Why can some sun creams leave white marks?

Some sun creams can occasionally leave marks and tend to leave white traces after application, which can then dull the complexion. These traces primarily come from the percentage of mineral sun filters present in the formulation, namely titanium dioxide or iron oxide, although they ensure optimal coverage of the UV spectrum.

They present themselves in the form of white mineral powder that remains on the skin's surface to reflect UV rays, hence the traces. Titanium dioxide leaves more white traces due to the large size of its particles.

Furthermore, the higher the SPF, the more the formula will be enriched with sun filters, and the more the cream will leave white marks on the skin. However, even if they are unsightly, these marks can be an excellent indicator of the correct application of the sunscreen.

Can we avoid these white marks on the skin?

It is possible to minimise this whitening effect. The idea is to take the time to spread your sunscreen properly. Moreover, these days, new galenic forms/textures help to reduce this effect, by facilitating their application. The result: the easier the sunscreen is to apply, the better it will spread and the fewer white marks there will be.