Your Esthetician Prefers Tinted SPF and Here’s Why

As I’ve gotten into my thirties, I’ve started noticing age spots and hyperpigmentation that weren’t there before. Looking back, I realize a lot of this came from summers I spent at Imperial Beach in San Diego. I was young, naive, and loved that golden, glowy tan. I never burned, so I thought sunscreen wasn’t necessary. At the time, I didn’t understand that sun damage builds up slowly over the years, and even on cloudy days, or when you don’t burn, your skin is still absorbing harmful rays.

Fast forward to now, I have a full appreciation for the importance of sunscreen. Treating sunspots and hyperpigmentation is much more challenging than preventing them in the first place. That is why I wear tinted sunscreen every day. The tint not only helps even out my skin tone, but it also provides extra protection against visible light, which can worsen pigmentation.

My go-to right now is Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 in Medium. I love that it is demi-matte so it keeps shine at bay without looking oily, and it won’t clog my pores. It shields against UVA and UVB rays, blue light from screens, infrared radiation, and pollution. I even sometimes wear it in place of foundation because it gives a nice, natural coverage that makes me feel put together.

A lot of people think that having SPF in your makeup is enough. I want to be very clear: it is not. Makeup rarely contains enough SPF to protect your skin throughout the day. A dedicated sunscreen is essential if you want to protect your skin, prevent premature aging, and minimize hyperpigmentation.

I also trust Colorescience because of their research-backed formulas and the recognition they have received over the years. Some of their awards include Best Water Resistant Sunscreen from Women’s Health Skincare Awards in 2025, Favorite Tinted SPF Winner from Women’s Wear Daily Editor’s Choice in 2025, Best Face Sunscreen for Darker Skin Tones in 2025 from Daily Sun O-Wards, and ELLE Future of Beauty Winner in 2021.

Tinted sunscreen has become my non-negotiable daily step. It protects my skin from long-term damage, evens out tone, and gives me confidence to step out the door without foundation when I want a more natural look. If you want healthy, radiant skin that stays youthful, a tinted SPF is one of the most effective multitasking products you can add to your routine.