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Key Takeaways:
- ILIA is an elevated clear magnificence model specializing in skin-centric make-up with pure finishes. They’re cruelty-free and dedicated to 1% for the Planet.
- ILIA’s Pores and skin Tint debuted with excessive reward in 2020. It combines hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and zinc oxide for a hybrid serum/moisturizer/SPF/basis.
- The SPF 40 product is available in 30 shades and clocks in at $48.
- ILIA’s web site allows you to submit as much as 5 images to be shade-matched by their workforce, and you may as well take a look at the product in particular person at Sephora, Credo Magnificence, and Nordstrom.
I’m not a giant basis particular person. Like, in any respect. I feel the final one I bought was a gloopy bottle of CoverGirl again in highschool for dance competitions — I’m a strictly pores and skin tint gal. So I’ve been itching to strive ILIA’s Pores and skin Tint because it hit the market in 2020, claiming to mix light-weight protection with bodily sunscreen and substances that make your pores and skin glow. If I’m going to put on basis, I at the least need it to be good for my pores and skin.
The product makes use of skin-loving substances like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, and has continued to win award after award since its launch. Glamour and Attract each named it one of the best clear basis in 2020, and it was considered one of Journey + Leisure’s “Prime Choose” magnificence merchandise in 2022 (it’s additionally obtained recognition from Elle, Refinery29, Byrdie, Form, and Well being.com). Anybody who’s anybody loves ILIA Pores and skin Tint, it appears.
Sasha Plavsic based ILIA in 2011 when she got down to recreate her favourite lip balm with clear substances. The model now sells a robust lineup of make-up merchandise like mascaras, liners, powders, foundations, eye shadows, lipsticks, and a few multi-use pigments, together with a handful of skincare merchandise. They’re huge on incorporating SPF into their merchandise to reinforce the efficiency of actives, and so they name their substances consciously sourced, noting that “not each pure ingredient is sweet for the pores and skin, neither is each artificial dangerous.” Clear magnificence is all about nuance!
So, does their pores and skin tint dwell as much as the hype? That’s what I needed to seek out out.
The fundamentals
Discovering your good shade is fairly simple. ILIA’s web site reveals a number of fashions carrying every shade, and shades are separated by impartial/heat/olive/cool undertones. You may also ship in as much as 5 images to get professionally color-matched by their workforce, or head into your native Sephora, Credo Magnificence, or Nordstrom to strive the product in particular person. In accordance with my meticulous analysis (studying the product itemizing 😅), my good shade appeared to be ST4, a.okay.a. Formosa.
The product is available in a minimalistic, serum-like dropper bottle. Star substances embody niacinamide, which helps cut back irritation whereas night pores and skin tone and texture; hyaluronic acid, which helps the pores and skin retain hydration; and squalane, a light-weight, non-comedogenic oil to lock in moisture. The product’s SPF 40 comes from non-nano zinc oxide, a bodily sunscreen that leaves a slight white forged when utilized however disappears virtually immediately.


Clear magnificence lovers can be happy to know the product is silicone-free, chemical sunscreen-free, vegan, and fragrance-free, and the bottle may be recycled in a regular recycling bin. You possibly can recycle the dropper by means of TerraCycle.
My pores and skin is mixture/zits susceptible, with an oily T-zone in the summertime and dry patches within the winter. It’s not delicate, however many magnificence editors with delicate pores and skin reward the tint for its non-irritating formulation.
How I used it
The bottle says to shake effectively earlier than software — verify. Then it says to dispense a quarter-sized quantity into your palms and apply it like a serum. I warmed the product between my arms and gently pressed it into my pores and skin for finest outcomes. Whereas the product is skinny and oily, rubbing it in like a moisturizer appeared to tug at my pores and skin an excessive amount of and catch on a few dry flakes irritated by Differin; urgent the product in left a extra pure end.
I’ve averted buying this product for the previous three years, fearing this ultra-dewy pores and skin tint would possibly intensify my oily t-zone. However I used to be utterly mistaken — it dried much more satiny than different pores and skin tints I’ve tried. The end isn’t oil or matte. It’s finest described as skinlike. I believed this is able to solely be a winter product for me, but it surely seems to be prefer it’ll make {the summertime} high shelf, too.


Magnificence blenders are sometimes my applicator of alternative for pores and skin tints, and I cherished the end even higher after I used one (to not point out my cleaner arms!). However I’m glad to understand it’s definitely not vital for software, particularly after I journey and need to pack lighter.
After a little bit of setting powder or spray, the tint appears to put on effectively all day lengthy, not making my pores and skin cakey, dry, or flaky. And on the finish of the day, it got here off simply with a double cleanse.
The takeaway
To me, this product is totally price its $48 price ticket. If utilized onto clear pores and skin so the actives can do their factor, the product replaces a niacinamide serum, moisturizer, and SPF, together with including gentle protection, making the value really feel virtually like a steal.


Nevertheless, in case you’re not snug changing your whole routine with this product, that’s comprehensible — possibly you’ve different morning serums you employ or dry pores and skin that wants a heavier day by day moisturizer. And if I had been going to the seashore or mountaineering, for instance, I’d layer on one other SPF for extra intense safety (particularly if I’m not utilizing an entire quarter dimension of product).
ILIA’s Pores and skin Tint ticked all the appropriate packing containers for me. Between the model’s ethos, the packaging’s recyclability, and the product’s clear formulation and wonderful efficiency, I’ll fortunately repurchase. The skincare lover in me embraces an excuse to show a part of my make-up routine right into a skincare step, too.
Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. Since 2022, she has been reviewing the highest sustainable residence, wellness, style, and sweetness merchandise, sharing her trustworthy opinion on one of the best finds. When she’s not writing about artwork, meals, or sustainability, you could find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, stitching, or planning her subsequent Halloween costume. Say hello on Instagram!
