Alas, the perfect tinted SPF for your face

*Currently 20% off at Iris&Romeo and Credo through July 4th, 2023*

As someone with fair skin and blue eyes living in the land of eternal sunshine (except during May Gray and June Gloom, of course…these months keep us SoCal folk solidly grounded), I never leave home without SPF on my face.  For this reason, I have found myself on a constant journey of trying to source the “perfect” option.  

As many of you know, I can be picky and often refuse to settle, so this has led me to try a rotation of products over the years.  Finally, FINALLY (I exclaim with my arms outstretched to the sky!) I was introduced to Iris & Romeo’s Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow and I am truly, madly, deeply in love.  I discovered it via a lovely salesperson at Credo.

It checks my incredibly extensive list of boxes…Exhibit A:

• SPF 50, not less

• Tinted - doesn’t leave a white film and even provides a subtle level of coverage

• Clean - excludes all 1,400 ingredients banned by the EU

• Not too greasy

• Not too sticky

• Feels substantial, but not too thick

• Doesn’t cause any breakouts for me personally

• Bonus: Founded by a woman with long-standing beauty industry experience who has a passion for building sustainable “hero” products. The edited selection of products she has brought to market consistently earn 4.5 to 5 stars - they’re so good

About the Founder…

On my point related to Iris&Romeo being female founded, Michele Gough Baril was previously the VP of Brand & Consumer Engagement at Smashbox Cosmetics.  After realizing that she wasn’t living a life that was a true expression of the values she embodied, she “hit the reset button on life and set out to build a consciously crafted wellness brand.”  I’m personally inspired by her story and her courage to step back from a high-powered, high-visibility job and start anew. Part of her inspiration was a change of scenery and the introduction of Romeo, a retired, burned-out race horse and kindred spirit, into her life. As you’ve probably guessed by now, the brand name comes from her horse as well as her mother. You can read more of her story here.

More about Iris& Romeo…

Iris&Romeo was founded in 2019 and according to Glossy, has raised $5M to date and is likely getting ready to raise their Series A at the end of 2023. As consumers, the best thing we can do for a brand like this is purchase their products, tell all of our friends, and give them the great reviews they deserve.

Other SPF Options to Consider… 

If you’re looking for other great options at lower price points or with different formulations, I also like the following products:

Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 also comes in a travel size and jumbo option

Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40 - this is the matte version of the Glowscreen mentioned above.

Odacite SPF 50 Sheer Sunscreen Mineral Drops - they just rolled out tinted versions as well, but I have only tried the non-tinted to date.

A friend of mine who has experience has a facialist also recommended that I try SkinBetter Sunbetter Tone Smart SPF 68 in their powder formulation because it’s great for reapplying over makeup.  I just ordered it and am excited to give it a go!

Cheers to soaking up vitamin D stress-free!

x jz

Images | 1 | @b.g.mckay | 2 | Iris&Romeo | 3 - 4 | Supergoop! | 5 | Odacite | 6 | Skinbetter |

Note: I do not get paid for nor make money off of this post. All opinions are my own.