Is the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint worth it? We get this question all the time, since it made a splash with its release. My honest thoughts and a full ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint review, including the pros and cons and swatches, if you keep reading.
IN THIS POST:
- What I love about ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint
- What I flip flop on
- How to use it
- Pros and cons—is ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint worth it?
- ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint dupes
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is probably one of the most heavily reviewed products of 2020. I mean, I’ve seen everyone covering it, from OG lifestyle blogs like A Cup of Joe and Wit + Delight to major publishers like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Southern Living and Glamour.
And it makes sense because ILIA Beauty is a big-time crossover brand, meaning you will see it in mainstream stores like Sephora and Nordstrom but also conscientious beauty stores like The Detox Market and Vert…I’ve actually even seen it in Walmart.
So, why all the hype? While some of this coverage could be paid or affiliate promotion, it doesn’t account for all the buzz, or the nearly 6000 reviews on the ILIA website. Mostly, the world won’t stop talking about ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 because it brings something to the market that we have never seen before: sunscreen, skincare and foundation all rolled into one.
My personal experience with ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 has been a hot/cold one, and my wishy-washy-ness is apparent if you keep reading. Like doing shots of limoncello, hooking up with an ex or binging Felicity. Seems so good in theory but once you get into it….second thoughts start creeping in. And I’m bringing you into the whole process with this ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint review.
Here’s what I love…
This formula is skincare-forward—and I love it. With the addition of squalane to balance skin, hyaluronic acid to help plump and hydrate and niacinamides to smooth.
High SPF: I love that we are seeing 40 SPF, which is higher than most everyday wear SPFs.
I like how the Skin Tint settles into the skin. For me, it gets better as the day goes on, turning from a dewy finish to a radiant glow (as long as I don’t apply too much).
ILIA’s Super Skin Serum Tint is shade-inclusive. With 30 shades (and more being added), I love the inclusive shade range.
Here’s what I flip flop on…
The SPF 40 seems aspirational. I personally think there is a huge gap between the amount of product you need to truly achieve SPF 40 coverage AND the amount of product you want on your skin so you get a balanced glow (read more about how I apply it here).
For me, I refuse to layer this product for more coverage. I treat this more like a tinted moisturizer that offers light coverage rather than a foundation. And if I’m not layering it to get full coverage, am I getting the full SPF 40 benefit? I can’t be sure.
It’s, like, really DEWY. When you try this formula, the first thing you will notice is the finish. IT’S DEWY. But the plot thickens. Some reviews say this formula offers “buildable coverage.” But the more you build and layer this product, the dewier (aka, wetter and greasier) it finishes.
This is all coming from someone who LOVES a dewy finish and only recommends liquid foundations. So, it’s not an inherently bad thing that it provides a major glow factor. But it’s even a little much for me—and that’s saying something. I will also mention that I have normal skin. Not oily and not dry.
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The ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 oxidizes (big time). This 👆 is a pic of the shade 12.75 straight out of the bottle, compared to one minute later. There is a stark difference here.
It’s also been a huge undertaking to try and figure out what my “best match” shade is. I’ve tried 9 of them, and I’m still not sure. I’ve gifted the ones that didn’t work for me, but right now I’m playing with these four 👇.
And, want to know what’s even more interesting than that? I can actually get both ST6 ORA as well as ST12.75 PAPAKOLEA to work on my face. Check it out.
So interesting right? I think this also speaks to the fact that buffing out the product enough to get the right finish can also take down the pigment (as well as the SPF coverage).
How to use the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
As a work-around to the extreme dewiness I mentioned already, I like to apply this formula with my fingers and then blend with a brush. Blending it with a brush takes down the dew a little bit and it also helps blend color so it looks uniform. Like this…
If I need more coverage, I will spot treat with a concealer like ILIA’S True Skin Serum Concealer or RMS’s Un Coverup. And then I do one pass with ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40. This seems to be my happy place.
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint review: pros + cons
By now, you can see how I go back and forth about using ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint. I feel like I rarely am excited to put it on, but when I do, I’m surprised by how much I like it. It’s not my favorite or my go-to, but each time I wear it, I find more things I like about it. So here’s the full pro/con list that goes through my head…
Pros:
- Not your mama’s white-ace SPF.
- ILIA recognizes that “tinted” doesn’t mean just one color and offers this product in 30 shades.
- Fragrance free (smells like zinc a little).
- Brings life to the skin via a glow like no other.
- Treats skin with skin supporting ingredients.
- Offers 40 SPF which is higher than most everyday wear SPFs.
- Blurs imperfections and redness.
Cons:
- Way too dewy for some people.
- Some sites say this is a buildable foundation but I don’t think it is. Layering this product just makes it greasier.
- Can collect on dry spots and in laugh and smile lines.
- Need to find that balance of “enough product” to achieve SPF 40, but not too much where it greases out.
- Color oxidizes so you may have some trial and error with what shade to pick.
- The wear changes as the day goes on. It’s super dewy at first but then evens out becoming less so the more it sits on the skin.
- Avoid applying on eyelids and too close to eyes (sunblock in eyes = annoying).
- Not good as an eyelid primer or foundation.
- Can cause hairline to look greasy if applied too close.
- Tends to sit on top of the skin when initially applied, you will have to work it in to get the look you want.
- This is a SHEER to LIGHT coverage. This is just enough to blur hyperpigmentation and some redness but not enough to really cover any imperfections or blemishes.
- Not buildable.
- Best on exfoliated skin as it will catch on texture.
RELATED: My favorite ILIA Beauty products (with pros and cons).
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 dupes
There really isn’t a dupe for ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 because no other line offers an incredible shade range like this. BUT if you are looking for a tinted (meaning non-white) face SPF that also doubles as skincare, check out Suntegrity’s 5 in 1 Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30. It’s available in 5 shades and offers light to sheer coverage. Check out pros + cons plus application pics here.
Also, if you’re looking for a true foundation, lean into ILIA’s True Skin Serum Foundation (which happens to be one of my favorite foundations ever). This weightless, light-coverage, liquid foundation delivers a natural look that truly mimics how your skin looks and feels. I mean, it’s literally undetectable to the naked eye when applied, which is by far my favorite part.
RELATED: The best nontoxic tinted SPF and Hair sunscreen for all hair types.
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
A skincare-forward tinted SPF that’s more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation. Squalane balances skin, hyaluronic acid helps plump and hydrate, and niacinamides smooth. It comes in 30 shades (which is a BIG deal for tinted SPFs!).
Have you tried the ILIA Super Skin Serum Tint? What do you think?
TNK Team Note: This article contains affiliate links. TNK uses affiliate links as a source for revenue to fund operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. TNK stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint Review
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Price
(4)
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Ingredients
(3.8)
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Effectiveness
(3.6)
Summary
A dewy tinted SPF product that comes in 30 different shades and not only protects from the sun, but its formula includes ingredients that nourish the skin. Has a higher SPF protection than normal SPFs and the best part: is all clean!
Overall
3.8Pros
- Not your mama’s white-ace SPF.
- ILIA recognizes that “tinted” doesn’t mean just one color and offers this product in 30 shades.
- Fragrance free (smells like zinc a little).
- Brings life to the skin via a glow like no other.
- Treats skin with skin supporting ingredients.
- Offers 40 SPF which is higher than most everyday wear SPFs.
- Blurs imperfections and redness.
Cons
- Way too dewy for some people.
- Some sites say this is a buildable foundation but I don’t think it is. Layering this product just makes it greasier.
- Can collect on dry spots and in laugh and smile lines.
- Need to find that balance of “enough product” to achieve SPF 40, but not too much where it greases out.
- Color oxidizes so you may have some trial and error with what shade to pick.
- The wear changes as the day goes on. It’s super dewy at first but then evens out becoming less so the more it sits on the skin.
- Avoid applying on eyelids and too close to eyes (sunblock in eyes = annoying).
Andi
July 7, 2021I agree with you on the dewiness and lighter coverage cons! I’m an ST9 Paloma and have repurchased due to the excellent sunscreen coverage, but I don’t feel it provides the best foundation coverage. Since I have combo skin, I feel I’m also constantly fighting the dewiness, especially in the hotter summer months. But I still reach for it in the summer to provide the best protection in the sun. If they would improve the coverage, this would be an absolute home run for me.
Elle
September 20, 2021Just wanted to mention a few things! So the company actually does state online that it does oxidize and the true color becomes apparent after 1 minute. I believe it even says so on the product pictures on the Sephora site.
In the dewiness department, it’s definitely dewy but you do need to shake the heck out of it before applying or it will be much dewier than it’s supposed to be (also from the company). I personally like to apply it with fingers, let it sit for a minute (maybe while I do my brows or something) to let it get thick and then pat it out with my fingers and I get a flawless finish or if I have the time I’ll use a brush.
I contacted the company about SPF coverage and was told that you need to apply about a quarter size amount to get the protection the advertise. Obviously this is different than the two finger lengths recommended for actual sunscreen but maybe they accounted for this and the SPF level is actually higher so you can apply a smaller amount? I’m not sure but they claimed through DMs that the quarter size amount would give me the full SPF benefit advertised.
Also random thought but have you tried the glossier stretch concealer as foundation? I just apply a super light layer and it’s freaking amazing. That and the ilia are my top two for foundations.
Lisa Fennessy
September 27, 2021Hi Elle! Thanks for all of this! I haven’t tried the Glossier Stretch Concealer but it sounds like a dream ; ) Love that this is working for you and thanks for the extra insight! xo, Lisa
Hefe
February 9, 2022I just purchased this for my aging skin. I can no longer do matte as it just doesn’t look good on my skin and wanted something dewier even though that made me nervous. I am so impressed with stuff… it’s lightweight which I wanted and I feel it’s Dewey without being greasy at all. And I brush a light layer of a powdered veil at the end it really lasts all day. Everyone’s going experience is different, but I am really enjoying it so far.
Lisa Fennessy
February 11, 2022So excited you found something you love! YES!!! xo, L
Neha shastri
February 24, 2022Can i use this skin tint spf 40 everyday basis?
Lisa Fennessy
February 25, 2022Hi Neha! Technically you can but I find it to be a little heavy for that IMO. xo, L
Neha shastri
February 25, 2022Suppose, if I use this every day, can it affect to my skin as I have acne-prone, sensitive skin.
Mae
June 2, 2022I just finished my 2nd bottle of the super serum skin tint. I found it too dewy. I used it as a primer and added tinted powder after blotting with tissues. An annoying feature is the heavy weight of the empty bottle. It makes you think there is a lot more serum left in the empty heavy bottle. I don’t like that it is not sold in Canada. The French have stricter rules for harmful ingredients. I’ll seek out another brand because of the other unknown unlisted ingredients in Ilia.
Lisa Fennessy
July 5, 2022Hi Mae! I agree this is not my favorite product either and it’s definitely not for everyone. However ILIA does disclose all of their ingredients from what I understand. What leads you to think they don’t? I would love to know. Thanks! Lisa
Nadine
October 3, 2022Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your amazing review. I don’t wear foundation on a daily basis (I feel it clogs my skin and I just don’t like wearing makeup on a daily basis). However, I wanted to shake things up a bit and so I bought the Ilia super serum skin tint and have started applying it everyday. I have combination skin and I am not acne prone. With all the ingredients in the product, is it safe to be applying it everyday?
Lisa Fennessy
October 20, 2022Hi Nadine, yes but honestly this is not my favorite foundation. These ones are my top picks! Lisa
Jenn
November 23, 2022I found this product about 2 years and I agree with everything you said. I was excited at first, but it’s been a strained relationship since. I have oily, mature skin that is as neutral-undertoned as they come, which makes finding a medium-deepish color with them challenging. 4 or 5 shades work, but not really. I really don’t feel like it’s a sub for sunscreen in my environment. It’s not a good Summer product. With regular 100+ temps, it sweats off in minutes. However, it does pretty good for me when it gets colder and dryer. The extra dewy-ness keeps my looking refreshed and it does not cause me to break out. But, it’s been losing out to Kosas Oil Tint that is easier for me to match, is easier to blend and doesn’t leave me shiny in the Summer. I want to love it, but we have some disagreements.
Lisa Fennessy
December 7, 2022Totally feel all of this!
Katz
December 30, 2022Hi,
I love the serum but I feel like it’s too much dewiness for my combo skin. I am constantly blotting shine. Could you please recommend a similar product with SPF in the mate version? Thank you in advance!
Lisa Fennessy
January 1, 2023Hi Katz! Totally. Have you tried Saie’s Slip Tint? I review it (compered to 8 others) here. I think it would be perfect for you! xo, Lisa
Katz
January 2, 2023I’ve never heard about that one. Thank you so much for the recommendation! I will definitely check it out! 🤍