Ditch your foundation for a new tinted SPF
Sun's out, bring on the suncream. Although for those applying make-up, there's nothing worse than slopping on SPF that leaves a dull, white cast or causes foundation to become patchy.
This year that problem has been solved, thanks to a slew of new products promising both proper protection from the sun and the sort of coverage you'd normally get from foundation – and in more than just one standard shade of 'bronze' that looks orange on almost everyone.
Yes, 'SPF make-up' has been around for a while – but many foundations only contain around SPF 15, and you need to apply a decent amount to get even that level of coverage (around half a teaspoon for your face and neck).
But this new generation of products are proper sun-creams, with added pigment in a broad range of shades so you can get perfectly matched, full coverage foundation as well as sun protection.
It's all part of what Dr Julian Sass (drjuliansass.com), a cosmetic scientist, calls the 'skincarification of suncare'.
'The idea is that your serum, primer, moisturiser and make-up all contain SPF 50 so, if you layer them, you're getting at least that half teaspoon.'
Ava Chandler-Matthews, co-founder of Australian sun-care brand Ultra Violette, says the difference is that these new products have sun safety at their core.
'With a tinted SPF like ours, you start with the SPF and then add pigment. That gives a much better sun protection product than a foundation with SPF,' she says.
Apply a tinted SPF as the last step of your skincare, if you find you're not able to apply enough, use around a quarter teaspoon of an untinted SPF, let it sink in, and then apply a quarter teaspoon of tinted SPF over the top. To find your shade, use findation.com (put in the foundation shade you already use in any brand, and it will tell you the closest).
There are an impressive number of options available with a wide shade range – we tried out a few…
BARELY THERE BASE
Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, £34 for 50ml, meritbeauty.com, 15 shades
Merit is basically Glossier for grown-ups – foolproof formulas you can slap on with your fingers – and their light but buildable SPF launches today.
It feels a bit tacky as you apply it but it spreads easily and dries down to a nice even finish that really does, as they claim, look like skin with nothing on it. Mineral sun protection uses filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, while other formulas have names such as avobenzone and are often called 'chemical'.
They both absorb UV rays but historically mineral protection has been better for sensitive skin. However, it can appear white or chalky, hence why tinted mineral SPFs are a bit of a breakthrough.
PATCHY PROTECTION
Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily Skin Tint SPF 50, £40 for 35ml, cultbeauty.co.uk, 14 shades
Launched in 2007 by a Texan who wanted to improve suncare provisions in local schools to prevent skin cancers, Supergoop! pioneered products such as SPF setting mists and powders for on-the-go top-ups.
New to the UK this year, the Daily Skin Tint takes a bit of work to stop it going patchy but gives a nice dewy finish that mattifies over time.
AUSSIE RULES
Naked Sundays BeautyScreen SPF 50 Peptide Foundation Tint, £38 for 30ml, nakedsundays.com, 13 shades
Launched in 2021 by an Australian news anchor, their latest product is this tint.
It has a more liquid consistency than the others, so you might want to use their brush to work it into your skin a little. It boasts skincare ingredients like niacinamide but it's pricey for the size and gave me a bit of a powdery finish.
FAB FOUNDATION
Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF 50 Tinted Veil, £38 for 50ml, ultraviolette.co.uk, 15 shades
Tinted sun protection can leave a white cast if it contains zinc oxide, as many do. Ultra Violette's doesn't so might be a good option if you've been left looking ashy in the past.
After applying, you have to work quickly as you don't have a lot of time before it sets.
The coverage was good – it concealed brilliantly and left a gorgeous made-up but glowy finish.
KOREAN BARGAIN
Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30, on sale at £15.30 from £17 for 50ml, boots.com, 12 shades
This Korean brand has a lower SPF than others, and even if you apply double, you'll still only be getting SPF 30.
The formulation is very sheer and its coverage lighter than many. So if you're looking for something to cover pigmentation, it's not great but works as a nice lightweight weekend base.
SHEER GLOW
Fenty Hydra Vizor Huez Tinted SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen, £32 for 50ml + £5 refillable case, fentybeauty.co.uk, 10 shades
Again, you'll get less protection from this than from the SPF 50s out there, but if you know your Fenty foundation shade, it's easy to match your shade.
The finish was much more sheer and glossy than I found with any of the others so if dewy isn't for you, you'll need powder.
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