Why Brands Need to Create More Color Options for Tinted Sunscreens
Tinted sunscreens don’t seem to work for all skin tones.
This summer, the Yahoo Beauty team has been on a mission to test out dozens of sunscreens to find the best ones. Recently, the topic turned to tinted moisturizers, and the fact they often come in just one shade—one that is somehow supposed to blend seamlessly into all skin tones (which seems totally impossible). So with my colleague Alais Diop and I working as guinea pigs, we decided to test them out. We tried out seven different brands, on my fair skin and her darker skin, to see if the products did indeed work with different skin colors.
Of the seven brands we tested, I found two that worked with my fair skin, while Alais only found one. Surprisingly, only two of the brands we tested — Clarins and Shiseido — offered tinted sunscreens in multiple shades. However, those brands only offered three options: Light, medium, and deep.
Given that the beauty business is global, we thought it was disappointing that more brands don’t offer more color options for tinted sunscreens. While brands offer a vast color range when it comes to BB creams and tinted moisturizers, those products don’t stack up when it comes to serious sun protection. “I find that many tinted moisturizers and BB creams don’t offer the same level of protection that a more traditional sunscreen has,” says dermatologist Dr. Sejal Shah. “Either they are not broad spectrum or the SPF tends to be lower. A tinted moisturizer or BB cream may be OK for daily use, but if you’re going to be spending time outside then you really need to use a true sunscreen, and a tinted one can provide excellent protection while giving you the color coverage you desire.”
Here’s hoping that the beauty brands start expanding their color ranges. In the meantime, here’s our tinted sunscreen color report:
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50 ($34)
Alais: “It’s way too light and turns white on my skin when I try blending it in.”
Sara: “The ultra light fluid is about one shade too dark, making it better for medium skin tones.”
Coola Matte Tint Mineral SPF 30 for the face ($36)
Alais: “The weightless formula glides over skin and blends in almost completely sheer, but there is a trace of white.”
Sara: “On fair skin, this works well as a mineral sunscreen that won’t leave a whitish cast. The yellowish/beige formula was invisible on my skin.”
Trying out tinted sunscreens on a darker skin tone.
SkinMedica Tinted Total Defense + Repair SPF 34 ($65)
Alais: “This cream is too pink, and the thick formula doesn’t blend in and highlights dry skin.”
Sara: “It’s the one formula that comes in a larger bottle, but the color is a couple shades too dark.”
SkinCeuticals Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50 ($34)
Alais: “This is the lightest color of all the sunscreens we tried. It blends in slightly but leaves a light cast on my skin.”
Sara: “This blends perfectly into my skin, just evening out my complexion and providing weightless coverage.”
Shiseido Urban Environment Tinted UV Protector SPF 43 ($32)
Alais: “I tried the Number 3 shade (which is their darkest shade), but it’s still too light for my skin tone, coming out beige and pink on my skin.”
Sara: “I tried the Number 2 shade, which is a teeny bit dark on my skin. I think I would be in between the Number 1 and Number 2 shade. It’s thick and feels like foundation.”
Trying out tinted sunscreens on a lighter skin tone.
MD Solar Sciences Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 ($32)
Alais: “It doesn’t blend in completely, leaving a whitish cast.”
Sara: “The mousse-like finish is a little dark, but I love the weightless finish.”
Clarins UV Plus Sunscreen Multi-Protection Tint ($44)
Alais: “The darkest shade of the bunch. The cream feels like foundation, and almost matches my complexion. When blended, it disappears.”
Sara: “The lightest shade almost matches my skin, but is a little too dark. The finish reminds me of a light foundation or tinted moisturizer. It has a nice finish.”
Related:
How to Protect Your Hair and Scalp from UV Damage
YB Loves: Purse-Friendly Sunscreens You Haven’t Tried But Should
