Achieving a glowy, radiant-looking base doesn’t mean you have to layer on multiple products. In most cases, less is more! That’s why we love tinted moisturizers; they are multitaskers that deliver the best of both worlds: makeup and skincare. Depending on your needs, these hardworking formulas work as the perfect makeup base with added hydration, sun protection, and more.
If you like a full-coverage face of makeup, tinted moisturizers may not be for you. However, if a minimal, lightweight makeup look (and application process) is more you, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, we rounded up the best-tinted moisturizers for every skin type, but first, we tapped the experts to break down what to look for when shopping for a tinted moisturizer.
What to look for
Coverage Level:
Some formulas offer barely-there translucence, while others build up to medium coverage. At the end of the day, it’s all about personal preference. Makeup artist and writer Yanira Garcia Andel swears by tinted moisturizers for her ideal look. “Tinted moisturizers even out skin tone without feeling heavy like many foundations. In many ways, they are an extension of your skincare as many are made with skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help hydrate and smooth out the texture.” If you’re looking for versatility, we recommend using a tinted moisturizer with medium buildable coverage. This allows you to build layers for fuller coverage or sheer it out for a more simplistic look.
Finish:
From dewy to matte, choose a finish that complements your skin type and desired look. If you have dry skin, look for one with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. If you have oily skin, use a tinted moisturizer with a satin or matte finish that will mute extra shine. If you are prone to acne, makeup artist Kristen Arnett recommends avoiding products with dewy and radiant finishes. “Many tinted moisturizers have a fair amount of mica (glitter) in them, which makes the skin look radiant but can also contribute to skin irritation and make your skin look shinier. If texture is your concern, the glitter particles can worsen the look of texture, not improving it.”
Shade Range:
When shopping for traditional foundation, finding your perfect shade is super important. However, with tinted moisturizers, it’s not that imperative. That’s because the pigment is less intense and coverage is more sheer. “Tinted moisturizers tend to have less shade variety, but due to their low coverage, that’s often not a big deal as people can fall between two shades and get away with the discrepancy,” explains Arnett. Instead, look for tinted moisturizers that match your skin tone (light, fair, medium, deep) to ensure a seamless match. Of course, you can also play and layer on concealers, bronzers, and blush to enhance your face (or not), which is the beauty of makeup—it’s all up to you!
From drugstore gems to luxury splurges, we’ve curated our favorite formulas for most skin types and concerns.
