Love it or Leave it: Smashbox Tinted Moisturizer

Hey guys! So for this post I decided to do a product review, specifically the Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 15. As I'm sure you picked up in my last post about antioxidants, wearing SPF everyday is very important for maintaining youthful skin. I love using a tinted moisturizer w/ SPF on days when I'm in a rush. It's also great for when I don't feel like putting a full face of makeup on but still want some coverage. I had been on the lookout for a good oil-free one because my skin can get very oily, especially around my t-zone. I'd heard a lot of good things about this one and it was one of the more affordable ones at Sephora so I decided to give it a try...

Yes I saved the box specifically for this picture.

My Verdict: Leave it!!

I have to say, I was not a fan. First of all, I'm not sure how it is oil-free because in texture it felt very oily. In fact, if you don't shake it up each time before you use it, it will separate and come out part chunky moisturizer, part oily mess. However, it did absorb pretty well once I mixed it in and did not leave my skin feeling oily. The main losing point for me was the limited range of colors. It is a very pigmented moisturizer and there are only three colors available: fair medium and dark. I swatched them in the store and decided to go with the medium because the fair was way too light for me. Unfortunately, once I started using it at home I realized it was too dark for my skin. I still used it by diluting it with some of my regular moisturizer, but it was definitely annoying.

I couldn't get it to come out oily as it usually does, annoying!

Clearly I was on crack when I thought it matched at the store

Another gripe I had was I just didn't feel like it was moisturizing enough. If your skin is oily, it is very important to moisturize well because if it is too dry your skin will actually overcompensate by producing more oil. While the moisturizer did absorb well and left my skin decently matte in the morning, by noon it was a shiny mess.

Lastly, when I bought this moisturizer I wasn't too knowledgeable about sunscreens, however, since then I have done some reading and what I've learned is that chemical sunscreens (such as the one used in this product, octinoxate) can actually cause more harm then good. I can do a more in-depth post about SPF if you'd like, but basically there are two types, chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens work by penetrating your skin and absorbing UV rays. Examples are octylcrylene, avobenzone, octinoxate, oxybenzone, helioplex, etc. Physical sunscreens do not absorb into your skin, but instead sit on the surface and reflect UV rays. The two types are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Basically there is some troubling researching around chemical sunscreens and their effect on your skin/health. Kind of makes sense; why would you want to absorb those types of chemicals? I much prefer physical sunscreens now that I know, which are completely FDA approved. The problem with physical sunscreens is they tend to be thicker and can leave a chalky white tint. However, I recently found a really affordable drugstore tinted moisturizer with physical SPF that I LOVE. I will do a review on that product soon so be sure to check back here!

Alright I hope you found this post informative. Basically if you want more color options or you want a tinted moisturizer with more moisture, Smashbox Sheer Focus is not for you. Also if you want to avoid chemical sunscreens as I do, avoid this one!

xoxo Patricia