I’m not exaggerating when I say this has become my absolute favorite base sunscreen of the year. The d’Alba Waterfull Tone-Up Sun Cream is one of those products that instantly makes you feel prettier before you’ve even touched makeup — and I live for that kind of magic.

Let’s start with what I noticed first: the texture. 

It’s so different from other tone-up sunscreens I’ve tried — not heavy, not chalky, and definitely not one of those dry, clingy creams that exaggerate flakes. It comes out of the tube looking like a soft, almost airy cream, and the moment you start blending it into your skin, it turns into this hydrating veil. I was genuinely shocked at how moist it felt without being greasy.

It glides across the skin like a light moisturizer and blends in seamlessly. No streaking, no weird patches, no piling. It doesn’t emphasize dryness or cling to pores — which is RARE for tone-up products, in my experience.

But the REAL star of the show? The tone-up effect.

Listen. I’ve tried a lot of “tone-up” sunscreens that either make me look ghostly or barely do anything.

This one finds that perfect middle ground. It gives a soft, radiant brightening effect — almost like a filter in real life. My skin looks visibly more even, less dull, and has that healthy “woke-up-like-this” kind of glow. Not sparkly. Not shimmery. Just clearer, cleaner, better-looking skin.

What blew me away even more was how well this works under makeup. I’ve been using it like a primer — I apply a light layer after skincare, wait a minute, and then go in with a skin tint or cushion. 

My base goes on smoother, adheres better, and I swear it looks brighter and more even throughout the day. It almost acts like a moisturizing tone-corrector and SPF in one.I have light-medium skin with neutral undertones, and the tone-up doesn’t make me look pink or pale. 

It actually makes my skin tone look more balanced. And on no-makeup days, I wear this alone with some lip balm and feel totally confident walking out the door.

For reference, I have normal to slightly dry skin, and this never feels tight or uncomfortable. I could see oily skin types finding it a bit dewy at first, but it sets nicely with time — not fully matte, but a healthy glow that stays put.

Honestly? This is one of those rare sunscreens that makes you look forward to applying SPF. The texture, the finish, the scent (subtle and clean), and the tone-up effect — it all feels intentional, like skincare-meets-beauty in the best way.

Bottom line: if you want a glowy, flattering, non-cakey tone-up sunscreen that doubles as a primer and leaves you looking bright and alive — this is it. I’m already planning to buy a second tube for my travel bag.