Merit’s New Tinted Sunscreen Just Launched With A 25,000 Strong Waiting List, So We Tested It

Every so often, a new beauty category enters the fold to shake up the industry for good and, in turn, our everyday routines. Think: lip oils, liquid blush, heatless curlers, the list goes on. The latest innovation to cause a serious stir is tinted SPF. Now, we're not saying these are never-seen-before, factory-fresh phenomenas, we'd hazard a guess that you swiped your way through ample bottles of Olay's Total Effects 7in1 or No7's Dual Protection Tinted Moisturiser SPF15 in the noughties. But in 2025, the skincare and make-up hybrid is seeing a major resurgence thanks to clever, modern formulations and TikTok's insatiable appetite for a 'clean girl' aesthetic, which favours a glossy skin tint. In the last few months alone we've seen K-Beauty juggernaut Beauty of Joseon launch its Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen, £17, which Boots has declared the the cult beauty buy of spring 2025, likewise the Supergoop! Protec Daily SPF Tint SPF 50, £40, finally landed on our shores after making waves State-side. The newest, buzzy buy about to set the internet alight? Merit's The Uniform Tinted Mineral SPF 50, £34.

Merit's latest offering marks the second base product from the breakout beauty brand that has fast-become a celebrity and insider favourite thanks to its stripped-back, no-nonsense, ready-in-five approach. Everyone from Cameron Diaz and Issa Rae to Lily Collins and Brenda Song has made their way through its innovative and industry shifting line up, read: the cult classic Flush Balm and Great Skin Priming Moisturiser, but the brand's newest offering may just be its most impressive yet.

Having amassed a waitlist of over 25,000 ahead of hitting shelves, The Uniform Tinted Mineral SPF 50 bears the hallmarks of a trailblazer. Here's why.

What is the Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral SPF 50?

Starting off strongly, the new offering is the first-to-market 100% mineral SPF to use advanced pigment dispersion technology. Simply put, that means the brand has cooked up a way to optimise the way zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which protect against both UVA and UVB rays, mesh within the formula to allow an even distribution of pigments across the 15 flexible shades available. The result? A uniform (hence the name), natural-looking, second skin finish that leaves you looking healthy and radiant. The big question though – how does a mineral sunscreen known for leaving behind a white cast fair when combined into a complexion product? According to Merit, apparently very well. The product performs across a wide range of skin tones, sans ashy, grey cast.

Another point of consideration. Unlike most mineral sunscreens that often leave the skin coated in a thick, unctuous protective layer that takes effort to rub in, The Uniform Tinted Mineral is lightweight and serum-like thanks to a plant-derived emollient that lends it a silky, velvety finish, which is only bolstered by a plant-based mineral SPF booster that further supports an even pigment dispersion to help soften and blur.

Following the popularity of its first complexion product The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick and Great Skin range, Merit continues its legacy for crafting game-changers with its first-ever SPF that blurs the lines between skincare and make-up.

Our honest review of Merit's The Uniform Tinted Mineral SPF 50

Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'Truth be told, I am absolutely obsessed with skin tints, tinted sunscreens, and any beauty buy with the word "tint" in it for that matter. While I've tried a lot in the last few months alone, Merit's new addition is as new-gen as tints get. The make-up hybrid formula has helped me to forgo foundation, in place of a more weightless, breathable base day-to-day, which I can always build up or apply concealer atop of when I need a bit more coverage. While it's a mineral sunscreen, it feels anything but thanks to its light, serum-y texture which sits comfortably and seamlessly on the skin. And, I'm proud to report it doesn't leave even a hint of a white cast on my medium skin tone.'

Rachael Martin, beauty editor, says: 'I’ve tested my fair share of skin tints in the past few weeks – both Clarins and Jones Road have turned out to be favourites. But now there’s yet another to add to my beauty bag. I first tested the Merit Tinted Mineral Sunscreen out on a particularly hot day two weeks ago. With the temperature clocking in at a decidedly balmy 28 degrees, I wasn’t sure how it would fare, but it lasted incredibly well. I put this down to the fact that it’s not a skin tint with SPF. Instead, it’s an SPF with a skin tint – protecting is its MO, with any coverage acting as a bonus. While it can be applied straight after moisturising, I chose to put mine on top of my everyday SPF (currently La Roche UV Air) as I would with my normal base make-up. It applied beautifully and blended well using the warmth of my fingertips- no pilling in sight. The finish is sheer and subtle, but my skin appeared much more even in tone. There was glow there too – something my temperamental skin is currently lacking. I’m prone to pigmentation on sunny days, especially around my nose and upper lip, and this definitely helped to keep it at bay. While I wouldn’t swap my usual SPF for this, I would use it in place of my everyday foundation. It’s refreshing to know it’s bolstering my skin with an extra layer of high protection. Merit does it again.'

Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, says: 'I’ve never been a fan of skin tints or tinted moisturisers - especially the ones with SPF. Something about them just freaks me out. I automatically picture ashy, grey undertones and patchy coverage. So when this one landed on my desk, I won’t lie, I was terrified. This is not my usual spec. But then I saw it was from Merit, and I do love Merit. It has SPF 50, which is impressively high for a skin tint. The shade range is also interestingly done, with the darkest shade listed as number one. I went for shade eight, which has more of a red undertone (I’m yellow, for context), but it still worked surprisingly well. It does smell like sunscreen, but the formula itself is super smooth, hydrating, and leaves a natural skin finish. You’re meant to reapply it, but honestly, I wouldn’t - it’s tinted, and once my makeup is done, I like to leave it be. Still, I’d reach for it again. It’s the kind of product that’s perfect for travel or quick summer days when you want light coverage and sun protection in one.'

Shop: Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral SPF 50

Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, covering all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral). She began her career in journalism as an Editorial Apprentice at the Telegraph working across the busy features desk, refining her news breaking prowess before landing a job on the title's beauty desk – where she found her natural niche. At Grazia, Sameeha keeps track of what's making beauty obsessives tick, the talking points at the centre of our buzzy community and occasionally putting weird (sometimes wonderful) hacks to the test. Follow her on @sameeha for more.