Purple, mint green and rose-tinted sunscreens that double up as colour correctors

Sunscreens used to serve a general sole purpose – to keep us safe and protected from sun damage. So how can brands make them even better? Perhaps mixing them with a light coverage peach-coloured tint can appeal more to us as it eliminates the need for concealer and foundation on lazy days. But even fancier? Make them mint green. And purple, and pink. 

Rainbow sunscreens are less unicorn vomit and more colour-correction goodness. The different colours they are manufactured in and created are more than just a novelty factor, while it may seem intriguing. Like colour correctors, they help cancel dullness and hyperpigmentation for a brighter, more even look. It could be especially useful for dark eye circles or concealing redness.

Instead of having to use a separate product, brands are now cleverly incorporating them into sunscreens for a one-step application that can solve multiple concerns, hence giving rise to these ‘coloured’ formulas. Read on to find out which ones you should add to cart, stat. 

Balanceful Cica Tone Up Sun Cream, $18.90, Torriden from Guardian

A physical sunscreen that resembles melted mint chocolate chip ice cream? Sign me up, If your skin is facing the wrath of the unforgiving weather lately with red and irritated skin, this is the one for you. A 3-in-1 formula made to cancel redness and defend your skin against harmful UV rays, the Torriden Balanceful Tone Up Sun Cream dries semi-matte and helps with a more efficient skincare routine in the morning thanks to its colour correcting feature. Infused with acne-fighting ingredients such as Asiaticoside and Madecassoside, this multitasking product is not only gentle, but also effective on sensitive skin. 

Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Mint Green Essence, $30.20, Sunplay from Watsons

To achieve the perfect mint green, Sunplay has whipped up a playful but practical concoction of blue and green that offers a translucent-like luminance, corrects redness and bestows an unmatched radiance for sensitive and acne-prone skin. In what I believe is Sunplay’s take on an artful recreation of mermaids’ tears, the nourishing cream is laced with microfine pearlescent powder that blurs imperfections, highlights, and illuminates the complexion for a glow-from-within brilliance. Powered by skincare, the Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence also contains the skin-loving addition of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, as well as chestnut rose and passionflower extracts for moisturising and anti-ageing benefits.

Onion Newpair Sunscreen, $17.76, Isntree from Amazon

Apart from its pretty lilac shade, this hydrating purple tinted sunscreen is made to neutralise discoloration and redness for a seamless application when paired with makeup. In the process of doing so, rest assured that white cast is not to be expected with this formulation once worked into the skin. SPF40 and PA+++, this blurring sunscreen helps hide pores, hydrate, kickstart, and prepare you for the day ahead. With an addition of 5% red onion extracts, it helps with fighting acne thanks to its antibacterial properties, as well as reducing fine lines and wrinkles as a result of sun damage. 

Chrono Beauty Color Tuning UV 01 Ennui Purple Sunscreen, $31.50, ALLIE from Watsons 

If you’re an avid purple lover, here’s another reason to add this pretty shade onto your vanity. Lightweight, non-greasy and a knack for hiding pores, dullness as well as brightening sallow, dull complexion, the Chrono Beauty Color Tuning by ALLIE also offers a SPF50+, PA++++ formula that fights against harmful UV rays. With skin-loving properties such as sodium hyaluronate, it also helps with reducing wrinkles and fine lines while hydrating the skin. 

UV Daily Tone Up Sunscreen, $110, from Sulwhasoo 

Despite its lightweight consistency, this formula offers 5 layers of much-needed skin protection from UVA, UVB, and infrared rays as well as blue light and fine dust. Under the lid lies a baby pink cream texture that helps with neutralising dark eye circles and an overall more refreshed look. Zero white cast with an instant brightening effect, it serves as a great base underneath makeup and increases its longevity for up to 12 hours on top of its function as a sunscreen. Offering a natural, radiant glow, the Sulwhasoo Daily Tone Up Sunscreen applies flawlessly and gives a natural coverage on slower days.

UV Plus [3P] SPF50 Rosy Glow, $117, from Clarins

She might be seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses, but realising dream-like skin is not all pie in the sky. Thanks to Clarins’ SPF50 skin defence created with a rosy pink tint, the UV Plus offers an anti-pollution and multi-protection light cream formula that keeps your skin rocking a healthy glow all day. The addition of white tea also helps fight against free radicals and overall helps combat the negative, harmful effects of UV rays. 

Le Blanc La Base (Orchidée), $97, from Chanel

Credit: Chanel

While the maison’s purpose is to deliver a brightening makeup base that evens out one’s complexion with a natural sheer coverage, the Le Blanc La Base is also laced with a SPF40/PA+++ formula to protect your skin against harmful UV rays. The sweet shell-pink pearly formula does more than it looks, including the likes of hydrating the skin, cancelling out redness, softening and plumping for a supple bounce, as well as increasing luminosity. Protecting against external aggressors and keeping your complexion fresh all day long, this is the perfect addition during summer for a refreshing, dewy finish.