When it comes to skincare, there’s honestly nothing more important than protecting your skin from the sun. Even if you spend most of your time indoors, the sun’s harmful UV rays can still cause skin issues (like dark spots and early aging) if you’re sitting by a window.
You might already know how important it is to wear sunscreen daily, but did you know that the type of sunscreen you wear matters? Tinted sunscreens, in particular, are a great choice because they have multitasking abilities.
Not only do tinted sunscreens offer broad-spectrum protection from the sun, but they’ll give your skin a natural glow — which is always nice. We’ll be covering everything you need to know about tinted sunscreen in this article, so stick around.
What is Tinted Sunscreen?
Tinted sunscreens are mineral-based sunscreens that are infused with a hint of color. This small amount of tint helps the sunscreen blend smoothly into your skin (no matter what your skin tone is).
Tinted sunscreens are also designed to not leave a “white cast” on your skin like most traditional mineral sunscreens do. Tinted sunscreens usually contain active minerals (like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), which create a physical barrier on the skin that reflects the sun’s UV rays rather than absorbing them.
Many tinted sunscreens also include iron oxides, which help block blue light (the light emitted from computer screens). Iron oxides also protect against UVA and UVB rays (this is known as broad-spectrum protection).
Because of the “tint” in tinted sunscreens, you won’t have to worry about that typical chalky finish that standard mineral sunscreens can leave behind (this is especially a problem for people with darker skin tones). Let’s talk more about how tinted sunscreens compare with regular sunscreens below:
What is the Difference Between Tinted Sunscreen and Regular Sunscreen?
The biggest difference between tinted and untinted sunscreens is how they look on the skin. Regular mineral sunscreens are effective, but, once again, they usually leave a noticeable white layer on the skin’s surface, which is quite visible on darker skin.
Tinted sunscreens, on the other hand, contain pigments that will blend naturally with your skin color. This means you’ll get the same level of protection without having to worry about your sunscreen leaving a white cast.
Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreens
When it comes to sun protection, sunscreen products typically fall into two categories: chemical sunscreens and mineral sunscreens (or physical sunscreens). Let’s take a closer look at how each type works below:

Chemical sunscreens
Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients like avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone (which absorb UV rays). Once absorbed, the UV rays are converted into heat and then released from the skin.
Chemical sunscreens have a lightweight texture and are usually invisible on the skin. However, they may irritate if you have sensitive skin, dry skin, or oily skin. Chemical sunscreen is also pretty bad for the environment (especially marine life).
Mineral sunscreens
Mineral sunscreens contain active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which form a shield on your skin’s surface. This shield reflects UV rays before they penetrate your skin. Mineral sunscreens are generally safer for sensitive skin and are a lot less harmful to the environment.
The only downside of mineral sunscreens (as we’ve already discussed) is that they will sometimes leave a visible white cast on the skin. This is why a lot of people decide to opt for tinted sunscreens. They have the same benefits and ingredients as regular mineral sunscreens, but they won’t leave a white cast.
The Benefits of Tinted Sunscreens
There are plenty of benefits to wearing a tinted sunscreen daily (besides just preventing sunburns). Let’s break it down below:

Broad-spectrum UV protection
Tinted mineral sunscreens provide broad-spectrum protection, which protects your skin from both UVA rays (which cause aging) and UVB rays (which cause sunburns). This is true for both body sunscreen and facial sunscreen with a tint.
Since UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin, they can cause wrinkles and the other signs of aging we typically see on mature skin. We’ll talk about how to smooth out these wrinkles (i.e. treat sun-damaged skin) shortly, so don’t go anywhere!
Blue light defense
Thanks to the iron oxides in tinted sunscreens, they can also protect against visible blue light (which comes from electronic devices like phones and computers). Too much blue light exposure can lead to skin issues like hyperpigmentation, especially in people who are prone to dark spots and melasma.
Even skin tone
The tint in these sunscreens also helps blur imperfections and redness. It can also be very helpful if you have an uneven skin tone (i.e. it’ll give you a smooth, natural look without having to apply foundation). For this reason, tinted sunscreens are ideal if you’re trying to achieve a “no makeup” look.
Non-greasy finish
Most tinted sunscreens are designed to provide lightweight coverage. With light coverage or extra coverage, though, you can rest assured that your tinted sunscreen will be non-greasy and comfortable to wear all day.
What is the Best Tinted Sunscreen?
There are plenty of options out there when it comes to tinted sunscreens. Admittedly, this can make picking out the right tinted sunscreen pretty complicated. Here’s one tinted sunscreen that we’d recommend:
DermForge SPF 50 UV Shield Tinted Sunscreen
This sunscreen combines broad-spectrum protection with ingredients that are great for skin health. Let’s take a closer look at what this tinted sunscreen has to offer below:
- SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection: This sunscreen provides a super strong defense against both UVA and UVB rays. As we’ve already learned, this will protect your skin from both sunburns and premature aging.
- Natural tint for light coverage: The lightweight tint in this sunscreen helps to even out skin tone. It’ll minimize any imperfections that you’ve noticed on your skin, and give your complexion a healthy glow.
- Lightweight & non-greasy: This sunscreen’s formula is comfortable, so it shouldn’t bother you to wear it every day. It’s also a great choice for sensitive skin because it’s lightweight and non-greasy.
How to Treat Sun-Damaged Skin
If you’ve spent years in the sun without adequate sun protection, you’ve probably noticed signs of sun damage on your skin (like sunspots and rough patches). This is a bigger deal than you might think.
Over time, this damage can build up, and it can sometimes lead to a condition called actinic keratosis (AK), which is considered precancerous. Fortunately, doing light therapy treatments is a safe, effective way to treat sun-damaged skin and prevent AK.
Light therapy (which you can do at home with an LED mask) uses targeted light exposure to reduce damaged skin cells. Sessions usually take around 15 minutes, which means it’s a pretty convenient treatment option for anyone who has a busy schedule.
Tinted Sunscreens for People With Darker Skin Tones
Tinted sunscreens are an especially beneficial option for people with darker skin tones (who may not be as susceptible to sunburn but are still vulnerable to hyperpigmentation, which is caused by visible light). This form of light exposure comes from natural sunlight and artificial lights, and it makes issues like dark spots and discoloration worse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tinted sunscreen as effective as regular sunscreen?
Yes, tinted sunscreens offer the same UV protection as regular sunscreens. In fact, some tinted sunscreens may offer more benefits because of the addition of pigments (like iron oxides) that enhance protection against blue light.
How often should I reapply tinted sunscreen?
You should apply tinted sunscreen at least every two hours (just like any other type of sunscreen). Naturally, you’ll want to apply it more often if you’re running around outside (i.e. sweating a lot) or swimming. It can be hard to remember to reapply sunscreen, but it’s a good habit to get into.
Can tinted sunscreen cause breakouts?
If you have acne-prone skin, you might worry about your sunscreen causing breakouts. Some tinted sunscreens can clog your pores and may occasionally cause acne breakouts. If you want to avoid this, all you have to do is choose a tinted sunscreen that’s labeled as non-comedogenic.
Is tinted sunscreen better than foundation?
While tinted sunscreen provides light coverage, it should mainly be used for UV protection. If your foundation doesn’t contain SPF, wearing tinted sunscreen underneath it could be a great way to get the benefits of both coverage and protection.
Conclusion
Not a lot of people know about the benefits of tinted sunscreens — probably because tinted sunscreens aren’t talked about enough. To recap, tinted sunscreens are especially ideal for people with darker skin tones because they won’t leave a white cast. They also protect against blue light, so a tinted sunscreen may be essential if you work in front of a computer all day.
Tinted sunscreens also provide broad-spectrum protection, which is really important. No matter what type of sunscreen you choose, make sure to wear it every day (even if you’re just going outside for twenty minutes). To learn more, check out our blog — or peruse our wide selection of skincare products.