This Is The Best Switch I’ve Made For My Skin In Years

I recently made a pretty significant change to my makeup based on a suggestion from my esthetician. She recommended that I try ditching my foundation for a while in favor of something I had never really considered before: tinted sunscreen!

I’ve been wearing it for a couple of weeks now, and I love lightness that comes along with wearing fewer “layers” on my face. (And if I feel the need to add a little more coverage, like if we’re going to be shooting photos that day, I’ll buff some mineral powder foundation over the top. Easy!)

Tinted sunscreen is lightweight, makes my skin feel smooth, and, most importantly of all, it provides the UVA and UVB protection my skin needs. (If you could use a refresher on the difference between these two types of UV rays why it’s so important to protect your skin from both, check out this post.)

Why Use A Tinted Sunscreen?

Any dermatologist or esthetician will tell you that sunscreen is the single most important step in any skincare routine. It doesn’t just prevent sunburns when you’re outside on sunny days—it also protects your skin from the damaging and aging effects of UV light that remain a threat no matter what the weather is like!

Skincare products like masks and serums, as well as certain drugs used to treat acne, often contain ingredients that make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. And if you use those products but don’t apply sunscreen every day, you’re making your skin more vulnerable to wrinkles, dark spots, and more sensitivity.

That’s why many skin experts say that if you only apply one skincare product every day, it should be one that contains sunscreen! And that’s why tinted sunscreen is such a no-brainer, too—it’s like applying sunscreen, moisturizer, and foundation in one single step!

The Case For Mineral Sunscreens

But the presence of SPF isn’t the only thing worth considering when shopping for a tinted sunscreen. My esthetician recommended I use a tinted mineral sunscreen, because they’re more effective and better for the environment than chemical sunscreens.

Not only will a tinted sunscreen protect you from the aforementioned aging and damaging effects of the sun, but it’s a better choice for sensitive skin than other types of sunscreens too. Zinc and titanium, the two primary minerals in most mineral sunscreens, are gentle and effective, while the addition of a tint helps to eliminate the white cast they sometimes leave behind on skin.

If your instinct is to apply tinted sunscreen lightly, keep in mind that mineral sunscreens need to physically cover your skin in order to provide proper sun protection. More is more when it comes to mineral sunscreen application!

If you’re ready to give a tinted sunscreen a try for yourself, I’ve included my top 3 picks for you below!

My Top 3 Picks For Tinted Sunscreen

1. CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30 ($17)

CeraVe products are frequently recommended by skin experts because they’re affordable and have short, simple ingredient lists that aren’t packed with fillers. This tinted sunscreen from CeraVe contains three essential ceramides (the “glue” that holds our skin cells together) and niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3 that protects against environmental damage).

As far as the amount of tint goes, this one mimics the look of a medium-coverage foundation. It may look a little thick and shiny right when you put it on, but after about 10 minutes or so it settles in and looks great!

2. Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 32 ($25)

If you’re looking for something a little bit lighter in terms of tint, or if you have oily skin, Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen is a great choice. It’s super sheer, blends effortlessly, and is suitable for darker skin tones. (And as an added bonus, this formula also contains probiotics that can help restore the skin barrier and clear up acne!)

3. Revision Intellishade Original Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45 ($75*)

This option is definitely more of a splurge than the others in this list, but considering that it’s a 5-in-1 product that corrects, protects, conceals, brightens, and hydrates, you’re getting plenty of value for your money! No need to worry about how you layer your makeup, moisturizer, and sunscreen, because this one does it all!

Packed with botanical extracts and antioxidants, this tinted sunscreen also offers a higher degree of sun protection than many others you can find on the market today.

*Note: While this sunscreen retails at $75, I was able to get it on Walmart.com for just $53 (with 6% cash back from Rakuten on top of that!)

Now that I know how easy it is to get protection, hydration, and coverage from a tinted sunscreen, I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to using plain old foundation ever again.