Best for Mature Skin
Chanel Les Beiges
Best for Mature Skin
Chanel Les Beiges
Pros
- Filter-like finish
- Lightweight
Cons
- Thin consistency
Shades: 29
Finish: Dewy
Size: 1 fl. oz
“Ever wonder why your foundation may look cakey and dry by the end of the day? It’s literally because when you apply your skin care and makeup, your skin pulls all the water out of the products to hydrate itself. The key to preventing this atrocity is hydrated skin. The secret weapon? Well, this tinted moisturizer is a great star. It’s like a glass of water for your skin—and that’s no surprise, as H2O is one of the main ingredients. The pigmented micro-droplets blend seamlessly into your skin, providing light to medium coverage. My face looks and feels so refreshed when I wear this. It’s one of my favorites to take on beach vacations for that ‘no makeup’ makeup look.” —Danielle James, ELLE.com beauty director
Best for Buildable Coverage
Hermes Hermes Plein Air
Best for Buildable Coverage
Hermes Hermes Plein Air
Pros
- Lightweight finish
- Buildable coverage
Cons
- Pricey
Shades: 29
Finish: Dewy
Size: 1 fl. oz
“A French girl’s effortless beauty is always my makeup goal, and the Hermes tinted moisturizer gets the job done. Typically, I find products like these to be either too heavy or way too light, but this version hits the perfect middle ground. Not to mention, I get a little thrill knowing that I’m slathering one of the most luxurious brands on my face.”—Tatjana Freund, fashion and luxury commerce editor
Best for Sun Protection
Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer
Best for Sun Protection
Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer
Credit: Courtesy of BrandPros
- Light coverage
- Clean beauty
- Radiant finish
Cons
- May be hard to get out of the packaging
Shades: 14
Finish: Dewy
Size: 1 fl. oz
“It’s hard to find something that agrees with my combination skin that's oily one minute and dry the next. This moisturizer disappears into my skin and leaves a soft glow all day long, and the hyaluronic acid makes sure I’m not caked up or dried out by the end of the day. It also has SPF 30 built-in, cutting that extra step out of my routine. A must-have!!!” —Kevin Leblanc, ELLE fashion associate
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For a Rihanna-Approved Option
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
For a Rihanna-Approved Option
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Credit: CourtesyPros
- Lightweight finish
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Thin consistency
Shades: 25
Finish: Natural
Size: 1.08 fl. oz
“As much as I love a full glam look, my extremely dry skin does not, so opting for a tinted moisturizer has always been the best route for me. I love this skin tint because it gives me the coverage I’m looking for without drying out my skin. And it leaves a gorgeous dewy finish that I absolutely love!” —Tasha Nicole Smith, Beauty Assistant
Best Clean Beauty
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Best Clean Beauty
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Pros
- Skin-loving ingredients
- Expansive shade range
Cons
- Can feel greasy
Shades: 29
Finish: Dewy
Size: 1 fl. oz
“By now, Ilia’s serum is part of my daily routine. I love that it feels lightweight but offers great, buildable coverage and makes my skin feel smooth and glowy. It works like foundation and skincare at the same time and I’m thoroughly obsessed.” —Erica Gonzales, ELLE.com senior culture editor
Best Drugstore Option
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Serum Foundation
Best Drugstore Option
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Serum Foundation
Now 17% Off
Credit: Courtesy of BrandPros
- Serum texture
- Super hydrating
- Formulated for sensitive skin
Cons
- Dries quickly
Shades: 15
Finish: Dewy
Size: 1 fl. oz
“If I’m ever in a bind and need a quick drugstore foundation, this moisturizing serum pick is my go-to. It’s feather-light but tinted enough to blur any blemishes or hyperpigmentation. Plus the ingredients add much-needed hydration to my chin and cheeks whenever they get dull and dry. Sometimes I even mix this product into my medium-coverage foundation to give it a moisturizing boost.” —Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE.com culture writer
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Best of Amazon
Elta MD UV Daily Tinted Sunscreen
Best of Amazon
Elta MD UV Daily Tinted Sunscreen
Credit: Courtesy of BrandPros
- Two-in-one with SPF
- Dermatologist approved
Cons
- Very light coverage
Shades: 1
Finish: Natural
Size: 1.7 fl. oz
“My dermatologist advised me to wear SPF every day. This tinted sunscreen is a two-in-one that saves room in your makeup bag.” —Claire Stern, digital director
Best Two-In-One
Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
Best Two-In-One
Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
Credit: Courtesy of BrandPros
- Eczema safe
- Vegan formula
Cons
- May transfer
Shades: 17
Finish: Natural
Size: 1 fl. oz
“I call this my ‘Farmer’s market’ foundation. Because I’ve discovered that my favorite bread vendor has lines starting from 9 AM on a Saturday, I need to hustle out of bed earlier than I would like on the weekend. On those mornings, I don’t really feel like putting on a full face, so this combo of SPF, moisturizer, and light foundation will do. It gives me some coverage for acne scars and redness, and a dewy finish that makes me feel somewhat put-together while I play my favorite game of, ‘Which fancy celebrity Brooklyn mom is that?’ (The answer is usually Jemima Kirke).” —Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director
Ami Colé Skin Enhancing Tint
Ami Colé Skin Enhancing Tint
Credit: Courtesy of BrandPros
- Black-owned brand
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Has silicones
Shades: 6
Finish: Natural
Size: 1 fl. oz
“I couldn’t be a minimalist, ‘clean’ makeup girl even if I tried—I’m the full-glam type through and through. But on the days I want something light but still semi-full coverage, Ami Cole’s Skin Enhancing Tint meets me right in the middle. The formula is a buttery smooth texture that doesn’t leave a greasy finish, covers most of my post-picking dark spots, and can be easily built up to my desired coverage without feeling cakey.” —Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
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Best Clean Beauty
True Botanicals Everyday Skin Tint SPF 30
Best Clean Beauty
True Botanicals Everyday Skin Tint SPF 30
Now 75% Off
Pros
- Glowy finish
- SPF 30
Cons
- Can be too heavy for some
Shades: 18
Finish: Natural
Size: 1 fl. oz
“I’ve always been a fan of mattifying beauty products as I struggle with an oily T-zone. But this airy, tinted moisturizer actually makes me feel confident in rocking a dewy look, especially in the sweaty summer months when I want to go lighter on makeup. Formulated with ingredients designed to mimic the natural oils of the skin, it somehow provides a perfectly glowy finish without overdoing it. It’s also gentle on skin, deeply moisturizing, and contains a solid SPF for necessary sun protection.” —Sam Peters, Hearst senior commerce editor
Best BB Cream
Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer with Niacinamide and SPF 40
Best BB Cream
Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer with Niacinamide and SPF 40
Pros
- Color correcting
- SPF 40
- Smooth fomula
Cons
- Only four shades
Shades: 4
Finish: Natural
Size: 1.35 fl. oz
“This BB cream is my current must-have. I’ve been dealing with skin flare-ups, and this has done the perfect job of offering coverage without doing any damage to irritated areas. Even on clear skin days, I love the way this evens and brightens my skin tone. It’s totally the ‘your skin, but better’ effect. The only downside is I have to be super sure to really rub it into the jawline, otherwise, it mingles with my regular moisturizer to form a line.” —Meg Donohue, ELLE.com associate fashion commerce editor
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 more coverage. “Tinted moisturizers offer lighter coverage than foundations and allow more of your natural skin to show through,” Vincent says.
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What should I look for in a tinted moisturizer?
When shopping for a tinted moisturizer, you want to consider your skin type and the amount of coverage you’re looking for. 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.
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Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
Margaux Anbouba wants to try it all and do it all…and she does as ELLE’s beauty editor. She's not afraid to chop, slather, dye, swipe, inject, and more—and if it's worth your time and money, she’ll rave about it here.
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Since joining ELLE.com in 2017, she has interviewed countless skincare professionals and personally tested the latest and greatest products across makeup, skincare, and hair care.
Tasha Nicole Smith is ELLE Magazine’s beauty assistant.
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