I Put ILIA’s New Tinted Mineral Sunscreen To The Test — Here’s How It Performed

(Bianca Guzzo)

I take sun protection very seriously, especially in the summer. If I’m outside, you can guarantee that I’m covered from my neck to my toes in my favourite Sun Bum sunscreen, but I like to take extra precautions with my face. That means I’m usually wearing an SPF 50 facial lotion and a hat.

I’ve tried several higher SPF facial sunscreens, and a tried-and-true for years has been the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Fluid Face & Body Sunscreen. It has kept my skin protected, but it doesn’t play well with makeup and burns my eyes as soon as I start to sweat.

In search of something that could work under a full face of makeup just as well as it would bare-faced at the pool, I gave ILIA’s new Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen a try. To my delight, it has instantly become a summer beauty staple.

My experience using the ILIA Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen

The ILIA Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen comes in two shades, light-medium and medium-deep. I opted for the light-medium, but I wish that they had a few more shades to accommodate more skin tones.

I like that it’s packaged in a slim, palm-sized, round bottle, which means it doesn’t take up too much room in my purse — great for quick touch-ups. The product dispenses out of a narrow nozzle, so it feels more like a skincare product than a sunscreen.

I like to give it a quick shake before squeezing some out onto the different zones on my face to make sure all of the ingredients are incorporated. Since it’s tinted, it does look like foundation when you first squeeze it out of the tube, but it’s light as air and blends out to a near-transparent finish. It does keep oil under control, but it doesn’t make a noticeable difference on my skin like a BB cream would.

I also like that it doesn’t have a strong scent at all. The light fragrance botanical, but disappears within minutes of application.

The formula is slightly gritty, but the texture melts away with a bit of blending. I know that this is typical for mineral-based sunscreens, so it wasn’t a deal-breaker for me. After working it in with my hands, it feels comfortable on the skin and stays light and breathable throughout the day.

Since it’s designed to help with oil control, I don’t have to worry about my face getting shiny within minutes of stepping outdoors. I have even tried adding a little concealer and blush to see how it would wear with makeup, and everything stayed locked in place. Of course, with any sun protection product, reapplication is key, so I make sure to reapply generously and often, especially when spending a lot of time outside.

I really put it to the test during the heatwave on Canada Day. I was outside in almost 50 degree weather, and my face didn’t look sweaty at all. At the end of that long weekend, my face didn’t look like I had gotten sun at all, which made me feel like the mineral sunscreen was doing its job well. I’m so impressed with how it performed that I’ve been putting it on every day since.

This sunscreen truly has become a summer skincare staple that I don’t think will be leaving my beauty routine anytime soon.

Is the ILIA Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen worth it?

A bottle of the ILIA Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen costs $54, which is average for a higher-end sunscreen, but still expensive. However, the way it performed, felt, and looked on my skin makes the price justifiable for me.

I was most impressed with the oil control. This would be a great product to use if you’re wearing makeup throughout the summer, or for special events like weddings to keep your skin looking great while also protecting it from the sun. Alternatively, since this is a mineral sunscreen, it’s a fantastic option for pregnant people or anyone who wants to keep specific chemicals or ingredients off their skin.

ILIA Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen Pros:

• Absorbs into the skin quickly
• Keeps skin hydrated for up to 24 hours
• Keeps oil under control
• Works well on its own or under makeup
• Packaging makes it easy to keep on hand for touch-ups

ILIA Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen Cons:

• Only comes in two shades
• Slight gritty texture upon application
• High price point

What reviewers are saying about the ILIA Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen

Even though it’s a recent launch, the ILIA Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen has already racked up over 600 reviews and earned an average 4.5 star rating. Many customers comment about how comfortable it is on the skin, and say that it helps with oil control throughout the day. They also love how well it wears under makeup. A small minority of reviewers aren’t fans of the texture, and that may be something worth considering if you have super-sensitive skin.