Tinted Vs. Un-Tinted Sunscreen, Which Is Better?
Depending on where you hear about the latest in skincare trends, you may have noticed that tinted sunscreens are becoming more and more popular each year. While you may know they provide an extra layer of “glow” or help even your skin tone when enjoying a day in the sun, there’s actually more going on beneath the surface (so to speak) that sets a tinted formula apart from its non-tinted sunscreen counterparts.
Let’s learn what makes tinted sunscreen different and whether you should be using it regularly
Why Use Sunscreen In The First Place?
Before we talk about sunscreen, we should establish why we need it. The short answer is that the sun damages the skin and can cause painful sunburns or even skin cancer over time without protection. The longer answer helps clarify the difference between types of sunscreens and cosmetic products that claim to have SPF.
There are two types of light that can harm your skin: UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin causing a breakdown of important structures such as collagen and elastin leading to wrinkles, pigmentation, and dehydration. UVB rays are closer to the surface of the skin causing it to burn.) Broad-spectrum sunscreen can help to protect the skin against both types of UV light.
Visible light can also harm skin, particularly toward the blue end of the spectrum. Different wavelengths of light are used to treat certain skin conditions due to how they’re absorbed by different structures. Blue light, increasingly encountered in our daily lives through device screens of all types, has been shown to stimulate pigment production, leading to issues like hyperpigmentation.
Daily sun protection is necessary to protect the long-term look and health of our skin. But not all sunscreens work in the same way.
What is Tinted Sunscreen?
Tinted sunscreen refers to a mineral-based, broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains a blend of added pigments to add a sheer tint, matching your sunscreen to whatever skin tone color you naturally have. Common minerals used in these types of sunscreen include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Iron oxides are effective at blocking blue light and both types of UV rays.
Tinted mineral sunscreens differ from other effective mineral-based sunscreens that leave a characteristic white cast or streak on the skin – think of the iconic stripe of white on lifeguards’ noses. In this case, the main benefit of a tinted SPF is that it helps you look more natural while still providing the best type of sun protection with reflecting as opposed to absorbent active ingredients.
What is Un-Tinted Sunscreen?
Non-tinted sunscreen can come in a variety of types of formulas. They can even be thought to include makeup and cosmetic products like lip balm that include SPF (sun protection factor). A good mineral-based zinc oxide sunscreen can be un-tinted. However, in most cases, un-tinted sunscreen provides less protection than un-tinted broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen, unless it also has a mineral-based formula.
How To Use Tinted Sunscreen
Tinted sunscreens blend the line between skincare product and makeup a little bit, since they’re designed to help mask the appearance of the active ingredients with additional pigment. Before applying sunscreen, it’s probably a good idea to cleanse and moisturize your face, so the sunscreen doesn’t clog your pores or dry out your skin with sun exposure.
Use a small amount at first, applying it across your face with a special focus on points like the forehead, nose, and other prominent areas. Smooth it outward until it looks natural and your entire face is covered. If you feel you didn’t reach every area, layer a smaller amount on top until it looks good.
Wait for the sunscreen to dry before attempting to apply any other kind of makeup.
High-Quality Tinted Sunscreen By Epicuren Discovery
At Epicuren, we understand the importance of maintaining healthy-looking skin. Our variety sunscreens are formulated with broad-spectrum ingredients and gentle tints to give your skin the beach day glow you’re looking for while delivering UV protection. Discover more products by browsing our complete collection or by taking our Skin Quiz today.