So I recently started using an spf tinted moisturizer that contains only chemical sunscreens. But I didn't want to rely on it for sun protection. I tried my regular sunscreen under it, but the combination was too greasy. The mineral sunscreen I have was much more mattifying, but gave me a pronounced white/gray cast that affected the color of the makeup. So I'm exploring other options. I tried LRP anthelios (the one I have is chemical plus titanium dioxide), and ouch, skin burn--too much chemical sunscreen layered under that tinted moisturizer! The other issue I had with the anthelios--same as pure mineral sunscreens I've used--the titanium dioxide kind of seems to get stuck in small pores/blackheads and makes "bumps" or flaky looking patches in those areas.
I've read that zinc oxide tends to be less whitening than titanium dioxide, and depending on who you ask, zinc oxide is probably good enough for broad spectrum coverage (some will disagree). Which is the least whitening mineral product anyone has tried? I've looked at a lot of options. Elta MD has some where the zinc is combined with I think octinoxate, so maybe would give me a bit less chemical burn than the anthelios when layered under my tinted moisturizer. Becca cosmetics (the maker of my spf tinted moisturizer) makes a mineral spf primer that has only zinc as the active ingredient--kind of expensive, though. Any other recommendations? And do all of them have that blackhead-amplifying/ flaky effect?
It would be good for me to find a mineral sunscreen I can use b/c I suspect the daily chemical sunscreen use may not be helping my rosacea. But they always seem to look crazily white/grey on me, and I'm not that dark.
Hi Sarah, i might have a great news for you. La Roche Posay Anthelios is launching May 1st (that s what the press release says) a 100% mineral, invisible, non whitening new sunscreen, with high spf (50) and also a super high IVA protection. most mineral sunscreens are broad spectrum but have very low UVA protection. This one seems to have it all: spf, UVA protection, as well as antioxidant protection (cellox shield) and an amzing liquidy mattofying texture similar to the one they have in their existing Anthelios 60 line.
One problem I have with LRP is that their sunscreens frequently have alcohol in them. I tried the anthelios xl (imported) melt-in milk, which is supposedly for dry skin, but it has alcohol and left me with dry, flaky patches (which is very difficult to do to my skin).
At any rate, I tried the Elta MD sunscreen, and I have to say, it's a great product. The first one I tried was formulated for oily skin and is called "UV clear." It's actually not quite moisturizing enough for me, but it's perfectly transparent, and has a lovely texture, so I may keep it for use under especially rich tinted mositurizers that don't require any extra moisture. But I'm going to test out some of their more moisturizing formulations for use under makeup that isn't richly moisturizing.