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Any dermatologist or skin-care expert will agree that the mineral sunscreen is the supreme SPF, by creating “a physical shield or a barrier between the skin and the sun’s harmful rays, blocking the rays from reaching the skin,” as board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose previously explained. The thing about mineral sunscreens though, is that these UV filters—zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—are naturally white in color, often leaving a chalky finish. The best way to counteract this is to make it tinted—utilizing iron oxide pigments to match one’s skin tone.

It makes sense then that Merit would create a tinted mineral sunscreen as its first ever SPF. “We originally started talking about doing SPF at the very beginning of the brand,” the brand’s chief marketing officer Aila Morin tells Vogue the idea dates back to its pre-launch days of 2019. After a host of surveys with customers, it became clear that their version had to be mineral, without being thick or oil-based—and never leaving a white cast. Basically, they wanted a mineral sunscreen with the attributes of a chemical one. It wasn’t until they found new technology in pigment dispersion— where the emulsion blends differently with zinc, meaning the shade range could stretch with such a high percentage of zinc and consistent pigmentation across the whole range—that they decided to revisit the project.

“A lot of the time you’ll notice in mineral sunscreens they separate,” Morin continues. The pigment comes apart from the zinc, which can result in a less-than-desirable tint. But with this new technology, it’s essentially one molecule for a better blend. “We would have gone a long time without an SPF had [we not found this change in pigment dispersion.]”

Reimagining this SPF nods to Merit’s beginnings when Morin and founder Katherine Power first bonded over the fact that they were adults with acne-prone skin, and wanted the line to address concerns of that group. It had to be clean, of course, but also non-comedogenic, not oily, and safe for sensitive skin. Both had struggled with chemical sunscreens for the latter reason, often finding them to be irritating.

Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral SPF 45

• Why We Love It: Described by Morin as an “SPF you don’t feel on skin,” The Uniform has all the qualities of a chemical sunscreen but with the powerful UV-shielding qualities of a mineral one. Powered by 100% natural zinc oxide, this leans upon plant-based powers and a natural alternative to silicone, to balance out skin’s moisture levels and deliver a soft, velvet finish. Two pumps of product is all you need to veil the likes of breakouts and dark spots, trusting that it will not settle into fine lines or budge all day.
• Key Ingredients: 100% zinc oxide, plant-derived emollient, plant-based mineral SPF booster
• SPF Level: 45
• Finish: Natural
• Coverage: Sheer-to-light
• Shades: 15
• Size: 50 mL