Many of the behaviors that US cricketers have may seem strange to someone who doesn’t follow the sport as much! Superstitious practices like kissing the ball before bowling, rubbing the ball on our pants, or tapping the pitch with our bats in between deliveries are just a few examples! Apart from all of those, “What is that weird stuff on that player’s face?” is a question you’ll frequently hear asked. It doesn’t look like your typical sun cream, after all! Whether you live in a hot nation or are on vacation, your regular daily sunscreen will often absorb into your skin, leaving it undetectable to others. Scroll down to read What Is The White Cream Cricketers Put On Their Face?
What Is The White Cream Cricketers Put On Their Face?
The white material that many cricket players apply to their faces is typically applied in a pattern that is quite noticeable to onlookers! What, then, is this cream? And for what purpose is it employed? Permit me to elaborate.
Zinc oxide is the white cream that cricket players frequently apply to their faces. Zinc oxide functions as a “physical sunscreen,” sometimes called a “reflector,” and it is applied on top of the skin. It creates a robust shield that aids in deflecting the body’s damaging UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. You use “chemical sunscreens,” also known as “absorbers,” daily. Before UVA and UVB rays are dealt with below the surface, they are absorbed into the body and allow them to reach the uppermost layer of skin.
Because they can be in the sun for up to six hours while playing, cricketers utilize zinc oxide! Applying a reflective physical sunscreen, such as zinc oxide, to vulnerable areas of your skin is the best approach to minimizing damage from this kind of exposure, which can be quite hazardous.
Comparing zinc oxide to popular chemical sunscreens reveals several advantages. Here are just a handful for you to peruse:
- Zinc oxide gets to work right away! There is a recommended waiting period of 20 minutes after applying most chemical sunscreens before you should go outside. In the case of zinc oxide cream, you can start using it right away!
- Sensitive skin can use it! On the other hand, many chemical sunscreens might irritate the skin!
- Zinc oxide can aid in skin healing and irritation reduction!
Where and How To Apply Zinc Oxide Sunscreen
Everybody has different preferences when it comes to where they apply zinc oxide sunscreen. Make sure to apply a sufficient amount of sunscreen to any areas of your body where you feel particularly vulnerable to sunburn. Since these places are most exposed to the sun’s glare, the majority of cricket players who wear zinc oxide do so on their hands, backs of their necks, and heads. In my opinion, applying sunscreen primarily to the parts of your head and face that often burn first should be your top priority. Usually, these are the lips, nose, and ears. The rest is up to you as to where you decide to apply the lotion!
Using the tube or bottle, remove a generous amount of the cream from your fingertips to apply it. I understand that you might be wondering, “How much is a good amount?” and it’s a tough question to respond to! Before applying sunscreen to the desired part of my body, I usually pour or squeeze it onto the upper parts of my index and middle fingers. This much sunscreen should be sufficient to cover an area the same size as your face, in my opinion! For your reference, I’ve attached a photo below showing the amount and how I measure it on my fingers!
I do not burn easily, so this is about how much works for me! Some of you might need to apply extra because your skin is more prone to burning! Additionally, you could need to apply more or less sunscreen than what’s shown in that picture, depending on the consistency of the product. Thus, a one-size-fits-all strategy isn’t always appropriate! You might need to use a bit more sunscreen if it is more chalky and abrasive because it won’t spread as easily!
It is entirely up to you whether or not to apply it to other body parts, as I mentioned previously! I used it exclusively on my face! Applying sunscreen should always be done while facing a mirror to make sure you are covering the desired regions and to keep the product out of your eyes. Additionally, you might have observed that certain cricket players decide to apply their sunscreen in a pattern so that it sticks out and is noticeable to onlookers. Some gamers use it to make themselves appear scarier—almost like war paint! If you wish to apply sunscreen in this pattern, a mirror comes in very handy!
Here are a few more important things to remember:
- Applying sunscreen shouldn’t be done in a “less is more” manner. Make sure you have enough coverage on the parts of your body you wish to keep protected. While no sunscreen can shield you from the sun’s rays, zinc oxide will provide the best protection, provided you apply it frequently and in high enough quantities.
- According to FDA guidelines, reapplying sunscreen should occur roughly every two hours. If you’re doing an activity that makes you perspire a lot, like playing cricket in the summer, you might even need to reapply more frequently!
How To Remove Zinc Oxide Sunscreen From The Body
To prevent dirt from being caught in between the layers of sunscreen that are applied on top of each other, it is crucial to remove zinc oxide sunscreen from the body after use. Avoiding this is advised, as it may result in several undesirable outcomes for our skin! What is the most effective method for eliminating zinc cream? Unfortunately, it’s usually not as easy as just quickly rinsing your face with cold water. That way, I’ve discovered, frequently leaves it behind! But don’t worry; if you take these easy actions, you shouldn’t have too many difficulties.
- After using the zinc cream, thoroughly wash the affected parts of the body with warm water. Idealistically, you should lubricate and simplify the removal process by applying warm water at regular intervals. The simplest approach to accomplishing this is to take a shower, but if one is not available right away, be sure to apply the water with your hands several times.
- Now get some soap and give this a quick rinse in warm water. This is the time to add a soft sponge or flannel to the mixture and work the soap and sponge together to create a beautiful lather.
- Apply the soap to the region that was treated with the zinc cream using the flannel or sponge. To carefully remove the zinc from the skin, massage with short, gentle strokes. If the zinc does not start to come off the skin right away, there’s no need to rub the area too hard. Simply carry out the procedure again, adding soap and water until the zinc is gone.
Where Can You Buy Zinc Oxide Sunscreen?
Zinc oxide sunscreen can be found online, at pharmacies, and in the majority of well-known health and beauty stores! Because of the higher caliber of ingredients used in it, it is frequently a little more expensive than your average chemical sunscreen. My experience has shown that you can get a good zinc oxide cream bottle or tube for less than £15, though they can cost up to £20!
When buying the zinc cream, keep the following two points in mind:
The SPF Factor:
It is something to be aware of when purchasing sunscreen products, even though the SPF factor isn’t always indicated for zinc oxide sunscreens. The Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, indicates how well a sunscreen will shield us from the sun’s damaging rays. Those of you whose skin is more prone to scorching ought to get a sunscreen with an SPF of greater. A sunscreen with an SPF of 50 will block out 98% of the UVB radiation from the sun, whereas one with an SPF of 30 will block out 97% of the UVB rays. Once more, those of you with extremely sensitive skin can select the greater factor!
When making a purchase, be sure to read product reviews and other information to determine if the product is right for you, even if the SPF factor is not stated.
The Colour
Sunscreens with zinc oxide come in a variety of colors. Technological developments have also made it possible for scientists to create zinc oxide sunscreens that, unlike the evident white or colored traces on the face, are almost invisible to the unaided eye! Be sure the color you select complements the style of cricket you are playing. If you play cricket in colored apparel, you might want to get a product that matches the colors of your team; on the other hand, if you play in white, you might want to get a white cream. Of course, you should choose a zinc that is comparatively invisible after application if you want it to be less conspicuous!
Another Interesting Fact!
Shining a cricket ball is another great use of zinc oxide sunscreen! You might want to take precautions to avoid inadvertently getting the ball on the ball’s surface if you’re a bowler or a fielder who spends a lot of time with it in your hands! This would not sit well with certain umpires or rival teams, who might accuse you of interfering with the match ball. It is usually advisable, in my opinion, to stay away from those kinds of accusations!
