News Letter

Hello,

As smartphone cameras and high-definition photography have become part of our everyday lives, flashback has emerged as an important quality factor that consumers can directly notice in makeup products.
A product may look natural and flawless immediately after application, yet appear noticeably whiter or washed out when photographed with a flash. This flashback phenomenon is closely related to the optical properties of the particles used in powders and base makeup products.
Silica is widely used in makeup products for its benefits such as oil absorption, a smooth and matte feel, soft focus, and sebum control. However, differences in the surface and optical properties of silica particles can affect how the skin appears under different photography conditions.

So, how can you minimize flashback while still taking advantage of silica?

In this newsletter, we will explore how flashback occurs, the optical differences associated with particle surface properties, and the SUNSIL-LUX Series, which demonstrates these effects through actual data.

Point 1. Why Does Flashback Occur?

It's more than simply "looking white."
Flashback is an optical phenomenon that occurs when a strong light source, such as a camera flash, interacts with the ingredients on the skin's surface.
When powder particles used in makeup products strongly reflect or scatter light in multiple directions, they can make the skin appear brighter and whiter on camera than it does to the naked eye, resulting in a visible white cast.
This effect can be particularly noticeable in flash photography, where intense light is directed at the skin for a brief moment. Various factors—including the refractive index, particle size, surface morphology, and dispersion state of the particles—can influence the final appearance in photographs.

Therefore, minimizing flashback is not simply a matter of adjusting the amount of powder used. Choosing the right ingredients based on how light interacts with particles is also essential.

Point 2. Smooth Particle Surfaces Make the Difference

Even silica particles can interact with light differently depending on their surface characteristics.

The SUNSIL-LUX Series is a premium silica designed with a more uniform and smoother particle surface compared to conventional silica.
While rough and irregular particle surfaces are more likely to scatter light in multiple directions, uniform and smooth surfaces help reduce irregular light scattering.
With its Smooth Surface Technology, the SUNSIL-LUX Series can deliver the following benefits in makeup formulations:

Reduced Flashback: Helps minimize White Cast under flash photography
High Transparency: Creates a natural and transparent appearance on the skin
Soft Focus Effect: Provides an optical blurring effect that helps smooth the appearance of skin Silky Skin Feel: Delivers a smoother and more even application

In other words, the SUNSIL-LUX Series is not simply "a finer silica."
It is a premium silica designed to optimize both sensory performance and optical appearance through its unique particle surface characteristics.

Point 3. Improved Performance Confirmed Through Actual Flash Photography

The Difference of SUNSIL-LUX150H Under Identical Conditions
To evaluate the flashback-reducing effect of SUNSIL-LUX150H, a comparative test was conducted by changing only the silica ingredient while keeping the same formulation and application conditions.
The results showed that, compared to the formulation containing conventional silica, the SUNSIL-LUX150H formulation exhibited less visible white cast under flash photography, resulting in a more natural-looking skin appearance.
This is attributed to the uniform and smooth particle surface of SUNSIL-LUX150H, which helps reduce irregular light scattering.
In addition to reducing flashback, SUNSIL-LUX150H offers high transparency, a Soft Focus effect, and a smooth skin feel, making it suitable for a variety of makeup formulations, including loose and pressed powders.

Conventional Silica → LUX Series
Flashback ↓ / Transparency ↑ / Texture ↑

Point 4. Optical Differences Confirmed Through Reflectance Data

Differences in particle surface characteristics can also be observed in reflectance data.
Rather than evaluating flashback solely by visual observation, it can be compared more objectively through optical data showing how particles interact with and reflect light.
In this test, three silica materials with different surface characteristics were compared:

SUNSIL-130 / SH305 / SUNSIL-LUX130
SUNSIL-130 : Conventional silica
SH305 : SPF booster silica with a wrinkled surface designed to maximize light scattering
SUNSIL-LUX130 : Premium silica with a smoother particle surface

Comparison of the reflectance data of the three materials revealed optical differences associated with their particle surface characteristics.
In particular, SUNSIL-LUX130 showed different light reflectance characteristics compared to conventional silica and silica with a relatively rougher surface. These characteristics may contribute to a more natural-looking skin appearance under flash photography.

Particle Surface→ Light Reflection & Scattering→ Photographic Image→ Skin Appearance

Simply choosing silica with a smoother surface can make a difference in the optical appearance of makeup.

Point 5. Sunjin's Powder Technology, Demonstrated in a Real Formulation

SPF50 PA++++ Loose Powder Guide Formulation Featuring SUNSIL-LUX150H
Beyond the optical properties of individual ingredients, what matters just as much is how effectively they can be incorporated into a finished formulation.
We are pleased to introduce an SPF50 PA++++ loose powder guide formulation that combines Sunjin's powder ingredients to deliver a smooth skin feel, a transparent and natural-looking finish, minimized flashback, and UV protection—all in a single powder formulation.

01. SUNSIL-LUX150H
Silky-Smooth Feel & Natural-Looking Finish
Featuring a smooth particle surface, SUNSIL-LUX150H delivers a silky-smooth skin feel and a natural-looking finish.

02. SUNZnO-OLEO200
Smooth Skin Feel & UV Protection
Featuring rod-shaped Zinc Oxide, SUNZnO-OLEO200 provides a smooth skin feel while delivering UV protection in powder formulations.

03. SUNSIL-S
UV Protection Technology in Silica
SUNSIL-S is an encapsulated material in which organic UV filters are incorporated into silica. It enables water-phase application while providing UV protection in powder formulations.

04. T-80 TINA
UV Protection + Coverage + Color
T-80 TINA is a Core-Shell structured TiO₂ material that provides UV protection, coverage, and color development through its Alumina-free & Silica-based structure.

Q&A

Q1. Why Does Flashback Occur?
A. Flashback is an optical phenomenon that occurs when intense light, such as a camera flash, interacts with powder particles on the skin's surface. The degree of light reflection and scattering can vary depending on factors such as the particle's refractive index, size, surface morphology, dispersion state, and concentration in the formulation. As a result, the skin may appear brighter and whiter in photographs than it does to the naked eye.

Q2. Does Using Silica Always Cause Flashback?
A. Not necessarily. Flashback is not determined by a single ingredient, but is influenced by multiple factors, including the optical properties, particle size and morphology, surface characteristics, amount used in the formulation, and dispersion state.
Therefore, even when using silica, flashback can be minimized through appropriate ingredient selection and formulation design.

Q3. How Does the SUNSIL-LUX Series Help Improve Flashback?
A. The SUNSIL-LUX Series is designed with uniform and smooth particle surface characteristics compared to conventional silica. These surface characteristics can help reduce irregular light scattering, and both formulation and flash photography tests have demonstrated a more natural-looking skin appearance.

Q4. What Is the Key Difference Between Conventional Silica and the SUNSIL-LUX Series?
A. The key differentiator is Smooth Surface Technology.
By improving the uniformity and smoothness of the particle surface, the SUNSIL-LUX Series not only helps reduce flashback but also delivers high transparency, a Soft Focus effect, and a silky-smooth skin feel.

Q5. What Benefits Can Be Expected Beyond Flashback Reduction?
A. The SUNSIL-LUX Series is designed not only to help reduce flashback but also to deliver a natural and clean-looking skin finish through its high transparency, smooth skin feel, and Soft Focus effect.
It is particularly well suited for formulations designed to improve the stiff or dry feel that can sometimes be associated with powder products.

Q6. What Types of Products Can the SUNSIL-LUX Series Be Used In?
A. The SUNSIL-LUX Series can be used in a variety of makeup formulations, including loose powders, pressed powders, and finishing powders, as well as formulations where optical skin appearance is important, such as cushions, makeup bases, and tone-up products.
It is particularly effective for products where transparency and a natural-looking finish are key performance attributes.

Q7. Do I Need to Reduce the Amount of Silica to Minimize Flashback?
A. Not necessarily. Since flashback is not determined solely by the amount of silica used, it is important to consider both the optical properties of the material and its dispersion state within the formulation.
Therefore, one approach is to select the appropriate silica grade to maintain the desired functionality while minimizing flashback.