The Best Tinted Moisturizers for Every Skin Tone and Type
The Best Tinted Moisturizers for Every Skin Tone and Type
Even if bare skin is your signature beauty look, you might still want a little coverage every now and then. That's because we can all suffer from the types of blemishes and skin discoloration that can crop up at any age as a result of hormonal changes, the sun, diet, and stress. If you're looking for different options, you probably already know there are so many light- to medium-coverage foundations out there designed to smooth out imperfections, but if you're not a big makeup wearer, traditional formulas can still feel too heavy. What's more, depending on your age and skincare routine, even the lightest of layers can settle into your skin creases and make you look older. For the makeup minimalist (or those looking to lighten up on your base during the warmest seasons of the year), a tinted moisturizer is the way to go.
Unlike most foundations, you'll find that wearing a tinted moisturizer also comes with some major skincare benefits without compromising on concealing pesky blemishes—depending on the formula that you choose, that is. Most are formulated as a moisturizer first, so things like deep hydration, antioxidant protection, and even smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles can come from these creams. Of course, you're also getting a hint of color to help hide any superficial concerns like dark spots or the occasional adult acne breakout.
You'll find that the majority of the tinted moisturizers we've rounded up also contain SPF, a year-round must-have for healthy skin. While the levels of protection vary from one formula to the next, having even just an SPF 15 in it is significant enough to reduce UVA and UVB damage in skin.
ILIA
If you're looking for coverage that's as light as it gets, suspended in a formula that feels more like skincare than makeup, this is it. This product also doubles as sunscreen, thanks to SPF 40.
Shop Now: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, $46, sephora.com.
Kosas
This luxurious tint contains a blend of six nutrient-packed oils, from avocado for intense hydration to meadowfoam, which gives the skin a supple, youthful glow. Green tea extract oil offers environmental protection.
Shop Now: Kosas Tinted Face Oil, $42, www.nordstrom.com.
Dr. Hauschka
Known for balancing the skin's oil and moisture levels, this a great pick for those with oily and combination complexions. We also like that it helps even tone if you've experienced any pigmentation.
Shop Now: Dr. Hauschka Tinted Day Cream, $45, dermstore.com.
Jane Iredale
If your skin is regularly shiny (which means your makeup tends to slip), reach for this water-resistant tint that's 100% vegan, minimizes the look of pores, and won't budge, even on the hottest of days.
Shop Now: Jane Iredale "Dream Tint" Tinted Moisturizer, $44, ulta.com.
Lune+Aster
This formula actively moisturizes, protects, and improves the look and texture of the skin with every use thanks to its powerful combination of hyaluronic acid, vegan collagen, and vitamin E.
Shop Now: Lune+Aster RealGlow Skin Tint, $52, macys.com.
Milk Makeup
On-the-go all the time? Use Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30, which contains avocado, mandarin, grapeseed, and olive oils to hydrate the skin all day long.
Shop Now: Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30, sephora.com.
NARS
This is a classic option for a reason—true to its name, it delivers radiance, pure and simple. SPF 30 keeps you protected outdoors while mineral-rich sea water softens skin.
Shop Now: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $45, sephora.com.
Honest
You'll find this clean tint in the beauty aisle of your drugstore, and once you bring it home, you'll quickly discover that it's just as good—or even better than—its pricier counterparts in terms of coverage and performance. Better yet, it's a six-in-one multitasker that primes, perfects, protects, blurs, brightens, and locks in moisture for up to 12 hours.
Shop Now: Honest Beauty Clean Corrective Tinted Moisturizer with Vitamin C, $21.99, target.com.
Charlotte Tilbury
Warm weather or not, this tinted moisturizer provides a summer glow all year round.
Shop Now: Charlotte Tilbury Unisex Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturizer, $40, sephora.com.
Lanc?me
Lanc?me's formula offers that elusive no-makeup look, but can be built up if you're looking for extra coverage.
Shop Now: Lanc?me "Skin Feels Good" Hydrating Skin Tint, $35, www.nordstrom.com.
Laura Mercier
This product is skincare and makeup in one—use it for hydration, light coverage, and to soften fine lines. As an added bonus, you'll love the perfectly dewy glow it provides.
Shop Now: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20, $46, sephora.com.
Winky Lux
White tea and pomegranate extract are rich in antioxidants that help protect skin from free radicals and other environmental stressors. This formula is also boosted with vitamins A and E to nourish skin while shielding sun rays with an SPF 30. Two new deeper colors were recently added to the lineup rounding it out to seven shades.
Shop Now: Winky Lux White Tea Tinted Veil Moisturizer, $28, ulta.com.
DECORTé
Mineral water, inflammation reducing algae, and antioxidants are the key ingredients in this tint, which treats skin from within while also smoothing away fine lines and discoloration on the surface. It comes in four shades that range from light to tan.
Shop Now: DECORTé Sheer Brilliance Soft Lifting Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 32, $95, saksfifthavenue.com.
Glo Skin
If your skin is on the oilier or combination end of the spectrum, this can be your daily go-to. It's oil-free, goes on light, but still covers, and most importantly, it shields skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
Shop Now: Glo Skin Moisturizing Tint SPF 30+, $44, dermstore.com.
YENSA
Think of this as your three-in-one daily skincare regimen. The brand's 8 SuperBlacks Essence, which is at the heart of this moisturizer, is a blend of deeply nourishing and protecting ingredients like black tea, black sesame oil, and chia seeds. Although it's called a foundation, you'll find that it isn't heavy. It comes in a nice range of eight shades and has SPF 40.
Shop Now: YENSA Tone Up Primer + BC Foundation Duo, $38, qvc.com.
It Cosmetics
You'll have no need for a traditional foundation once you add this powerhouse product to your routine. In addition to providing full coverage, it also improves redness, dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles while also protecting your skin from the sun.
Shop Now: It Cosmetics "Bye Bye Foundation" Full Coverage Moisturizer with SPF 50+, $39.50, ulta.com.
Amarte
Superfine pigments let you layer without caking or flaking, making this sheer tint and ideal pick if you want to finish off your makeup regimen or wear it solo. There's also broad spectrum SPF 36 to protect against the sun and argan oil to keep skin hydrated.
Shop Now: Amarte Natural Finish BB Cream Light Tint, $65, dermstore.com.
First Aid Beauty
There are five new shades of this cult fave tint (for a total of 10) that keeps skin hydrated for 12 hours, smoothes over pores and discoloration and helps hide redness. The mousse-like texture goes on nicely, too.
Shop Now: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, $20, ulta.com.
Giorgio Armani
Use this luxe tinted moisturizer just once and you'll be ready to toss your BB and CC creams. In addition to blurring imperfections, this unique formula also packs anti-aging benefits and improves skin's natural radiance over time.
Shop Now: Giorgio Armani "Crema Nuda" Supreme Glow Reviving Tinted Cream, $200 for 1.7 oz, www.nordstrom.com.
Hourglass
With skincare in mind, this is infused with moisture all-star hyaluronic acid to really help plump and fill fine lines and wrinkles, and tighten and tone any sagging. Plus, it comes in 12 shades and has an SPF 15.
Shop Now: Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint, $56, sephora.com.
Pur-lisse
This formula is a beauty balm, tinted moisturizer, and sunscreen in one. With it, you'll filter out any flaws while treating skin with brightening Gogi and Hawthorn berries and hydrating jasmine.
Shop Now: Pur-lisse Perfect Glow BB Cream SPF 30, $35, dermstore.com.
Beautycounter
Talk about a quadruple threat: This lightweight formula provides hydration, sheer coverage, sun protection (it contains SPF 20), and a dewy glow (thanks to vitamin C).
Shop Now: Beautycounter "Dew Skin" Tinted Moisturizer, $45, beautycounter.com.
Merle Norman
Give skin a dewy, not sweaty looking finish and keep harmful sun rays at bay—all with a few swipes.
Shop Now: Merle Norman Sheer Defense Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15, merlenorman.com.
These formulas offer sheer coverage and are perfect for warmer weather.