If you have followed my posts here on Review This Reviews or on social media, you know that I am a 70-year-old woman who became a serious skincare enthusiast at age 65. Using a great anti-aging skincare routine consistently has helped me turn back the clock and look much younger than my chronological age. It has also helped me combat those pesky age spots AKA sun spots AKA hyperpigmentation that are the late-blooming results of having spent too many years unprotected by sunscreen.
Today, I know that daily sunscreen application, regardless of the weather, is the most important step in my skincare routine. As a result, I have a few favorite sunscreens to choose from, depending on my mood and my activities for the day. In general, I prefer tinted mineral sunscreens and rarely feel the need to wear foundation.
For everyday wear, I tend to gravitate toward Undefined Beauty's R&R Sun Serum, which is a sheer, liquid, broad-spectrum sunscreen with a lovely serum texture and SPF 50 PA++++ sun protection, as well as skincare ingredients like Niacinamide. I use the Light/Neutral shade, which is nearly invisible on my skin after I rub it in and has zero white cast. Alternatively, I use DRMTLGY Universal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46, a moisturizing tinted sunscreen with a mix of both chemical and physical sun filters and a choice of a dewy or matte finish (I prefer the dewy version), among a few other favorite sunscreens.
However, if I want to look a bit more polished and plan to wear a bit of makeup, I most often reach for my Toty Illumina CC Creamy Compact SPF 50+, which is a tinted mineral sunscreen and foundation hybrid that provides lightweight complexion coverage and a natural-looking satin finish. It costs a bit more than drugstore foundations with SPF, but provides much better sun protection and has additional anti-aging skincare benefits while giving a beautiful skin-like finish that is especially flattering to mature complexions.
IMPORTANT! When using most foundations with SPF, the amount of product you would need to apply to get the stated SPF protection would result in a very thick, cakey application, which is why most sunscreen foundations actually don't provide enough sun protection. They are also difficult to reapply during the day, which is important if you are going to be outdoors or by a sunny window.
FUN FACT: Toty is actress Sofia Vergara's skincare and sunscreen brand. The products are manufactured in Spain in a lab that is known for its extremely high quality skincare and sunscreen products.
Toty Ilumina CC Creamy Compact SPF 50+ Review
The Toty Ilumina CC Creamy Compact SPF 50+ is a next-generation complexion perfecter that combines makeup, skincare, and sun protection in one sleek compact. Designed for mature and sensitive skin, this luxurious CC compact delivers soft-focus, skin-blurring coverage with hydrating, anti-aging ingredients and powerful SPF 50+ defense.
Next-Generation Makeup: A Flawless, Second-Skin Finish
Unlike traditional CC creams or powder foundations, the Toty Ilumina CC Creamy Compact features tone-adapting pigments for a natural, velvety-satin finish that blends seamlessly into the skin.
- Soft-focus, skin-blurring coverage minimizes pores and imperfections
- Lightweight yet buildable for a fresh, natural look
- Tone-adapting pigments ensure a seamless shade match
- Available in 15 shades to suit a wide range of skin tones
- Long-lasting wear that holds up throughout the day
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| When I want to look a bit more polished and put on a little makeup, I use Toty Illumina CC Creamy Compact SPF 50+ to even out my complexion a bit while providing mineral sunscreen coverage |
Find Your Perfect Shade Easily
With 15 tone-adapting shades, this CC compact makes it effortless to find your match. Note: Not all the shades are available on Amazon, so you may prefer to purchase your Toty Illumina CC Creamy Compact SPF 50+ on the Toty website (affiliate link). Use Toty’s Shade Finder tool or upload a selfie on the Toty website to receive a personalized shade recommendation for the most natural, flawless finish.
Note: I find that this sunscreen is slightly darker and warmer than my complexion in the shade that was recommended for me, so although my complexion is light to light-medium and neutral, the shade 1C works best for me. Fortunately, since the compact is refillable, I was able to swap out my original shade for my newer shade just by purchasing a new refill.
Advanced SPF 50+ Protection: More Than Just Sunscreen
This 100% mineral SPF 50+ compact offers four levels of sun-aging defense:
- Broad-Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection to prevent premature aging
- Iron Oxides protect against Visible/Blue Light (from screens and indoor lighting)
- Antioxidants (PLE FERNBOOST) defend against oxidative stress and free radical damage
- Water & Sweat Resistant for 80 minutes, making it perfect for daily wear and reapplication
Unlike traditional sunscreens, this lightweight, non-greasy formula in a convenient compact allows for effortless on-the-go SPF re-application, helping you maintain youthful, healthy skin without disrupting your makeup.
Sun-Aging Defense Skincare: Nourish & Protect
This CC compact doesn’t just enhance your skin instantly—it actively improves skin health over time with powerful skincare ingredients:
- PLE FERNBOOST (a proprietary antioxidant blend) fights sun-induced aging
- Vitamin E provides deep hydration and shields against environmental damage
- Squalane replenishes moisture, keeping skin soft, supple, and youthful
Bonus Benefits: Clean, Clinically Tested, and Skin-Friendly
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free—no animal testing
- Dermatologist-Tested & Clinically Proven
- Non-Comedogenic—won’t clog pores or cause breakouts
- Suitable for Sensitive Skin—free of common irritants like gluten, nickel, parabens, lanolin, talc, and preservatives
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| Under the magnetic upper compartment that holds the mineral sunscreen foundation, there's a lower compartment with an applicator sponge, although I much prefer using the brush for a sheer application |
Pro Application Tips & Recommended Add-Ons
Use as the last step of your skincare routine and the first step of your makeup routine. This compact keeps your makeup flawless and your SPF protection in action all day.
How to Apply for a Flawless, Protected Look:
- Warm up the product by swirling the applicator sponge or, preferably, the Toty Illumina Brush into the sunscreen foundation in the Illumina CC Creamy Compact.
- Apply evenly across the face using smooth strokes, blending into the skin for a seamless finish.
- Reapply every two hours if you're outdoors or exposed to the sun. The sleek compact design makes it convenient to carry in your purse, backpack, or car for touch-ups throughout the day.
Recommended Add-Ons for a Perfect Finish:
Toty Illumina Brush (affiliate link)
The compact comes with a sponge applicator, but I find that the sunscreen makeup applies heavier than I would like with the sponge. For a more natural finish, I highly recommend getting the optional Toty Illumina Brush!
- Designed for precision application, angled for easy blending
- Soft, dense bristles ensure a streak-free, airbrushed finish
- Works perfectly with the Illumina CC Creamy Compact SPF 50+ to create a flawless yet natural, skin-like texture
Toty Rosita Storage Pouch (affiliate link)
- Chic, very lightweight, and functional for carrying your essentials
- The perfect size for carrying the CC Compact and Illumina Brush for touch-ups on the go
- Stylish storage in a light peach fabric with rose gold-tone metallic accents makes it a luxe addition to your beauty arsenal
Always Divina Set (affiliate link)
Get everything you need to stay sun protected on the go with the Toty Always Divina Set, which includes:
- The Toty Ilumina CC Creamy Compact in your choice of 15 tone-adapting shades
- The Toty Illumina Brush for a seamless, airbrushed application
- The Toty Rosita Zippered Storage Pouch to keep everything organized and ready for touch-ups on the go
This set is perfect for anyone who wants all three products in one convenient bundle.
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| My Toty Always Divina Set with the sunscreen makeup compact, brush, and pouch |
Toty Illumina CC Creamy Compact SPF 50+ Refill (affiliate link)
Once you buy the compact, you never need to buy another. Just buy a refill when you are running low. The refillable compact also gives you the option of buying refills in two shades, one for the winter and a slightly darker or warmer shade for the summer.
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| I love that the compact is refillable! |
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely! The Toty Ilumina CC Creamy Compact SPF 50+ is the ultimate hybrid of skincare, sun protection, and complexion perfection. If you want flawless, radiant skin with anti-aging benefits, this is one of the best sunscreen makeup compacts on the market.
In an independent 28-day consumer study of 87 women aged 18-65 (phototype I to VI):
- 98% said they were satisfied with how long it lasted on their skin
- 95% were satisfied with the product overall
- 92% agreed that pores, imperfections, and dark spots were visibly diminished
Pros:
- Soft-focus, blurring effect for a youthful look
- Long-lasting, lightweight coverage (98% of users agreed!)
- High SPF 50+ protection with iron oxides for blue light defense
- Water & sweat resistant (80 min)—great for all-day wear
- Infused with antioxidants & skincare ingredients
- Available in 15 adaptable shades for a natural, seamless match
- Easy shade matching with the Toty Shade Finder tool
- The Always Divina Set provides a complete, effortless beauty routine
Cons:
- Best applied with the Illumina Brush, which is sold separately unless purchased in the Always Divina Set.
- Might need to try more than one shade to find your perfect match.
- Natural Satin Finish may not appeal to women who prefer a glowy complexion product. For them, Toty Illumina Mineral Glow SPF 50+.
Who Should Try It?
- Women over 40 looking for a hydrating, natural-finish foundation with SPF
- Anyone with sensitive skin, rosacea, or mature skin concerns
- Those who want a long-wearing, breathable formula with anti-aging benefits
For the best experience, grab the Always Divina Set to get everything you need for a flawless, protected complexion in one go!
The Best, Most Attractive Sunscreen Makeup for Mature Skin by Margaret Schindel
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Skin care is so important as you have shown us! We should not wait till we are over a certain age to take care of our skin, it should start much earlier. We see the results in good skin care in your pictures Margaret. Thanks for giving us all this expertise!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Olivia! I wish when we were younger we had understood the importance of wearing sunscreen daily (instead of rubbing ourselves with baby oil to fry in the sun)!
DeleteAppreciate your research and knowledge on skin care products and for sharing these beauty tips with us.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, Elf! Sunscreen is the most important skincare we can use, and a sunscreen that is designed to even the complexion a bit (like a sheer foundation) and has great anti-aging skincare ingredients like the Toty Illumina CC Creamy Compact SPF 50+ can be a great alternative to conventional foundation with some SPF protection added.
DeleteYou do have beautiful skin, Margaret. I sure am glad we have you to do all of the testing for us and then give us recommendations based on your results. I am still using the EltaMD UV Physical tinted face sunscreen that you recommended years ago. Do you like this one better, or just as well?
ReplyDeleteIt’s my pleasure, Ms. Mouse! Yes, I still like and recommend the EltaMD UV Physical sunscreen. But so many other excellent tinted mineral sunscreens have been introduced since I published that review a few years ago. The EltaMD UV Physical is still a great option, but I find myself reaching for one of the three tinted mineral sunscreens I mentioned in this review most often now. And the Toty is the one that is most skin-perfecting while still looking skin-like and not feeling heavy on the skin. (Once I have applied it with the brush, I don’t notice it’s on, which is as it should be.) The Toty compact is also the easiest format for reapplying/touch-ups during the day if I’m out and about, and the wide range of shades available allows me to get a near-perfect shade match for my complexion.I hope that helps!
DeleteI'm sure I would like the skin-perfecting benefits since I don't wear a lot of makeup and I rarely apply foundation. Actually don't think I have used foundation in over a year. Having one product to do it all would be nice.
DeleteIn that case, I think you would love this product, Ms. Mouse! I strongly recommend getting the brush (for a perfect, sheet application) and the storage pouch so you can easily bring the compact and brush with you wherever you go for on-the-go sunscreen reapplication.
DeleteI’m all for simple. I will need to check this out
ReplyDeleteIt’s such a great one-and-done product that blends sun protection, anti-aging skincare ingredients, and a sheer coverage foundation into a single, easy-to-apply product in a convenient compact. I HIGHly recommend getting the brush for a sheer, skin-like application.
DeleteYou look absolutely fantastic and are a wealth of information for skincare products and tips. It's impressive how detailed you are in choosing and recommending skincare products - you provide such detailed info. I have to admit I need to think more about skincare, but I've been a bit basic about it. Since being blessed with good skin (knock on wood) I've tended to avoid speciality products, but honestly when I am in the market for something, you are my first go-to in terms of what I should choose.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your very kind words and vote of confidence! If you ever want any input on choosing skincare or beauty products, I’m always happy to help! 💗
DeleteIt's nice to know that there are sunscreen options in shades now. Last year, I looked like a ghost when I was working in my garden, ha! Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, it used to be so hard to find a tinted mineral sunscreen that looked skin-like on my light-medium complexion. They were mostly too warm or too dark for me. I love that Toty’s sunscreen/foundation hybrid comes in so many shades and looks so good on!
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