My evening routine is a specific sequence: CurrentBody LED mask on, Vanderpump Rules on repeat, and doom-scrolling TikTok until my eyes burn. That’s where I first saw Tower 28 SunnyDays explode two years ago. Skeptical? Sure. Am I still using the broad-spectrum SPF 32 on and off since 2014? Absolutely. And I can confirm the hype isn’t just noise.
It has become my go-to complexion product. Need to streamline my bag for a trip? SunnyDays. Rushing out the door with zero time for makeup? SunnyDays. Want to look awake when I’m dead inside? SunnyDays.
Here is the no-BS breakdown on why this tinted sunscreen earns its shelf space.
It Actually Protects (Without the White Cast)
The FDA says SPF 15 is the baseline. Dermatologists? They push for 30. SunnyDays hits that sweet spot. But the real win isn’t just the number; it’s the ingredient list.
This formula relies on zinc oxide. That means it sits on your skin, reflecting UVA and UVB rays rather than absorbing them into your pores. This matters. Research shows mineral sunscreens are better for treating redness and signs of aging. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you already know physical blockers are your friend. This one doesn’t disappoint.
“It reflects harmful ultraviolet rays away from my skin rather than absorbing them.”
It’s Packed with Skincare Benefits
Most tinted sunscreens feel like a compromise. They protect, sure, but they do nothing for the skin. SunnyDays is different. It blends hydrating and soothing agents directly into the formula.
- Prickly pear extract: Hydrates while fighting free radicals.
- Aloe vera leaf water: Soothes irritation instantly.
- Centella asiatica (tiger grass): Calms reactive skin and strengthens the barrier.
- Glycerin and jojoba esters: Soften and smooth texture.
It’s not just coverage. It’s treatment.
The Texture is Dewy, Not Greasy (If You Handle It Right)
Let’s address the finish. This is dewy AF. On my oily skin, that’s a risk. Usually, I avoid anything that isn’t matte or velvet. But Tower 28 gets away with it. It feels like skin. Real skin. Not a plastic mask.
Yes, my forehead gets shiny within an hour. But the payoff is worth the touch-up. The medium-weight formula sits between a traditional sunscreen and a skin tint. It’s thick enough that if you accidentally glop too much in one spot, it doesn’t immediately drip down your face.
I apply it with fingers when I’m lazy. It takes a minute more, but I save myself from cleaning dense brushes. Sometimes efficiency wins.
The Shade Range Is Finally Respectful
Finding a tinted SPF that matches is a nightmare. EltaMD stopped at three shades. Beauty of Joseon jumped to fifteen, which was impressive. Tower 28? They went with 17 flexible shades.
The categories break down as follows:
* 6 Light shades
* 4 Medium shades
* 3 Tan shades
* 4 Deep shades
Each group offers varied undertones: pink, yellow, peach, gold, and even olive. For the olive skin gang, this is rare. I wear shade 40 Runyon. It’s tan with an olive base. Finally, a match that doesn’t look orange or gray in natural light.
Would I like more options for Medium, Tan, and Deep? Yes. More shade variety is always better. But 17 is a significant step forward in a category historically known for exclusion.
How to Make It Work for Your Skin Type
One year of testing has taught me that technique matters. Here is how I tweak the routine to keep this dewy SPF from turning into an oil slick.
For Combo to Oily Skin
If you have combo or oily skin, the dewy finish can look greasy by noon. Here is the fix.
- Layer thinly. Don’t overload the face.
- Set with mist. Use a hydrating or oil-control mist to help the pigment bind.
- Layer again. Apply a second thin coat of SunnyDays.
- Finish strong. Add your usual makeup, then spritz a setting spray.
- Powder strategically. Use a blurring powder. I rotate between the BareMinerals BarePro Pressed Powder in Medium (it blurs pores like a filter) and the Physicians Formula Butter Foundation for extra coverage.
Stick with Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless if you just want pore-minimizing effects. Go for the Brush on Block powder if you need serious matte control.
For Dry Skin
You’re lucky. This formula and dry skin are best friends. Even my oily skin gets parched in winter due to indoor heating.
Exfoliate the night before. Use a gentle cleanser, maybe the Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Radiant Complexion Cleanser, followed by a rich cream like the Tatcha Water Cream. Focus on dry patches.
When you apply SunnyDays in the morning, it glides on. No tugging. No emphasizing flakes. The hydration carries through.
For Concealing Dark Spots
My skin is temperamental. I test too many new products. Sometimes breakouts happen. When I need to camouflage specific areas, I don’t smear the SPF over my whole face.
I use a stippling motion with a makeup brush on the spots I want to hide. This builds coverage without sheering out the protection or the base color. Blend carefully. Do not spread.
For Large Pores
If you’re fighting visible pores like I am, primer is non-negotiable. Apply a light layer underneath. The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Priming Filter or the Benefit POREfessional work well. They create a smooth canvas for the SunnyDays to sit on, making pores less visible immediately.
Keep Your Summer Shade Through Winter
Don’t retire your warm-toned SPF when October hits. I still wear shade 40 Runyon in the dead of winter. Why? Because the flexible pigments adapt. They don’t turn gray or ashy on cooler days.
Plus, when you’re bundled in sweaters and turtlenecks in New York, nobody cares if your face is slightly warmer than your neck. You look healthy. You look alive. To enhance that glow, I dust bronzer where the sun hits—forehead and cheekbones. Maybe a swipe of that same bronzer on the lids. Cohesive. Dimensional. Real.
The formula holds up. The shade holds up. And for a product that does double duty as skincare and makeup? It’s worth every penny.
More Tinted Sunscreens Worth Tracking
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