When it comes to skincare, I favour low-maintenance, hybrid formulas that can shave minutes off my daily routine. Enter tinted SPF’s, which not only protect my skin from UV rays, but give me glowy, pigmented coverage.
Eliminating the need for multiple steps, the best tinted SPF’s I’ve tried – including Ultra Violette, Merit and Supergoop! – can cost upwards of £30 for a small tube. Thankfully, I’ve found that budget buys can do the job just as well.
Case in point: Garnier’s vitamin C daily UV brightening fluid glow (a mouthful, I know). Sitting alongside the brightening serum, SPF spray, micellar water and liquid toner, the affordable SPF hails from the brand’s bestselling vitamin C range. Lauded by beauty editors and skincare buffs alike, all the formulas are genuinely good and incredibly affordable.
The last step in my skincare routine, Garnier’s budget buy is my go-to tinted SPF. The formula is lightweight and easily blendable, while the SPF 50 formulation has all bases covered when it comes to sun protection. Designed to be one-shade-fits-all, the cream gives your skin a glowy and lightweight coverage. Plus, the slimline tube is perfect for packing in your bag and topping up when you want a little more coverage during the day.
The best part is that it costs a little more than £10 thanks to Amazon’s ‘everyday essentials week’. Here’s why Garnier’s tinted SPF should be in your next beauty haul.
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Garnier vitamin C daily UV brightening fluid glow, SPF 50+
SPF: 50
Key ingredients: Vitamin C
Shades: One shade
Why we love it
- Brightening
- Light coverage
Take note
- No shade range
Garnier’s budget vitamin C fluid glow face cream gives premium formulas a serious run for their money. With SPF50, it offers high UV protection, while the formula itself has a super lightweight, gel-like consistency that is seamless and smooth to apply. It’s easily blended with your fingers, and the texture isn’t greasy – it absorbs quickly, too. While there’s a slight sunscreen scent to the formula, it’s not off-putting.
The pigment is glowy and blurring rather than tinted, as it’s designed to suit all skin tones (those on TikTok praise it as being brown- and dark-skin-friendly).
I’ve found that the pinky hue adapts to my skin tone for dewy, plump and glowy results, and the coverage works to mask small blemishes too. The light coverage is equally impressive, with one application lasting a good six hours.
Some might find the coverage a little too light, but the good news is that the formula sits nicely under other face bases. If you’re layering it under foundation or concealer, you won’t find any piling, with the Garnier formula doubling up as an SPF primer. For the price and generous tube size (40ml), this is a hero drug store buy.
Buy now £7.43, Amazon.co.uk
Is the Garnier vitamin C daily UV brightening fluid glow worth it?
Easily rivalling more premium tinted SPF formulas, Garnier’s vitamin C face cream not only provides SPF50 protection but also gives skin a glowy, lightweight coverage. The finish is long-lasting and dewy, while the value for money is stellar at less than £10.
How I tested
Testing the vitamin C-infused formula alongside more premium products, I’ve worn it for beach days and office days. Considering the ease of application (whether with a brush, sponge or fingers), coverage claims, staying power, the look and feel on my skin, as well as its SPF credentials, here’s my verdict on Garnier’s tinted SPF.
Looking for more sun protection recommendations? We’ve also rounded up our best tinted sunscreens