Skin tints with SPF are an easy way to get your daily dose of sun protection and amplify your glow. As SPF shields your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, a tinted moisturizer combines the benefits of your daily moisturizer with that of a lightweight, sheer-coverage foundation to hydrate your skin and even out your skin tone.
“Using a tinted moisturizer with SPF is even better, as you’re saving time using three products in one,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessie Cheung. Tinted moisturizers also help to eliminate the struggle of finding sunscreens that don’t leave a white cast. “Tinted moisturizers can look more natural than foundation, and the shades will be more forgiving if you’re between your summer and winter skin tone,” Cheung continues.
Regardless of the season, an SPF is essential to maintaining healthy skin. But for those who struggle with finding sunscreens that don’t leave a white cast or don’t like the feeling of heavy products on their skin, incorporating a tinted moisturizer into your daily ritual is the cheat code to achieving hydrated and even skin. At ELLE.com, we’ve breezed through a few tinted moisturizers ourselves and know how tedious it can be to find the perfect one for you. So, to help make the journey easier, we’ve enlisted the help of skin care professionals and pored through dozens of customer reviews to bring you the 12 best SPF skin tints to add to your collection. See our selections below.
Pros
Great for sensitive skin
Cons
- Limited shade range
On top of the many benefits of using SPF in your routine, using this protective agent helps to visibly combat signs of aging caused by sun damage. This skin tint is ideal for those dealing with fine lines or uneven texture, as it infuses the skin with ingredients like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.
Size: 1.7 oz SPF
Dermstore rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “I love this formula. It’s tinted enough that I can wear it instead of makeup on casual days but is not so thick/ heavy that I can’t reapply as needed. I have super sensitive skin and have not had any reaction!”
Pros
- Good shade range
Cons
- Takes a little while to dry down
If you prefer a dewy finish, this water-based skin tint might be for you. With niacinamide, shea butter, and squalane, this skin tint hydrates and locks in moisture for all-day nourishment. Formulated without fragrance, silicone, or gluten, it is also a great option for sensitive skin.
Size: 1 oz SPF
Ilia Beauty rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I think of this Ilia tint as my ‘farmer’s market’ makeup. I like to wear a little makeup on weekend mornings, but not too much. In an ideal world, my glow would match that of a freshly picked heirloom tomato. This nice, dewy skin tint gets me closer to that ideal and gives a decent amount of coverage to smooth over redness and hyperpigmentation. It also really does feel like a serum, so you’ll rejoice if you’re a skin minimalist and want a one-and-done product. The shade range is also decent, which is rare in a skin tint.”—Kathleen Hou, beauty director
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Pros
- Smooth application
Cons
- Not ideal for oily skin
This lightweight moisturizer is formulated with hyaluronic acid and licorice root to hydrate, brighten the skin, and ensure comfortable wear throughout the day. With mineral zinc SPF 35 and an easily blendable 14-shade range, it protects your skin from the sun’s rays and evens your skin tone for a natural finish.
Size: 1.3 oz SPF
Sephora rating: 3.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’m not a big foundation person—I like skin tints that offer enough coverage while still looking like skin. Saie’s Slip Tint was the first tinted moisturizer I went through an entire tube of. It makes skin look so natural and dewy while covering uneven skin tones and blemishes. I also have dry skin, so this formula keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day and never looks patchy on dry areas.”—Katie Berohn, beauty editor
Best Environmentally Conscious Option
Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Huez Tinted Moisturizer
Pros
- Refillable
Cons
- Some find the packaging difficult to work with
Fenty is known for its inclusive shade range and hydrating, comfortable formulas, including its latest tinted moisturizer. The range includes 10 shades that condition the skin, thanks to niacinamide and aloe vera. Together, the soothing ingredients plump and protect the skin, boost elasticity, and visibly reduce the appearance of pores and spots.
Size: 1.7 oz SPF
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’m a full-glam girl who favors matte, full-coverage formulas, but this is the product I’ve been reaching for most these days. The coverage is light but buildable and seamlessly covers the dark spots I’m working hard to erase.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
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Pros
- Skin-like finish
Cons
- Not ideal for sensitive skin
From the cult favorite brand Supergoop, best known for their viral Unseen Sunscreen, comes the skin tint that will surely be a new go-to in your beauty stash. With SPF 50, this formula offers lightweight, buildable coverage that smooths your skin tone, leaving you with a flawless natural finish.
Size: 1.2 oz SPF
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This is the only tint that touched my face last summer. Not only is it lightweight and breathable, it also offers adequate coverage and leaves a subtle, almost Paris-filter glow. Sometimes I forget it’s actually sunscreen because it looks so good.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Best Coverage
Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
Pros
- Natural finish
Cons
- Can be drying for some
If you are looking for an all-in-one makeup and skincare product to enhance your skin, look no further than Tower 28 Beauty’s SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen. Great for acne-prone and sensitive skin, this tint is formulated without any pore-clogging ingredients, allowing your skin to breathe throughout the day. The formula also helps to even skin tone, eliminating redness and soothing stressed, dry skin.
Size: 1 oz SPF
Sephora rating: 4.1/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “If I want higher coverage during the daytime, I always turn to this foundation-sunscreen hybrid. It definitely provides more coverage than your average skin tint since it’s more like a foundation, but I love that it’s infused with SPF 30 for an extra boost of sun protection. It’s also such a glowy formula—it makes you look like you just did a sheet mask.”—Katie Berohn, beauty editor
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Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer
Pros
- Great for covering dark marks
Cons
- Not the easiest to blend
This sunscreen is infused with vitamin E to create comfortable all-day wear. Your skin is treated to a radiant, dewy finish without a sticky feeling, which blurs the skin flawlessly.
Size: 1 oz SPF
Sephora rating: 4.1/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I have acne-prone skin, and this is one of the only tinted moisturizers that hasn’t broken me out and it also covers my acne scars really well.”
Best for Hyperpigmentation
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Natural Matte Foundation
Pros
- Color Correcting
Cons
- Can get cakey if too much is used
Tinted moisturizers are not one-size-fits-all. For those with more oily skin, this natural matte foundation helps color correct and even your skin tone without excess shine. Made with a skin-balancing serum and SPF 40, it protects your skin while delivering a hydrating, full-coverage finish and 16-hour shine control.
Size: 1 oz SPF
Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “It’s sort of a misnomer to call this a tinted moisturizer because it has the coverage of a foundation. But it works super well to cover blemishes, redness, and skin imperfections. It looks almost worryingly thick when it first pumps out, but blends out incredibly quickly. This is great for people who want something which feels like a skin tint but looks more like a foundation.”—Kathleen Hou, beauty director
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Best for Layering
Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not ideal for acne-prone skin
If you love Nars’ radiant formula, then this tinted moisturizer is probably already on your radar. The brightening tint is made with vitamin C to treat uneven skin and shield it from the sun’s rays. This moisturizer is also infused with French Polynesian Kopara, a natural sugar that helps to hydrate the skin and encourage cell renewal for softer, smoother skin.
Size: 1.9 oz SPF
Sephora Rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I have been a fan of the Nars pure radiant concealer for years, and this skin tint is the perfect compliment to it. I love the look of a skin tint during the warmer months and using this as an alternative to my foundations gives my skin such a natural glow, which is great for my dry skin.”—Tasha Nicole Smith, beauty assistant
Pros
- Blends easily
Cons
- Some say is it a bit runny
Inn Beauty understands the desire for the perfect summer glow. This weightless radiant formula is hypoallergenic and ideal for all skin types; it fights off harmful sun rays while protecting your skin from damaging blue light emitted from our phone and laptop screens. Infused with a peptide complex, this moisturizer also plumps the skin for a visible, youthful glow.
Size: 1.7 oz SPF
Inn Beauty rating: 4.8/5 stars
An Inn Beauty reviewer says: “I love this sunscreen. The texture is perfect. It is not greasy or too thick. It slides over my skin easily leaving a slight glow. It looks beautiful alone or under my makeup.”
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Best for a Dewy Finish
Kosas DreamBeam Silicone-Free Mineral Sunscreen
Pros
- Glowy finish
Cons
- Has a gritty texture
Skin tints, more so than heavier foundations, help enhance the skin while still allowing your natural beauty to shine through. Kosas DreamBeam’s glowy golden and iridescent shades leave the skin with a luminous shine without looking oily. The rich texture melts into the skin, and SPF 40 defends against signs of aging and irritation caused by the sun’s rays.
Size: 1.3 oz SPF
Sephora rating: 3.9/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I have been hunting for ages for a good tinted SPF that lasts with light coverage and works with makeup too if needed. I bought the smaller size to try but upgraded to the bigger one when finished. I strongly recommend for anyone who likes tinted moisturizers but want to include SPF. Plus, it does not break me out at all! Huge bonus there.”
Pros
- Natural Ingredients
Cons
- Must use a lot for coverage
Known for their skin-first approach to makeup, Bare Minerals’ skin tint evens tone with a sheer, light coverage formula that leaves the skin with a healthy radiance. The formula is made up of 98 percent naturally derived ingredients, shields the skin with SPF 30, and is hypoallergenic and oil-free.
Size: 1.2 oz SPF:
Bare Minerals rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Bare Minerals reviewer says: “I have been using this product for a few years and I continuously receive compliments on my skin. It not only blends seamlessly with my skin tone but it evens out those pesky hyperpigmentation areas. Also a big plus for a woman of my age (70s) is that it does not settle into any wrinkles. I like that I can use it daily for a light finish and then make it thicker for those special times when I’m needing to bump up my overall makeup.”
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Are there any ingredients with people should avoid in their tinted moisturizers?
When creating your personal skin care routine, it is important to assess your skin’s needs. “If you have oily skin, look for a lightweight tinted moisturizer with a matte finish” says Dr. Cheung. “If you’re dry, look for a dewy finish with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin.”
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If I use a tinted moisturizer with SPF does that mean I can skip my stand-alone sunscreen?
Sunscreen is an essential part of any good skin care routine. But the decision to skip stand-alone sunscreen when opting for an SPF skin tint depends on the level of SPF in your moisturizer. “If you apply an SPF 30 tinted moisturizer thick enough, you can skip your stand-alone sunscreen—but be sure to reapply some sun protection after sweating or swimming,” says Dr. Cheung.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best items in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with skin care experts about the absolute best SPF skin tints. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.
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