The Milky Sunscreen vs. The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen

Any Tatcha sunscreen is designed to protect, but each formula has notable added benefits, too. We explore what makes The Milky Sunscreen and The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen different and help discover which formula is right for you.

Daily sunscreen is a nonnegotiable. Thanks to modern formulations, sunscreen is no longer sticky, thick, and white-casted. Rather, today’s innovative sunscreens are not only protective, silky, and invisible — they also have skin-benefiting properties that can actually improve the look and feel of skin. Suddenly, sunscreen is no longer a task, but rather a pleasure to apply. The less pleasurable part is trying to pick the right sunscreen for your skin’s needs.

Tatcha is downright enthusiastic about sun protection, and the Tatcha Institute in Tokyo is continuously and tirelessly working on exciting sunscreen products that not only protect but also improve the skin. Which brings us to today’s topic: we’re pleased to introduce you to our newest sunscreen, The Milky Sunscreen, an ultra-lightweight lotion with cellular-level hydration. But what makes it different from another Tatcha classic, The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen? We explore the difference between the two and help you decide which is right for you.

Why We Love The Milky Sunscreen

First and foremost, allow us to tell you more about the groundbreaking Milky Sunscreen. Powered by encapsulated ectoin, vitamin E, and Okinawa aloe, The Milky Sunscreen provides 50+ broad-spectrum protection and can also repair and diminish the look of previous UV damage. Shielding you from future damage while also addressing past UV damage is game-changing, but that’s not all it does, though. The ultra-lightweight lotion sunscreen also provides cellular-level hydration for all-day-long moisture. Refreshingly light, it absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth with a natural finish that works across skin tones and types.

In a clinical study of 30 panelists, 100 percent of users showed an immediate improvement in moisturization and skin barrier, and after two weeks of use, users showed visible improvements in fine lines, redness, and dark spots. (Huge!)

Why We Love The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen

Our first-ever sunscreen has a devoted fan base — and for good reason. The mattifying formula is unique for its ability to blur the look of pores, smooth skin texture, and create a smooth canvas for makeup. Think of it as sunscreen and a makeup primer in one sleek step. The silky cream texture provides a natural, matte finish for a polished look. Of course, the hybrid protection, with both chemical and mineral coverage, also shields from both UVA and UVB rays with SPF 35. The formula also includes wild rose (known for its ability to clarify) and silk extract for a silky, soft feel. While we work tirelessly to ensure these sunscreen formulas are ideal for all skin types, this mattifying formula is particularly wonderful for oily skin, a niche category that can be famously difficult to find.

The Milky Sunscreen vs. The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen

While we love both of our sunscreen formulations equally, of course, each product differs in unique benefits, allowing you to find your ideal match. What’s the difference between The Milky Sunscreen and The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen? Let us point out some of the most distinct differences.

Finish

The Milky Sunscreen has a natural finish that falls between matte and radiant; it dances along both lines beautifully, allowing the skin to look smooth and hydrated. This sunscreen has a satisfying milky lotion texture that quickly absorbs into the skin.

The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen has a matte finish that minimizes the look of pores and texture. The silky cream texture satisfingly applies, drying to a silky natural finish, acting as the perfect base for makeup, if you choose to apply after the SPF.

Protection

The Milky Sunscreen features 50+ protection. What does the “+” mean? It’s actually short for PA++++, which stands for the protection grade of UVA (these are the rays responsible for aging). There is a rating system (developed in Japan), with four +s being the highest possible protection. So, The Milky Sunscreen has UVB protection, of course, and has also been awarded the PA++++ rating, meaning it’s as high on the UVA protection scale as possible — aka good news for the healthy aging of your skin. The Milky Sunscreen features chemical coverage, allowing the formula to instantly and invisibly sink into the skin.

The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen offers a sun protection factor of 35, great for everyday coverage. The mineral and chemical protection is the best of both worlds, with both zinc oxide and octisalate for powerful UV coverage. The soft matte sunscreen also has a unique finish that doubles as a primer to refine and minimize the appearance of pores and allow makeup to glide on effortlessly.

Ingredients

Both broad-spectrum coverage sunscreens protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays, but their added skin-benefiting ingredients really set these two formulas apart.

The Milky Sunscreen

This new SPF has a whole slew of exciting ingredients that make it one of the most innovative formulas we’ve created yet. Here are a few notable ones:

• Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Filters

Taking a note from the exciting and milky sunscreens coming out of Japan, the Tokyo-based Tatcha Institute perfected a trio of filters that are refreshingly lightweight and absorb quickly on skin.

• Encapsulated Ectoin

A rising star in the skincare industry, ectoin helps to repair existing UV damage and hydrate the skin at the cellular level. Ectoin has been clinically shown to be a potent hydrating, soothing, and pore-minimizing antioxidant — aka a great additional ingredient in a sunscreen!

• Okinawa Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has been used for centuries as a skin-soothing ingredient. When added to sunscreen, it delivers soothing relief from dehydration and sun stress.

The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen

This classic formula is ideal for those seeking a natural, matte finish that minimizes the appearance of pores. This sunscreen accomplishes these impressive claims with a few clever ingredients:

• Zinc Oxide

This filter is one of the most effective against UVA and UVB rays, known to be especially wonderful for sensitive skin.

• Wild Rose

The botanical ingredient is known for its natural antiseptic qualities, as well as hydrating and soothing elements that clarify and smooth the skin. In the sunscreen, wild rose adds a pore-perfecting element to address skin texture and tone.

• Silk Extract

The silky ingredient helps skin to look healthier, smoother, and plumper. The silk extract provides hydration and a silky feel that makes it comfortable on the skin all day long.

How to Choose

How to choose between The Milky Sunscreen and The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen? It’s entirely personal preference, but which one is right for you could depend on the day and what you’d like your skin to look like that day (radiant vs. matte; mineral coverage vs. chemical vs. hybrid; repairing vs. pore perfecting). Both are beautiful options, the only tricky part is picking which one you’ll use today.

When to Choose The Milky Sunscreen

Reach for The Milky Sunscreen for everyday use, helping to shield UVA and UVB rays while addressing past sun damage, too. The light texture melts into skin, perfect for everyday use.

When to Choose The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen

The Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen is ideal for everyday usage, too. Reach for it on a day when you’d like more mattifying results, perhaps before you apply your makeup and would prefer it to have lasting power throughout the day.