Review + Swatches: The Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint
Shiseido is famous for their skincare, but did you know that they consistently create some of the best foundations in the world? Seriously. Whatever your skin type or skin need is, there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for you! They have powders, creams, liquids, and hybrids to address skin concerns. I’ve used the Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation (Old Formula) before and Liz loved the Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation she tested last year.
This year I got to try out the Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint (P2,550). There's a foundation version launched in 2019, but this one is a tinted moisturizer. I'm expecting light coverage only as it is marketed as a tint and the brand does recommend using a concealer if more coverage is needed. According to Shiseido, as much as 70% skincare ingredients were added for up to 24 hours hydration. Its star ingredients are squalane and hyaluronic acid.
L-R: Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint Shades 115, 125, 215, 225, 235, 325, 335
From the promotional materials, there are a total of 12 shades for the product but only eight are available via Shiseido Philippines. The shades I used were 225 Light Magnolia and 235 Light Hiba. Shiseido recommends that you can use a lighter or deeper shade "to boost brightness or add warmth."
L-R: Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint in 225 Light Magnolia, 235 Light Hiba
Full swatch
Partially blended
Fully blended
I found the Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint to be true to its claim. I like how it makes my skin feel moisturized sans the typical, heavy moisturizer feel. It is one of the better tinted moisturizer formulas in the market and ranks in my top two from a round-up of similar products of both foreign and PH brands! It is a tint first and foremost which means that coverage is incredibly sheer. It does blur my pores a bit but it won’t fully cover redness or undereye circles. If you enjoy a light, moisturizer-like base but want a bit more coverage, applying concealer is a must.
I have dry, dehydrated skin and if my skin is extra behaved that day (super minimal redness, lots of sleep and water intake), I find that I can get away with using just this as a base. However, any signs of under eye circles and you’d need concealer already unless you’re not typically bothered by slight imperfections. Or, set it with tinted powder/powder foundation on top which is what I plan to do moving forward.
The Tint does have SPF but as with any base SPF, I still wear a dedicated sunscreen underneath. In the wear test above, I intentionally did not set the Tint with any powder and I found the oiliness to be concentrated on my T-zone which is expected. There is some wearing off of the Tint but somehow, my skin still looks slightly “filtered” and I just blot the oil away.
Overall, I enjoy using the Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint. If you have minimal skin imperfections and are just looking for a moisturizing tint to improve your skin’s hydration and overall tone, then this may be the base for you. But if you want some coverage on your skin, then Shiseido’s other base products will prove to be a better buy.
The Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint is available online at Lazada, Rustan's, and the Shiseido Philippines website. If you go purchase in store, they have a Synchro Switch promo where you can save P500 on the Synchro Skin series when you bring any foundation or serum container.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 6.7% , Octocrylene 3.0%, Titanium Dioxide 2.0%
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Methicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Trisodium EDTA, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Polysilicone-2, Sodium Citrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Isododecane, PEG/PPG-19/19 Dimethicone, BHT, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trimethylsiloxysilylcarbamoyl Pullulan, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Mica
