There are two things I invariably reach for at this lovely time of year: a trench coat and tinted sunscreen. The life-changing appearance of sunlight – if not quite blazing heat – means that most of us are venturing outdoors for longer periods while perhaps lightening our makeup load a little to be more seasonally appropriate. A tinted sunscreen in the right formula can kill two – or even three – birds with one stone, offering some makeup coverage, lighter moisture and high-factor sun protection in one portable product.

Garnier Ambre Solaire makes lots of terrific facial sunscreens at very good prices. The newish Vitamin C Wonder Tint SPF50 (£9.99) is among their best. Available in light, medium and dark, it’s a silky sunscreen that packs enough glycerin to moisturise skin as well as protect it, making it a good choice for drier skin types. The pocket-friendly bottle is compact and practical if, like me, you’re likely to throw on your makeup on the move. The three shades are inadequate, but give a sheer, natural-looking tint to most wearers.

More inclusive is Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen SPF30 (£17) from fairly priced Korean brand Beauty of Joseon, available in 12 shades and various undertones. The formulation is very thin, making it easy to get enough on, and although the coverage is minimal, this does sit obediently underneath any makeup (concealer, bronzer and so on) arriving after it.

Besides, this very translucent finish is important, because it avoids the one difficulty in the otherwise simple option of tinted sunscreen application: the balance of wearable coverage with adequate sun protection. Apply too little and your SPF dose is insufficient (manufacturers and dermatologists tend to recommend 1.25ml – a quarter of a teaspoon – of sunscreen for face and neck), apply too much and you’re caked in what looks like heavy makeup. The solution is to apply the product in two or three layers, working in each pump or squeeze separately before the next. It eliminates a slippery mess and cakey finish.

If your skin or (more likely) eyes react badly to synthetic sun filters, Merit has a great tinted sunscreen in a gentler, mineral form. The Uniform (£34) is a comfortable, ungreasy balm in 20 well-considered shades that are so sheer one can easily choose one that is darker or warmer for a realistic springtime glow. I can smear this all over my eyelids before concealer and not endure the stinging and streaming I’ve come to expect from synthetics.