For many people, applying sunscreen is considered a chore, though it’s a critical step in our skin-care regimens to ward off skin cancer and aging UVA rays. Tatcha’s new The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 makes the daily step one to actually look forward to, as it gives skin the most beautiful silky sheen. These are my thoughts after taking it for a test-drive.
My Skin Type:
Combination. I’m drier in the cold-weather months and oilier in the warm-weather ones thanks to the high humidity on the East Coast. My skin tone is light and I typically wear a light-medium shade of foundation.
The Benefits:
Tatcha founder Vicky Tsai calls this SPF 50 a “hydrating mineral shield” for two key reasons: Its active ingredient is 10-percent zinc oxide (a mineral sunblock), and it contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and silk extract. According to the brand, the Japanese-inspired silk extract (also a key ingredient in Tatcha’s best-selling primers and setting powder) is rich in amino acids and mimics the amino acid structure of human skin, creating a second-skin effect and adding to the hydration factor. The addition of multitasking niacinamide takes everything up a notch, as it helps to brighten and reduce the appearance of pores and redness for a more even-looking skin tone. It gives just the right amount of natural-looking glow.
There’s zero white cast (and I mean zero) thanks to the formula’s peachy hue that was made to seamlessly blend into all skin tones. And lastly, I love the ergonomic design: it’s small and sleek with rounded corners, and reminds me of the OG iPod Shuffle. It’s also pocket-size, so you can easily slip it into boardshorts before heading to the beach.
Key Ingredients:
10-percent zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and silk extract
What It’s Free From:
Mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, urea, DEA, TEA, and phthalates
What It Feels Like:
A thin, silky liquid that has a second-skin effect when you put it on—it’s light as air. It’s so light, that if you put a few drops in your palm and flip your hand over, it will drip quickly. It’s not greasy or sticky AT ALL. It’s so light, yet hydrates well, even when my skin is feeling dry.
What It Smells Like:
A tiny bit powdery like many other sunscreens, but it dissipates quickly. There are no synthetic fragrances in the formula and no natural extracts that give it a scent.
How to Use It:
Shake it up, squeeze a few drops into your hand and then apply to your face after your other skin-care products like serum and moisturizer. I like to apply it to the back of my hand rather than into my palm so that I also get some extra sun protection on the back of my hand. It also makes a great primer, as the silk extracts make skin look and feel super smooth, setting the perfect canvas for makeup application.
The Bottom Line:
It may be an investment for some, but it works double-duty (as both a sunscreen and a primer) and the formula is an even bigger win if you’re someone who tends to avoid SPF in fear of looking white as a ghost or feeling like a greasy mess. As far as I’m concerned, this will be one of my top sun-protection picks this summer. Thank you for another great product Vicky!
Price/Where to Buy:
$60, tatcha.com
