UCLA Develops Mineral Sunscreen With Less White Cast

New zinc oxide formula aims to boost sunscreen use and skin cancer prevention.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:55pm

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Researchers at UCLA have developed a new mineral sunscreen formulation that significantly reduces the white, chalky cast that keeps many people from wearing sun protection daily. The key is a change in the shape of the zinc oxide particles, which are engineered to be tetrapod-shaped instead of the typical round nanoparticles. This new structure prevents the particles from clumping together and reflecting visible light in a stark white or gray way. Instead, the sunscreen appears warmer and closer to natural skin tones.

Why it matters

Excessive UV exposure is the leading preventable cause of skin cancer, yet many Americans still skip sunscreen due to the unappealing white cast. This new formula could encourage more consistent sunscreen use, especially among people with darker skin tones who are less likely to use sunscreen regularly and more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer at later stages when it is more difficult to treat.

The details

The researchers found that sunscreens formulated with the tetrapod-shaped zinc oxide offered several practical benefits. At the same concentration as conventional zinc oxide, the tetrapod-based sunscreen achieved a comparable sun protection factor (SPF) of about 30. The lotions also remained more stable over time. Most notably, the tetrapod sunscreens reflected visible light differently, appearing warmer and closer to natural skin tones without relying on special coatings or added pigments.

  • The study was published in the journal ACS Materials Letters in February 2026.

The players

UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

A cancer research and treatment center at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Paul S. Weiss

A UC Presidential Chair, distinguished professor at UCLA, and investigator at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

AJ Addae

A UCLA chemical biology doctoral candidate, cosmetic science entrepreneur, and first author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“This isn't just about cosmetics. If improving how sunscreen looks leads to more consistent use, it could have real implications for skin cancer prevention.”

— Paul S. Weiss, UC Presidential Chair, distinguished professor at UCLA, and investigator at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (ACS Materials Letters)

“I started thinking about this because I was frustrated by how mineral sunscreen looks on my own skin. A lot of my motivation came from my own experience trying to use mineral sunscreen and dealing with the white cast and other unsightly aesthetic issues. This led me to simply avoid sunscreen altogether. That frustration really became the starting point for this work.”

— AJ Addae, UCLA chemical biology doctoral candidate, cosmetic science entrepreneur, and first author of the study (ACS Materials Letters)

“When I spread it on my own skin, I didn't get that white cast I usually see with zinc oxide. That was the moment I realized this could really work.”

— AJ Addae, UCLA chemical biology doctoral candidate, cosmetic science entrepreneur, and first author of the study (ACS Materials Letters)

What’s next

The team is now working with the UCLA Health department of dermatology, particularly with the UCLA Health's Skin of Color Clinic, to study how these particles interact with the skin microbiome and move this closer to real-world use.

The takeaway

This new mineral sunscreen formula with tetrapod-shaped zinc oxide particles could help address a major barrier to consistent sunscreen use, especially among people with darker skin tones, and have real implications for skin cancer prevention.