We love a glamorous look every now and then, but there's something to be said for an everyday effortless no-makeup look. If you want an even skin tone and skin that looks like skin, a tinted moisturizer is for you.
"You can use your fingers to melt it into your skin for easy application," says celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney. If you want to step up your prep routine for a flawless finish, she recommends a hydrating formula to replace your regular moisturizer—bonus if it contains SPF.
In the age of hybrid beauty products and multi-purpose cosmetics, there's no shortage of tinted moisturizers on the market. To help you narrow it down, we tried nearly 20 options at The Lab, our in-house testing facility in Manhattan.
We considered each formula's ingredients, shade range, and other benefits (like whether it contains SPF). We also considered each product's size and whether it was cruelty-free. After reviewing all the options and consulting with experts, we came up with these top tips.
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and Minerals SPF 30 BareMinerals Complexion Rescue was a huge success in testing. We love its light, silky consistency and appreciate how a little goes a long way.
It's easily blendable and buildable, so you can increase overall coverage or apply a little more to cover up imperfections. A slightly glossy, natural finish that looks and feels like skin. It doesn't have the tight feel of a full coverage foundation and leaves the complexion feeling soft.
Plus, this tinted moisturizer actually hydrates—which sounds like a no-brainer, but many formulas are geared toward makeup rather than skin care. SPF 30 sunscreen is the icing on the cake and can make your morning routine so much easier.
The price is a bit high, but the tube should last you a while and we think you'll be happy to have it. Who is it for. If you find standard foundations too heavy and weighing on your skin, you'll love this super breathable formula that still provides ample coverage without feeling cakey or drying.
We also recommend this product to those who like a dewy look, as it leaves a glow all day without flaking or making you look too shiny.
Best Overall Runner-up: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30: Nars Pure Radiant is a close second. During testing, we found that the lightweight texture spreads very well and penetrates into the skin easily.
Plus, it's intensely hydrating without wrinkles or fine lines. Plus, it provides perfect coverage. We especially love how it evens out skin tone and gives a natural-looking finish with a hint of glow. The color matching is also very coordinated. In the end, we just wish the price wasn't so high.
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Who is it for. This is a great tinted moisturizer option for those who regularly mix makeup and skincare. It's infused with Vitamin C to brighten and protect skin from environmental free radicals while providing hydrating, buildable coverage.
We also love that it's broad-spectrum SPF 30, which protects the complexion from damaging UVA and UVB rays. Best Budget: L'Oreal Skin Paradise Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer
L'Oréal offers solid budget options. The brand's Skin Paradise Tinted Moisturizer is lightweight and blends directly into the skin. Honestly, we felt like we weren't wearing makeup at all. The skin-like pigment conceals our blemishes but not freckles - giving skin a slightly dewy complexion.
However, since the texture is light and a bit runny, we felt it wasn't very hydrating. Although it can replace your foundation, you probably don't want to skip your regular moisturizer. Otherwise, we just wish the SPF was a little higher.
Who is it for. We think this is a great option for oily skin types, especially those who still prefer a slightly glowy look that's not too flat or matte. It also doesn’t feel too heavy on skin tones, which is perfect for humid summer days.
Best Matte Finish Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Oil-Free, Natural Skin Perfecting Cream SPF 20 Do you like matte surfaces? Laura Mercier is the best choice. It was one of the first tinted moisturizers to hit the market since its launch in 1996
and it's not without reason that it's still incredibly popular. During our testing, we loved how this ultra-lightweight, oil-free formula blended easily into skin and had a matte finish on contact.
Although it's a little sticky at first, skin immediately feels hydrated and silky smooth. We love its non-greasy formula, which provides lightweight, natural-looking coverage while neutralizing redness. There's a reason why it's still a fan favorite despite being a little pricier.
who is it for If you find that full face coverage makes you look super glowy at the end of the day (which is common even if you don't have oily skin), you might want to try Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer. It stays matte throughout the day, ensuring skin looks smooth and oil-free no matter the conditions.
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Skin Care