UCLA Unveils Mineral Sunscreen Cutting White Cast

New zinc oxide formulation reduces chalky appearance, could boost sunscreen use

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:31pm

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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 using zinc oxide particles shaped like microscopic four-armed structures called tetrapods, which provide strong UV protection while leaving less of the telltale white cast than conventional zinc oxide formulations.

Why it matters

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the leading preventable cause of skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States. Yet many Americans still skip sunscreen in part because mineral formulas with zinc oxide often leave behind a white, chalky cast. This new formulation 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.

The details

The researchers found that sunscreens formulated with the tetrapod-shaped zinc oxide offered several practical benefits. They achieved a sun protection factor (SPF) of about 30, comparable to standard mineral sunscreens, and 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 on February 4, 2026.

The players

Paul S. Weiss

Senior author of the study, UC Presidential Chair and distinguished professor of chemistry & biochemistry, bioengineering, and materials science & engineering at UCLA and an investigator in the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

AJ Addae

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

UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

The research institution where the study was conducted.

UCLA Health's Skin of Color Clinic

The clinic that is working with the research team to study how the new zinc oxide particles interact with the skin microbiome and move this closer to real-world use.

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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, Senior author of the study (Mirage News)

“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, First author of the study (Mirage News)

“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, First author of the study (Mirage News)

What’s next

The team is now working with the UCLA Health department of dermatology, particularly with 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 formulation using tetrapod-shaped zinc oxide particles could help address one of the biggest barriers to consistent sunscreen use - the white, chalky cast that many people find unappealing. By improving the cosmetic appearance of mineral sunscreens, this innovation has the potential to boost sun protection and skin cancer prevention, especially among populations that are less likely to use sunscreen regularly.