I don’t like applying makeup every day! However, I don’t like stepping out with dull-looking skin either, with my acne scars and dark spots on display! Hence, for years now, I’ve always used the best tinted moisturizer for my skin type — be it in the form of a BB cream, CC cream, or a naturally-pigmented mineral sunscreen — to brighten up my skin a bit and blur our imperfections. In fact, I’ve always used tinted moisturizers as a replacement for my foundation in several cases! After all, they are perfect for achieving no-makeup makeup looks while maintaining healthy skin. 

While base makeup products such as foundations may offer ample coverage for imperfections, they often prevent the skin from breathing and maintaining its homeostasis, which makes it difficult to apply them every day. Besides, too much pigment can sometimes make the skin dry and make the finish look cakey and artificial. Tinted moisturizers, on the other hand, are essentially skincare products to hydrate the skin. Hence, they don’t disrupt the skin’s usual functioning and offer a sheer finish, which also allows the skin to breathe and appear more natural — hence, a better choice for daily use.

I have used several products like this in the past, many of which have been infused with UV filters and antioxidants to further augment the skincare benefits. Considering the kind of tinted moisturizer connoisseur my past experiences have made me, I would like to recommend my favorite product picks for the same. So, scroll away to see my product picks! 

• 1
  Best Hypoallergenic Formula

  bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

  Buy on Amazon

A small quantity of this tinted moisturizer with SPF by bareMinerals goes a long way, and the shade accuracy of this product is so good that it didn’t look artificial at all and blended with my skin really well. The water-drenched formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid and olive-derived squalene, which allow it to hydrate the skin rather effortlessly and smooth its texture sublimely (studies by the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules and the Journal of Cosmetic Science).

Moreover, by leveraging the infused mineral-based UV filters, the product offers adequate sun protection on days when you miss wearing sunscreen. I absolutely love how this product just glows up the skin on use, and people of different ages and skin types have been rather happy with its results. Cherry on the top — it works really well for my acne-prone skin.

Shades: 19

Finish: Natural and dewy

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 1.18 fl. oz.

Quick Tip:

Considering you only need a small quantity of this product, dispense a pea-sized amount behind your thumb, and apply the product evenly using a foundation brush instead of your fingers. Distribute the product evenly by using the brush in swift, upward, and circular motions.

2

Best for Blue Light Protection

Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective with Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

Buy on Amazon

Vitamin C works really well with sunscreen; hence, Honest Beauty combines the benefits of both in this glorious tinted moisturizer, so you can nourish, protect, and glow up your skin without scouring around multiple products. The formula is water-drenched, which the skin absorbs in a jiffy and ends up feeling hydrated and revitalized, without any tacky residue. 

The formula comprises 5% pigment, which gives natural coverage to the skin and helps even out its tone without looking too made up. Plus, the product comprises goodies such as allantoin, which helps soothe and balance the skin (study by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences). Everyday use of this tinted moisturizer would be blissful for your skin, owing to its multi-dimensional benefits!

Shades: 9

Finish: Natural and glowy

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

3

Best Sun Protection

DRMTLGY Anti-Aging Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 46

Buy on Amazon

Among the best tinted moisturizers for drier skin types, this gem from DRMTLGY comprises the goodness of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to deeply hydrate and balance the skin. The product is a bestseller among users globally, as they love how it makes their skin feel enriched and comforted; not to forget, it also improves the complexion quite effortlessly. 

Unlike cheaper tinted moisturizers you’ll find out there, applying this product is as simple as applying any water-based gel cream — it just seeps into the skin and leaves no pigment residue that you may have to struggle to blend in! Further, the product’s sun protection surpasses the rest with a whopping SPF 46!

Shades: One universal tint

Finish: Sheer and glowy

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 1.7 fl. oz. and 1.75 fl. oz.

4

Best for Skin Balance

PURITO Cica Clearing BB Cream

Buy on Amazon

By leveraging the power of two types of vitamin B, this BB cream (yes, it’s quite a pun) impressively hydrates, balances, calms, and replenishes the protective barrier while also enhancing skin’s appearance (research by the Journal of Clinical Medicine and Dermatologic Surgery). The nourishing formula also contains the calming goodness of cica, which my skin particularly loves.

The rich pigments infused in this product give an impressive, buildable coverage, offering foundation-like results! Hence, you can count on this gem to lightly cover imperfections on your skin. Besides, the silky texture is a treat to use, and I expected no less from a K-beauty innovation like this one!

Shades: 6

Finish: Silky and dewy

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 30 ml

5

Best for Mature Skin

PÜR 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20

Buy on Amazon

This glowy tinted moisturizer from PÜR takes the crowing glory for its hydration prowess; after all, it is boosted with the properties of hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and aloe vera. The formula also comprises a unique retinol complex that multiplies its age-defying capacity and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.

Having tested it, I observed that the pigment this product delivers onto the skin enhances its color vibrancy and reduces dullness significantly as if breathing life into the skin. Besides, its weightless texture and mineral-based sun protection boost the overall benefits of this cream. 

Shades: 15

Finish: Natural and dewy

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 1.7 fl. oz.

6

Most Affordable

wet n wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator

Buy on Amazon

For a very pocket-friendly price, this drugstore tinted moisturizer from wet n wild offers a revolutionary amount of hydration, by harnessing the properties of hyaluronic acid and squalene. However, that doesn’t mean that its texture is goopy and the finish is too shiny. This is a treat for oily skin and combination skin (like mine) as it offers a natural matte finish for a cleaner skin appearance.

Now, considering the price you’re getting this for, the formulation doesn’t just melt onto the skin like some of the other products in this article do, and you’ll have to massage it for longer to get a medium coverage. However, its a good pick to even out the inconsistencies in your skin tone and use in place of a foundation.

Shades: 8

Finish: Semi-matte

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 0.91 fl. oz.

Quick Tip:

Use a makeup brush to smoothen the formulation on your skin. Then, top it off with a little bit of compact powder/loose setting powder to set the makeup in place.

7

Best Shade Adaptive Product

Revision Skincare Intellishade Original

Buy on Amazon

If the word “Intellishade” didn’t make it clear then let me tell you that this anti-aging tinted moisturizer from Revision comprises smart pigments that color-corrects imperfections such as dark spots as well as acne marks on the skin for an even-toned complexion.

The product blends really effortlessly into the skin, and I was really surprised by the coverage it provides. This lightweight hydrating formula smoothes the complexion, for an excellent makeup base. Moreover, its silky-smooth finish adds a luxe touch, which is to die for!

Shades: Universal shade

Finish: Matte and dewy options

Cruelty-free: No definite information

Quantity: 1.7 oz.

8

Urban Decay Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator

Buy on Amazon

Now, the ingredients infused in this glowy tinted moisturizer from Urban Decay truly surprised me! It contains exotic goodies such as kombucha filtrate, which is like unlocking an antioxidant treasure chest onto your skin that fights free radicals and defies premature aging (study by Molecules - MDPI). It also contains rich plant-based emollients that smoothen the skin texture.

Another impressive feature of this product — its formulation is buildable and it offers coverage like a foundation! Besides, it keeps the skin hydrated, and blending it is as effortless as it gets.   

Shades: 16

Finish: Semi-matte

Cruelty-free: Yes

9

Best Color-correcting Formula

jane iredale Dream Tint Moisturizer

Buy on Amazon

Most users of this tinted moisturizer from Jane Iredale are in love with its coverage and have experienced that it smoothes out imperfections really well. Hence, it does really well on the makeup side of the spectrum and is excellent when paired with Jane Iredale’s PurePressed Base Mineral Compact Powder.  

It is infused with natural emollients such as jojoba oil, sunflower oil, and shea butter, which smoothen the skin texture and give it a silky feel. You can expect this lightweight product to give your skin an amazing soft-focus effect and spruce your overall facial aesthetic.

Shades: 7

Finish: Matte 

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 1.7 fl. oz.

10

Best Hydration

L'Oreal Paris Skin Paradise Water-infused Tinted Moisturizer

Buy on Amazon

Considering that this hydrating tinted moisturizer is water-infused, oil-free, and devoid of nasties such as talc and petroleum, it is an excellent pick for every skin type. The drugstore product quenches the skin’s thirst by leveraging its Water Break technology, which ensures that the skin doesn’t get dehydrated throughout the day. 

The formula also contains witch hazel extracts to give a shine-free finish to oily skin types, whereas the infused aloe vera makes you feel revitalized. And, for a product that appears to be as liquidy as this, its coverage is surprisingly high! 

Shades: 8

Finish: Satin

Cruelty-free: No information

Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

11

Best Color-correcting Formula

meebak Seoul Soothe + Correct Cica Redness Solution Cream

Buy on Amazon

I had to place this unique tinted moisturizer cream from Meebak on my list as its dual-colored formulation and color-correcting prowess impressed me beyond measure! The formula has a greenish tint that helps neutralize redness on the skin as it goes on, and adapts to your natural skin tone, thereby giving it a soft-focused look. 

The formula is powered by the anti-inflammatory properties of cica (centella asiatica) that soothe the skin and eases flare-ups quite satisfactorily — a great choice for sensitive skin (study by the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences). Besides, this K-beauty gem also contains the rejuvenating properties of lotus, Chaga mushroom, and caviar lime for added skin benefits. 

Shades: Universal shade

Finish: Matte

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 1.7 fl. oz.

12

Best for Dry Skin

tarte Maracuja Tinted Hydrator

Buy on Amazon

The infusion of maracuja (passion fruit seed) oil and turmeric root in this tinted face moisturizer by Tarte has boosted its antioxidant properties immensely. Hence, when you apply this product, you can rest assured that it will protect your skin from environmental aggressors (a study published on NCBI and by Phytotherapy Research). Moreover, if your skin is prone to redness and inflammation, you can count on this product to soothe and comfort it. 

Shades: 6

Finish: Semi-matte and dewy

Cruelty-free: Yes

13

Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

Buy on Amazon

For dry and sensitive skin types that are prone to dehydration and redness, I highly recommend this hyaluronic acid-based tinted moisturizer from Saie. Its formula is super-silky and blends rather dreamily onto the skin, for a perfect finish. And, it contains a high quantity of pigments that give a desirable coverage to the skin. 

The formula is infused with licorice root extract, which soothes and calms the skin really well, while also improving the skin tone (study by Cosmetics - MDPI). With regular use, you’ll notice that this product improves the health and resilience of the skin, even when not applied. 

Shades: 14

Finish: Dewy

Cruelty-free:

Quantity: 1.35 oz.

Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations for tinted moisturizers, scroll away to the following buying guide to determine how to invest in the best product that caters to your needs.

The following are a few factors to consider:

Coverage: As tinted moisturizers are foundation replacements to smooth out the makeup base, they should provide decent coverage, if not high. While it is uncommon in moisturizers, a product that offers buildable coverage is a great addition to your overall beauty routine for obvious reasons. However, if a light coverage tinted moisturizer is able to give your skin a sublime, soft-focused look, thereby refining your complexion, it is still a good investment.

Finish: Considering these are moisturizers that we are talking about and not makeup products, the idea is to get a product that offers a dewy finish that illuminates the skin in a non-gaudy way! However, some tinted moisturizers offer a matte finish for oilier skin types, despite their unparalleled hydration, to prevent that icky sheen on the skin. So, if that’s something you’re looking for then a matte or semi-matte finish product would be the right choice for you. Regardless of what kind of finish your heart inclines towards, avoid investing in products that give a cakey, oily, or artificial finish with a white cast. 

Hydration: What’s the point of a moisturizer that doesn’t hydrate well, right? This is a feature that cannot fail you! Always invest in tinted moisturizers that include rich humectants and emollients to nourish your skin. Some popular ingredients include hyaluronic acid, squalene, cica, glycerin, colloidal oat extracts, aloe vera, panthenol, niacinamide, shea butter, etc. 

SPF And Antioxidants: It is common for tinted moisturizers to have SPF these days. However, if you want this product to be your only source of sun protection, then an SPF level below 30 is simply not adequate! Invest in a tinted sunscreen-moisturizer only if it has an SPF of 30, 50, or anything in between, and offers broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. In addition, antioxidant protection is also necessary to prevent the oxidization of the pigments in the tinted moisturizer or free radical damage. For this, look for antioxidant-rich ingredients such as cica, green tea (or any tea for that matter), vitamin C, turmeric, aloe vera, kombucha, mushroom extracts, bakuchiol, fruit extracts, etc. 

Skin Type:

Like a regular moisturizer, considering your skin type before investing in a pigmented moisturizer is also pivotal. If you have oily or combination skin type, invest in a lightweight moisturizer with a liquid consistency. If you have dry skin, you may need to invest in a richer formulation.

Step 1: Start by cleansing your face and neck thoroughly with a good face wash. After rinsing it and patting it dry, prep your skin with any serums or essences that you have incorporated into your routine. If your tinted moisturizer doesn’t have SPF in it and you’re stepping out during the day, then apply a generous amount of sunscreen on your face and neck first. 

Step 2: Take a pea-sized amount of the tinted moisturizer, or adjust the quantity as directed on the packaging of the product. Dot your face and neck evenly with it. 

Step 3: There are two ways to blend the product in. The first one is to simply massage it with your fingers, in an upward, circular motion till the product absorbs into your skin fully and evenly. 

The second way is to distribute the product evenly using a soft-bristled foundation brush. This technique works better if your tinted moisturizer has a liquid consistency, over a mousse/cream consistency. 

Step 4: After you’ve evened out the product onto your skin, you can choose to leave it alone for a simple, dewy finish. However, if you want more coverage, apply some concealer over imperfections such as dark circles, pimples, dark spots, etc., and blend it out. Finish off by baking the makeup with a setting powder or compact, by using a large, dome-shaped brush. 

Step 5: This step is completely optional, but if you want your base makeup to last longer, then seal it with some setting spray.