Growing up, I spent a lot of time wondering why certain skincare products looked so different on my deep skin tone, when so many I cam across were marketed as being “for everyone” and yet, didn’t feel like I was meant to be one of the people that can reap all the benefits of using it. Throughout my career as a beauty editor, I’ve been introduced to many notable, high-performing skincare formulas that are design to protect all skin against environmental aggressors, dirt, and debris but can’t deliver a flawless finish for people with skin with tones that resemble mine.
I can tell within the first few seconds of applying a skincare product to the back of my hand as a test patch, it becomes evident to me if it was create with the intention of looking as good on one skin tone as it does another. However, the fact that I’ve focused my livelihood on testing, reviewing, and writing about beauty as a way to explore provides countless opportunities for me to discover products that set a new standard for what skincare can be, and how it should work for everyone. It’s also helpful to have access to expert guidance at the push of a button, right?
So, when the announcement of a new skincare launch like Tatcha’s The Silk Screen Sunscreen ($64) lands in my inbox, you can bet I’m ready to go with a notebook in hand, ring light at the ready, and a few sky high expectations that must be met or, better yet, surpassed. This time around, I decided to snag a sample and test it over the course of four weeks just in time for the summer sun to give this sunscreen a chance to make it into my everyday skincare routine.
I’m sharing all my finding below from its formula’s texture and smell, to the finish on my skin and everything else it has to offer (which ended up being even more than I predicted). Scroll on for more about my experience, plus sunscreen tips and tricks from double board certified dermatologist and dermapathologist Dr. Morayo Adisa MD, FAAD.
My Sunscreen Journey
I received this one in the mail during the final days of preparing for another cross-country move from Manhattan’s Upper East Side back to my native Seattle, and all I can say is that my skin was going through it for weeks. I’ve struggled with dark hyperpigmentation around my nose, mouth, and eyes for years that become even more pronounced following my arrival in New York City last summer, and needed all the help from my aestheticians and dermatologists to restore my skin barrier to its healthiest state.
Months into my plight, my skincare cabinet was overflowing with serums, oils, and moisturizers that all promised to target my dark spots, but I still wasn’t seeing the results I was craving. That was, until, I began adding potent yet gentle vitamin C and mineral sunscreen to the lineup, and never left the house again without it. Then came the issue of finding a sunscreen that would protect my skin against the harsh environment of living in a city like New York (even with a few weeks left on the clock), without leaving the dreaded white cast in its wake.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Maya Thomas)
Associate Beauty Editor Maya Thomas before using Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen with hyperpigmentation around the nose, lips, and mouth in May 2025.
Initial Thoughts: Look, Feel, and Smell
Enter: Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50. As with any new launch I test, I prefer making my first impressions of a product without an idea of what to expect beyond what’s on the packaging. This one arrived tucked away in a box, so it tuck getting into the product to learn more about the sunscreen. The first thing I noticed about it was how sleek and minimalistic the design of its bottle is. I could imagine myself displaying this proudly on my vanity or slipping out of my bag while on-the-go for reapplication in a time pinch.
The next thing I did was squeeze a small about of product onto the back of my hand to take a closer look at the formula and its ease of application. I’ll admit that its tan color was a little jarring at first (especially because I knew it was marketed as being a sheer coverage, mineral sunscreen). Without buffing the product into my skin, it looked almost like a highly pigmented foundation. However, with minimal effort, its watery formula buffed into my skin like a dream. It was sheer perfection! I left it on my skin for a few minutes to keep an eye out for the dry-down, ready to take note of how the formula would shift or change in the moments following the first application
I also gave it a quick sniff test on the back of my hand before using it on my face just in case it ended up being too strongly fragranced for all-day wear. I was left pleasantly surprised. While the more traditional sunscreen smell I picked up on was definitely present, it was faint and faded within seconds. Five minutes later, I couldn’t detect anything at all.
The Application and Wear
I began using the sunscreen on my skincare prepped skin and beneath my makeup for four weeks, paying special attention to any differences in the appearance of my skin before I added the product to routine in May and more recently, in June. I also noticed how well the formula wore on my skin, if it layers with other products, and the overall feel of it. Take a look at my findings below:
- All-Day Wear: did not slip, slide, or pill during high activity days (which included running errands, taking pilates classes, and fast-paced walks)
- No Piling Beneath Products: sat really well beneath layers of makeup primer and products without any change in appearance or texture
- Felt Breathable: unlike other unscreens I’ve used in the past that have felt like a mask, this one was very comfortable to wear for hours
- Immediate Absorption: there was not wait time for the sunscreen to dry, plus it wasn’t sticky or transfer onto my clothes upon dry-down
- Skin Left Even-Toned and Glowy: no white cast on the skin like other mineral sunscreen, instead it has a lit-from-within glow and silky feel
(Image credit: Courtesy of Maya Thomas)
Thomas a month later, before applying Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 in June 2025.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Maya Thomas)
Thomas pictured moments after applying Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50.
I’m especially happy with how much my hyperpigmentation has improved around my face’s problem areas, I credit using this mineral sunscreen and a trusted vitamin C serum with how even my skin is starting to become. With a couple more months of use, I believe the pesky dark spots I’ve raged war against for the past year will finally disappear. and leave my skin looking as young and healthy as it did during my early twenties. Now is the time to focus on prevention, and I’ll continue using this great Tatcha find to help ensure I’m on the right path with my skincare.
What Is Mineral Sunscreen?
I’ve had a lot of trial and error with mineral sunscreens, so discovering this new launch by Tatcha has made a world of difference in how I think about mineral sunscreen formulas. Wondering what makes a mineral sunscreen, well, mineral as opposed to a chemical formula? Adisa has the answers you need to feel confident in your shopping. “Mineral sunscreens also called physical sunscreens stay on the surface of the skin and scatter UV radiation,” she says. “Acting like a shield on the surface of the skin. Chemical sunscreens contain UV filters (like avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate etc) that absorb UV radiation, and convert them into heat which is then released from the skin.”
According to Adisa, mineral sunscreen is comprised of titanium oxide and zinc oxide. Tinted mineral sunscreens possess added pigments (like iron oxide), adding additional protection against visible light. Mineral sunscreens also provide a nice base for makeup. The reason why some mineral sunscreen formulas leave behind a white cast on dark skin tones is because of their formulas use titanium oxide and zinc oxide. “[They’re] naturally occurring white particles that when applied to the skin stay on the surface of the skin, reflecting light and UV radiation.”
For best results using mineral sunscreen, Adisa recommends applying it at the end of your skincare routine before makeup to skin that is cleansed and moisturized. “To apply, use a nickel sized amount and dot on the face ( forehead, cheeks and chin) and pat in. Apply thin layers at a time to gradually build up coverage while reducing white cast and allowing ease of application,” she says.
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