A tinted moisturizer is basically the cure-all for indecisive folks who can’t decide between just a moisturizer or a full face of foundation. The double-duty product perfectly blends makeup and skincare to fix imperfections, enhance your complexion, protect you from the sun, boost hydration, and give you a healthy glow.
“Tinted moisturizers can be seen as an extension of your skincare routine, with the instant benefits of improved skin tone and added radiance,” says Dani Kimiko Vincent, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Kimiko. Also encompassing breakout-busting BB creams (which tend to offer slightly more coverage) and even fuller-bodied, color-correcting CC creams, “some tinted moisturizers address specific concerns including dry skin, acne-prone, or oily skin, and they often contain SPF to further simplify your routine,” she adds.
Whether you have sensitive or oily skin, or just want an effortless beauty routine, we’ve compiled a list of the 19 best tinted moisturizers you never knew you needed.
For Sunny Days
Saie
Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer
For Dewy-Looking Skin
Glossier
Perfecting Skin Tint
For a Fan-Favorite Option
Urban Decay
Hydromaniac Tinted Moisturizer
For a Drugstore Wonder
Milani
Milani Glow Hydrating Skin Tint
For Skincare Lovers
Honest Beauty
Clean Corrective With Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer
For All Skin Types
Laura Mercier
Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector Broad Spectrum SPF 30
For Dry Skin
Bare Minerals
Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
For a Plumped Effect
ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer
For Oily Skin
Tarte
Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen
For Mature Skin
Lancôme
Skin Feels Good Hydrating Skin Tint Healthy Glow SPF 23
For Drugstore Lovers
Maybelline New York
Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream
For an All-In-One Product
YSL
Touche Eclat All-in-One Glow
For Anti-Aging
Hourglass
Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint
For a Universal Shade
Josie Maran
Argan Daily Moisturizer Tinted SPF 47 Protect + Perfect
For a Rihanna-Approved Option
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
For On-The-Go Use
Milk Makeup
Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30
For a Lightweight Feel
Bobbi Brown
Nude Finish Tinted Moisturizer
For a Calming Effect
Winky Lux White Tea Tinted Veil Moisturizer
For Sensitive Skin
Ilia
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
What’s the difference between foundation and tinted moisturizer?
FAQs
If you want added coverage without feeling too weighed down, opt for a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation, as foundations are typically formulated to provide higher coverage. “Tinted moisturizers offer lighter coverage than foundations and allow more of your natural skin to show through,” Vincent adds.
What should I look for in a tinted moisturizer?
When shopping for a tinted moisturizer, you want to consider your skin type and amount of coverage. Choose a tinted moisturizer that suits your skin type, desired coverage level, and finish (dewy, matte, radiant, glowy, etc.). If you prefer a glowy finish, choose one that touts “radiance.” Also, you should look for skin tints with sun protection. Sunscreen should always be worn with or without makeup, but skin tints with SPF add an extra layer of sun protection.
How do I use a tinted moisturizer?
While the formulas are different, tinted moisturizers can be applied the same way you would a foundation. You can use your hands for light, your-skin-but-better coverage or reach for a foundation brush to build up the coverage to your liking.
Nerisha Penrose
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music).
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