Question
I prefer to wear sunscreen containing zinc. However, zinc can have a beautifying effect similar to foundation/makeup by lightening the appearance of skin and covering some blemishes. Can I wear zinc in public to protect against the effects of the sun (e.g., tanning, sun spots) despite the beautifying effect?
Answer
Assalamu alaykum,
Zinc-based sunscreen
Thank you for your question. Zinc oxide does work instantaneously upon application, and it acts as a mirror to physically block and reflect the UVA and UVB rays from the sun. It rarely causes allergic reactions, and when applied, zinc oxide–containing sunscreens appear white on the skin, so they give an almost ghost-like appearance. This makes them especially difficult to use on patients with darker skin tones. A tinted formula can look more natural.
The ruling of makeup
Very light make-up that is used to only cover blemishes and not enhance the facial features is permissible, according to the details in the link below. Please see it in full:
Your heart
Always look at your heart before using such products and renew your intention so as to keep yourself on track. Allah knows best what you are using it for and always err on the side of caution because the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Modesty is from faith.” (Bukhari) If you are doubtful about how it looks, perhaps apply a little less or mix it with another sunscreen. Either way, the usage of such sunscreen seems to fall within the permissible, and Allah knows best.
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, Tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.