While I have always understood the appeal of tinted moisturizers and sunscreens — they are multi-tasking, typically include skin care ingredients and most importantly, they tend to look and feel just like skin — I’ve never felt like they were for me. Due to a common skin condition called keratosis pilaris, which causes raised red bumps and patches on my cheeks and jawline, I need more coverage than most tinted formulas provide. With these requirements, I tested the limits of The Uniform tinted sunscreen by Merit — turns out it’s the first product of its kind that changed my belief that “barely-there” formulas like these only look good on already-perfect skin. As I mentioned, “tints” in my experience have only ever been just that. Products that are far too sheer to be of any use to me and, in some instances, even exacerbated my skin insecurities. So I was surprised when this mineral sunscreen-based formula met both the “like-skin” qualifier and perfected my blemishes in a way that I was satisfied with. Merit infused The Uniform sunscreen with more than just SPF 45 protection. It uses fine natural powders to help smooth and blur the look of skin, creating a look of uniformity, without the traditional “cake” and heaviness of a foundation. What it does share with traditional foundations, however, is that it applies slightly thicker, which is a stark difference from other tints I’ve tried that have a more watery viscosity and just smear around on the skin, barely imparting any type of concealing or perfecting in the slightest.And unlike other tinted sunscreens and moisturizers of its ilk, the product doesn’t just adhere to the spaces in between the raised bumps on my cheeks, but actually soaks into my skin for even coverage that looks completely natural. According to the brand, the reason for this is “proprietary pigment dispersion,” a technology that’s the reason for the even coverage and easy blendability. According to one reviewer, it’s even capable of covering melasma and hyperpigmentation. “I have pregnancy melasma and sun damage, and this evens out my color without looking like I caked it on! More impressive is that I have been able to use far less concealer on my dark eye circles than before,” they wrote.Granted, it’s far from a full coverage product by any means. It’s still an ultra-lightweight and natural-finish result that allows skin to peek through, permitting freckles and natural rosiness on the cheeks to be visible — something I actually really like. I cannot impress upon you enough how skin-like this looks and how resilient it is to bunching or awkwardly separating on the face like normal foundations. The Uniform has a base of lightweight emollients that offer moderate hydration, but don’t look greasy on the skin. In fact, the finish is a bit more matte than I had initially expected, which means I can completely forgo the need for setting powder. I have very dry skin, so I made sure to prep with a healthy layer of my regular moisturizer. I also used my go-to dampened makeup sponge to apply the product, which allowed me to build up the coverage more seamlessly, while avoiding the possibility of streaks. I also wanted to see how well it sat underneath my other makeup products, like my cream-based contour and my favorite balmy blush (also by Merit). I’m pleased to report that nothing skipped, dragged or came off altogether. Available in 15 flexible shades, the Uniform tinted sunscreen has found a fan base among more than just me. Other Merit customers have claimed it’s the best tinted sunscreen they have ever tried and have even awarded it “new holy grail” status. Even users with mature skin find this to be a fitting formula that doesn’t rely on the perfect canvas to do what it says it will. Hear from them down below before grabbing a tube yourself. Promising Merit reviews:″I’m 51 and your entire line is all I use now. I’ve tried many tinted SPFs over the years and they either break me out, are too shimmery/shiny/sticky or don’t cover well. The Uniform has a nice texture that although it’s more matte than Merit’s other products, it’s not drying and looks great! I layer my other products on top if I want more of a ‘made up’ look. My 74 year old mother has started using Merit as well and loves it!” — Rita g.“This Uniform has just the right amount of tint, I layered plenty of the product to get the full benefit of the SPF, about a teaspoon and a half, and it melted into my skin! The color match guide with the shade stick was perfect! It left a nice light coverage and was very smooth. I was impressed!” — Elizabeth F.“This is the best tinted sunscreen I’ve ever tried! It gives a nice, light coverage and has a natural finish. I have been absolutely loving it this summer because it lasts all day, even in hot Texas weather. I have had so many people asking what foundation I’m wearing lately. I also love that it doesn’t feel like I am wearing makeup when I’m wearing this because it’s so light and airy. Truly, this is my new holy grail base. It’s perfection!” — Brittany H.“Verry impressed with how nice this is! This is my new staple! I’ve tried other very highly rated tinted moisturizers and have always been totally disappointed by either the color, the smell, the coverage, the wear, harsh ingredients on my sensitive skin, or all of the above! This feels so nice to put on, actually looks and feels like a moisturizing sunscreen and light foundation in one product, and I dont have to worry about nano sunscreen and other suspicious ingredients (yuck), and it has a very light natural smell. I have pregnancy melasma and sun damage, and this evens out my color without looking like I caked it on! More impressive is that I have been able to use far less concealer on my dark eye circles than before, I finally feel like i have a natural look I dont have to be self-conscious about, and it works like a primer when I do a little extra. I only need a touch of concealer, highlighter and blush and it lasts all day - no more finishing spray or powder necessary!” — XtraglamseylaThe author received complimentary items to test for the purposes of this story. Prices and availability are subject to change.If you want to shop for more tinted sunscreens that promise both protection and flawless skin, take a look at this list from previous reporting done by Lourdes Avila Uribe:Iris & RomeoIris & Romeo Best Skin Days SPF 30If you're looking to load up on high-quality skin care ingredients, deliciously dewy coverage and protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays, then Iris & Romeo's beloved daily tint is calling your name. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to deeply hydrate and protect the skin's barrier, vitamin C and E for antioxidant protection against free radicals and reef-friendly zinc oxide SPF 30 protection. It's available in 12 lightweight shades to even out skin tone and give you the best complexion of your life.AmazonLa Roche-Posay Anthelios tinted light fluid sunscreen SPF 50In previous reporting, Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, board-certified dermatologist and dermatological surgeon and Real Self partner in California, said, "I’m really impressed by the new La Roche-Posay Anthelios mineral tinted SPF 50+ Fluid – it’s sheer, has a universal tint, and offers high UVA/UVB protection with 100% mineral filters. It’s ideal for sensitive skin and has a great, elegant feel." Available in four shades, it's perfect for those days when you don't want to wear makeup want an easy pick-me-up. AmazonBeauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid sunscreen SPF 40As a longtime fan of Beauty of Joseon's cult-fave sunscreen, I am thrilled to see that the brand has introduced a new tinted fluid SPF. No one does sunscreens like Korean brands, and this one is up there in the pantheon of the greats. The ultra-lightweight emulsion has the consistency of a serum while offering SPF 40 protection, hydrating the skin and depositing just the right amount of buildable color. It's like your skin, but more radiant. It looks fresh all day long and is available in 12 sheer, blendable hues that fit a range of skin tones. MeritMerit The Uniform tinted mineral SPF 45This sunscreen from the internet- and celeb-beloved beauty brand Merit is hot off the presses, and promises to be a lovely choice for those who want a sunscreen option that also offers a soft splash of color. It features a formulation that's designed to be lightweight and buildable with a silky, soft and velvety sheer finish to impart a natural glow, while also helping to smooth and blur the look of skin. It's available in 15 blendable hues.Senior shopping writer Tessa Flores wasn't sold on The Uniform, but eventually wrote, "I was surprised when this mineral sunscreen-based formula met both the “like-skin” qualifier and perfected my blemishes in a way that I was satisfied with."AmazonEltaMD UV Clear tinted SPF 46This cult-favorite SPF is beloved by both HuffPost readers and editors alike. It's formulated with skin-loving ingredients to deeply moisturize and protect the skin while the tint evens out skin tone and perfects the look of your skin. It's a great option for people like me with sensitive and acne-prone skin. I turn to it anytime I'm going to be spending a lot of time in the sun or when I'm post-procedure and want to protect my skin without irritating it. It's available in two shades. AmazonIsdin Eryfotona Ageless SPF 50+This sunscreen is beloved by dermatologists and beauty enthusiasts alike. It is 100% mineral-based and infused with skin-loving ingredients that make it a great multitasker. It is one of the most comfortable mineral sunscreen formulas I’ve tried. It’s formulated with zinc oxide, DNA repair enzymes and vitamin E — so not only is it preventing sun damage, but it’s helping to nourish and repair the skin as well while also providing a subtle, evening tint.The Isdin sunscreen is significantly lighter and easier to blend than traditional mineral SPFs, and doesn’t have that lingering zinc smell that personally drives me up the wall. It dries down to a soft matte and is a nice base for makeup. The combination of lightweight finish, formula and UV protection has made it worth the troubleshooting. AmazonL'Oreal True Match Lumi GlotionPerfect for using solo on no-makeup-makeup days or under foundation to help transform skin into the perfect canvas for other products, this tinted moisturizer offers sheer-yet-luminous coverage and promises to melt seamlessly into skin without setting into fine lines or appearing cakey. You can also use Lumi Glotion as a highlighter to bring out high points of the face, like the cheekbones, tip of the nose or beneath the brow bone. (For this type of application, the brand suggests opting for a lighter shade.) There are five shades to choose from.Note: this does not offer sun protection, but there are plenty of reasons why we love it.AmazonTiZO3 facial sunscreen and primerIn previous reporting, Dr. Alexander Witkowski, MD, PhD, board-certified dermatologist and Melanoma Research Alliance Dermatology Advisor said, "I recommend Tizo 3 Facial Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 for individuals seeking both high-performance sun protection and anti-aging benefits." It's enriched with powerful antioxidants that can help neutralize free radicals and support overall skin health, while the gentle formulation makes it well-suited for sensitive and post-procedure skin. It has a subtle, sheer tint that smooths out the skin and adds just the right amount of coverage.AmazonSupergoop! Glow Screen SPF 40High on my personal list of sunscreen essentials is Supergoop! Glow Screen. It's what I reach for when I want a hint of tint and shimmer. It's basically your skin, but better — plus sun protection. It's available in four different shades and has a slightly heavier finish than other chemical sunscreens, in part because of the tint component. But since it essentially replaces foundation for me. The pearlescent finish gives skin an immediate glow while hyaluronic acid and niacinamide hydrate and nurture skin.AmazonRevision Skincare Intellishade Original tinted daily moisturizer SPF 45This is the tinted moisturizer and sunscreen that tipped the scales for me, and it has since come highly recommended by dermatologists who have spoken to HuffPost as well as my personal dermatologist. In previous reporting, New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick pointed out that as an all-in-one sunscreen and moisturizer, it's great for daily use, but also contains some antioxidant benefits to help protect skin from daily stressors. It feels silky smooth, lightweight and nourishing. It has a universal sheer mineral tint that brightens and evens out skin tone, making it a great foundation replacement for anyone looking to simplify their morning routine. It's the best way to get a healthy glow.SephoraIlia Super Serum skin tint SPF 40 foundationIt's possible that you've probably already heard of this much-buzzed-about skin tint that's perfect for anyone who is opposed to thick full-coverage foundations that mask your own skin. Ilia's Super Serum is an all-in-one skin tint featuring a moisturizing formula that's infused with mineral SPF 40, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and squalane — all really great hydrators.