Color Evaluation of Tinted Sunscreens on Diverse Skin Tones

BACKGROUNDTopical formulations incorporating visible light (VL)-attenuating pigments, specifically iron oxides (FeO) alongside broad-spectrum sunscreens, protect against VL-induced hyperpigmentation and aid in managing pigmentary disorders. However, the market suffers from limited shade ranges that often exclude individuals with darker skin tones; even self-proclaimed “universal” shades frequently leave an aesthetically unacceptable “ashy” or grayish cast.

OBJECTIVESince the cosmetic elegance of sunscreens is critical for patient compliance, this study aims to evaluate the color matching and acceptability of seven commercially available tinted sunscreens in a diverse cohort of FST III–VI individuals.

METHODSThe design consists of a single-center, double-blind, randomized, split-face study, including in a diverse cohort of FST III–VI individuals (n = 40). Color matching and acceptability of seven commercially available tinted sunscreens (tailored mineral, universal mineral, and hybrid formulations) were evaluated using both investigator and subject questionnaires, plus clinical imaging and analyses.

RESULTSDuring baseline swatch testing, participants with FST V–VI unanimously rejected the “universal” inorganic sunscreen. Furthermore, investigator and subject questionnaires, plus image analyses revealed that while tailored tinted formulations (inorganic or hybrid) achieved high-to-moderate satisfaction for FST III–IV phototypes, scores dropped notably for individuals with higher FST and deeper complexions. Our data show that skin evenness and blendability are just as vital to product adoption as preventing visible residue. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that optimizing FeO variants and UV filter configurations in sunscreen formulations is critical to achieving consumer satisfaction across diverse populations.

CONCLUSIONWe hope this research clarifies the key factors driving successful color matching and satisfaction in individuals with SOC, thereby optimizing sunscreen compliance and clinical outcomes for patients with darker skin tones.

Abstract from Crossref