If I was only allowed one item to bring with me to a deserted island, I would take sunscreen. (What can I say? It's the beauty writer in me.) Since I have fair skin, I was constantly reminded by my mom and grandma in my youth (and still as an adult) that SPF was (and is) crucial: both for the skin protection and anti-aging perks.

Now that summer is about a month away, my sunscreen application is an extra-important step. If I'm not careful, I can easily get equal parts red and tan. I’m also more sweaty than I’d like to be in the summer, so a light base is just as crucial as my SPF. (Sun burn and perspiration never make a fun combo.)

So, when Merit introduced to me its new tinted SPF, it sounded like the perfect solution for both of my dilemmas. As I tested the product over the past two weeks, I wanted to get the best person to judge it with me: My mom. Together, we put the new launch to the test to see if it could replace our current skin and makeup routines to help combat the summer heat.

Merit Beauty The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen

What to know

This recently launched mineral sunscreen protects the skin from UVA/UVB, all while leaving it with a light, natural tint.

Shade range: 15 | Finish and coverage: Natural; light; buildable | SPF: 45 | Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, natural powders and emollients | Best for: All skin types

What we like

Lightweight feel
'Sheer' yet buildable coverage
Natural, smooth finish

Something to note

Shade range could be improved
Could oxidize

What is Merit Beauty's "The Uniform" tinted sunscreen?

The Uniform is described as a non-comedogenic (meaning, the product shouldn’t clog pores) mineral sunscreen that leaves the skin with a velvety finish. With an impressive SPF of 45, it also has the suggested sun protection range to effectively protect your skin from UVA/UVB rays, according to dermatologists.

But most notably, The Uniform has a "sheer" yet buildable tint to offer equal amounts of protection and coverage. Unlike most tinted SPFs, this product has a decent shade range that can pair with your The Minimalist Foundation shade. Instead of a "universal tint," you get a shade true to your skin tone (and without the white cast, according to the brand). Essentially, it’s a sunscreen you’ll actually want to wear.

What is mineral sunscreen?

Mineral sunscreen typically sits on top of the skin compared to chemical sunscreen. "Mineral sunscreen is also often known as physical sunscreen, as it provides a physical barrier between your skin and sun rays,” said Dr. Howard Sobel, a celebrity dermatologist and founder of Sobel Skin Rx.

How we tried it

Both my mom and I used The Uniform in place of our everyday foundation but continued to use the other complexion products we normally apply in our routine. This helped us get a full and accurate idea of how well the formula performed in terms of finish and wear.

Following the brand's instructions, we applied The Uniform as the last step in our skin care routine (or, the first makeup step). My mom applied the product just as she would any sunscreen, by blending it with her hands, while I used a brush to get more coverage. Both of us used only one pump to cover our whole faces.

Since The Uniform has a tint, we applied concealer to any areas of concern for extra coverage, but it can easily be worn without.

Our skin types

My skin is on the dry to very dry side and often has redness on and around my T-zone area. I typically reach for products that can soothe both concerns. I also have some post-acne marks from when I had hormonal acne as a teen and a few recent breakouts.

On the other hand, my mom has a normal skin type, but it can be sensitive with some products. Due to the sun and genetics, she also has a few sunspots (also called dark spots) on her cheeks.

What we liked

Madison San Miguel, shade 24 (light warm)

A smoother complexion

What really impressed me about The Uniform is the finish. I typically rely on other tinted sunscreens for the protection. This one really amps up the coverage without compromising on the SPF. Despite the brand labeling it as "sheer," I would describe the coverage as light more than anything, since it does a good job at evening my skin tone.

It's also great at making my complexion look smoother. Since the SPF has natural fine powders in its formula, my skin's texture appeared visibly improved as I blended the product. As it began to settle, I loved how soft my complexion started to look. And just like The Minimalist, I might even argue that it gets better with wear and as you reapply (just like other SPFs, the brand recommends reapplying The Uniform every two hours).

While I wouldn't use The Uniform for just coverage alone, the formula is buildable enough to an extent. I still needed concealer for my acne marks, but not as much as I would have expect from a product like this.

It's easy to wear

Though the formula is a bit thicker in consistency, it isn't heavy or greasy on the skin. In my opinion, I couldn't see this formula not working for every skin type. The finish is natural, not radiant, so it should look and feel comfortable. This is a huge plus for the summer when I'd rather not wear foundation.

I didn't notice any emphasis on my dry spots. There was also little-to-no creasing under my eyes or near my smile lines, which I sometimes experience with other complexion products.

Before (left) and after (right)Courtesy Madison San Miguel

Crissy Siragusa, shade 16 (medium cool)

"What I really love most about the sunscreen is how lightweight and smooth it feels on my skin," my mom says. Since it has a natural finish, she loved that her skin still peaked through. Although some of her dark spots were not entirely concealed, my mom found The Uniform easy to build on its own. She only used concealer under her eyes, and used The Uniform to add additional coverage to other areas where she wanted coverage.

My mom leans a bit tanner than me and didn't experience any issues with white cast or blending the product. It also "did not irritate my sensitive skin" or feel heavy or sticky on, compared to other tinted SPF formulas she has tried.

"Merit's Tinted Sunscreen will definitely be a go-to for me whenever I'm wanting to use a tinted sunscreen," she adds.

How The Uniform compares to The Minimalist Foundation

The Uniform is Merit Beauty’s second complexion product alongside their bestselling The Minimalist Foundation. As an avid user of The Minimalist, I can clearly see and feel the difference between the two.

While both products have light and natural finishes, The Minimalist is primarily a foundation. The coverage is medium and buildable, so it can properly target problem areas. The Uniform is ideal for those "no makeup-makeup" days. It's also not a foundation like The Minimalist, rather, it's closer to a skin tint.

The Uniform also has a thicker consistency compared to The Minimalist. Since The Minimalist is a stick foundation, it has a solid cream texture for easy, buildable coverage.

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick

What to know

What to consider

Although each shade is meant to match multiple The Minimalist shades, both my mom and I did struggle with finding the "perfect" match. Some shades were either too light or a tad dark, but since the product is meant to provide just a light tint, it isn't overly noticeable. You may just need to test the product in person to find the right shade for you.
My mom experienced some oxidization, whereas I did not. This could be caused by multiple factors, such as the person's skin type, how the product was stored and more, per research.
There are more shade options for fair skin than medium-to-deep skin compared to The Minimalist's range. As time goes on, we'd love to see the shade range expand. However, this launch is a great step in the right direction, as most of the sunscreen-tints I've seen on the market only offer a "universal" shade.
This product is meant to provide light coverage. Dark spots and hyperpigmentation will still peak through, so it's best for evening skin tone when you just want a natural base.

Who is Merit Beauty's The Uniform best for?

My mom and I are around 25 years a apart (with drastically different skin types) and equally shared the same testament about The Uniform: It's a true staple for a summer routine. I could easily see myself carrying this product year-round, as it offers more than just protection than your standard SPF (and even tinted SPF) would.

With some shades already sold out, I'd quickly add The Uniform to your summer makeup bag. It's both mom and daughter approved!

Why trust Shop TODAY?

The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.

Madison San Miguel is a writer at Shop TODAY who mainly covers beauty and style. She has over six years of experience in editorial and the beauty industry.