Meet The 'Uniform' Tinted Sunscreen That Magically Evened Out My Red, Troubled Skin

While I have always understood the appeal of tinted moisturizers and sunscreens — they are multi-tasking, typically include skin care ingredients and most importantly, they tend to look and feel just like skin — I’ve never felt like they were for me. Due to a common skin condition called keratosis pilaris, which causes raised red bumps and patches on my cheeks and jawline, I need more coverage than most tinted formulas provide. With these requirements, I tested the limits of The Uniform tinted sunscreen by Merit — turns out it’s the first product of its kind that changed my belief that “barely-there” formulas like these only look good on already-perfect skin.

As I mentioned, “tints” in my experience have only ever been just that. Products that are far too sheer to be of any use to me and, in some instances, even exacerbated my skin insecurities. So I was surprised when this mineral sunscreen-based formula met both the “like-skin” qualifier and perfected my blemishes in a way that I was satisfied with.

Merit infused The Uniform sunscreen with more than just SPF 45 protection. It uses fine natural powders to help smooth and blur the look of skin, creating a look of uniformity, without the traditional “cake” and heaviness of a foundation.

What it does share with traditional foundations, however, is that it applies slightly thicker, which is a stark difference from other tints I’ve tried that have a more watery viscosity and just smear around on the skin, barely imparting any type of concealing or perfecting in the slightest.

And unlike other tinted sunscreens and moisturizers of its ilk, the product doesn’t just adhere to the spaces in between the raised bumps on my cheeks, but actually soaks into my skin for even coverage that looks completely natural. According to the brand, the reason for this is “proprietary pigment dispersion,” a technology that’s the reason for the even coverage and easy blendability. According to one reviewer, it’s even capable of covering melasma and hyperpigmentation.

“I have pregnancy melasma and sun damage, and this evens out my color without looking like I caked it on! More impressive is that I have been able to use far less concealer on my dark eye circles than before,” they wrote.

Granted, it’s far from a full coverage product by any means. It’s still an ultra-lightweight and natural-finish result that allows skin to peek through, permitting freckles and natural rosiness on the cheeks to be visible — something I actually really like. I cannot impress upon you enough how skin-like this looks and how resilient it is to bunching or awkwardly separating on the face like normal foundations.

The Uniform has a base of lightweight emollients that offer moderate hydration, but don’t look greasy on the skin. In fact, the finish is a bit more matte than I had initially expected, which means I can completely forgo the need for setting powder. I have very dry skin, so I made sure to prep with a healthy layer of my regular moisturizer. I also used my go-to dampened makeup sponge to apply the product, which allowed me to build up the coverage more seamlessly, while avoiding the possibility of streaks.

I also wanted to see how well it sat underneath my other makeup products, like my cream-based contour and my favorite balmy blush (also by Merit). I’m pleased to report that nothing skipped, dragged or came off altogether.

Available in 15 flexible shades, the Uniform tinted sunscreen has found a fan base among more than just me. Other Merit customers have claimed it’s the best tinted sunscreen they have ever tried and have even awarded it “new holy grail” status. Even users with mature skin find this to be a fitting formula that doesn’t rely on the perfect canvas to do what it says it will. Hear from them down below before grabbing a tube yourself.

Promising Merit reviews:

″I’m 51 and your entire line is all I use now. I’ve tried many tinted SPFs over the years and they either break me out, are too shimmery/shiny/sticky or don’t cover well. The Uniform has a nice texture that although it’s more matte than Merit’s other products, it’s not drying and looks great! I layer my other products on top if I want more of a ‘made up’ look. My 74 year old mother has started using Merit as well and loves it!” — Rita g.

“This Uniform has just the right amount of tint, I layered plenty of the product to get the full benefit of the SPF, about a teaspoon and a half, and it melted into my skin! The color match guide with the shade stick was perfect! It left a nice light coverage and was very smooth. I was impressed!” — Elizabeth F.

“This is the best tinted sunscreen I’ve ever tried! It gives a nice, light coverage and has a natural finish. I have been absolutely loving it this summer because it lasts all day, even in hot Texas weather. I have had so many people asking what foundation I’m wearing lately. I also love that it doesn’t feel like I am wearing makeup when I’m wearing this because it’s so light and airy. Truly, this is my new holy grail base. It’s perfection!” — Brittany H.

“Verry impressed with how nice this is! This is my new staple! I’ve tried other very highly rated tinted moisturizers and have always been totally disappointed by either the color, the smell, the coverage, the wear, harsh ingredients on my sensitive skin, or all of the above! This feels so nice to put on, actually looks and feels like a moisturizing sunscreen and light foundation in one product, and I dont have to worry about nano sunscreen and other suspicious ingredients (yuck), and it has a very light natural smell. I have pregnancy melasma and sun damage, and this evens out my color without looking like I caked it on! More impressive is that I have been able to use far less concealer on my dark eye circles than before, I finally feel like i have a natural look I dont have to be self-conscious about, and it works like a primer when I do a little extra. I only need a touch of concealer, highlighter and blush and it lasts all day - no more finishing spray or powder necessary!” — Xtraglamseyla

The author received complimentary items to test for the purposes of this story. Prices and availability are subject to change.

If you want to shop for more tinted sunscreens that promise both protection and flawless skin, take a look at this list from previous reporting done by Lourdes Avila Uribe: