Merit’s The Uniform Tinted SPF Gave Us a Subtle Glow

We all know how important SPF is for our skin, both present and future. That doesn’t necessarily mean we like to put it on; we do it because we *must* do it to go about our day and feel somewhat on top of things.

The good news is… Merit knows this. It’s funny, right? The minimalist skincare and makeup brand seems to always know what we want—or at least what we need. And then, they go and formulate it for us.

On May 22, Merit is launching The Uniform: a tinted mineral sunscreen that “you’ll actually want to wear every day.” Ahead, get all the information on the exciting new release—plus Team Byrdie’s honest reviews.

The Inspiration

Many a beauty forum thread features someone asking what SPF they should wear under their The Minimalist foundation and concealer, which is to say… Merit knew we were waiting for this one. For the past two years, the brand has been hard at work on the product.

Specifically designed to be used after the brand’s Great Skin Priming Moisturizer and before The Minimalist (though you can incorporate it into your own routine however you wish), the highly anticipated SPF features light to medium, sheer, buildable coverage for a natural, skin-like finish and just a hint of tint.

The product will be available in 15 sheer shades, all of which correspond to The Minimalist for easy blending and shopping. To be fair: it was never a question of if they were going to do it, just how.

The Formula

It took 50 rounds of formulation to get there, but they got there: a tinted SPF that perfectly toes the line between matte and glowy for everyday wear, is dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic, silicone-free, and oil-free.

Merit chose to go 100% mineral with their SPF, picking an ultra-fine zinc oxide that offers uniform protection and plays into the formula’s lightweight feel. Other key ingredients include a lightweight, plant-derived emollient (it’s a natural alternative to silicone for silky smooth application) and plant-based mineral SPF booster powders that soften and blur while making sure the zinc diffuses properly.

“Mineral SPFs typically use both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (a white pigment) in their formulas,” explains the brand. “We used a proprietary pigment dispersion technology that enhanced how these actives disperse, allowing for a formula base with a lower mix of both ingredients.”

Thus, there’s none of the white cast that comes from high levels of titanium dioxide. Plus, Merit was able to scale pigment loads all the way across their shade range for great color payoff and that beloved skin-like finish.

The Reviews

Jasmine Phillips, social editor

“’This is a mineral sunscreen?’ is the first question I asked myself upon trying Merit’s latest launch in a shocked-yet-impressed way. I typically gravitate towards chemical SPF because I haven’t found a mineral formula that blended into my skin without a white cast. Merit’s formula is super lightweight and provides just enough coverage to offer a natural blurring effect—I wear shade 4. While the product does dry down matte on my skin, it offers a really lovely glow. I will be keeping this sunscreen by my side all summer long.”

Adelaide Giesey, editor

“As soon as the weather gets warmer, I am quick to swap out my traditional foundation for a tinted SPF. In the summer, I prefer minimal coverage, and let’s be real, I can use all the sunscreen benefits I can get. All of that to say, I am eager to test the latest and greatest in the category. I was instantly impressed with how this Merit formula melted onto my skin. I applied a few pumps of shade 26 to the palms of my hands and used my fingers to blend across my face and neck. It has a light to medium coverage, so I dabbed concealer over stubborn blemishes and red spots before running out the door. If you love an extra dewy finish (like me), I’d prep with a moisturizer for maximum glow. It stayed put throughout a hectic day in NYC and a sweaty commute. A win!”

Olivia Hancock, senior editor

“I’m not an avid user of tinted sunscreens, but I was open to trying Merit’s newest launch. After trialing it over the last few weeks, I can truly say I’m impressed by this SPF. The formula is lightweight, hydrating, and delivers a beautiful, natural layer of coverage (the shade 18 is a perfect match). I can see myself using this product a ton during the summer months.”

Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor

“I’ll be honest, I did not have a lot of faith in The Uniform at first. In the tube, it looked like there wouldn’t be a match for my skin, and I usually prefer a true medium coverage. However, I’m happy to admit I was way off, and I’m really impressed with this formula. The shades are super flexible—I went with 24, which looked dark for me in the tube but is a great match. I had to apply three layers to get the coverage I want, but the finish of this product is so, so pretty. It has a gorgeous satin matte finish that looks really natural, and has that blurring effect for a perfected finish. I did have to apply some concealer on active pimples and scars, but I will definitely be reaching for this one on low-key makeup days to come.”