It’s safe to say I’m low maintenance when it comes to skincare, so tinted SPFs are a staple of my daily routine. These dual-action formulas eliminate the need for multiple steps, protect my skin from sun damage and give me glowy, pigmented coverage. Tick, tick, tick.

But with some of the best formulas on the market costing upwards of £30 for a small tube (we’re looking at you Supergoop! and Ultra Violette), I’m always looking for budget buys that can do the job just as well.

The latest affordable tinted SPF to arrive on the scene is Garnier’s vitamin C daily UV brightening fluid glow (a mouthful, I know). The lightweight formula has a creamy consistency that’s easy to blend across your face, while SPF50 has all bases covered when it comes to UV protection.

It’s designed to be one-shade-suits-all, with the cream giving skin glowy and lightweight coverage. The slimline tube is perfect for packing in your beach bag on holiday and topping up when you want a little more coverage at lunch.

The best part is that it costs a little more than £10 – but it’s now even cheaper thanks to LOOKFANTASTIC. Whether you’re jetting off on holiday, enjoying the last dregs of summer at home or looking for an everyday skincare staple, here’s why Garnier’s tinted SPF should be in your next beauty haul.

How we tested

Applying the Garnier tinted SPF (Daisy Lester)

Testing the vitamin C-infused formula alongside more premium products, I’ve worn it during beach days and office days. Considering the ease of application (whether with a brush, sponge or fingers), coverage claims, staying power, the look and feel on my skin, as well as its SPF credentials, here’s my verdict on Garnier’s tinted SPF.

Garnier vitamin C daily UV brightening fluid glow, SPF 50+

SPF: 50

Key ingredients: Vitamin C

Shades: One shade

Why we love it

Brightening

Light coverage

Take note

No shade range

Garnier’s budget vitamin C fluid glow face cream gives premium formulas a serious run for their money. With SPF50, it offers high UV protection, while the formula itself has a super lightweight, gel-like consistency that is seamless and smooth to apply. It’s easily blended with your fingers, and the texture isn’t greasy – it absorbs quickly, too. While there’s a slight sunscreen scent to the formula, it’s not offputting.

The pigment is glowy and blurring rather than tinted, as it’s designed to suit all skin tones (those on TikTok praise it as being brown- and dark-skin-friendly).

I’ve found that the pinky hue adapts to my skin tone for dewy, plump and glowy results, and the coverage works to mask small blemishes too. The light coverage is equally impressive, with one application lasting a good six hours.

Some might find the coverage a little too light, but the good news is that the formula sits nicely under other face bases. If you’re layering it under foundation or concealer, you won’t find any piling, with the Garnier formula doubling up as an SPF primer. For the price and generous tube size (40ml), this is a hero high street buy.

Back to top

The verdict: Garnier vitamin C daily UV brightening fluid glow

Easily rivalling more premium tinted SPF formulas, Garnier’s vitamin C face cream not only provides SPF50 protection but also gives skin glowy, lightweight coverage. The finish is long-lasting and dewy, while the value for money is stellar at less than £10.

Looking for more tinted SPF recommendations? We’ve rounded up our favourite formulas