Preparation
As the weather begins to warm up, there’s a good chance you’ll be spending more time outdoors. And while you should always wear sunscreen year-round—whether you’re indoors or out—most of us become more diligent about sun protection once the temperatures rise. One way to make sure you really are applying your SPF every single day? Make it part of your beauty routine. That’s where tinted sunscreens, which are designed to deliver just subtle kiss of color along with sun protection, come in. Because they’re more sheer than a classic foundation, they’re a better everyday option, which ultimately means you’ll reach for yours more often.
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, daily sunscreen application of at least SPF 30 or higher is a major part of any anti-aging strategy, which means applying some form of sun protection each day is a non-negotiable. After all, the sun is the number-one cause of early signs of aging, and skin cancer is nothing to joke around about. While chemical sunscreens are protective, Dr. Mudgil recommends mineral sunscreens (and mineral-based tinted SPFs) above all else. “This sort of sunscreen serves two purposes,” he explains. “Most importantly, it helps prevent skin cancer. Second, by using a mineral sunscreen (one which contains titanium and/or zinc), which physically blocks UV rays, we can also significantly reduce sun-induced photoaging (wrinkles, sun spots, etc.).”
And if you’re already wearing SPF-infused makeup and think applying a tinted sunscreen is just an extra, non-essential step, you’d be mistaken: Sephora beauty director Myiesha Sewell reminds us that it’s best to wear a separate SPF formula underneath your cosmetics, even those with SPF, for optimal protection. “The amount of SPF recommended for adequate sun protection (about 1/4 teaspoon) is most likely more than the amount of complexion product someone might want to wear,” she explains. Luckily, the tinted sunscreens ahead will have you ready to clear our your makeup bag and streamline your routine—they’re really that good.
