Tinted mineral sunscreen — the product of summer, with a caveat
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Tinted mineral sunscreens are now available in more shades by more brands than ever before.
Why it matters: They combine sun coverage and makeup in a product that appeals to "clean beauty" fans — but it's not a fit for everyone.
The latest: Searches for "tinted mineral sunscreen" hit an all-time high this month, per Google Trends data.
- Skincare staples like Beauty of Joseon and EltaMD, and newer brands Merit Beauty and Tower 28, have launched tinted mineral sunscreens this year to meet growing demand.
How it works: To reduce the white cast on the skin left by mineral sunscreen, tinted versions (and some non-tinted kinds) use smaller particle sizes and add iron oxides, says Esther Olu, a cosmetic chemist and instructor.
What we're hearing: Tinted mineral sunscreens are "hydrating enough to replace your morning moisturizer" and can "offer just enough coverage that you can skip foundation or other coverup," says Nazanin Saedi, a dermatologist and associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
- Consumers also like the fact that mineral sunscreens don't penetrate the skin and — though they're not truly reef safe — seem better for the environment.
- They're especially appealing to people managing melasma or sensitive skin, "because allergic reactions to them are rare," Saedi said.
Yes, but: Despite marketing promises of being "lightweight" and having a "light-as-air finish," tinted mineral sunscreens can appear "ashy" and be hard to reapply without feeling "really cakey," particularly on deeper skin tones, Olu says.
- It can be tough or impossible to find the right tinted mineral sunscreen: "We all have different undertones" and the available options are still "sparse," she says.
- Olu reviews sunscreen in social media videos, where she's shown how pure mineral sunscreens leave a white cast on her skin, and learned the hard way that tinted mineral sunscreens can stain your clothing.
- She prefers chemical sunscreen.
Pro tip: Before you buy tinted mineral sunscreen, test a sample, or watch a reviewer with a similar skin tone apply the shade.
- Olu recommends creators @glowbyramon, @tamunoabbey and @capri.corneum for skincare insight.
Bottom line: The best sunscreen is one you'll actually use — and use enough of.
- Olu recommends choosing a formula that feels comfortable on your skin even when you use a generous amount: About one-quarter to one-half teaspoon for your face, neck, and ears.
Go deeper: The difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen
