Are you looking for a good beauty product that combines the benefits of moisturizer, sunscreen, and foundation? It is always challenging to find a worthwhile formula. That’s why I took responsibility and did a review for one of the most wanted products of 2023 – Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer! Keep reading to learn more about my personal experience of using this product, its benefits, and more.
Packaging: The First Impression
Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer comes in a dark-brown box made of a fragile material. Why do I focus on this so much? Packaging is key to a brand's first impression, and in this case, it didn't make a strong impact on me.
On the front side of the box, you can see the company’s name and information about sun protection (SPF 20 UVB/UVA/PA+++). If we turn it around, we also observe the list of ingredients, warnings, expiration date, and a short excerpt about the product.
When you open the box, you will find a collapsible tube. The label on the tube repeats the packaging design. It is excellent because you can find the necessary information about the product without keeping the box. The size of the tube is pretty convenient. You can put it in your purse and carry it wherever you go.
Breaking Down the Ingredients
Ingredients are key in skincare. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer's complex formula needs analysis for effectiveness and safety. Here's a brief breakdown:
- Solvents: water, isohexadecane, PPG-15 stearyl ether.
- Sun Protectors: octinoxate, ethylhexyl salicylate, and others.
- Emollients: disiloxane, ethylhexyl palmitate, and others.
- Humectant: glycerin.
- Emulsifiers: PEG 30 dipolyhydroxystearate and others.
- Texture Enhancers: isohexadecane, boron nitride.
- Occlusive Agents: methicone, jojoba esters.
- Antioxidants: pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate.
- Chelating Agent: disodium EDTA.
- Skin Conditioning Agent: dipotassium glycyrrhizate.
- Preservatives: phenoxyethanol, sodium dehydroacetate.
Overall, the ingredients in this moisturizer are safe, but octinoxate is a bit controversial. It's okayed by the FDA but banned in Denmark for children's creams due to its ecotoxicity and potential to increase absorption of other substances and appear in breast milk.
About the product itself, I wouldn't say it's completely non-comedogenic. It contains ethylhexyl palmitate, which is somewhat comedogenic and might cause breakouts. Also, it has oil-absorbing ingredients like boron nitride, iron oxides, and titanium dioxide, which might be drying for those with already dry skin.
My Experience: Less Than Impressive
Just a bit about me before we jump in. I'm 29 with combination skin and some larger pores. My T-zone is a regular spot for blackheads, but I handle them myself with some DIY extractions. I also have occasional acne, which usually appears when my menstrual cycle is about to start. These pimples often leave behind red or brownish spots that take a while to disappear.
As I've gotten older, my skin has become increasingly sensitive to certain components used in cosmetics. So, I always read the label and do a patch test before applying anything to my face. This time, I also decided to check my skin reactions by placing a small amount of Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer on my inner arm and covering it with a patch for 48 hours. All went well, so I went ahead with it.
I washed my face, put on some toner and serum but skipped my usual moisturizer to really see how this test would go. I used my fingertips to apply Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer (2W1 Natural) in a stippling motion from the inside of my face outward. It was challenging because the product dried out fast and couldn’t spread evenly. Eventually, it turned into dry patches on my T-zone, and I felt the need for extra hydration.
Honestly, I wasn't thrilled with how it went. This product just didn't work for my skin. I think I'd rather stick to my usual routine of separate moisturizer, foundation, and sunscreen. I'm leaning towards a full-coverage product, even though I did like the light feel of this tinted moisturizer.
Advantages: More Than Just Coverage
- 3-in-1: moisturizer, foundation, sunscreen
- Sheer, natural coverage
- Evens skin tone, blurs imperfections
- SPF 20 for UVA/UVB protection
- Lightweight, non-greasy
- Quick absorption
- Doubles as a makeup primer
Downsides: Unmasking the Imperfections
- Limited coverage, not ideal for full-coverage look
- Contains oil absorbents (boron nitride, iron oxides, titanium dioxide) that may dry out the skin
- Includes octinoxate, ecotoxic and banned in Denmark; can increase absorption of substances and appear in breast milk
- Has ethylhexyl palmitate, rated 4 on the comedogenic scale, may cause breakouts
- Dries quickly, hard to spread evenly
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer is a highly-rated, cult-favorite product that has received praise from beauty experts. However, I suggest thinking twice before buying it. If you've got dry skin, it might not be the best since it can dry your skin out more. If you're on the oily side, you might like the matte finish, but there's a chance of breakouts because of comedogenic ethylhexyl palmitate. Who is left? People with normal skin type, are you here? Well, you, guys, might try this product if you don’t mind octinoxate (chemical filter). Ultimately, it is FDA-approved.
