Is it a moisturizer? Is it a foundation? Is it a primer? Perricone MD Face Finishing & Firming Moisturiser Tint SPF 30 is all of these things – and yet really none of them. Confused much? Me, too. I often get on a bumpy start with multi-taskers like this. They try to be all things to all people, and like the best of people pleasers, they always fall short somewhere. And yet, hat it does, it does really well. Ok, I’ll stop speaking in riddles and get on with the review. Here’s everything you need to know about it to decide if it deserves a place of honour in your skincare cabinet:
Key Ingredients In Perricone MD Face Finishing & Firming Moisturiser Tint SPF 30: What Makes It Work?
TITANIUM DIOXIDE TO PROTECT FROM (SOME) UV RAYS
Titanium Dioxide is responsible for the SPF 30. Keep in mind, SPF refers only to the protection you’re getting from UVB rays. But you need protection from UVA rays, too. Can Titanium Dioxide give you that?
Kinda… This white mineral protects you from ALL UVB rays and short UVA rays. But it fails at protecting you from long UVA rays. You know what this means? Perricone MD Face Finishing & Firming Moisturiser Tint SPF 30 does NOT provide broad spectrum protection. You still need a separate sunscreen.
Related: The Complete Guide To Titanium Dioxide In Skincare
GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN
I’m not surprised to see glycerin here. This baby is pretty much in all your skincare products. For a reason. It’s a humectant that draws water from the environment into the skin. The more moisture your skin has, the better it looks. Moisture plumps up skin, makes fine lines and wrinkles look smaller, and even gives the complexion a dewy glow. It’s the perfect base for every skincare product.
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycerin In Skincare
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SILICONES TO MINIMIZE IMPERFECTIONS
The base of this moisturiser is made up of silicones. It’s not as bad as you think. Silicones do a lot of good things in skincare:
Enhance texture: They allow the cream to glide on smoothly, without tugging or pulling.
Fill in fine lines and wrinkles: It’s a trick to make them look temporarily smaller.
Softens skin: It makes it feel silky soft to the touch.
They don’t even cause pimples: silicones have a particular molecular structure made up of larger molecules with wider spaces between each molecule. They create a barrier that keeps moisture in but still allows skin to perspire.
But if you use anything comedogenic before this moisturiser, then yes, silicones can trap them underneath their protective barrier and cause breakouts. Bottom line: don’t use comedogenic ingredients in your skincare and you’ll be fine.
Related: Are Silicones Really Bad For Skin?
The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
Red: What is this doing here?!
Water/Aqua/Eau: The main solvent in the product, it helps to dissolve other ingredients.
Pentylene Glycol: A humectant that increases moisture level in the skin to make it hydrated and plumper. Plus, it helps active ingredients better penetrate skin.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene: It stabilises UV filter Titanium Dioxide, so it works better.
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer: A synthetic polymer that enhances the texture of skincare products.
Benzyl Alcohol: A gentle preservative that helps keep your products safe from bacteria.
Aluminum Hydroxide: An emollient, opacifier, and texture-enhancer.
Stearic Acid: A versatile fatty acid that makes skin softer and smoother, helps water-based and oil-based ingredients to blend together seamlessly, and enhances the texture of skincare products.
Iron Oxides ( CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499): The pigment that gives the product its colour.
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate: A photostabilizer that can improve sunscreen formulas.
Hydrogenated Lecithin: An emollient and emulsifier. It makes skin softer and smoother and prevents the formula from separating into watery and oily layers.
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891): It’s twice on the ingredient list. 4.20% is listed separately because it’s the active UV filter that provides sun protection. The rest is listed here as it provides opacity and helps adjust the colour of the cream.
Isohexadecane: It enhances the texture of skincare products.
Bisabolol: The soothing component of chamomile that helps reduce redness and inflammation.
Mica (CI 77019): A sparkling mineral that makes your skin glow. But it’s just a cosmetics effect.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: A derivative of Vitamin C that fights free radicals and brightens the complexion.
Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria in your skincare products.
Silica Dimethyl Silytate: It gives slip to a formula.
Polyester-1: A film-former.
Polysorbate 60: An emulsifier that prevents the oily and watery ingredients from separating into two gooey layers.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Derived from coconut oil, it has all the moisturising benefits without the pore-clogging side effects.
Sodium Benzoate: A preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi in your skincare products.
Potassium Sorbate: Another preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi in your skincare products.
Fragrance/ Parfum: The most irritating ingredient in skincare products, it makes them smell good.
Xanthan Gum: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine: An emulsifier that improves the texture of skincare products. It also makes skin softer and smoother.
Citronellol: A fragrance ingredient with a grassy, citrusy-like scent. But it’s irritating.
Thioctic Acid: A powerful antioxidant that enhances the effectiveness of Vitamin C.
Geraniol: A fragrant ingredient derived from geranium, it smells good but it’s irritating.
Astaxanthin: An antioxidant present in salmon, it helps to fight off free radicals before they damage skin.
Hydroxycitronellal: A floral ingredient that makes the product smell good, but can irritate skin.
Butylphenyl Methylpropional: Another common fragrance allergen. It has a floral smell.
Texture
This product has a lightweight and fast-absorbing texture. It doesn’t leave any greasy or unpleasant residue behind.
Fragrance
Subtle rose scent. I’m not a big fan of fragrance. Even when it’s subtle, it often contains common allergens that can irritate sensitive skin. But if your skin doesn’t have a problem with that, and you like the scent of rose, this is pleasant.
How To Use It
In the morning, after serum but before sunscreen. Yes, you need to use a separate sunscreen on top. This isn’t enough to provide adequate sun protection on its own.
Packaging
This product comes in a dark brown jar. You know me, I don’t like jars because they’re not very hygienic. Plus, they don’t keep antioxidants stable and effective for longer. But there’s only a sprinkle of them here, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Don’t let it lying around without the lid on.
Performance & Personal Opinion
As a moisturizer, Perricone MD Face Finishing & Firming Moisturiser Tint SPF 30 is so-so. It’s moisturising enough for normal or combination skin. But now the cold London winter weather is doing its best to dry it out like the Sahara, it doesn’t hydrate my skin as much as it needs to. But, that’s ok. I don’t exactly use this as a moisturizer…
And, of course, you already know it’s not a substitute for sunscreen. You’d just need to apply too many layers to achieve the SPF on the label. And even then, you’re not getting broad protection. Still, if you’re in a rush, it’s better than nothing (just don’t make that a habit!).
Ok, so far I’ve been pretty negative. Before I put you off completely, let me tell you what I love about this moisturizer: the glow. Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer is infused with capsules that release pigment upon application. Brown pigment. I need to specify that because the cream is a pale grey in colour. It reminds me of concrete, and no one wants to look like a block of concrete. So, worry not, you won’t.
The press release says that this tint is “adaptable to all skin tones”. I’m not sure what that means, but I’ll tell you what it does to me. The brownish colour makes my face a couple of shades darker than it naturally is, which means I have to apply it over every inch of exposed skin, such as neck and decollete. It makes me look like I would if I tanned (but I don’t; I burn). Or like I did when I used a well-formulated self-tanner that didn’t make me look like an oompa loompa.
Now, if you know me, you know that I don’t like a tan. But I like glowy skin. This stuff gives mine a subtle sun-kissed glow. When I wear this, people comment on how healthy and radiant I look. Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint doesn’t really provide the coverage of a foundation (although, it stains clothes like one!). It’s quite sheer, so when I wear it alone, I always need to dab on concealer to hide dark circles and the odd pimple.
Often, though, I use it after moisturizer and before foundation. It’s an extra step that makes my skin look better. Sorta like Benefit That Gal! But brownish rather than pinkish. So, to me, Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint is more of brightening primer that also does some moisturizing and protecting. If it were marketed like that, I’d have liked it a lot more from the beginning.
Related: Do Cosmetics With SPF Provide Adequate Sun Protection?
How Does Perricone MD Face Finishing & Firming Moisturiser Tint SPF 30 Compare To The Other Perricone MD Moisturisers?
So if this is more of a primer than a moisturiser, what about the other moisturisers from the brand? Which one is better for your skin type and needs? I’ve put them to the test to find out:
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ The Intensive Hydrating Complex ($105.00): Not my fave moisturiser. It’s loaded with peptides that promise to firm skin, but there’s no proof they work yet. Save your money on this one.
Perricone MD Essential FX Acyl-Gluthathione Intensive Overnight Moisturiser ($185.00): A rich cream that strengthens the skin’s protractive barrier and makes even the driest of skin types softer and smoother. Just avoid it if you’re prone to acne – it can clog pores. Available at Harrods, Look Fantastic, Perricone MD, Sephora, Skin Store, and Ulta
Perricone MD Essential FX Acyl-Glutathione Rejuvenating Moisturiser ($105.00): A lighter version of the moisturiser above. It makes skin softer and smoother and features a derivative of Vitamin C to fight and prevent wrinkles. Available at Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Sephora, Skin Store, and Ulta
Perricone MD High Potency Classics Face Finishing & Firming Moisturiser ($75.00): This is a very basic moisturiser with a sprinkle of antioxidants that makes skin softer and suppler. But there’s nothing in it that can firm skin. Available at Look Fantastic, Perricone MD, and Ulta.
Perricone MD High Potency Classics Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturiser ($75.00): A gel cream moisturiser that deeply hydrates and plumps up combination and oily skin. It also has a sprinkle of antioxidants to fight wrinkles. Available at Cult Beauty, Harrods, Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta
Perricone MD High Potency Retinol Recovery Overnight Moisturiser ($99.00): A rich cream with retinol and a retinol ester to fight wrinkles, boost collagen, and brighten the complexion. The moisturising base counteracts dryness. Still use it only every other night. Retinol should not be exposed to light and air, so the jar packaging isn’t ideal. Be careful to close that lid. Available at Cult Beauty, Harrods, Look Fantastic, Perricone MD, and Ulta.
Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Barrier Repair Nourishing Moisturiser ($75.00): A lightweight, soothing moisturiser enriched with anti-inflammatory agents that can reduce redness and irritations. Fragrance-free, it’s suitable for sensitive skin. Available at Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Perricone MD, and Ulta.
Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Photo-Brightening Moisturiser Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($79.00): It’s very similar to this formula. It doesn’t provide adequate sun protection. It’s not super hydrating. It doesn’t even contain that much Vitamin C. And unlike this one, it doesn’t give you much of a glow either. Leave it on the shelf.
What I Like About Perricone MD Face Finishing & Firming Moisturiser Tint SPF 30
Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture.
Gives your skin a beautiful glow.
If you’re pale like me, it makes you look tanner – in a good way.
Lightly hydrating – enough for oily skin.
What I Like About Perricone MD Face Finishing & Firming Moisturiser Tint SPF 30
Not moisturising enough for dry skin.
Doesn’t provide adequate sun protection on its own.
Jar packaging.
Contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive skin.
Who Should Use This?
Combination and oily skin who want a hint of a tan with their moisturiser. If you’re looking for a moisturiser that can double up as sunscreen or don’t want a hint of colour, this isn’t for you.
Does Perricone MD Face Finishing & Firming Moisturiser Tint SPF 30 Live Up To Its Claims?
CLAIM
TRUE
Fast-absorbing, oil-free, tinted moisturiser with SPF delivers powerful antioxidant benefits that help minimise the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections.
It is fast-absorbing and oil-free, but there are barely any antioxidants here!
Our unique tinted face moisturiser deeply hydrates for silky smooth, supple skin, while a mineral-based SPF 30 protects skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
It hydrates normal, oily, and combination skin, but not drier skin types. And it doesn’t protect skin from all UV rays.
Use alone or under any foundation for a luminous finish.
True.
Price & Availability
$79.00 at Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Perricone MD, Sephora, Skin Store, and Ulta
The Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If you’re looking for a brightening primer with moisturising benefits, this is a good option to consider. Just don’t expect more than that.
Dupes & Alternatives
I don’t know of any exact dupes for this product.
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 4.2%
Inactive Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Polyester-8, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Iron Oxides ( CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Isohexadecane, Bisabolol, Mica (CI 77019), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Dimethyl Silytate, Polyester-1, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 60, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Fragrance/ Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine Citronellol, Thioctic Acid, Geraniol, Astaxanthin, Hydroxycitronellal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
