This sunscreen doesn't have a white cast, because it is a chemical sunscreen and doesn't contain zinc. It goes on smoothly and absorbs well. I love the light gingery smell. I find it moisturizing for my normal but "mature" skin. Although it doesn't feel oily, it leaves a bit of shine. As far as protection goes, it keeps my face safe for 1-2 hours in the Florida sun. The ingredients may be a positive or negative depending on where you stand on the issue of reef-safe sunscreen. It doesn't have oxybenzone and octinoxate, but it DOES contain avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene. These chemicals can still cause damage to reefs, so I wouldn't consider it reef friendly. But, these are considered to be effective organic filters and provide a lightweight feel to the product and help it go on clear. I'm including the full ingredient list below, so you can make an informed decision for yourself: ACTIVE INGREDIENT: (Sunscreen) Avobenzone 2.5%, Homosalate 9.0%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 9.0% INACTIVE INGREDIENT: WATER / AQUA / EAU, BUTYLENE GLYCOL,BUTYLOCTYL SALICYLATE, GLYCERIN, DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL TRIMETHICONE,DIMETHICONE, TRISILOXANE, SILICA, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE,VP/EICOSENE COPOLYMER, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, BEHENYL ALCOHOL, GLYCERYL STEARATE,PEG-100 STEARATE, C14-22 ALCOHOLS, POLYACRYLATE-13, CETYL ALCOHOL, POTASSIUMCETYL PHOSPHATE, FRAGRANCE / PARFUM, POLYISOBUTENE, C12-20 ALKYL GLUCOSIDE,DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, POLYSORBATE 20, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, HONEY/ MEL / MIEL, NELUMBO NUCIFERA FLOWER EXTRACT, POLYGONATUM OFFICINALERHIZOME/ROOT EXTRACT, REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA ROOT EXTRACT, PAEONIA ALBIFLORA ROOTEXTRACT, LILIUM CANDIDUM BULB EXTRACT, PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, GLUCOSE,METHOXY PEG-114/POLYEPSILON CAPROLACTONE, HYDROLYZED GINSENG SAPONINS(HYDROLYZED WHITE GINSENG SAPONINS), PHENOXYETHANOL, GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS(LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL