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T&T: Tinted Sun Protection

Skin is always ‘in’.

Thankfully, we’re becoming more and more aware of the impact of the sun on our skin and with this comes better and better protection. Brands such as Ultrasun, Heliocare and Institut Esthederm remain firm favourites at PD-HQ – with skin-friendly, sensitive formulas and all working as an excellent base for makeup.

Spring/Summer 2019 is all about fresh faces and flawless complexions, and cosmetics brands are getting in on the sun-safe action with multi-tasking foundations and BB creams. It all depends what you’re looking for in a product and there is a time and a place for everything – trust me, I have done my best to try every single product my skin will allow – and below is a small cross section of the daytime products I have used, and loved, with SPF.

I am a huge fan of The Shiseido Sports BB SPF50+ :

This amazingly hard-working product is perfect if, like me, you enjoy water.

The lightweight, matte-finish formula naturally covers uneven tone, wrinkles appearance, and pores, but also features Quick Dry technology, which dries your sweat quickly to keep you looking fresh. The science-y part is the WetForce technology that strengthens protection veil when it comes into contact with sweat and water – perfect if you tire of re-applying every time you go in the pool, ocean or lake! The matte finish also makes it perfect for events – unlike many SPF products, there is no flashback on the face in photographs and it is a great solution if you are concerned about sweat. Very water resistant, non-comedogenic, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested this product is perfect for protecting sensitive skin in the sun whether I am poolside, on my board, or all-day beach parties.

If you’re looking for a BB cream/foundation with a bit of added SPF rather than an SPF with colour however, I would recommend my trusty Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 15:

Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint SPF 15
HOURGLASSIllusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint ( 30ml ) £51.00

Hourglass’ Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint is a foolproof foundation option. The formula features advanced technology to promote the appearance of a smoother, firmer and more youthful complexion; and it’s fortified with Hourglass’ Hyaluronan Complex, an advanced form of hyaluronic acid that plumps up fine lines and wrinkles to minimise their appearance. Giving a medium-to-full coverage with a luminous glow. Broad spectrum SPF 15 sun protection helps to shield skin from sun exposure.

For a less made-up day look, I really like the Ultrasun SPF 30 Tinted Face Sun Cream:

Buy Ultrasun SPF 30 Tinted Face Sun Cream, 50ml Online at johnlewis.com
Ultrasun SPF 30 Tinted Face Sun Cream £24.99


This product does exactly what it says on the bottle; it’s not a foundation or BB cream but sun protection product with a bit more!

Beautifully lightweight, but offering heavy duty UVA, UVB & Infrared A protection, this product can be used instead of, or as well as, your normal day cream and is formulated with a hint of colour to flatter all skin types. This fabulous tinted moisturiser also contains Vitamin E to smooth, moisturise and revitalise the skin. Skin is left soft, smooth and instantly radiant whilst safeguarded against future damage. I would recommend this product for everyday in the summertime, under makeup or for days out rather than on the beach, where more intense sun exposure and wind are factors to be considered. For prolonged exposure, I would recommend a higher protection product.

Ultrasun also dish up a ‘Face Fluid’ Tinted Moisturiser with the higher SPF (50+) but I haven’t tried it to be able to recommend it. If you have and would recommend please get in touch via Comments, Instagram or Facebook.

As to be expected, bronzed skin, glistening lids and coral lips are going to be appearing on the beach in the sandcastle bucket-load and now, your skin can be flawless and protected all at the same time!

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