21 Best Tinted Moisturizers, Tested and Reviewed for 2023

On Jan 31, 2023

James Gourley

On days when my skin just isn’t looking it’s best, I have one agenda: lie about it to everyone. A tinted moisturizer is basically the cure-all for indecisive people 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 21 best tinted moisturizers you never knew you needed.

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Best For Sun Protection

Saie

Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer

Shades	14
Finish	Radiant
Size	1.35 fl. oz.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Dr. Jart+

Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer

Shades	4
Finish	Natural
Size	1.35 fl. oz.

Best For Glowing Skin

True Botanicals

Everyday Skin Tint SPF 30

Shades	18
Finish	Dewy
Size	1 fl. oz.

Best for Clean Options

Honest Beauty

Clean Corrective With Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer

Shades	9
Finish	Radiant
Size	1 fl. oz.

Best Drugstore Option

Milani

Milani Glow Hydrating Skin Tint

Shades	8
Finish	Dewy, sheer
Size	1 fl. oz.

For Sensitive Skin

Ilia

Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

Shades	29
Finish	Dewy
Size	1 fl. oz.

For Mature Skin

Lancôme

Skin Feels Good Hydrating Skin Tint Healthy Glow SPF 23

Shades	13
Finish	Sheer
Size	1.08 fl. oz.

For an All-In-One Product

YSL

Touche Eclat All-in-One Glow

Shades	2
Finish	Natural
Size	1 fl. oz.

For Fine Lines

ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer

Shades	20
Finish	Natural
Size	1.45 fl. oz

For Mature Skin

Urban Decay

Hydromaniac Tinted Moisturizer

Shades	9
Finish	Dewy
Size	1.1 fl. oz.

For All Skin Types

Laura Mercier

Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Shades	7
Finish	Dewy
Size	1.7 fl. oz.

For Irritated Skin

Winky Lux

White Tea Tinted Veil

Shades	3
Finish	Sheer
Size	1 fl. oz.

For Dewy Skin

Glossier

Perfecting Skin Tint

Shades	12
Finish	Dewy
Size	1 fl. oz.

For a Rihanna-Approved Option

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

Shades	25
Finish	Natural
Size	1.08 fl. oz.

For A Budget

Maybelline New York

Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream

Shades	5
Finish	Dewy
Size	1 fl. oz.

For Dry Skin

Bare Minerals

Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer

Shades	7
Color	Radiant
Size	1.18 oz.

For a Universal Shade

Josie Maran

Argan Daily Moisturizer Tinted SPF 47 Protect + Perfect

Shades	1
Finish	Radiant
Size	2 fl. oz.

For Anti-Aging

Hourglass

Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint

Shades	12
Finish	Radiant
Size	1 fl. oz.

For a Lightweight Feel

Bobbi Brown

Nude Finish Tinted Moisturizer

Shades	9
Finish	Radiant
Size	1.7 fl. oz.

For Oily Skin

Tarte

Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen

Shades	6
Finish	Natural
Size	1.7 fl. oz.

For On-The-Go Use

Milk Makeup

Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30

Shades	14
Finish	Natural
Size	0.54 fl. oz.

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 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.

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.

Tatjana Freund is ELLE’s Beauty E-Commerce Writer. She has interviewed scores of skincare professionals and has the smallest baby pores you’ve ever seen.

Sam Peters is a seasoned commerce writer and editor with over five years of experience covering fashion, beauty, and lifestyle topics.

Nerisha Penrose
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music).

Tatjana Freund
Beauty Commerce Writer
Tatjana Freund is a Beauty Commerce Writer, covering makeup, skincare, and haircare products and trends.

Sam Peters
Commerce Editor
Sam Peters is a Commerce Editor at Hearst covering fashion, beauty and more.

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