Merit's new SPF is absolutely worth the excitement—it gives my skin an airbrushed appearance.

      When cult beauty brand Merit unveils a new product, there’s nearly a guaranteed possibility (like, 99.99%) that I’ll fall in love with it. The fragrance? Instantly loved by editors. The lip liners? Creamy, long-lasting, and incredibly pretty. Every announcement catches my attention, and I can’t wait to add it to my cart. However, I must admit I was uncertain about the brand’s new tinted mineral SPF. I’m generally not a fan of tinted sunscreen, as they often feel too thick on my skin. Despite this, Merit's lightweight, ultra-sheer formula with pore-blurring powders piqued my interest. Could The Uniform be the tinted SPF that changes my perspective?

      If the headline doesn’t give it away, the answer is an enthusiastic yes. I’ve been using it for the past month, and honestly, it leaves my skin looking airbrushed—almost like a permanent soft-focus effect. (I’ve even ditched foundation because of it!) For those seeking a new daily sunscreen, I highly recommend it, so keep reading for every fantastic detail.

      **The Formula**

      First, let’s discuss the ingredients. As noted, The Uniform is a 100% mineral SPF, utilizing 15% zinc oxide to physically block sun rays. Those familiar with zinc-based formulas know it can be challenging to apply and often leaves a white cast. However, The Uniform addresses these concerns by incorporating some key components.

      First, it includes a plant-based silicone substitute for a smooth sensory feel. (Think: a velvety texture that applies evenly to the skin). Additionally, Merit has added a mineral SPF powder booster for a soft, blurred finish. The most notable feature, in my opinion, is the proprietary pigment dispersion technology, a relatively new innovation in the SPF realm. "It means the zinc and pigment in the tinted SPF blend seamlessly rather than separating," explains Merit CMO Aila Morin during our Zoom chat. This technology also ensures consistent sheerness across the entire shade range, which is quite rare for tinted mineral SPF (more on the shades shortly!).

      Beyond that, the oil-free, noncomedogenic formula does not contain many active ingredients (like vitamin C, niacinamide, or peptides). This choice was intentional, according to Morin. "Many people experience barrier issues from using too many actives," she explains. There’s not a significant focus on hydration either, which helps prevent the formula from feeling too “heavy” on the skin. Morin reveals, "We only included enough hydration to balance out the zinc." It’s not drying, but it does differ from other mineral sunscreens that typically add more emollients for a creamier (and often oilier) texture. "If we had formulated it in an oil base, it would feel very occlusive on the skin," Morin adds. "This dries down because it’s water-based, allowing the powders to blur on top."

      **The Shades**

      While The Uniform is designed to complement The Minimalist—Merit's popular complexion stick—it is not a direct shade match. The latter offers 30 shades, whereas this tinted SPF comes in 15 flexible corresponding pigments. This means one shade of The Uniform could potentially match four shades of The Minimalist, or it might be an exact match. It ultimately depends on your undertones, according to Morin, but you can be assured that there’s a Minimalist shade for each SPF color, clearly indicated on each Uniform box.

      As I hinted earlier, each formula maintains the same level of sheerness regardless of the shade. This is impressive, as mineral sunscreen formulas typically add pigment to darker shades to counterbalance the zinc, which can eliminate any undesirable white cast but may result in differing finishes (in this case, sheer and buildable) across the range.

      Regarding shade consistency, The Uniform maintains its finish throughout the day. "Often, with SPF, you apply it, and ten minutes later, it appears a different color. An hour later, it can be yet another color. With deeper skin tones, it typically turns quite cool-toned." The Uniform, however, remains consistent.

      **The Application**

      Thanks to its water-based formula with skin-blurring powders, applying The Uniform is a smooth and velvety experience—never greasy. If you’re searching for an SPF that provides a dewy glow, this isn’t the one. It offers more of a soft-matte, cushiony finish.

      "We didn’t intentionally create a tinted moisturizer," Morin clarifies, mainly because many people (myself included) tend to layer tinted SPF on top of regular moisturizer, and combining a rich, creamy product with face cream can feel too heavy—almost "melty" in the summer heat. "[Uniform] has a serum-like base without being overly liquid, which is very intentional," adds Morin. "It balances out the zinc and feels pleasant on the