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UCLA Scientists Rethink Sunscreen To Eliminate the Dreaded White Cast
Researchers engineer zinc oxide particles into tetrapod shapes to reduce visible whitening in mineral sunscreens.
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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Scientists at UCLA have created a new mineral sunscreen formula designed to reduce the white, chalky residue that often discourages people from using sun protection every day. The researchers engineered zinc oxide into microscopic four-armed shapes known as tetrapods, which maintained strong UV protection while producing less visible whitening compared to conventional zinc oxide formulas.
Why it matters
The potential impact may be particularly meaningful for people with darker skin tones, who are less likely to use sunscreen regularly and more likely to receive a skin cancer diagnosis at a later stage. If sunscreen appears more natural on the skin, more people may be willing to apply it consistently, which could help reduce skin cancer risk across a wider range of skin tones.
The details
Researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center explored whether the cosmetic issue of white residue could be solved without introducing a new active ingredient. Their findings suggest that simply changing the physical structure of zinc oxide particles may significantly improve how mineral sunscreen looks and feels on the skin. The team engineered zinc oxide into microscopic four-armed shapes known as tetrapods, which maintained strong protection against harmful ultraviolet radiation while producing less visible whitening compared with conventional zinc oxide formulas.
- The study was published in ACS Materials Letters on December 26, 2025.
The players
Paul S. Weiss
A 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
A UCLA chemical biology doctoral candidate, cosmetic science entrepreneur, and first author of the study.
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, Professor (SciTechDaily)
“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, Doctoral Candidate (SciTechDaily)
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 research highlights a promising direction that blends materials science with cancer prevention, as improving the cosmetic appearance of mineral sunscreens could lead to more consistent use and help reduce skin cancer risk across a wider range of skin tones.
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