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For a natural, no-makeup makeup look, tinted moisturizers are a must. Lighter than traditional foundations, they offer just the right amount of coverage without congesting the skin so that it has room to breathe. This is especially great for the warmer months, when heavy makeup can feel uncomfortable.
The best tinted moisturizers feature ingredients that hydrate and nourish the skin; many have SPF protection, too. As someone who exclusively wears tinted moisturizers, I’ve tried a fair share of them — and I’m rounding up my favorites that live up to the hype.
How Do I Choose a Tinted Moisturizer?
Shade Range:
To find the best match for your skin tone, look for tinted moisturizers that offer a diverse shade range. A flexible shade range helps to ensure a seamless, natural-looking finish without the risk of an ashy or overly warm cast. In general, the more shade options, the better.
Skin Type:
When it comes to tinted moisturizers, options abound to suit every skin type and concern. For example, those prone to breakouts and have oily skin should look for oil-free formulas. Matte finishes, which help minimize shine, are also recommended. Similarly, I suggest keeping an eye out for options labeled "non-comedogenic." This means the ingredients won't clog pores, a common cause of breakouts.
Folks with dry skin, meanwhile, should seek out formulas with hydrating and moisturizing staples, which often include shea butter, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin. Finally, sensitive skin types should choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic options; bonus points if they have soothing ingredients like aloe.
Coverage and Finish:
To narrow down which tinted moisturizer is right for you, consider your desired coverage level. Products with sheer coverage offer the most natural look. And while they won’t fully conceal redness, blemishes, and dark spots, they help brighten the complexion and enhance radiance. On the contrary, tinted moisturizers with buildable formulas allow you to layer for a more even, perfected look without feeling heavy.
Finish is equally essential. Dewy formulas add a subtle glow, making them ideal for dry or dull skin, while matte finishes help control shine for a smooth, polished look — a prime pick for oily skin types.
Bonus Benefits:
While it's certainly not a requisite, most top-rated tinted moisturizers include SPF for added sun protection. Likewise, most top picks are packed with skincare benefits, featuring vitamins, fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals to nourish and support healthy skin.
The Best Tinted Moisturizers to Shop, STAT
Best for Dry Skin:
My dry skin absolutely drinks up this tinted moisturizer, packed with hydrating powerhouses like hyaluronic acid and squalane. Its lightweight, fluid-like consistency feels more like a serum than a traditional moisturizer, yet it still delivers all the benefits with its blend of humectants, nourishing glycerin, and emollients, such as vitamin-rich avocado oil. Plus, it absorbs quickly and effortlessly into the skin — sans any greasiness.
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Best for Sensitive Skin:
Kosas' fresh take on a tinted moisturizer is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, making it an optimal choice for sensitive skin. As its name suggests, its standout feature is a seemingly weightless gel-cream texture that feels silky smooth and delivers a natural finish — perfect for a no-makeup makeup look. Ingredient highlights include soothing zinc and collagen-boosting copper peptides.
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Best Sheer Coverage:
The Clinique Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator with SPF 25 provides up to 12 hours of hydration and protection while providing ultra-sheer coverage to smooth and even out your complexion. The dermatologist-tested formula is spiked with skin-care staples like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, soothing aloe, and brightening caffeine. It's also sweat- and humidity-resistant, making it an excellent choice for those in warm climates.
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Best for Oily Skin:
The oil-free version of Laura Mercier's fan-favorite tinted moisturizer is beloved by those with oily skin thanks to its matte finish to help minimize shine. Not only does it provide up to 24 hours of shine control, but it also boosts hydration for up to 16 hours — that is, all while reducing the appearance of pores. Of course, I'd be remiss not to mention the impressive shade range to suit a variety of skin colors and undertones. All in all, it's by far the best tinted moisturizer for oily skin.
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Best Medium Coverage:
This medium-coverage tinted moisturizer from Tarte features a unique whipped, fluffy texture that seemingly melts into the skin as opposed to just sitting on top. And despite its medium coverage, the tinted moisturizer is surprisingly featherlight and can be easily applied with your fingers (read: no brush or beauty sponge required). Oh, and did I mention it offers 12 hours of wear and SPF 20?
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Best for Mature Skin:
With its retinol-infused formula that stimulates collagen production and improves firmness and elasticity, Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector is an excellent tinted moisturizer for mature skin. This, combined with a slew of antioxidants and vitamins, enhances the skin’s vibrancy, brightness, and overall health — delivering a beautiful, subtly dewy finish for that lit-from-within glow. Plus, it provides SPF 20 protection to shield the skin from harmful UV rays. Its wallet-friendly price tag (under $15!) is a bonus.
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Best Matte:
If you prefer a matte finish over a radiant one, this tinted moisturizer from bareMinerals is well worth trying for an even, refreshed complexion (hence its name). The oil-free, fast-absorbing formula is packed with squalane, hyaluronic acid, and mineral-infused water to hydrate and balance the skin while helping to control excess oil and shine over time.
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Best Dewy:
Not only does Naturium's Dew-Glow Tinted Moisturizer offer SPF 50 protection, but it also leaves a dewy, radiant finish for an effortless glow. Don't be fooled by its featherweight feel: The formula packs a powerful punch thanks to ingredients like fatty acid-packed argan oil, barrier-strengthening niacinamide, and free radical-fighting vitamin E, as well as glycerin and squalane.
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Best for Acne-Prone Skin:
When it comes to the best tinted moisturizer for acne-prone skin, Saie's Slip Tint stands out. Its lightweight formula is non-comedogenic and packed with mineral SPF 35 and a slew of nourishing, hydration-boosting ingredients to help protect the skin barrier and regulate oil production, both of which are key when it comes to keeping acne at bay. These include hyaluronic acid, argan oil, glycerin, and aloe, along with licorice root extract to treat uneven skin tone (peace out, dark spots) and skin-smoothing jojoba esters
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Best SPF:
ILIA's Super Serum Skin Tint is a fan favorite for good reason. It offers SPF 40 protection, a potent skincare-infused formula, a beautiful radiant finish, and lightweight, buildable coverage. Alongside powerhouse ingredients like niacinamide, squalane, aloe, and hyaluronic acid, it also contains shea butter for a hefty dose of conditioning. Plus, with 30 shades, finding your perfect match is easier than ever.
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