If you’ve been around my Instagram or blog for awhile, you know I’m huge on sunscreen. It protects your skin from skin cancer, uv rays, sun damage, and more. Having good sun protection is crucial to prevent premature aging and fine lines. If there are any skincare products you should be adding to your routine, sunscreen is it.
I came across the Drmtlgy sunscreen line on Instagram, and decided to pick both up on a whim. I’m always on the lookout for a good sunscreen, and these seemed high quality for a fair price. They’re “subtly” marketed as comparable to the EltaMD UV Clear sunscreens. I’ve tried the tinted Elta MD and spoiler alert: I prefer the one from Drmtlgy.
Drmtlgy has two versions of their sunscreen: Broad Spectrum SPF 45 (untinted) and the Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46 (Note: shopping through my affiliate links will give you 20% off your purchase!). I’ve tried both products and have recommended them to lots of my friends and patients. Many of them love them as much as I do!
Drmtlgy Sunscreen Review
Today I’ll be sharing my honest thoughts on both of these sunscreens, and some things to note before purchasing.
Both of these are “hybrid” sunscreens, meaning they use a mix of chemical and physical filters (octinoxate and zinc oxide). For context, a lot of purely physical sunscreen tends to be thicker or chalkier and can leave a white cast. Chemical sunscreen is typically more cosmetically elegant. However, chemical sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone can be irritating for sensitive skin. Hybrid sunscreens are a great option for a more cosmetically elegant formula that can be suitable for sensitive skin.
Typically, a dermatologist will recommend looking for a broad spectrum SPF 30+ for every day. Both of these sunscreens provide broad spectrum protection (meaning they protect from UVA rays and UVB rays).
Drmtlgy Sunscreen: Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46
This is my holy grail sunscreen! This tinted SPF is lightweight, blends in beautifully, and gives your skin the most amazing glow. This formula is lightweight and sinks into the skin without feeling heavy or greasy. I use 3 full pumps of this sunscreen for proper protection, and it leaves my skin with a natural glow.
This tinted sunscreen has a sheer tint that is a great fit for my light/medium skin tone. I’ve also seen demonstrations of this sunscreen on a darker skin tone on their Instagram. It’s advertised as a “universal tint”, but I’m not sure if it’d work for very deep or fair skin tones. It’s important to note that a lot of brands formulate sunscreens with a tint to minimize the white cast rather than to provide coverage.
I personally love using tinted sunscreens in place of foundation or bb cream, but it won’t really cover any dark spots or discoloration. It just gives the skin a nice natural glow. It also layers really well under makeup without pilling. I’ve gone through 2 bottles and it will be a forever repurchase for me!
Product Specifications
Price: $23 for 1.7 oz/50 ml
Rating: 5/5
Ingredient Highlights: Niacinamide (barrier strengthening), Hyaluronic Acid (humectant)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Fragrance/Essential Oil Free: Yes
Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 12.00%, Octinoxate 7.50%, Water/Aqua/Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Polyisobutene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol
Broad Spectrum SPF 45
This untinted sunscreen from Drmtlgy has a richer formula that blends in nicely into the skin. Its slightly thicker texture can leave the skin slightly tacky right after application, but it sinks in well and feels comfortable on the skin after a few minutes.
It has a natural finish, not too shiny or matte, and would be a great option for dry skin types. This could work for combination or oily skin as well, but I’d recommend using a lightweight moisturizer underneath to avoid any heaviness.
I personally don’t experience a white cast with this sunscreen after it sinks in, but I am quite fair/light. There may be a slight cast on darker skin tones, but the hybrid formula should help minimize the potential white cast (vs. using a 100% mineral sunscreen). It has a slight sunscreen SPF smell that doesn’t linger for me. Just something to note as scent can be very personal.
This formula also layers very well under makeup and doesn’t feel greasy on the skin. It’s a really nice, solid option that fits perfectly into a skin care routine. I personally prefer the tinted option because of it’s more lightweight and has a glowy finish, but this is one of my go-to’s for an untinted sunscreen. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an everyday sunscreen with a high SPF!
Product Specifications
Price: $22 for 2 oz/57 ml
Rating: 4/5
Ingredient Highlights: Niacinamide (barrier strengthening), Hyaluronic Acid (humectant)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Fragrance/Essential Oil Free: Yes
Ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 12.00%, Octinoxate 7.50%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I’m a big fan of these Drmtlgy sunscreens and I think they’re a well-priced, high quality SPF option! If you have trouble finding a sunscreen that works well for you, I highly recommend these. They’re a great option for acne prone skin and sensitive skin types.
I do find the packaging to be a bit bulky and I hate the “medical grade” marketing ploy, but those are the only downsides for me. I am so glad to have discovered these, and they have quickly become my go-to sunscreens!
Full disclaimer: The links in this post are affiliate links. I am an affiliate for Drmtlgy, which I am so excited about because I’ve loved their sunscreens for over a year now! If you decide to pick these up, I would appreciate if you would shop through my link. When you purchase through this link, you’ll receive 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support, and please feel free to check out all of my links!