible mineral sunscreen exist? By nature, mineral SPF is made up of tiny white powders…and you just can’t make them invisible. In today’s chemistry lesson, we’ll tell you more and we'll share some of our favorite daily mineral sunscreens.

Mineral sunscreen can never be invisible....here's why!

If you’re as passionate about mineral SPF as we are (we have 20 different formulas to choose from!), then you've probably wondered if there's such thing as a 100% invisible mineral sunscreen. And here's the truth: Mineral sunscreen can never be 100% invisible. By definition, mineral actives (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are white powders that sit on top of the skin and work as a physical shield to block UV rays, making it impossible for them to go on clear. That being said, they can be super blendable and sheer! Read on to find out more…

How to reduce the white tint (aka "white cast") from mineral sunscreen

Now that you know that there’s no such thing as a completely invisible mineral SPF, we’ll give you a bit more insight into how we innovate our mineral sunscreens to minimize white cast.

In our Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, we gave the formula an ultra-lightweight cloud-like texture that allows the formula to seamlessly blend into your skin for a more natural, sheer finish. Because it glides so smoothly when applied, Mineral Unseen Sunscreen softly blends to minimize white cast. We took a similar approach for our Mineral Sheerscreen SPF 30, which was expertly formulated with our innovative SheerMatrix Technology to create an ultra-lightweight, web-like structure that allows the formula to stretch into a sheer finish without compromising efficacy.

Another way we combat white cast is by adding a tint! Incorporating a tint into a mineral sunscreen allows the formula to blend more naturally with a variety of skin tones (rather than looking stark white!). In some formulas, like our fan-favorite mattifying primer Mineral Mattescreen and our brightening eye cream Bright-Eyed, we've added a super flexible tint to blend into a wide range of skin tones. We also have options that come in a number of different shades so you can find one that more closely matches your skin tone, like our hybrid Protec(tint) skin tint. Which reminds us...

Some SPF formulas are "Hybrid"!

Hybrid sunscreen formulas include both chemical and mineral actives. And hybrid SPF formulas can come with their own unique benefits! For example, we created Protec(tint) as a hybrid SPF because it allows for a broader shade range (thanks to the chemical actives) and a more comfortable, non-greasy feel for all skin types (thanks to the mineral SPF). It's the best of both worlds!

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If you’re using a mineral product that is labeled “invisible zinc,” then chances are strong it’s actually a hybrid formula or it’s just mis-marketed altogether and the word “invisible” is just code for something along the lines of “lightweight.”

What if I want a 100% invisible SPF?

If you're looking for something totally invisible (like really really invisible), then you'll need to opt for a chemical sunscreen like our bestselling Unseen Sunscreen. It's weightless, scentless and 100% invisible on all skin tones. But if you're set on a mineral formula, our Mineral Unseen Sunscreen is your best bet. Sheer, scentless, weightless and super blendable, it's the best mineral sunscreen you've never seen!