Tinted sunscreen: The best products in comparison

Tinted sunscreen
The best creams with sun protection factor in comparison

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A tinted sunscreen not only ensures a healthy-looking complexion, but also prevents skin aging and protects against skin cancer. You can find out which product is best for you and how to apply tinted sunscreen here.

What is a tinted sunscreen?

The tinted one Sunscreen is a 2-in-1 product. With its sun protection factor (SPF for short), it provides sufficient protection in the sun and, thanks to its gentle tint, gives us an even complexion. A tinted sunscreen can essentially replace foundation or BB cream. It is much more popular than traditional sunscreens because it is by no means as sticky, oily and heavy, as we know it from other formulations. The tinted sunscreen is a real favorite, especially in summer. Once applied, it can replace heavy foundation or makeup without sacrificing our healthy-looking complexion.

Why is sun protection factor so important?

A sun protection factor is essential not just in summer, but all year round. For good reason: Even if it doesn’t feel like it here, our skin is exposed to dangerous UV rays all year round. Although they don’t always cause sunburn, they can also damage our skin in other ways. If you apply SPF to your face every day, you can not only protect yourself from skin cancer, but also prevent skin aging and pigment spots. This makes sun protection factor one of the most reliable anti-aging agents.

What is important in a tinted sunscreen?

To ensure that the tinted sunscreen gives your skin the protection it needs, there are a few things to consider. Unfortunately, not all of the products we see in drugstores, advertising or online shops are as good as they claim. Sunscreens can never completely protect against dangerous UV-A and UV-B radiation, but they are nonetheless necessary preventive measure against the dangerous effects of UV radiation.

  • Make sure your sunscreen has one Minimum protection against UV-B and UV-A radiation having. A stronger SPF (which primarily serves as protection against UV-B radiation) should also include stronger protection against UV-A radiation. According to scientific Studies Biological skin damage can be reduced if the UV-A protection is at least a third of the sun protection factor. If this is the case, you will usually find it clearly visible as a UV-A seal in a circle on the packaging.
  • When it comes to sun protection, a decision is made between mineral and chemical, because every sunscreen needs a filter that protects against solar radiation. Mineral filters include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Chemical filters are often made of mexoryl, octocrylene or oxybenzone.
  • A mineral sun protection lies on the surface of the skin and reflects UV rays. The higher the SPF, the more whitish, mineral particles. This also explains why products with a low sun protection factor often leave less residue than products with a high SPF.
  • Chemical sunscreen penetrates the skin and takes effect there after 30 minutes by converting the UV rays into other forms of energy, such as infrared radiation. However, it should not be neglected that chemical options can cause skin irritations or allergies. Mineral sun protection is particularly advisable on the face, as chemical sun protection can lead to clogged pores by penetrating the skin.

Which tinted sunscreen is the best?

There are now countless tinted sunscreens on the market. In our comparison, we took a closer look at our favorites.

Paula’s Choice

The Resist anti-aging day cream from Paula’s Choice is perfect for combination and oily skin. Thanks to the antioxidants, it works well against impure skin, wrinkles and pigment spots. The tinted sun cream with the active ingredient zinc oxide is a mineral sunscreen and therefore lies on the skin without penetrating it.

  • SPF: 30
  • mineral sun protection
  • mattifies shiny skin

Avene

This one too tinted sunscreen from Avène provides optimal protection against UV-B and UV-A rays. Thanks to its innovative HEV Blue Light filter, it prevents skin aging and hyperpigmentation. As a tinted day cream with mineral color pigments, it ensures an even and radiant complexion and provides long-lasting moisture for up to eight hours.

  • SPF: 50
  • mineral color pigments
  • water resistant
  • without octocrylene

Garnier

This Garnier tinted sunscreen is actually a BB cream and therefore an all-in-1 care product. The tinted care conceals skin irregularities, mattifies an oily complexion and nourishes thanks to the hyaluronic acid and aloe vera it contains. At the same time, it protects against dangerous UV rays.

  • SPF: 15
  • mineral sun protection with titanium dioxide
  • provides moisture for up to 24 hours
  • with skin tone-adjusting mineral pigments

La Roche Posay

La Roche-Posay is one of the most popular and reliable skin care brands. When it comes to tinted sunscreen, the brand of course also has a product up its sleeve. The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Tinted BB cream is suitable for sensitive and normal skin and provides an extra portion of moisture with the thermal water it contains. The cream contains the innovative Mexoryl 400 UV filter, which protects against harmful ultra-long UV-A rays of up to 400nm. However, the filter is a chemical sunscreen.

  • SPF: 50+
  • chemical sunscreen
  • Glycerin and thermal water for sufficient moisture

Eucerin

The Eucerin Sun CC Cream promises an improved complexion within a very short time. The fragrance-free formula with hyaluronic acid is said to visibly reduce wrinkles and signs of aging, while mineral pigments ensure an even complexion.

  • SPF: 50
  • light texture
  • contains mineral and chemical UV filters

How do you apply tinted sunscreen?

Tinted sunscreen can be easily incorporated into your skincare routine. Simply apply your serums etc. as usual. The last step should be the tinted sunscreen, which you can apply to your face with your hands like any other tinted day cream. If you like, you can then apply some powder, bronzer, highlighter or blush. But this isn’t absolutely necessary once you’ve found the best tinted sunscreen for you.

Which sun protection factor suits my skin?

Which sun protection factor is right for your skin depends on your skin type. But the intensity of solar radiation and the length of time spent in the sun also play an important role. How long you spend in the sun depends on your skin type and the sun protection you apply. There is a simple formula that you can use to calculate how long the sunscreen you apply will protect you from UV radiation.

Depending on your skin type, your own protection lasts from five to a maximum of 30 minutes. Attention: In children, the skin’s own protection is very low and lasts a maximum of ten minutes. Let’s assume that your tinted sunscreen has an SPF of 50 and your skin’s own protection is 20 minutes, so you can keep your face in the sun for 100 minutes (SPF x self-protection = maximum time spent in the sun) without worrying. Ergo: A high SPF does not protect you more from the sun, it just extends the time you stay there. A SPF between 30 and 50 is therefore generally advisable.

Sources used:

  • sunscreen, bvl.bund.de (As of July 2022)
  • EU Commission on the effectiveness of sunscreens and related manufacturer information, eur-lex.europa.eu (As of July 2022)

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Bridget

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