Milk Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30: Our Best Glowy Makeup Trick

Here’s a quick quiz to decide if it’s the right day to wear Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30. Are you interested in glowy makeup with lightweight coverage? Do you enjoy a hydrating formula with skincare benefits that’s easy to layer and blend? Want a finish that looks like your skin, but better? If you checked any of those boxes, then you need to start your day (and preferably every single day) with a tube of our best skin tint. Read on to find out what makes this formula so special.

What is a skin tint?

Like a cross between lightweight foundation and BB cream, skin tints combine your favorite features of glowy makeup and skincare. “A skin tint provides light coverage and a dewy finish, whereas foundations tend to offer more coverage and have fewer skincare ingredients built-in,” says Sara Wren, our Global Director of Artistry. “Some days you want to be dewy and light—that's our skin tint’s cue.”

A good place to start is with our very own Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30. This vegan skin tint is formulated with ingredients like plant-derived squalane for a fresher-looking finish. It’s also got a blend of grapeseed, avocado, mandarin, jojoba, and olive oils to visibly hydrate and moisturize. And to make sure you’re protected from the sun, we added broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen with non-nano zinc, which doesn’t cause flashback or a chalky white cast.

“It's so unique because it truly is a tinted moisturizer that acts as a brightening face oil, skin tint, and sunscreen all in one,” says Jessica Blanco, our VP of Product Development and Packaging. “It hydrates and has lightweight coverage that blends seamlessly. I feel like my skin looks better as I wear it throughout the day.”

Our entire team has extensively tested the formula and shares that sentiment. “I call it Model in a Bottle,” says Sara. “It gives that gorgeous, effortless, dewy makeup look.” Once you try it, one tube will not be enough—which is why we made it refillable. Our Refill Cartridges make it easy to stock up sustainably, cutting down on 66% of plastic waste compared to buying another full-sized skin tint.

When should I use a skin tint instead of foundation?

Compared to most cream, powder, or liquid foundations, skin tints are meant to give you sheerer coverage suited for daily wear. A traditional foundation, like our Flex Foundation Stick, is best for situations where you’re looking for medium-to-full coverage. Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30 is designed to roll on in a blendable layer that still lets your skin shine through, but gives it a veil of tint and glow—like a gentle filter. We designed the packaging with that concept in mind, making it easy to roll directly onto your skin so you can apply wherever you are. It’s also so light, it feels like you’re adding an extra layer of skincare.

How do I find my shade of Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30?

Makeup artists will often tell you that the best way to find your shade is in person. Sara agrees. “If you can get to a Sephora, that's always my first suggestion,” she says. “When possible, go in makeup-free so they can actually try some shades on your skin and make sure they blend in.” If you can’t make it to a store, we replicated the experience as closely as possible with our website. “There are a ton of swatches and model shots to help you find a match closest to your skin tone,” says Sara.

How to Apply Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30

Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30 has a unique design that makes on-the-go application easy. “The rollerball is a very unique application,” says Jessica. “It allows you to quickly and easily glide the skin tint directly onto your skin and then blend with your fingertips, a sponge, or brush.” Choosing what to blend with is up to your personal preference. Fingertips are the easiest, while a sponge and brush will give a more even finish.

Once you’ve settled on your blending tool of choice, work from the center of your face. “I typically start in the middle of my face and do a strip down my nose, under my eyes, chin, and forehead, then blend outward,” says Sara. “Make sure to blend down into your neck for seamless coverage.” We designed the formula to be buildable, so you can start with less and work up more coverage in the areas that need it. Remember that skin tints aren’t designed to act as full-coverage foundations, so you can spot conceal any areas that need extra tint.

To take your Sunshine Skin Tint application to the next level, use Sara’s on-set hack. Prime your base with a layer of our Hydro Grip Primer for all-day wear and an even smoother application, then roll on your skin tint. Spritz on a layer of Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray right over the top, and then blend it all together to help amplify the coverage and dewy glow of the formula. While the glow is one of our favorite things about our skin tint, you can also dust a setting powder over the top for a subtler finish. Whichever route you take, you’re guaranteed to love the results. As reviewer Jessica L. says, “Dewy skin of dreams!!!”