Sunscreen with color vs. without: what are the differences? – GOOD SHAPE

The use of sunscreen daily is recommended by doctors, as it is a key item for maintaining skin health. However, there are many versions of the product, which can create doubts when choosing which one to use.

In addition to there being protectors with the most varied assets and ingredients, there are also those that have pigments that help to even out skin color and offer other benefits, such as protection against visible light.

Humberto Martins, Director of Laboratorio Cosmetic L’Oréal Brasil, explains the differences between the product with and without color.

“The main difference between colored and uncolored protectors is the presence of pigments of mineral origin, used to color the product”, he begins. “Therefore, color protectors can also provide protection against visible light, which can lead to cases of persistent hyperpigmentation, especially in darker skin”, he says.

According to him, the level of coverage that the tinted protector manages to reach is relevant for the protection of the skin against visible light.

“Both tinted and uncolored sunscreens provide protection against UVA and UVB rays in accordance with the requirements of regulatory authorities in Brazil. The big difference between colored sunscreens is that they can also provide protection against visible light, and the greater the color coverage, the greater the protection”, he highlights.

Exposure to radiation emitted by the sun, which contains UVA, UVB and visible light, can cause redness and pigmentation of the skin. Furthermore, when this happens on a prolonged and repeated basis, UVA rays can also result in the acceleration of skin aging, according to Humberto.

In view of this, the director of the Cosmetic Laboratory at L’Oréal Brasil emphasizes that “the regular use of sunscreens is an important tool in the prevention of skin cancer and also in the prevention of signs of premature aging”.

In addition to defending the skin against the negative consequences that visible light can cause, tinted sunscreens are an alternative to having a make-up effect associated with protection in just one product. “This allows for a more practical routine for everyday application”, he reports.

In terms of application, tinted sunscreen is no different from uncolored sunscreen. “In fact, the fact that it has color can even facilitate the application of a homogeneous film on the skin, helping to guarantee the level of protection”, he says.

MELASMA

In cases of melasma, sun protection is essential. Taking into account that hyperpigmentation is caused both by exposure to ultraviolet radiation and visible light, individuals diagnosed with the problem benefit greatly from products with color.

“As it is mainly present in darker skins and these are the most susceptible to damage from visible light, the use of color protectors is highly recommended to ensure good skin protection. In addition, the makeup coverage of a tinted protector evens out the skin tone, the main complaint of patients with hyperpigmentation, facilitating the routine and helping with the habit of reapplication during the day”, clarifies Humberto.

WHY CHOOSE COLORED SUNSCREEN?

– (Adrienne Andersen/Pexels)

According to the director of the Cosmetic Laboratory at L’Oréal Brasil, the tinted sunscreen provides extra protection against visible light, further preventing the appearance of pigmentary disorders on the skin, such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of acne lesions.

“The product with color is also convenient in the routine, as it combines the adequate protection of a sunscreen with the effect of make-up”, concludes Humberto Martins.