“It’s nuts,” and “It doesn’t feel like a sunscreen at all!” are just some of the reactions we shared in our Glamour beauty chat group after getting our hands on Tatcha’s new Milky Sunscreen (SPF 50+ PA+++). Our surprise wasn’t so much that Tatcha—known for its barely-there moisturizers and weightless essences—released a product with an elegant, serum-like feel, but that the brand managed to pull it off as a sunscreen.
The not-so-secret lies in the name itself, and while there’s no actual milk in the product, it’s formulated to feel like you’re layering on a serum rather than a chalky sunblock.
Milky skin care products aren’t exactly new; David Petrillo, a cosmetic chemist in Reno, Nevada, and founder of the skin care brand Perfect Image, previously told Glamour that “milk has been used for centuries as a natural beauty remedy due to its beneficial properties for the skin.” But these lightweight formulas are particularly prevalent in today’s buzzy skin care routines (think of Rhode’s viral toner and Ma:nyo’s new-classic cleanser), and they’ve now reached the proverbial sunscreen aisle.
Tatcha’s new sunscreen has a liquid texture with a serum-like viscosity. In addition to broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection against UVA and UVB rays, it has a PA++++ rating (a metric standard for Asian sunscreens). The PA rating ranges from PA+ to PA++++, so this is the highest available. Plus, it offers additional skin care benefits for aging skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. Below are the main ingredients:
With high hopes, we asked four Glamour editors to try the Tatcha Milky Sunscreen (SPF 50+ PA+++) on their different skin types, and to follow up with their typical beauty routine to test its wearability under makeup.
Skin Type: Combination and acne-prone
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
“Finding a sunscreen that satisfies both my oily spots and very dry areas is tricky. Some are way too occlusive, too greasy, or pill in areas where my skin is a little rough or texturized due to pimples or acne scars. My first impression was the unique weightless texture, something that you’d liken to a hyaluronic acid serum or barrier-supporting drops. Right away, I noticed how easily my skin drank up the formula. It absorbed quickly and left my skin feeling dewy and fresh without any sticky residue. After applying, I layered tinted moisturizer and concealer on top (no primer needed), and loved how seamlessly the products blended. By the end of the day my skin still felt protected, my dry spots were hydrated, and my oilier spots didn’t look too shiny.
I’ve been using this sunscreen for about a month now and it’s going to be hard to switch back to anything else. It’s truly one of the gentler sun protection formulas I’ve ever tried, and it does a great job at balancing my combination skin without clogging up my pores or leaving my skin stripped. It applies effortlessly, too, which is a huge plus if you wear makeup every day as I do. All in all, it’s just my type—ha, see what I did there!”—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour commerce writer
Skin Type: Oily
Original video from Jenifer Calle testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
Original photo from Jenifer Calle testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
Original photo from Jenifer Calle testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
“At any point in time, I have at least a dozen different facial sunscreens that I’m testing, but lately it’s been this Tatcha sunscreen that I’ve been reaching for the most. It feels different than any other SPF I’ve tried because of its fluid consistency. It provides so much hydration that I’ve actually been skipping moisturizer some days. The silky texture glides on easily and absorbs quickly, which I appreciate when I’m rushing in the morning. I don’t have to use a fan or wait for it to dry before applying my makeup. I have combination, oily skin, so I love a lightweight SPF that doesn’t feel greasy, especially with summer around the corner. It’s definitely on the higher price point, but it’s a luxury SPF with Tatcha’s signature design and fragrance. My main complaint is that it’s a little too runny. I would recommend starting with one pump to avoid making a mess.” —Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor
Skin Type: Normal to dry
Original video from Malia Griggs testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
Original photo from Malia Griggs testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
Original photo from Malia Griggs testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
“I have skin that runs a little dry, and a lot of sunscreens feel heavy, leave a cast, or break me out, especially under makeup. I already love Tatcha’s skin care for how gentle it is (its clay mask is my favorite exfoliator), so I was curious how this would stack up. First impression: It’s incredibly light (almost disconcertingly so). The texture is runny and truly milky (shake it first), and I need three to four pumps to cover my face. It blends in almost instantly with no cast or irritation, and while it looked a touch greasy at first, that settled quickly, especially once I layered makeup on top. The sunscreen wears almost like a primer, with no buildup. My skin feels hydrated and dewy without stickiness. If you like a thicker SPF that feels more like a physical barrier against the elements, this might not feel like enough. But if you want a formula that disappears into skin while leaving it feeling free, the Milky Sunscreen is an excellent option.”—Malia Griggs, Glamour commerce editor
Skin Type: Sensitive
Original video from Grace McCarty testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
Original photo from Grace McCarty testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
Original photo from Grace McCarty testing Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA+++
“I’m a huge fan of Tatcha’s The Dewy Milk Moisturizer, so I was super excited to try the new SPF version. I’m pleased to report that it absolutely lives up to its cult-favorite predecessor. I find that lots of moisturizer-SPF hybrids feel too heavy to wear under makeup, or start to make my skin feel oily after a few hours of wear. That isn’t the case at all with this one. It quenches my dry skin after a morning cleanse and leaves behind a dewy finish—the perfect canvas for my light everyday makeup. There’s no sticky residue, pilling, or creasing. I find myself reaching for it over my favorite glowy primer, and it’s already become a warm-weather essential for me.
My sensitive skin also tends to feel very tight and dry after a morning cleanse, but my T-Zone can get oily as the day goes on. Tatcha’s milky formula is silky and hydrating enough to soothe dryness, leaving behind a finish that’s dewy, but not as heavy as other SPF-moisturizer hybrids. It melts right in and never makes my skin feel congested, even after a hot commute or a long day in office air.” —Grace McCarty, Glamour associate beauty editor
While a bit of a splurge at $50, we think it’s worth the price since you’re basically getting sun protection, serum, moisturizer, and primer in one. It checked all of our editors’ boxes, from one with sensitive skin who said it didn’t irritate or cause any reactions, to another with oily skin who said the lightweight texture was a “dream to layer on.”
The dewy formula never pilled on any tester, so it’s great for layering under makeup, and we appreciate that it doesn’t leave a white cast or take forever to absorb. All of this helps simplify our routines and makes this sunscreen a true star in our books.