Jess Beech
The original skincare-makeup hybrid, the best tinted moisturisers marry a wash of coverage with hydrating ingredients. Think lightweight and comfortable to wear bases that aren't particularly full but still add "something" to your skin.
Softer and fresher finishes aside, tinted moisturisers also excel when compared to your best foundation in terms of skincare benefits. “A good tinted moisturiser should contain moisturising heroes like hyaluronic acid as well as SPF,” explains pro makeup artist Hannah Martin. Makeup artist, brand founder and beauty expert Ruby Hammer MBE agrees that they are ideal for those who don't want much coverage because they're so lightweight. "Some people change to tinted moisturiser in the summer as it’s more breathable, but if you don’t like the feel of foundation you could happily wear a tinted moisturiser all year round."
The spreadable consistency of these formulas also means they tend to stretch across a wider shade range than foundation, which requires a closer match. "Tinted moisturisers work across all skin types thanks to the availability of [regular] and oil-free varieties," Martin continues. "They’re best-suited to those looking to achieve a minimal makeup look with plenty of glow." Our beauty team has tested dozens over the years, revisiting many of them for this guide, and have whittled it down to this curated list. Here are their reviews of the top-performing buys...
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The best tinted moisturisers, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £14.99 | Number of shades: 10 | Finish: Satin | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
At the risk of sounding like fan girls, L’Oréal Paris is the name behind some of our favourite beauty launches of all time. Pure Retinol Night Serum has been a fixture on our bedside tables since we first tried it, not to mention the Wonder Water liquid conditioner. All this is to say our expectations were high hopes for this makeup base –and we weren't disappointed.
We found True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum to be like the brand has taken the best bits of their best-selling hyaluronic acid serum (another favourite) and infused them with a tint of colour. The result? Sheer, gorgeous coverage. We loved its lightweight feel, thanks to the serum consistency, and contains 1% pure hyaluronic acid to leave skin feeling and looking plump, hydrated and happy. Not only is it the most affordable buy on this list, it’s also the overall best tinted moisturiser of the lot, in our opinion. In a word, it's brilliant.
Reasons to buy: You want something lightweight with buildable coverage
Reasons to avoid: You prefer to shop from "high end" brands
RRP: £38 for 50ml | Number of shades: 15 | Finish: Dewy | Key ingredients: Pentavitin, rice bran
We absolutely love that Ultra Violette has managed to rebrand the sunscreen category as something exciting and joyous to wear, rather than a run-of-the-mill essential, so we had high hopes for the tinted version. There’s a satisfying amount of coverage, which worked such wonders on our dark circles that we were left questioning if we’d already applied concealer.
The texture is a little on the greasy side, but that’s something we expected to come as part-and-parcel of such a high level of SPF. We found it's great on dry skin or when we were after a dewy makeup look, but when that wasn't the case, a few sweeps of powder was enough to dial down any shine. We were impressed to see its 15-strong shade range, too, a great offering for a brand that doesn’t specialise in colour cosmetics. These shades also span a wide spectrum, so there's good inclusivity here, too.
Reasons to buy: You want bonus SPF alongside your facial sunscreen
Reasons to avoid: You want something matte
RRP: £42 for 30ml | Number of shades: 12 | Finish: Healthy | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid
The description of a “skin tint” hits the nail on the head for this one, in our opinion, as the product feels more about subtly correcting and unifying the tone of your skin over adding much in the way of coverage. We initially approached the packaging with caution, as the tapered nib on the squeezy bottle (combined with its name) made us think it would be very runny. But actually, we were pleasantly surpised to find it less fluid than expected.
Once applied, the finish here is nice and glowy, making a very subtle difference to our skin that was enough to perk up a tired complexion. It is possible to build a little in areas of redness with a brush, just use your hand as a palette. This is a real must-try if your skin is on the thirsty side, as we found the addition of hyaluronic acid and squalane delivers a quick dose of hydration to the skin. There's a good, broad shade range here, too.
Reasons to buy: Lightweight and healthy-looking finish
Reasons to avoid: Coverage won't be enough for some preferences
RRP: £30 for 30ml | Number of shades: 20 | Finish: Dewy | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, mallow
It’s not often that we try a product and immediately fall in love. Usually, it takes a few days of testing it in different lights alongside other products before deciding whether it’s a keeper. But this tinted moisturiser changed all that. A silky, creamy base, it blends in like butter, delivering a dewy (not wet) finish that instantly makes you look and feel more polished.
In terms of coverage, it’s a little heavier than some of the others we’ve tried, but it doesn’t feel heavy. It feels barely-there and can easily be built up in layers to deliver your desired coverage without ever looking caked on. To blend, we’d recommend using a stippling brush before pressing the product in with your fingertips – the warmth really helps it to melt into the skin. Overall, this is a must-try for anyone and – especially those who keen to step away from their best full coverage foundation but don't want to go too sheer.
Buy if: You want something buildable and healthy-looking
Avoid if: You're working with a very limited budget
RRP: £39 for 50ml | Number of shades: 16 | Finish: Radiant | Key ingredients: Vitamin C derivative, French Polynesian kopara, glycerin
Weighing up foundation vs tinted moisturiser? This NARS option might prove a happy medium. A slightly higher level of coverage makes this one of the best tinted moisturiser options if you’re used to a full-on foundation. It’s also buildable, so you can start with one light layer and add more to those areas where you want a bit more opacity. Sun protection is always a bonus and the broad spectrum SPF 30 included didn't give us that dreaded ghost face in flash photography.
It gives enough glow to make your skin look wide-awake and well-rested – even if you're surviving on significantly less than eight hours of sleep and haven't eaten vegetables in over a week. The finish is soft satin and it wears well, too, so you're not left wondering where it's gone by 10am. This is a tried and trusted favourite loved by many a beauty editor – and for good reason.
Buy if: You like healthy finish and decent coverage for a tinted moisturiser
Avoid if: You prefer something matte
RRP: £55 for 30ml | Number of shades: 8 | Finish: Radiant | Key ingredients:
When Chanel’s Water Fresh Tint first landed on our shelves back in 2019, it caused quite the fanfare. Beauty enthusiasts everywhere wanted in on this new-gen formulation, which features micro-droplets of encapsulated pigment to deliver a second-skin finish. A far cry from overly made-up "Insta-glam" look, this base offered a natural-looking and feeling alternative.
Since launching, many other brands have attempted to replicate the formula, but we still adore Chanel’s Water Fresh Tint. A great staple, we love this base for when we want to forgo foundation in favour of a fresh-faced glow. For an even finish, we suggest using the brush that’s included with the tint – it’s densely packed with super soft bristles to expertly buff the product in. Then, finish with a dab of the best cream blush for a healthy, radiant makeup look.
Buy if: You want something hydrating, moisturising and easy to blend
Avoid if: You can't stretch to a luxury price tag
RRP: £39 for 16ml | Number of shades: 14 | Finish: Dewy | Key ingredients: Rapeseed, avocado, mandarin, jojoba and olive oils
We're all about convenience when it comes to makeup. If a product is multipurpose, quick to apply, or handily handbag-sized, it has our attention. So this quirky little option was pretty much always going to be a yes from us. A handy rollerball applicator that glides the makeup straight on? A glowing dewy finish? And a bonus of SPF 30? Tick, tick, tick.
While the rollerball is the selling point, you still need to blend this product in with a brush or your hands – this format just means you skip the step of dabbing it onto your hands before applying. Eco-warriors may not appreciate the plastic packaging, but we have to admit we loved the little button that helps you get every last drop out. Plus, the slim tube was great for chucking into our best tote bag and topping up throughout the day.
Reasons to buy: Convenient format and rollerball application; glowy finish
Reasons to avoid: Your skin doesn't like an oily consistency
RRP: £96 for 40ml | Number of shades: 7 | Finish: Fresh | Key ingredients: White lily, buckwheat seed
Sisley Paris is a brand associated with the finer things in beauty, so it’s no surprise its tinted moisturiser feels incredibly luxe. The texture is rich and creamy, without any heaviness or greasiness, and it leaves skin feeling and looking like silk with imperfections blurred. You also have options in terms of how to apply it, depending on the kind of look you’re after. Layer with a brush for a level of coverage that's comparable to one of the best lightweight foundations, or smooth on a little with your fingers and sheer it out for a subtler finish.
It's clear that real thought has gone into the skincare benefits of this formula, with a curated combination of plant extracts that aim to hydrate, energise and smooth your complexion while you wear it. Though the range has been expanded from four, it’s a real shame that it's only available in seven shades – Tan being the darkest – which means it isn't suitable for all skin tones. The mineral SPF filters don’t help here, either, as these can leave a white cast on deeper skin tones.
Reasons to buy: Impressive, buildable coverage
Reasons to avoid: Very limited shade range; expensive for size
RRP: £32 for 60ml | Number of shades: 1 | Finish: Radiant | Key ingredients: Sunflower shoot extract, grape juice antioxidants, raspberry seed & marula oils, zinc oxide
This cult buy reminded us why tinted moisturisers are the best option for an all-year-round base. In the summer, the lightweight formulation is the biggest draw, as the last thing you want to do in the heat is trying to master how to apply foundation while it simultaneously slides off your face.
Meanwhile in winter, a tinted SPF like this one offers light coverage while also protecting your face from those harmful, ever-present UV rays. A downside is that there's just the one shade, which isn't universal. It's also more sheer than other options we've tried, but if you don't mind that, the slightly shimmery (although – not glittery) finish gives that mega-watt glow.
Buy if: You like a shimmery, glowy finish
Avoid if: You need a different shade option; there's just one here
How we tested the best tinted moisturisers
A selection of the tinted moisturisers we tested for this guide
To separate the best from the rest, we tested each tinted moisturiser contender throughout the course of at least one day to assess not only how it looked on our skin, but how well it lasted, too. A range of products from affordable brands right up to high-end luxury buys were tested to ensure we'd tried as broad a range as possible. All of the following factors were considered when making our selections.
- Price: Spending more money doesn't necessarily mean better-performing products, though there are cases where higher-end buys are better quality. If a product was more expensive, that needed to reflect in the ingredient list, user experience and performance.
- Packaging: As well as looking the part, the product packaging should make it easy to dispense, mess- and hassle-free.
- Shade range: We assessed how easy it was to find our shade and noted how inclusive the shade range is.
- Ease of application: How to apply tinted moisturiser can vary from product to product in terms of the best approach. We tested these formulas with sponges, brushes and our fingertips to see just how well they could be applied and blended into the skin. Some worked best with fingertips, while others required a little more buffing in using one of the best foundation brushes.
- How well they lasted: We wanted to ensure that, despite being lightweight, these formulas stuck around fairly well and didn’t transfer or oxidise after several hours of wear.
How to choose the best tinted moisturiser for you
If you’re used to a full-coverage base, it can be a bit intimidating to swap over to something sheerer. Heather Jackson, Smashbox’s National Trainer and makeup artist, shared her top tips with us below.
- Choose the formula carefully: Key factors will help you choose something that work with both your skin and desired look. "The three things to think about are coverage, finish and benefits" says Jackson. "Do you want it to be invisible, or lightly opaque? Do you prefer a matte or radiant finish? Look out for some skin-boosting benefits, too, like SPF, hydration or any extra brightening ingredients to benefit the skin as you wear it."
- Shade match: Tinted moisturisers usually come in fewer shades as formulas are more flexible, meaning one shade can work on a few skin tones. Jackson recommends checking the brand's website when shopping online: "Most stores now have digital shade matching tools and online chat teams to help you navigate, or even better virtual try on." Findation is another very helpful site, which allows you to input known foundation shades to find your match from another brand.
- Prep your skin: As with most things, it's all about the prep. "Even the best tinted moisturiser will need a primer; be sure to use one before applying, to help create the perfect canvas for your makeup." Jackson says. "Pick a brightening or slightly shimmery radiant buy, which will boost glow through the sheerer base."
- Apply concealer strategically: If you're worried about lower coverage, you don't have to rely on your base alone to disguise things like blemishes, discolouration or dark circles. "Just add your best concealer to areas like under the eyes and around the nose where you want a little bit more coverage," Jackson advises.
What's the difference between BB cream vs tinted moisturizer?
There's often confusion between BB cream and tinted moisturiser, but there are key differences. “BB creams were originally made for those who had undergone laser treatment and needed a product to moisturise, provide high SPF protection and add a little tint to the skin,” confirms Martin.
“Over the years, the lines between BB (originally “blemish balm”), CC (originally “colour corrector”) and tinted moisturisers have become blurred, with many different names providing the same things," she continues. "But originally, BB creams were higher in SPF and more concentrated in healing skincare ingredients.”
Today, most tinted moisturisers go far beyond simply providing coverage and moisturising, with added SPF and active ingredients, too. The concept of BB cream has also dipped in popularity as a standalone concept, making way for one big category instead.
Is tinted moisturiser better than foundation?
Comparing tinted moisturiser and foundation is a bit like comparing lightweight jackets with cosy winter coats; they may sit within the same category but they're designed to do completely different things. Foundation spans a broader category than tinted moisturiser and can encompass a light level of coverage all the way through to a thick, ultra pigmented base. They also come in powder, cream, balm and liquid form, whereas tinted moisturiser is always some kind of cream or liquid.
Tinted moisturiser is also lighter than foundation, yielding a more natural and sheer wash of coverage. It’s 20 denier tights to full coverage foundation’s opaque, 200 denier. For some skin types – and for anyone who takes a more relaxed approach to makeup – that might be better, but others may find this offputting.
“Tinted moisturisers generally aren’t buildable in the same way foundations are,” says Hammer, “And they don’t have the same longevity as some heavier foundations.” Ultimately, it’s down to how you want your skin to look and feel, as what’s best for you might not be best for someone else.
Do you apply moisturiser before tinted moisturiser?
“You should absolutely still apply moisturiser before tinted moisturiser,” confirms Hannah Martin. “It may be that you need less, but you still need to prep your skin before makeup for it to look its best.”
You know that feeling after going for a run or waking up after a particularly heavy night out, and are absolutely gasping for a drink of water? Your skin can experience that same level of thirst when deprived of moisture. So if it’s naturally dry or dehydrated from changing weather, you’ll need to replenish with moisturiser (and apply your sunscreen) before moving on to your base. If you skip this step, your thirsty skin will simply absorb more of your tinted moisturiser, resulting in a short-lived finish that quickly goes patchy.
If you’re worried that your moisturiser will cause your tinted one to slip and slide, choose a lightweight, water-based formula and leave a bit more time between applying each.
Our expert panel
Rhiannon Derbyshire is senior beauty editor at woman&home and other women's titles. During her career, she's specialised in beauty, fashion, interiors and health, but beauty remains her favourite topic. She's tested dozens of makeup bases over the years, including tinted moisturisers, and was the main tester for this guide.
Jess Beech is an experienced fashion and beauty editor with more than a decade of experience in the industry. She has written for woman&home, GoodtoKnow, Now, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own and Chat, and was formerly deputy fashion & beauty editor at Future plc. She's very experienced in testing and reviewing makeup, including tinted moisturisers.
Hannah Martin is a makeup artist with more than two decades of experience, as well as the author of Makeup: A Masterclass In Beauty. Having worked with some of the biggest beauty brands in the world, she has also worked with celebrity and royal clients over the years.
An industry legend, makeup artist Ruby Hammer MBE has decades of experience as well as an eponymous beauty brand and has worked on everything from commercial and editorial shoots to fashion catwalks and TV shows. All about embracing natural beauty, she's well-versed in the power of a good tinted moisturiser.
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