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I had no idea DRMTLGY sunscreens were that popular until I received some in the mail – I hadn’t even heard of the brand at all, not even their infamous needle-less serum, which is apparently a bestseller. Their products are more on the pricey side, with the DRMTLGY Universal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46 and their DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 being among the more affordable offers on the website.

Which is only consistent for a brand that takes a SPF-first approach in skincare – you can’t tell people to apply sunscreen liberally and then have them sell a kidney for half a bottle!
But what else is there to say about these two products? Could they convince this sunscreen snob?

What DRMTLGY claims

The Universal Tinted Moisturizer claims: This antioxidant-rich SPF 46 is lightweight and oil-free. Formulated as an all-in-one sunscreen and foundation that blends naturally to match all skin tones, leaving a natural, healthy glow. Also features a high concentration of Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Vitamin E.

Their Broad Spectrum SPF 45 claims: An innovative clear, non-greasy, powerful sunscreen that not only protects against damaging UV rays, but also provides anti-aging benefits. This unique anti-aging sunscreen that will help prevent further aging and skin damage and reduce the appearance of redness.

Facts about the DRMTLGY Sunscreens

Prize and size

Both come in 50 ml bottles, which is average for a facial sunscreen, and are available for 26 $ (Universal Tinted SPF) or 25 $ (Broad Spectrum SPF) on the website here. The packaging is sleek and the pump works very well.

Texture and smell

Both products are fragrance-free and really have no scent, and both feel more hydrating on my skin than I would have expected given that they contain inorganic (aka mineral) filters and are oil-free. I mean, they aren’t hydrating Asian sunscreens, but have a much more pleasant texture than the thick and suffocating sunscreen I grew up with. (More info: Chemical, mineral and physical – What is the difference?)

How to use the DRMTLGY Sunscreens

Sunscreens go on as last step in your routine, and for me both easily could replace a moisturizer in the summer. As always you need to make sure you apply enough though to get the claimed protection, and while that was easily achievable with the DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 – it did take a while to sink in completely, but after around ten minutes looked and felt very nice – the DRMTLGY Universal Tinted Moisturizer did take a little more work. (More info: How much sunscreen do you really need?)

Despite claiming no white residue, the Broad Spectrum SPF did make my skin noticeably paler initially. It did get better over time, but if you are any darker than I am, I doubt you will be able to wear a generous layer without white cast.

White cast is obviously not a problem with the tinted version, but the color in that one is too dark for me and would look a little orange around my hairline and brows at the end of the day. The coverage is pretty sheer though, so maybe it will work on darker skins as it blends in better, for those of us on the paler side the color isn’t right though.

Which is a shame, as the final texture and finish in both is beautiful, looks very skin like and with the tinted one doesn’t rub off onto the mask or settle into fine lines.

Ingredients of the DRMTLGY Sunscreens

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (12.00%) sunsc 0 1, Octinoxate (7.50%) sunsc 0 0

Inactive Ingredients: Water solv, Cyclopentasiloxane emo|solv, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Oleth-3 Phosphate surf|emu 2 2, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate emo, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer vc, Polyisobutene vc, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether emu|surf, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Polygonum Aviculare Extract aox|emo, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Disodium EDTA chel, Sodium Hydroxide buff, Citric Acid buff, Phenoxyethanol pres, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.

Water/Aqua/Eau solv, Cyclopentasiloxane emo|solv, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Oleth-3 Phosphate surf|emu 2 2, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate emo, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer vc, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Polygonum Aviculare Extract aox|emo, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether emu|surf, Polyisobutene vc, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA chel, Iron Oxides col 0 0, Phenoxyethanol pres

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Both combine organic (aka chemical) and inorganic (aka mineral) filters with 12% Zinc Oxide and 7,5% Octinoxate, a mixture that offers broad spectrum protection, but isn’t the most effective on the UVA side. The filters are usually well tolerated by sensitive skins though, which is a bonus. (More info: UVA-protection – How it is measured and why it matters)

The rest of the formulas is pretty similar, with Niacinamide and Glycerin offering skin benefits and Knotweed Extract added for infrared light protection and as antioxidant. (More info: Niacinamide in skincare)

Do they live up to their claims?

Yes.

Despite the obvious ones we already expected them to fail: The “universal tint” – that is simply impossible if you want to deposit color and cater to the very pale to the very dark skins – and the “no white residue” – it isn’t as bad as it would be with only inorganic filters, but there still is some paleness added you can’t deny.

How does the DRMTLGY Universal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46 compare to…

NIOD Survival 30

This is the only other tinted inorganic sunscreen I can compare it too, and funny enough, NIOD Survival 30 is too cool toned for me by the same amount DRMTLGY Universal Tint is too orange. A mixture between the two would probably be perfect, but I am not going to start doing that, mixing sunscreens is never a good idea.
I do like the finish and texture in both though, so if the color of one of them works for you, go for it.

You can read my full review of the NIOD Survival 30 here.

Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend the DRMTLGY Sunscreens to?

I will, for very obvious reasons like the more modern filters, stick to my European or Asian sunscreen favorites, but I am happy to finally be able to recommend sunscreens to my US followers that don’t need to be shipped in from abroad. Due to their texture I think they work best for normal to dry skins, very oily skin might find them too heavy, but overall they are a very good option if the slight white cast in the untinted version isn’t a problem for you. Just make sure to apply the recommended amount, which is always more than you’d initially think.

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