There is nothing quite like post-facial skin. Plump, bouncy, so dewy it’s almost damp — I love everything about it. But daily facials are obviously not my reality, so I am always looking for products that will emulate a similar glow. Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint is my most recent — and quite possibly most successful — discovery. I’d read good things on the internet, but I’m always dubious when it comes to complexion products that promise the world. However, this is a rare occurrence where the said product actually delivers.

Super Serum is best described as a makeup-skincare hybrid. It offers light coverage, but the ingredients listing reads more like a treatment product. There’s squalane (a natural emollient), hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, shea butter, aloe vera…. I could go on. To top it off, it’s also full of zinc oxide, which is why it claims an SPF of 40. Call me impressed.

The texture is thicker than a normal serum, but it glides on and melts like butter. You don’t need much product-wise — one pipette was good for me. This is an issue when it comes to the SPF as it’s not enough to offer adequate protection, so my advice is to use your regular SPF underneath and treat this as a bonus.

As for the coverage, it’s so light and luminous. It evens out little marks, unifies tone and makes you look lit-from-within — as if you swallowed a lightbulb. It’s not greasy, just fresh and healthy. I used my fingers to apply (lazy) but you could buff it in with a brush or blending sponge if you prefer. It’s silicone-free so does take a minute to ‘become one’ with the skin, but the end result is worth it.

When you factor in that it’s good-for-skin, it really does feel like a complexion holy grail. It’s also lockdown-friendly, and perfect for boosting morale before a long, tedious day of zoom calls.

Contributing Editor Emily Wearing the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint.

The Super Serum Skin Tint also comes in 40 shades, and is available via Mecca Cosmetica.

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Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, $73. SHOP NOW