Mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide is often recommended by dermatologists because it is gentle and effective.
However, these products have had a drawback. They often leave a white or grayish layer on the skin. This is particularly noticeable on people with darker skin tones.
The reason is that the small zinc particles are usually round and tend to clump together. When they cluster, they scatter light and create a chalky appearance.
New shape for zinc
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have attempted to solve the problem by changing the shape of the particles.
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Instead of round particles, they have developed a method in which zinc oxide is shaped into small four-armed structures called tetrapods.
According to UCLA Health, these structures cannot pack closely together. Instead, they spread evenly across the skin and form a mesh-like layer.
The results have been published in the journal ACS Materials Letters. In laboratory tests, the new sunscreen achieved a sun protection factor of 30 and remained stable over time.
Appearance matters
Senior author Paul Weiss points out in a press release that improved appearance may encourage more people to use sunscreen regularly.
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Lead author AJ Addae adds, “The best sunscreen is the one people will actually use”, emphasizing that it is important for the product to work across different skin tones.
According to HealthDay, the researchers hope that a more user-friendly sunscreen can help prevent skin cancer, especially among individuals who are often diagnosed at a later stage.
Sources: HealthDay, ACS Materials Letters, and the press release.
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