In recent months, there has been a debate about whether the color of a sunscreen reveals its effectiveness. 

Some argue that the best sunscreens are yellow or peach-colored, as they are often associated with modern UV filters and better protection against long UVA rays and parts of visible light. Others believe that color is irrelevant. 
 
This is somewhat akin to judging the quality of a car by its paint color. Ferrari is red, Ferrari is fast. This does not prove that all red cars drive like a Ferrari.  
 
This is precisely the same logical fallacy one risks committing if one judges the quality of a sunscreen by its color. 

Short answer

No. Color alone does not tell you how good a sunscreen is.  

The color of a sunscreen does not, in itself, indicate the quality of its protection. A yellow sunscreen can be excellent, but so can a white or almost transparent one. Protection depends on UV filters, formulation, laboratory measurements, and correct application – not on color alone. 

To understand why, let's first look at what actually gives a sunscreen its color. 

Why are some sunscreens yellow?

A sunscreen can get a yellowish or peach-colored tint for many different reasons. 
The color can come from, among other things: 

UV filters and iron oxides can contribute to both sun protection and a yellowish color. However, they are far from the only ingredients that can affect the appearance of a sunscreen. A yellowish tint can also be caused by: 

Two sunscreens can therefore have almost the same color, even if they protect the skin in very different ways. The color does not necessarily reveal which ingredients are responsible. 

Let's take a concrete example.

Raz Skincare SPF 30 appears relatively light on the skin compared to several of the peach-colored or yellow sunscreens often highlighted in the debate about UVA protection and blue light. 

Does this mean that Raz Skincare SPF 30 offers poorer protection?

Not necessarily. The sunscreen's protection depends on the UV filters used, their concentration, their photostability, and the overall formulation – not on the product's color. 

Therefore, a light sunscreen can, in practice, indeed have very high UVA protection, while a more yellow or tinted sunscreen does not necessarily protect better. 

That's precisely why researchers use laboratory measurements such as SPF, UVAPF, and PPD rather than judging the product's color. 
 

If visible pigments protect – does foundation also?

This is where the debate gets really interesting. 

If the argument is that visible pigments protect against parts of visible light, then the same should apply to makeup. 

And it actually does. 

Many foundations, BB creams, CC creams, and mineral makeup contain: 

These pigments can reduce the amount of visible light that reaches the skin. 

Therefore, several dermatologists actually recommend: 

Sunscreen followed by pigmented makeup for people with melasma. 

This does not mean that makeup replaces sunscreen. But it shows that the discussion is not about whether a product is yellow. It's about which pigments and particles the product contains. 

Are sticky sunscreens better against blue light?

Not necessarily. 

Some of the ingredients that can help reduce visible light can make the formulation: 

But this is far from always the case. There are sticky sunscreens with limited protection against visible light. And there are light tinted products with significant pigment protection. Therefore, the same rule applies. The consistency does not necessarily say anything about the protection. 

What is most important?

If your goal is to protect your skin from: 

then the most important questions are not: 

"What color is the sunscreen?" 

But rather: 

Because even the best sunscreen offers poor protection if it stays at home in the bathroom.