- Shades: 6 (fair, light, medium, tan, deep, rich deep)
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, bisabolol silver ear mushroom extract, allantoin, cornstarch, silica, tara fruit pod extract, sunflower sprout extract, titanium dioxide, encapsulated iron oxides
- Water Resistant: Yes, for up to 40 minutes after application
- Mineral or Chemical: Mineral
- Broad Spectrum: Yes; SPF 50 PA++++ (a.k.a. extremely high UVA protection)
- Fragrance: No
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
- More to Know: Cruelty-free and vegan; free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, oils, and gluten
- Size: 1.8 fl. oz.
In This Story
About the Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Total Protection Tinted SPF
While there are loads of tinted SPFs on the market, Boland reassures that Total Protection goes beyond broad-spectrum UV protection alone. That’s thanks to what the brand calls Enviroscreen Technology, a fancy name for protection that covers UVA/UVB, blue (HEV) light, infrared radiation, pollution, and free radical defense.
Blue-light testing, in particular, was a crucial aspect of product development and testing. “Blue light is a key trigger of hyperpigmentation, melasma, and skin discoloration,” she explains. For even further evidence, board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, previously cited a 2022 research study that utilized tinted sunscreens as an effective strategy in reducing melasma. This takes us back to the product’s unique level of sun defense, achieved through a blend of zinc oxide and encapsulated iron-oxide tints used in place of the dyes or encapsulated iron oxides that typically create complexion shades. “The combination of iron oxides and zinc oxide provides measurable blue-light protection.”
And there’s more where that comes from—a bioavailable, stable derivative of vitamin E, niacinamide, silver ear mushroom extract, and a blend of tara fruit pod and sunflower sprout extract help to boost antioxidant protection.
My Experience With Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Total Protection Tinted SPF
Impressed with my roommate’s clear and radiant skin, I asked to try it. Though she’s more tan and warm toned than I am, she insisted the same shade would work for me. Skeptical, I watched the formula transform from off-white to a near-perfect match. The secret isn’t magic but color theory: As you rub it in, encapsulated pigments burst and blend seamlessly into your skin.
