All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
There's something about a dewy complexion that will always grab our attention. The thing is, most of us aren't born with skin that has a dolphin-level sheen, so we break out a few trusty, hydrating skin-care products for a faux glow. Here at Allure, we've come across handfuls of products that claim to make skin appear as reflective as glass, but little comes close to Tatcha's The Silk Sunscreen.
This sunscreen is the latest launch from the luxury skin-care line, as well as the brand's second sunscreen. Like the brand's first, the Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen, The Silk Sunscreen is a mineral formula. That means it's formulated with a mineral-based filter (in Tatcha's case, zinc oxide) to reflect UV rays away from your skin.
New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., previously told Allure that mineral sunscreens also have gentler formulas in comparison to their chemical counterparts, making them great options for sensitive skin. Not only will this SPF 50 formula guard your skin against UV rays, but it'll also make your complexion look brighter and dewier than ever — without common issues like chalkiness, greasy residue, or product buildup.
Tatcha's latest sunscreen formula is like glow-inducing cellophane for your skin, which is a lot sexier than it sounds. This tinted formula is the newest member of the brand's The Silk line, a collection of silk extract-infused skin-care products, like the fan-favorite The Silk Canvas primer. This luxurious ingredient contains two proteins — sericin and fibroin — that can benefit skin health, according to Morgan Rabach, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City. "Sericin forms a layer of protection over the skin and may help promote hydration," Dr. Rabach previously told Allure. "Fibroin may help repair skin cells and balance moisture levels."
Silk may be the signature ingredient in this sunscreen, but it's not the only one worth calling out. You can also spot hydrating hyaluronic acid and brightening niacinamide, which work hand-in-hand with the silk extracts to plump and soften skin, essentially making your complexion look as luminous as ever without leaving a greasy feel.
This sunscreen has a light, slippery formula that seeps into the skin immediately after it's massaged in, which we can all thank makeup artist Daniel Martin for. As the global director of artistry & education at Tatcha, he assisted in the creation of this nourishing formula so it can act as a sunscreen and makeup primer. Don't we all love a quick and efficient, multiuse product? Our news editor, Nicola Dall'Asen, definitely does.
Dall'Asen says after testing out The Silk Sunscreen, she realized that it checked all of the boxes for her usual favorite sun-protection products: "an SPF level of 30 or higher, a moisturizing feel that sinks into my skin quickly, plays well with makeup, and a slick, dewy finish."
Though she's a fan of the tinted formula for her complexion, one concern she has is that it may leave a white cast on darker skin tones. With that being said, we can't hide the fact that there are multiple members of the Allure team who are loving this silky sunscreen, including myself.
Considering The Silk Sunscreen feels like a tall glass of water for my dry, sensitive (and to be honest, neglected) skin, it's actually quite light in texture. It makes my complexion have that "I just got a really expensive facial" glow — even though I haven't used anything but the Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser, Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer, and Supergoop's Daily Dose Hydra-Ceramide Boost + SPF 40 Oil for nearly a month (Just so you know, daily sunscreen use is a must.) Its universal tint blends into my light-tan skin so well that I don't even bother applying any foundation or concealer afterward.
One thing I will say, though, is that I do have to echo Dall'Asen's concerns about the tint. Though it does work for the fairer tones of the Allure office, deeper skin tones may still deal with the issue of a white cast, which we hope Tatcha can address some time in the future.
Beauty and wellness editor Taylore Glynn is also a fan of the universal tint and says it makes her fair complexion look healthier. "This barely-tinted liquid offers a pearly, dewy glow without making me look greasy," she says. She also applauses The Silk Sunscreen for its ability to work easily with her daily makeup routine, which is a must in order for any sunscreen to win her over. "I've got a couple of sunscreens in my arsenal already, but since [The Silk Sunscreen] is amenable to both a bare face and full-glam look, Tatcha might have all of them beat," she exclaims.
Though we wish there was more than one shade offering, Tatcha's The Silk Sunscreen is still quite impressive — it did just earn praise from three Allure staffers, after all. If you're looking to shine bright, shine far, and glow like a star (no matter what your skin's current state is), we can guarantee that this sunscreen will make your complexion do exactly that.
Want to try it out for yourself and get glowing skin? Grab Tatcha's The Silk Sunscreen now for $60 at tatcha.com or sephora.com starting today, March 1.
Keep reading about more Allure staff-approved sun-protection products:
- 13 Best Sunscreen Serums for a Glowy, Skin-Like Finish
- The 28 Best Facial Sunscreens for a Healthy and Protected Complexion
- The 17 Best Tinted Sunscreens for Your Face
Now, watch this Olympian gymnast's beauty routine that's worthy of gold medals:
Follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter for daily beauty stories delivered right to your inbox.
