I've found the perfect daily SPF that brings life and glow to dull winter skin

Wearing sunscreen is essential no matter the season - and this radiant SPF50 hybrid from Tatcha makes the task easier than most...

A close-up of the Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50/ in a beige and purple watercolour paint-style template
(Image credit: Tatcha)

Offering radiance and convenience (everyone's favourite combination), Tatcha's The Silk Sunscreen is a non-mover in my beauty routine and is the perfect way to protect your skin from harmful UV rays - even during winter...

At this point, everyone knows that wearing SPF every day is a non-negotiable, but some formulas can make it feel like a slog. Finding one that works harmoniously with the rest of your routine can, in itself, feel like something of an arduous task - even with the best facial sunscreens just a click away. So, you can imagine my delight when I discovered a skin shield that not only boasts SPF50 but also doubles as a glow-booster.

Tatcha's The Silk Sunscreen applies almost like a serum. It creates the perfect base for your makeup while simultaneously adding a healthy, hydrated gleam to your skin without verging on looking sweaty or feeling claggy. Here's why I reach for it year-round...

Why Tatcha's The Silk Sunscreen is my go-to for daily SPF protection

While there is a temptation to retire your best SPF foundations and the like when the colder weather hits and the sun seemingly disappears, this is a big no-no. In fact, any beauty expert or member of our team would chastise this line of thinking. That said, I do acknowledge that SPF can be the furthest thing from your mind in the wind and rain and can appear to complicate your routine - whilst bringing greasiness and potential foundation piling. Enter, Tatcha's The Silk Sunscreen.


As someone with fairly sensitive skin, I try not to overload it with too many products, especially where my makeup routine is concerned. So, applying moisturiser followed by sunscreen, then my primer and finally my foundation and other cream-based products was always a tad over the top and potentially pore-clogging for me.

That is until I found Tatcha's mineral shield - which offers glow, hydration and protection. Thus, eliminating the need for my previous primer and glow-booster steps.

On the left, a close-up of the Tatcha Silk Sunscreen bottle, held by Digital Beauty Writer, Naomi Jamieson. In the middle, a swatch of the product on the back of her hand and on the right, a close-up of Naomi's cheek to demonstrate the glow of the SPF on the skin.

(Image credit: Future)

I love a healthy, dewy glow and this sunscreen offers just that, enough to dethrone my original radiance-boosting primer, Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter (though I must confess, sometimes I do layer them for extra gleam). It applies almost like a serum - the texture reminds me a little of Glossier's Futuredew - and blends into the skin seamlessly and fast, unlike some SPFs. It's sheer and slightly pinky and doesn't make my skin appear too oily.

Applying this feels luxe and (thanks to its blend of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide) leaves my skin looking so fresh, affording the lit-from-within glow I'm always chasing. It has made wearing SPF (and a high factor one at that) so easy - to the point where I don't even think about it anymore, it's just a staple step in my routine. This is especially true in the winter months, as its hydrating formula helps to ward off dryness and keeps my complexion looking bright.

Another pro is that it's non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores. While it is an investment buy - costing £65 a pop - the level of protection it offers is unusual for this style of SPF, not to mention the fact that it essentially combines two steps and products into one very aesthetically pleasing lilac bottle.

How to apply Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen

I apply this all over my face, before makeup and after moisturiser, using my fingers, as I find this helps to distribute it evenly and ensures it melts into my skin. I then follow up with my foundation, blush and so on.

You can, of course, also wear this sunscreen on its own, with Tatcha recommending that you shake the bottle well before then applying it liberally, 15 minutes before sun exposure.

Other glowy SPFs to consider

Of course, these days when consulting the lists of best sunscreens for oily skin and tinted moisturiser with SPF, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to hybrid and multi-taking options but for me, Tatcha's is just unmatched. However, I do acknowledge that it is more of a premium buy. So if it's a tad out of your budget, there are a few other more affordable options out there - all of which offer a similar priming, glowy gleam - from the likes of e.l.f and Supergoop.

Naomi Jamieson
Digital Beauty Writer

Naomi is a Digital Beauty Writer from woman&home, where she covers everything from skincare to fragrance but specialises, particularly, in makeup and nail trends. Through her work, Naomi gets to share her trend expertise and share her own shopping recommendations and product reviews. Previously, she worked as a Lifestyle News Writer for My Imperfect Life magazine, where she used her savvy for TikTok to bring readers the latest beauty buzzwords, fashion movements and must-have products. 

Before that, Naomi split her time between both GoodTo and My Imperfect Life, whilst training for her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ, for which she earned a Distinction. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but leapt into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing. Now, when she isn’t reporting on the best perfumes and latest beauty releases, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping...