Okay, if you’re someone who loves that “no-makeup makeup” look, or if you just prefer a product that feels super lightweight and is quick to put on, listen up: you absolutely need a good quality tinted moisturizer in your life.
Think of it as the best hybrid product ever, it’s like your foundation and your regular moisturizer had a super-efficient baby, doing the work of both in one simple step! As celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell says, they are “a little bit more forgiving, and the shade ranges are more flexible, making them a little more user-friendly than a foundation.” Translation? They’re really easy to get right.
To save you the hassle, we actually took on the job and tested over 30 different options for two full weeks to find the 5 best tinted moisturizer for every single skin type and preference out there. We looked at everything: how much coverage they give, the finish (matte, dewy, etc.), the hydration factor, how well they last, the shade range, and, most importantly, the final look.
The 5 Best Tinted Moisturizers For You
1. Tarte Maracuja Tinted Moisturized
Ready for our overall winner? This is the one we loved the most, which is why we’re giving it the title of Best Tinted Moisturizer Overall. There’s pretty much nothing we don’t like about the Tarte Maracuja pick. It gives you buildable coverage that blurs uneven tone, feels super creamy, is easy to blend, and leaves your skin with a beautiful, healthy glow.
It’s like giving your skin a big drink of water, thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid and maracuja oil. We noticed it truly hydrates and plumps the skin, and it never clung to dry patches or settled into fine lines, staying smooth and crease-resistant all day.
With 20 shades and a Cruelty-Free rating, this one is great if you need a product that works just as well on your minimal makeup days as it does for your more dressed-up looks.
2. Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation
Now, here’s a funny thing: even though they’re called “tinted moisturizers,” a lot of them don’t actually give you that much moisture. But this Hourglass Veil one?
It actually claims to boost hydration by over 50%, and we definitely saw proof! Our testers said their skin felt hydrated all day long. Besides being super moisturizing, we loved how natural and glowy it looked, it never looked thick or patchy.
It’s your perfect quick fix for evening out your tone and getting rid of that dry feeling in one go. Just a few notes: while the dewy finish is gorgeous, it might be too much if your skin is prone to oiliness. Also, one tester noticed it would sometimes “pill” (ball up) when applied right on top of fresh skincare.
Our advice? Just let your serums and creams sink in for a few minutes before putting this on. And yes, it’s Cruelty-Free!
3. Rare Beauty Sunscreen
Many claimed best tinted moisturizers fall short when it comes to shades, but not this one from Rare Beauty. They offer an impressive 24 shades, going from very light all the way to very deep. Because the coverage is flexible, you can sheer it out or build it up a bit, the colors are forgiving across different skin tones.
Beyond the shade range, it’s really easy to apply, it looks completely skin-like, and it stays looking great all day. It has a medium, slightly liquid texture that feels totally weightless and blends like a dream. Because the formula is a little runny, we did notice it settled just slightly into a few fine lines, but you can easily tap those out with your fingertips.
The finish is a balanced natural/radiant, making it great for almost everyone, not too shiny for oily skin, but just enough glow to lift dry skin. We also like that it comes in a convenient squeeze bottle and contains SPF 20 (though remember, dermatologists recommend aiming for at least SPF 30!). Plus, it’s Cruelty-Free! Overall the best tinted moisturizer with SPF.
4. ColourPop Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer
Yes, it is totally possible to grab an amazing, high-quality tinted moisturizer even when you’re sticking to a budget! This one from ColourPop is the perfect example.
It comes in 24 shades, which means most skin tones will find a great match. We especially love that it has a truly natural finish and is hydrating without ever feeling greasy, making it work well for all skin types. You can apply it easily with a brush, a damp sponge, or even just your fingers, and it dries down to look exactly like your own skin, just better.
It also has serious staying power; we found it wore beautifully all day long without creasing, settling into lines, or getting too shiny.
While we wish the coverage was a little more buildable, we love how absolutely weightless it feels on the skin and how it gives your complexion this wonderful, overall blurred effect. If you’re looking for an excellent budget-friendly product with a great natural finish, this is absolutely the one to pick up. Oh, and it’s Cruelty-Free too!
5. Fenty Beauty Hydra Vizor Huez Tinted Moisturizer
Okay, while we always tell you to use a dedicated sunscreen underneath your makeup (safety first!) grabbing the is definitely a bonus.
This ultra-hydrating formula is fantastic! It literally melts into your skin, leaving behind a natural-looking veil of color. Our tester, who had been using retinol and needed extra care, absolutely loved the generous amount of coverage it gave her and the huge boost of hydration.
Application is totally smooth, you can use your fingers or a brush, it works either way. But the real star power comes from its ingredients: it features the powerhouse duo of Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide. These two work together to seriously smooth and hydrate your skin while helping to shrink the look of pores.
It comes in 10 shades, gives you light to medium coverage with a beautiful radiant finish, and is Cruelty-Free. Our only small complaint is that it has a pretty strong fragrance, so if you are sensitive to smells, keep that in mind. But if you need that SPF protection and don’t mind a scent, we think you’ll be obsessed with this pick!
Final Thoughts
So, whether you prioritize hydration, shade range, or just need a great budget option, there’s a best tinted moisturizer out there for you! The bottom line is that these hybrid products make getting that lightweight, glowing skin look simple and fast every single day.
