Left pondering if the Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Tinted Sunscreen should be worn as sunscreen or foundation

A few years ago, I was offered the opportunity to try the Suntegrity sunscreen, which is a mineral sunscreen with broadspectrum UV protection. Being a sunscreen fiend, you’d have expected me to jump at the chance. But I didn’t because it came with a max of SPF30.

I know opinions differ as to how high or how effective anything beyond SPF30 is, but I personally swear by and only use sunscreen with SPF50 and up.

But recently, I was offered a chance to try the Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Moisturizing Face Sunscreen and I said sure, let’s have a go.

It is still a SPF30 sunscreen, so what’s the difference?

The difference is that this was tinted and I could therefore treat it much like makeup. I don’t quite care how much SPF is in my makeup, but naturally, if it was high enough, and protects my skin enough, I’d be happy about it.

Turns out, many people really like this Suntegrity Impeccable Skin tinted sunscreen. Did I? 🙂

Suntegrity Impeccable Skin SPF30 Broadspectrum tinted sunscreen

Suntegrity Impeccable Skin is a tinted sunscreen that they say is a moisturizing face sunscreen and formulated with a mineral matte coverage finish.

It basically gives you skincare benefits, sun protection and a tint of makeup all in one handy product. It is not formulated with oils or silicone (I will comment on its texture below), contains vitamins (Vitamin C and E) and peptides to protect skin, and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration.

Sun protection is offered up to SPF30 with 15% zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is often referred to as a physical UV blocker, effectively blocking both UVA and UVB rays when spread on the skin. However, you do need a significant amount on skin, to achieve full blocking, as they do in the labs. Few of us will ever put on that much, because it is uncomfortable and unsightly.

Zinc oxide famously leaves a white cast on skin, which is why the tint in this product is useful for making it look better on skin.

For those of you who might want to head to the beach and want something that is friendly to the ocean and the corals, know that this product is reef-friendly, so it will not damage corals. As to whether SPF30 is sufficient for a day out on the beach however, is up for debate (I say no 😛 )

Is this sunscreen or base makeup?

When it comes to tinted sunscreen (like this other one I enjoy using from Shiseido) I’m always faced with a conundrum.

Do I treat this like a sunscreen and therefore use it right after my skincare in generous amounts, as I do all sunscreen; or do I treat this as makeup, and use only as much as I feel comfortable to wear?

The answer for me is that the Suntegrity Impeccable Skin tinted sunscreen is makeup. I will still use my regular sunscreen at the last step of my day time skincare routine, as I do daily. That is always an SPF50 broad spectrum sunscreen.

Then, I might use this Suntegrity Impeccable Skin tinted sunscreen on top, in a thinner layer, as much as I am comfortable. I personally will not use this on its own.

But perhaps, if you detest using sunscreen or have not found a sunscreen that you like using, or have no access to better formulated sunscreen products, and live where you don’t get as much sun (or have as much UV penetration) as we do near the Equator, then maybe you could get away with using just this product.

For sunscreens, I personally go for Japanese formulations – Shiseido Perfect UV, Anessa or Kanebo Allie or other Japanese brands. I might even go for a European formulation. But, sorry to say, not a sunscreen formulated in the USA as their sunscreen formulation and ingredients used are reportedly more outdated. However, at least this one uses physical UV blockers unlike one that might only contain chemical UV filters.

Packaging and Texture

The Suntegrity Impeccable Skin tinted sunscreen comes in a tube packaging with a pump. This is reminiscent of the IT Cosmetics CC Cream, and many BB creams in the market. The pump is smooth, and pumps out product easily.

The soft tube also makes it more portable, as you do not have a risk of it spilling or the top coming undone in transit. In terms of packaging, I have no quibbles.

The texture however, takes some getting used to, I feel.

Personally, I find the texture a little thick and a tiny bit harder to spread than similar type of products e.g. Shiseido BB Sports or IT Cosmetics CC Cream, both of which are more fluid and spread more easily. This I feel maybe attributed to the fact that the Suntegrity Impeccable Skin tinted sunscreen has no silicone or oils in it.

I find that it is smooth, but there is less of a slip, and I do find the texture thicker. However, if you are sensitive to silicones in makeup or sunscreen (and I know of people who are) then this is Heaven-sent for you!

I do find that you have to work quite quickly to spread the product on your skin evenly, and rub it in a little. For this reason, it is best applied with fingers, just as you would your skincare, gently rubbing it into your skin, to ensure that you cover every square inch. It is non-greasy, which is wonderful, and settles with a satin-finish that is quite flattering.

I have dry skin and I don’t find this to be particularly drying (it can catch flaky skin if you have it). It does not settle into lines or pores. It actually does look better as it melds with the oils of your skin as the day wears on. However, I do not find this to be particularly moisturizing either, despite the name. It is comfortable, and that is as best as I can describe it.

Because it is makeup, double-cleansing is essential in the evening, to ensure that you properly remove it.

Shade Selection and Tips on how to wear Suntegrity Impeccable Skin

There are 3 shades carried here in Malaysia by TNS Skinlab. I wear the shade Ivory, but I obtained samples of Buff and Sand as well, so you can see how they look.

As you can see from the swatch above, the swatches show a significant jump between shades. Ivory is very pale and will best suit those with a very, very fair skintone. I wear the lightest shades in most foundations, and have a neutral-warm skintone, and Ivory even looks a touch light on my skin.

However, the next shade up – Buff – is far too peachy for me. The gap between Buff and Sand is not as wide but I do find the peach tones a little strong. So, I do think that people with deeper skin tones will definitely not be able to wear this product. At best, it goes up to a medium skintone, and even then, only if you feel that the shade suits you.

In reality, you will not wear such a thick layer on your face. At least I hope not! 😛 You will wear, at best, a thin layer on your skin, rubbed right in. You will then find that the shade does adjust a little after a while, as it settles and melds with the oils of your skin, and then, it matches your skin tone a little better.

This is what Ivory looks like when I wear it. 1 pump of product, which isn’t very much, spread all over with fingers. I don’t recommend using a brush.

‘Bare skin’ here means that I have my skincare and sunscreen on. It’s also been about 5 hours since I put on my skincare this morning when I took this ‘before’ photo and it is, per usual, unretouched.

On right is with a layer of the Suntegrity Impeccable Skin tinted sunscreen in Ivory. You may notice that shade-wise, although it looks white in the swatch above, it actually matches my skintone. It does settle a little more as the day wears on.

I don’t put on very much, so coverage for me is light-medium. It evens out skintone and redness, but does not cover deep shadows, marks or pigmentation. I am comfortable with this. If I want a little more, I put on concealer where I need it, then do the rest of my face.

My tips for using the Suntegrity Impeccable Skin

• Start with just a little product – Pump just a pump (I use just half a pump) on the back of your hand, and then warm it up.
• Pick up the warmed up product with your fingers and apply to skin – Rub it into your skin and make sure that you cover your skin evenly. This is more important if you aren’t already wearing another sunscreen underneath
• Use only a thin layer – The product is quite thick, and because the pigment is quite high coverage, I suggest using only a thin layer
• Allow the product to settle on skin – I find that it takes a while for the colour to adjust itself on your skin. For me, Ivory starts out looking a bit pale on my skin, but after about an hour, it looks more natural.
• Don’t set it with powder – Unlike most liquid foundations or bases, I don’t recommend setting this with powder. The reason is because it ends up with a matte effect on skin. Putting powder on top makes it look heavy and cakey. Leaving it alone to settle into the skin makes it look more natural, like your skin.

What I like about the Suntegrity Impeccable Skin is that it tends to look better, the longer you wear it. So, when I start out in the morning, it tends to look a little more ‘done’ and a little more ‘fake’.

But by mid-morning and heading to the afternoon, I find that it looks more natural. It never looks matte and flat, but I do find that when your natural oils comes through along your nose and cheeks, it actually looks better, and more natural. It just looks like your skin but nicer.

Is it worth trying?

Everything is worth trying once! 🙂 But I’d suggest that you test it out first to see if you like the texture and can find a shade for your skin tone.

The reason is because you must understand and appreciate that the texture isn’t as fluid as most base products, and if you treat this like a sunscreen, you will use too much and it will then look too heavy. So it will depend on what you want it for and what your skin can tolerate.

The price tag is high, and this will be another reason to balk a little. I think it will appeal to those who want a ‘natural’ type of foundation formula, or to someone who wants an ‘all-in-one’ sunscreen and makeup product.

If you use them separately, as I do, or aren’t fussed about ingredients and formulation, then this doesn’t make much of a difference. There are foundations or BB creams with a nicer texture out there, and better shade selection. Ultimately, it comes down to what you want, and what you’re looking for 🙂

IN A NUTSHELL

The Suntegrity Impeccable Skin tinted sunscreen is supposed to be skincare, sunscreen and makeup in one. I personally would treat this as only makeup. It is not moisturizing enough to use on its own, and I don’t think you will put on enough product to justify its sun protection qualities. I therefore rate it as base makeup, and for this, I find it adequate. The texture does take some getting used to as it is quite thick. The shade selection is rather dubious as well, as the jump between shades is quite big. I wear Ivory, which does start out a little white, but it does adjust a little as the hours go by. I find the coverage medium at best, but it will depend on how much you use. I only use a light layer and use concealer where I need it. Please see my tips above on how best to wear this, so it looks best. I think it’s a good product, and I wear it on casual days or weekends or when I want just a light tint on my skin. But it’s not my favourite formula.

PROS:
Texture is quite thick but easy to spread
May start out with a white cast but it adjusts after a while
Looks better as the day wears on and it melds with oils from skin
Does not feel drying even on dry skin
Reef-friendly formula

CONS:
Pricey
Shade selection is limited
As coverage is quite high people may not use enough for proper sunscreen protection

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a tinted sunscreen product, Anyone who is sensitive to silicones, Anyone who wants a more ‘natural’ formulated sunscreen or foundation

PRICE: RM299 | US$55 for 2oz (56.7g)

WHERE TO BUY: TNS Skinlab stores and website, Suntegrity website

Here is the ingredient list for the Suntegrity Impeccable Skin.

Active Ingredients: 15% Zinc-Oxide (non-nano) Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Purified Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Glycerin, Lauroyl Lysine, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Melanin, Bisabolol, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Carbonate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Titanium Dioxide (C.I.77891), Iron Oxides (C.I.77492, C.I. 77491, C.I.77499)

Have you tried any Suntegrity sunscreen products? Do you wear tinted sunscreen?

The formula is different, but I do like the Shiseido BB Sports tinted sunscreen very much. I still wear this one, because I have it. I like how it looks by day’s end. But it takes a while to get there LOL! I don’t otherwise wear tinted sunscreen, do you? 🙂

Paris B