Guide

Is your sunscreen whitening? One tip could help against the nasty white haze

19/6/2024

Translation: Elicia Payne

Whitening sunscreens are a horror, especially on your face. You can solve the problem with a simple trick – at least that’s what make-up artist Spencer claims. Let’s see if it’s true.

Some sun protection products literally turn you into a ghost. My mineral sun cream by Curél, for example. A bad purchase I made in Japan. No matter how thoroughly I work the UV milk into my skin, a bluish-white haze always remains. Nevertheless, I refuse to give up and dispose of my holiday souvenir just yet.

The other day, my TikTok algorithm showed me a clip by make-up artist Painted by Spencer. Apparently, he has the solution to this problem. The idea behind it is so simple that I could’ve thought of it myself. All I have to do is mix a little liquid bronzer into my sunscreen.

But does it really work? Well, yes and no.

Of course, I wanted answers quick and immediately tried it out. And not just with my bronzer. Various foundations and tinted products also had their turn. Pretty much anything that can reduce the white a little. I wanted to see what would give me the best result. The problem is, the pigments help to keep the white in check, but what comes out of the mix doesn’t match my skin tone either.

First add a drop of liquid bronzer…
Source: Manuel Oberholzer

… and mix thoroughly.
Source: Manuel Oberholzer

If I combine the UV protection with my bronzer, a grey tint creeps into the cream, which would be great if I was working on a ghost train. When I mix some foundation in, I have to use one that’s a few shades darker than my skin tone, as the white from the cream has a brightening effect. And here, too, I realise it looks different. If I apply enough cream to ensure the declared protection of 50+, streaky residue remains on my skin. With medium to dark skin tones, the ratio might not even come close.

Bottom left on my arm: sunscreen + foundation. Above it: sunscreen + liquid bronzer.
Source: Natalie Hemengül

In conclusion, you can reduce the whitening somewhat, but the result isn’t very natural. Nevertheless, it’s certainly worth a try before throwing the sunscreen out. And who knows, maybe you’ll find the perfect mix-match. I definitely haven’t.

Header image: Natalie Hemengül

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Natalie Hemengül

Senior Editor

Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.

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