My goal for the year has been to incorporate sunscreen into my daily routine to combat redness and hyperpigmentation. In my search for the perfect tinted mineral sunscreen, I decided to try one from EltaMD (photo on left) and one from Colorescience (photo on right). Both photos taken after about 10 hours of wear (sorry - some rubbing off where the mask touched). Hoping my review will help someone else. These high-performing SPF powders offer additional sun protection, absorb excess oil, and even your complexion without feeling heavy. “Powder sunscreens are beneficial to those who wear makeup in the summer but don’t want the greasy feeling of a lotion,” says Ellen Marmur M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist and founder of Marmur Metamorphosis Skincare. Our tinted mineral sunscreens are made with ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which are non-comedogenic (meaning they don’t clog pores). If you have oily skin, have no fear—we also have sheer matte brush-on sunscreen that controls oiliness and shine with the same non-comedogenic ingredients.

SUNFORGETTABLE® TOTAL PROTECTION™ FACE SHIELD BRONZE SPF 50: Achieve a natural-looking glow while shielding your skin from the sun with this liquid-formula, bronze-tinted mineral sunscreen. This formula also features our EnviroScreen® Technology to provide 100% mineral protection from environmental aggressors. Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isododecane, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Niacinamide, Tridecyl Salicylate, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Dimethiconol/Propylsilsesquioxane/Silicate Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl Dimethicone, Maltodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphate, Bisabolol (Levomenol), Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Caesalpinia Spinosa (Tara) Fruit Pod Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp (Silver Ear Mushroom) Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Sprout Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Isoceteth-10, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

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Cons: Feels on the drier side with all day wear, oxidizes some but doesn’t give obvious orange look by the end of the day, pretty pricy. Total Protection™ Brush-On Shield SPF 50 provides Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (UVB protection) and PA++++ (UVA protection). That can translate to better overall protection since, as Obioha notes, “chemical sunscreens are good for adherence.” While recent research has raised some concern about the effects of systemic absorption, the risks associated with sun exposure are far greater and more definitive than those with sunscreen. “Some people are under the impression that chemical sunscreens are dangerous,” says Nazarian, but “they’re actually a wonderful and good option for many people.” However, not all tinted sunscreens are the same. When choosing a sunscreen, you want to look for several key factors: For oily and/or acne-prone skin, choose noncomedogenic, oil-free, fragrance-free, and lightweight sunscreens,” Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, tells Glamour. Additionally, the ideal sunscreen for acne-prone and oily skin will have acne-fighting and anti-inflammatory ingredients, like lactic acid and niacinamide, Murphy-Rose adds.

With many people using active skin care ingredients, such as retinoids and exfoliating acids to keep skin healthy and youthful looking, skin tends to be more sensitive, making daily sunscreen application a must,” says board certified dermatologist and medical advisor for docent, Dr. Farhaad Riyaz. SPF ingredients work two different ways: Chemical sunscreens absorb UVA and UVB rays to prevent damage, while mineral sunscreens (which are great for sensitive skin ) sit on top of the dermis to physically prevent rays from hitting the outermost layer of our skin, says Dr. Shamban. You can find tinted sunscreens with both kinds of coverage, and these pigmented formulas are a savvy option for steamy days. Although they won’t provide as much color or coverage as a face tanner would, they will still even out your tone and provide great sun protection. Tinted vs. Untinted SunscreensThe second point mentioned is its non-pilling nature. Some makeup just doesn’t mesh with sunscreen. This one sounds like it acts as a second skin. Others say it doesn’t leave a white cast or feel greasy, two huge requirements any sun-goer looks for in a sunscreen. No one wants to go around looking like a ghost.