An Honest Review of Tatcha Pore Perfecting Sunscreen | Well+Good

As someone with sensitive, combination skin, my complexion has always had a proclivity for being reactive and looking shiny mid-way through the day. Because of this, finding a sunscreen that is both gentle enough for my redness-prone, easily-irritated skin, and matte enough to not leave it looking greasy from the get has always been a challenge. In the rare instances that I started to like a sunscreen formula, my hopes ultimately came crashing down after applying makeup, for the underlying SPF would so often pill and make my dolled-up appearance look cake-y AF. Needless to say, finding a tried-and-true daily sunscreen that checks all my boxes has been a feat, but I’m happy to say that, thanks to Tatcha, it has finally happened.

Enter: Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 PA+++ ($68). The creamy SPF has a nearly cream-to-powder finish, in that it effortlessly blends into my skin and leaves it looking visibly mattified without fully diminishing my complexion’s glow. The formula is fast-drying and touts weightless wear that layers beautifully beneath my beloved CLE Cosmetics CCC cream ($38).

According to NYC-based board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon, Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, the reason this particular SPF works so well under makeup is because it’s formulated with smoothing silk extract and blurring dimethicone. “Japanese wild rose hips also help even out skin’s texture, reduce the visibility of pores, and support the health of the skin barrier,” she adds. “They are also rich in vitamins A, C, and E, so this ingredient [adds] excellent antioxidant benefits [to the SPF].”

Of course, it’s not only the way this SPF pairs with makeup that has me swooning—it’s how it soothes (and protects!) my skin with each and every application, too. “The botanicals in the Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen formula make it gentle, and the fact that it contains physical sunscreens, not chemical ones, also contributes to its gentleness,” Engelman says, noting that it’s a great SPF product for anyone and everyone.

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And I can attest! I’ve been using this sunscreen for three years at this point and, while I’m always testing new formulas (the life of a beauty writer!), it’s the one that I always come back to, knowing full-well that it will never, ever irritate my skin. And considering sunscreen is something you’re supposed to wear each and every day, regardless of season or weather or temperature, I’d say that’s pretty telling.

“Wearing sunscreen[—like Tatcha’s Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen—]daily helps protect your skin from environmental aggressors (including the sun’s rays, blue light from electronics, pollutants, and more) and prevent an accumulation of damage that can lead to premature aging (which manifests as fine lines/wrinkles, dark spots and uneven skin tone and texture), painful sunburn, and worst-case scenario, skin cancer,” Engelman says, affirming that folks with sensitive skin, as well as those concerned with their skin texture, may find solace in Tatcha’s formula.

Engleman and most dermatologists recommend using an SPF of 30 or higher to adequately protect against damaging UV rays, and Tatcha caught on, recognizing that some complexions may require a bit more protection. With this in mind, they recently launched their new The Silk Sunscreen Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ ($60) with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide—which I, for one, can’t wait to get my hands on (it’s currently sold out). If it’s anything like its big sister, it’s bound to be a treat.

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