Just as there’s a time and a place for a full face of makeup, there’s also going to be an occasion where you’ll want a more subtle look with sheer coverage. Whether you’re just spending time with your girls or you’ve got a casual day, this is where tinted moisturizer and tinted SPF really come in clutch.
However, unlike conventional foundations and powdered cosmetics, tinted SPF is a little bit different in its application. More sheer and lightweight, you’re going to get a totally different look when you reach for it, especially when compared to a heavier foundation-style product. That’s why it’s so important to know how to apply tinted moisturizer the right way. On that note, we have some pro tips for you!
These days, the “no-makeup makeup” look is increasing in popularity, and for good reason. Pretty much all of us want to put our best faces forward, and using a tinted moisturizer or SPF can help you achieve that. Dewy, subtle, and the perfect addition for a natural look, it can make all the difference in your everyday appearance. Plus, a skin tint with SPF also gives you an extra layer of sun protection, helping to improve skin health and prevent any damage from harsh UV rays.
If you’re wanting to look your very best – but prefer a product with buildable coverage, – then tinted moisturizer or skin tint with SPF just might be the best fit for you. In this example we will focus on the new mineral tinted sunscreen with SPF called YOUARESUNSHINE as this one is suited for all skin types (especially safe for acne-prone skin). This item doubles as a moisturizer so for the sake of this post, we may use the terms interchangeably.
Follow These Steps for the Perfect Tinted Moisturizer Application
There is no one-size fits all here, but this is the way a pro would do it.
Step 1: Get Your Skin Ready for Application
Before you apply your tinted SPF, you’re going to want to have your skin completely prepped and ready to go. This starts with washing your face, then following up with your usual skincare regimen.
You’ll want to apply your hydrating serum and moisturizer before you apply the tinted serum with SPF. Think of SPF like your shield- it needs to be the last layer in your skincare routine. Any powders would go on after, but all skincare (liquids) go on first, no matter your skin type.
It’s important to only use a mineral SPF. A chemical sunscreen can actually cause accelerated aging and can burn sensitive skin. It’s also important to know that all SPF tends to deactivate after about 2 hours. We’ll go over how to touch up your sunscreen with a brush-on mineral sunscreen throughout the day for continuous protection from UV rays.
Step 2: Reach For Your Tinted Moisturizer
Once your face is clean and your daytime treatments are applied and properly soaked in, then we apply our tinted SPF. Before you start slathering it on though, it’s essential to make sure you have the right formulation and the best color match for your skin tone. Because it’s super difficult for everyone to find their exact shade, and it’s usually never quite right, the formulators of YOUARESUNSHINE chose a universal skin tint that creates a blur-like effect to hide imperfections and provide a light filtered look. For most people this light coverage is all they want, but in case we want a little extra coverage, we can add a few drops of our liquid foundation to the SPF and create our own perfect tint.
YOUARESUNSHINE is made with a very high amount of zinc (21%) so even if you dilute it with a bit of makeup, it still packs an insane amount of protection. (Cheers to well thought out formulations!)
If using a different SPF or tinted moisturizer, though, take a look at the ingredients on the back of the box/bottle. If you’re acne-prone, then you want to make sure the tinted moisturizer doesn’t have any comedogenic ingredients. These include things like isopropyl palmitate, ethylhexyl palmitate, algae, as well as even so-called “natural” ingredients, like wheat or coconut oil.
Once you know for sure that your version is safe to use, then you’re ready to move on to the next step: actually knowing how to apply a tinted moisturizer to your beautiful face. If you’re ready to apply it, then keep reading, as this is how you’re going to ensure a smooth and even skin tone – without blotchiness or clumpiness.
Step 3: Actually Apply Your Tinted Moisturizer
If you’re like most people, then you’ve probably been told that the best way to apply your foundation is with a makeup brush or sponge. When it comes to applying your tinted moisturizer, though, you’ll want to do the complete opposite. In other words, the best way to apply tinted moisturizer is with your hands.
Always always always make sure your hands are clean. Applying your tinted moisturizer with dirty hands is going to be a one-way ticket to Acneville, and you don’t want to go there, period. But since you already washed your face all nice and proper, then it’s safe to say that your hands will be clean as well. (1)
From there, you’ll want to:
- Squeeze a small amount of moisturizer into your fingers.
- Dot the moisturizer onto your face, focusing on your cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin.
- Gently smear the product in long, smooth motions aiming left to right on your forehead but downward on your lower face in the direction of hair growth. Lightly tap to blend it in smoothly.
- Just as with liquid foundation, check the sides of your face and under your neck to blend it in, again aiming down the neck.
- You should always apply the product to your neck (and hopefully chest) as well. This depends on what you are wearing that day, but generally you want to ensure that your neck is completely protected along with any exposed areas of the chest.
Step 4: Touch Up Your Face
If you’ve got acne blemishes healing on your face, it’s bound to take a toll on your self-esteem, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to conceal them. You have your choices on concealers that you want to use, as well. There are cream ones, which can go on nice and thick, as well as powder ones that are a bit more mattifying and sheer. (2) You will be able to use either type of concealer on top of your tinted SPF or tinted moisturizer. It is best to err on the side of one shade lighter (versus darker) when choosing concealer. The eye notices dark contrast more than light, so if you’re between two shades, pick the lighter one.
PRO TIP: Dab the concealer on the underside of any blemishes so you can counteract the shadow it creates.
You’ll also want to make sure that you keep your concealer in your bag or on your person at all times- we’ve all ran into a friend, given them a huge bear hug, and had our makeup totally messed up and left on their shirt. So definitely keep your concealer with you, along with your brush-on SPF for all-day sun protection.
The general consensus is that you’ll want to reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours, or more often than that if you’re sweating a bit more than usual. (3) We can’t stress this enough- sunscreen reapplication is the key to protecting and repairing your skin barrier.
Most sun damage happens at lunch and in the afternoon when our morning SPF has worn off so when you’re sitting outside for lunch, walking your puppy in the afternoon, or running errands, that’s when you are most vulnerable. Enter SUNNYSIDE - brush-on mineral sunscreen that will save your skin.
If you’re wondering how to use it, don’t worry, it’s a total breeze. You simply dust it onto your face with the brush applicator using smooth, even strokes to help protect your face and body from the damaging effects of the sun. Keep one in your car or in your purse; it will not melt and it’s the size of a roll of quarters so it even fits into a clutch.
Not only does SUNNYSIDE help serve as a setting powder, but it’ll also make sure that you’re warding off the nasty, unwanted effects of ultra-violet photodamage that can come from sun exposure. Not only can you feel confident that your face isn’t going to melt off during the day, but you KNOW you’re doing the best possible thing for your precious skin and protecting your investment. It’s a win-win all around! (4)
Aaaand, voilà – you’re done!
Yep, it really is that easy. You see, looking your very best doesn’t have to require some tedious, arduous multi-step process that requires advanced skills to do. Ain’t nobody got time for that, though, for real.
Instead, just make sure you know the foundations of, well, applying your foundations. From there, everything else should fall into place. As long as you know to prepare your face properly, and always make sure you follow up with non-pore-clogging sunscreen, you should be good to go.
And you know what? Looking your very best – while also knowing that you’re taking proper care of yourself from the inside out – is always worth it. And more importantly, you absolutely deserve it.
Sources:
Source 1: What is Acne? Definition & Types https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne
Source 2: How Acne Bumps Cause the Blues: The Influence of Acne Vulgaris on Self-Esteem https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6047192
Source 3: Confused about sunscreen? New American Academy of Dermatology survey shows Americans need a refresher on sunscreen application and SPF https://www.aad.org/news/aad-survey-shows-americans-need-sunscreen-education
Source 4: Interventions for photodamaged skin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6769024/
