Adding Zinc Oxide for Sun Protection in Foundation/BB Formula

Question

I have a Foundation/BB formula (please consider adding [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/spf-sunscreen/248-zinc-oxide-nano-%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C-%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%8C.html:3tlsw6x9]Zinc Oxide 200nm EasyDisperse™[/url:3tlsw6x9] in the formula to increase SPF level and protect against both UVA/UVB):

[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99-silicone/201-silicone-gel-vinyl-dimethicone-crosspolymer.html:3tlsw6x9]Silicone Gel[/url:3tlsw6x9] Ultra Clear™ 70%

[url=https://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/search?search_query=titanium+dioxide&orderby=position&orderway=desc:3tlsw6x9]Titanium Dioxide[/url:3tlsw6x9] Nano EasyDisperse™ 3%

[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/make-up-bb-cream/291-mica-powder-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2-matte.html:3tlsw6x9]Silk Mica Powder ชนิดด้าน (Matte)[/url:3tlsw6x9] 17%

[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99-silicone/171-cyclomethicone-cyclopentasiloxane-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%8B%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99.html:3tlsw6x9]Cyclomethicone[/url:3tlsw6x9] 5%

[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/emulsifier/736-silicone-blender-%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99.html:3tlsw6x9]Silicone Blender[/url:3tlsw6x9] 4%

[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/emulsifier/408-silisolve-%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3-%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99.html:3tlsw6x9]SiliSolve™[/url:3tlsw6x9] 1%

Based on the formula above, I want to add Zinc Oxide for sun protection. I would like to know what percentage I should add and which ingredients I need to adjust or remove. Please advise.

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Adjusting Your Foundation/BB Formula with Zinc Oxide for Sun Protection

You're looking to enhance the sun protection of your Foundation/BB formula by adding Zinc Oxide. This is a great idea as Zinc Oxide provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

Typically, Zinc Oxide is used at concentrations between 10% and 25% in sunscreen formulations to achieve significant SPF and PA levels. Adding around 10-15% should provide a noticeable boost in protection for your formula.

Your original formula is:

Silicone Gel Ultra Clear: 70%
Titanium Dioxide Nano EasyDisperse™: 3%
Silk Mica Powder ชนิดด้าน (Matte): 17%
Cyclomethicone: 5%
Silicone Blender: 4%
SiliSolve™: 1%
Total: 100%

To incorporate Zinc Oxide while keeping the total at 100%, you need to reduce the percentage of other ingredients. Since Zinc Oxide acts as both a UV filter and contributes to coverage and texture like Titanium Dioxide and Mica, it's logical to reduce these components along with the main base, Silicone Gel.

Here is a suggested adjusted formula, incorporating 15% Zinc Oxide:

Silicone Gel Ultra Clear: 60% (Reduced from 70%)
Titanium Dioxide Nano EasyDisperse™: 1% (Reduced from 3% - Zinc Oxide provides broader protection)
Silk Mica Powder ชนิดด้าน (Matte): 14% (Reduced from 17% - To make space for the added powder)
Cyclomethicone: 5% (No change)
Silicone Blender: 4% (No change)
SiliSolve™: 1% (No change)
Zinc Oxide 200nm EasyDisperse™: 15% (Added)
Total: 100%

This adjusted formula replaces some of the base and other powders with 15% Zinc Oxide 200nm EasyDisperse™ to significantly improve the SPF and UVA/UVB protection. You may need to perform testing and make slight adjustments based on the desired final texture and coverage.