16 Tinted Moisturizers That Are Basically the Paris Filter in a Bottle
Here’s the key to perfecting your “no makeup” makeup look.
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
The most essential part of mastering the no-makeup-makeup look is creating the perfect base. Sure, a foundation can easily provide the coverage and finish you desire in a few swipes, but is it actually doing anything for your skin? If you're looking for a multipurpose product that can deliver the coverage, finish, and nourishment you desire, look no further than the best tinted moisturizers on the market.
Existing at the intersection of a moisturizer and foundation, a tinted moisturizer carries the nourishment of your favorite daily face cream with a little pigment to correct and brighten your complexion, similar to a foundation. In other words, it's a lighter alternative to foundation with impressive skin-friendly benefits that look good and feel even better.
“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.
Our picks for the best tinted moisturizers of 2024
Whether you have sensitive or oily skin or just want an effortless beauty routine, there’s a tinted moisturizer out there for you. We polled ELLE’s editors—all experts on getting ready in a rush (hello, deadlines) on the 16 best tinted moisturizers on the market.
Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50
Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50
Pros
- Buildable coverage
- Weightless dry-down
Cons
- Pricey
Shades: 14
Finish: Natural
Size: 1.18 fl oz
“When I love a product, I'll use it for days on end until I get sick of it. It's been weeks and I'm still singing the praises of this SPF tint. Supergoop's Protec(Tint) offers enough coverage to conceal my dark spots, has a slightly radiant finish, and feels weightless on the skin. I love pairing it with a concealer and just lightly dusting my face for an effortless look. So many people have asked what foundation I'm wearing, and I always respond with a smirk. SPF can be just as flawless as your favorite foundation.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Vanilla
Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Vanilla
Pros
- Contains SPF 15
- Natural finish
Cons
- Could use more shades
Shades: 12
Finish: Radiant
Size: 1.7 fl oz
“I’ve always had a hard time finding a skin tint that evens out my skin without covering up my freckles. Chantecaille’s Just Skin gives just the right amount of coverage, and it genuinely doesn’t look like you’re wearing any makeup when you have it on. I also love the finish—I’ve tried so many skin tints that end up making my face look greasy, but this one makes skin look glowy without imparting too much shine.”—Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint
Shades:
Finish:
Size: 1.58 fl oz
“DANIELLE”
ROSE INC Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum
ROSE INC Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Evens tone
Cons
- May not be best for dry skin
Shades: 14
Finish: Luminous
Size: 1 fl oz
“On my quest to nail down the perfect base routine that imparts a supermodel-like glow and evens out my tone, I stumbled upon this tinted serum from Rose Inc. The packaging looks intimidating—I mean, anyone would question if those tiny pigment beads look that way on the skin. Let me reassure you: the micro pigment particles dissolve when blended out with your skin and leave a gorgeous, subtle sheen in its wake. Even with my dark marks, this tinted serum gives a sheer blanket of coverage that doesn't conceal everything but still offers enough pigment to mimic the subtle Instagram filter.”—Nerisha Penrose
Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint
Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint
Pros
- Breathable
- Radiant finish
Cons
- Will need multiple layers for those with dark marks
Shades: 12
Finish: Dewy
Size: 1 fl oz
“At first glance, this formula is a little unassuming. Upon application, it seems like it’ll barely give any coverage, but even when my acne was at its worst, this Glossier Skin Tint was one of my go-to. The formula is so moisturizing that it glided over any dry spots (or scabs from secretly picking at my blemishes), and it has enough coverage that it camouflaged my persistent redness with ease. A little Glossier Stretch Concealer over my breakouts and I was good to go! Plus, the best part is that no matter how many times you layer it, it looks like skin—just glowier and perfected.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate e-commerce writer
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
Hermes Hermes Plein Air
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
Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer
Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer
Pros
- 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
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Pros
- 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
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
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
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Serum Foundation
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Serum Foundation
Pros
- 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
Elta MD UV Daily Tinted Sunscreen
Elta MD UV Daily Tinted Sunscreen
Pros
- 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
Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
Pros
- 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
Pros
- Breatheable
- 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
True Botanicals Everyday Skin Tint SPF 30
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
Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer with Niacinamide and SPF 40
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.
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.
Meet the Expert
Dani Kimiko Vincent is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of the Japanese cosmetics brand Kimiko.
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