The 7 best tinted moisturizers for achieving effortlessly radiant skin

Want to achieve a natural, no-makeup look — and still have glowing skin? With the right tinted moisturizer, you can have it all. That’s because these genius products provide just enough coverage to conceal blemishes and uneven skin tones, but not so much that your skin ends up looking cakey. 

The best tinted moisturizers act as a lighter, more natural-looking alternative to foundation. And there are many formulas available that offer different finishes to suit a variety of skin types.

Once you find your perfect match, you’ll wonder how you ever went without it. To help you choose, our editors researched, reviewed and put together a list of top tinted moisturizers so you can find the ideal one for you. 

Read more: Hydrate your skin with our top hyaluronic acid serums

The 7 best tinted moisturizers for achieving effortlessly radiant skin

Overall pick

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer

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$39 at Ulta

Best natural finish and coverage

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

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$46 at Sephora

Best lightweight tinted moisturizer with sun protection

Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35 Sunscreen

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$36 at Saie

Best luxe pick

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

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$45.90 at Nordstrom

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Overall pick

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer

$39

$39 at Ulta

$39 at Target

Specifications

• Number of shades: 20

• Type of finish: Radiant

Pros & Cons

• Paraben-free, cruelty-free, vegan, synthetic fragrance-free, talc-free

• A little goes a long way

• Wide range of shades

• Some users say it’s not formulated for oily skin

This is rated one of the best tinted moisturizers if you want a lightweight product that offers buildable coverage and a smooth finish. It’ll even your skin tone while blurring any imperfections. 

What do we like best? This is a multi-tasking product, acting as a moisturizer, skin tint and sunscreen (SPF 30), so you can save time on your morning skincare routine. And because it contains hyaluronic acid, you’ll get hydrating, skin-plumping benefits — a major plus for those with dry skin.

Users say they love the natural glow it gives their complexion but if you want a matte finish, dust some face setting powder on top. A little of this moisturizer goes a long way, so apply a pea-sized amount to your face and you can build coverage depending on how much you need. 

Best natural finish and coverage

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

$46

$46 at Sephora

Specifications

• Number of shades: 16 

• Type of finish: Radiant

Pros & Cons

• Evens out skin tone

• SPF30 protects skin

• Vitamin C brightens and hydrates skin

• Higher price point

• Not suited for acne-prone skin

A fan-favorite product, the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer received a 4.3-star average rating by Sephora users because of the way it feels on the skin. It’s lightweight and feels almost as if you’re not wearing any makeup at all. 

For versatility, this skin tint has buildable coverage. This means you can apply a light layer on the days you need less coverage and a little more if you have breakouts or other imperfections to conceal.

This isn’t just a makeup product. Instead, it’s formulated with vitamin C and kopara, two naturally derived polysaccharides, to enhance, protect and hydrate your skin. As a result, you get a more even skin tone and brighter complexion.   

Additionally, this tinted moisturizer is oil-free, paraben-free and synthetic fragrance-free.

Best lightweight tinted moisturizer with sun protection

Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35 Sunscreen

$36

$36 at Saie

$36 at Kohl’s

Specifications

• Number of shades: 14

• Type of finish: Dewy

Pros & Cons

• Cruelty-free

• Blends easily

• Works on both young and mature skin

• Some users had to mix two shades to find exact match

If you’re looking for a tinted moisturizer that’s packed with skin-enhancing ingredients, look no further than the Saie Slip Tint. Hyaluronic acid and pansy flower retain moisture and boost hydration, so it’s great if you have dry skin while licorice root extract brightens your complexion.

Reviewers rave about how it applies seamlessly, is long-lasting and boasts SPF 35 to protect  skin from the sun. It’s also sustainable, with its recyclable packaging made of sugarcane bioresin. 

This works on sensitive skin, too. One reviewer with sensitive, acne-prone skin says it didn’t cause irritation. Another user says it’s non-greasy and even helps to cover her rosacea.

With so much praise, our editors deem this the best tinted moisturizer with sun protection.

Pro tip: Apply on clean, bare skin before using other makeup products.

Best luxe pick

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

$45.90

$45.90 at Nordstrom

$54 at Sephora

Specifications

• Number of shades: 18

• Type of finish: Demi-matte, sheer

Pros & Cons

• Works for oily or combination skin

• Paraben and sulfate-free

• Higher price point

• SPF20 may not be high enough protection for some

If you’re looking for a matte formula, look no further than the Lauran Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20. This product comes in a wide range of shades, 18 to be exact, so it’s a breeze finding one that suits your skin. 

When applying, it requires a bit of blending work but delivers a fresh, matte finish. To soothe irritated skin and protect against the sun, it contains licorice root extract and vitamin E. Oil-absorbing powders in this product control shine and give a semi-matte finish, which is why our editors rate this the best tinted moisturizer for oily skin.

It’s recommended that you apply this starting from the outer areas of your face and inwards towards the nose. Excess product can tend to settle in the contours and fine lines and wrinkles of your face, accentuating those areas, so avoid using too much.

Best for dry skin

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

$48

$48 at Ilia Beauty

$48 at Sephora

Specifications

• Number of shades: 30

• Type of finish: Dewy

Pros & Cons

• Higher sun protection of SPF 40

• Doubles as skincare

• Feels lightweight like your own skin

• Reviews mention there’s a strong scent

• Packaging tends to leak

Just as its name suggests, the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint goes on like a serum — and provides skin-enhancing benefits, light coverage and SPF 40 protection all in one. 

Boasting hydration-boosting ingredients, this advanced formula contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and plant-based squalane for plump, smooth skin.

Extra effective on mature skin, it’s been clinically proven to improve skin dryness, blemishes, redness, wrinkles and uneven skin tone with continued use. 

In sum, it’s a great tinted moisturizer for dry skin, especially if you don’t like using too many skincare products. Moreover, this moisturizer is vegan, non-comedogenic, safe for sensitive skin — and it’s fragrance, gluten and silicone-free.

Best for mature skin

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Light Revealer Natural Skin Illuminator

$54

$54 at Sephora

$54 at Ulta Beauty

Specifications

• Number of shades: 14

• Type of finish: Radiant

Pros & Cons

• Gives shine while still looking natural

• Contains SPF 25

• Glamorous finish for night

• May be too shiny for some

• Doesn’t adhere to some skin types well

Got dull, dry skin and want to liven it up without full-coverage makeup? Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer Revealer Natural Skin Illuminator contains pearls for light-reflecting properties that brighten your skin. To add to that, it has French algae to improve your skin’s radiance.

Some users have highlighted that this tinted moisturizer looks even better at night because it gives your skin a glamorous glow. But if your skin is oily, this may not be suitable as it doesn’t control shine well after several hours. Since mature skin tends to be dry, that pearlescent glow will brighten and illuminate the face.

Best affordable option

Colourpop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer

$15

$15 at Ulta

$15 at Colourpop

Specifications

• Number of shades: 24

• Type of finish: Dewy, natural

Pros & Cons

• Blendable with other skincare products

• Long-lasting

• Hydrating

• Goes on light and feels weightless

• Better lasting results with a primer

• May get oily at the end of the day

With an impressive 4.7-star average rating from more than 1,300 reviewers, this tinted moisturizer is not only a hit with users but super affordable, too. Giving you lightweight coverage and making your skin look healthy and natural, it contains hyaluronic acid and coconut water for hydration.

It works for all skin types and can be applied after your primer, sunscreen or moisturizer. One user commented that it’s as pigmented as a foundation but not as heavy. The result? It goes on light and airy, and it can be built up for more coverage. 

Finding your ideal shade won’t be an issue as Colourpop has 24 to choose from, and it’s vegan and cruelty-free, too. What more can you ask for?

Which tinted moisturizers are our top picks?

All the tinted moisturizers on our list are approved by our editors and you can’t go wrong if you choose one that suits your needs and skin tone, but if we had to narrow it down, these three would be our favorites.

•BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer: We love that it’s a multi-tasking product and you can skip your moisturizer and sunscreen with this, so you can save time on your morning skincare routine. It goes on light and smooth to give you a natural, glowing finish that will last all day.

•Saie Slip Tint : Combining the goodness of skincare with makeup, the Saie Slip Tint is hydrating and has a decent SPF without giving you that dreaded white cast. You also get environmentally friendly packaging with it. That’s why we rate it the best tinted moisturizer with SPF.

•Colourpop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer:This gives you a decent amount of coverage without feeling heavy like a foundation and it hydrates throughout the day. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free and you simply can’t beat the price. 

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Prices updated on 05/03/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.