13 Best Tinted Moisturizers 2022 For Lightweight Coverage All Spring and Summer
Warmer temps are the perfect opportunity to ditch that heavy foundation for a more lightweight coverage with one of the best tinted moisturizers. Those of us in temperate climates can honestly learn a lot from tropical destination dwellers who have mastered a confidence-boosting makeup routine with minimal products.
“Growing up in Miami, because it’s so hot and so humid, you just like, can’t really wear a lot of makeup there. So I like to go very, very light coverage,” says Camila Cabello in her installment of Vogue’s beauty secrets. In place of foundation, she opts for a CC cream as her base.
Tinted moisturizers, CC or BB creams, skin tints, or tinted sunscreens are all practically synonymous to describe formulas that pair skin-nourishing ingredients with just enough pigment to cover imperfections or a skin-blurring effect. “Skin is in, tinted moisturizers are an amazing way to achieve a light and flawless makeup look,” says makeup pro Natasha Chauvet—who emphasizes that all skin types can sport this barely-there product.
Those with oily skin might be especially cautious, but don’t fret. “My favorite hack for oily skin is to use a primer and set your makeup with a setting powder—either translucent or one that suits your complexion,” advises celebrity makeup artist Tae René, continuing that this method will prevent your look from shifting throughout the day. If your concern is masking blemishes or dark spots, pro makeup artist Arielle Antoinette notes that “even with skin that has discoloration, you can spot control with concealer” atop your tinted formula of choice.
Ready to try one for yourself? Below, 13 of the best tinted moisturizers to add to your routine all spring and summer long.
A Classic Choice
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector
Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer is certainly an O.G.—and a favorite amongst beauty enthusiasts for years now. In fact, Vogue’s fashion & style writer Christian Allaire dubs it one of his hero makeup products. “Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer for life! I never get more compliments on my skin than when I use it—the perfect amount of glow and coverage,” he says. “I recommend it to all my guy friends who are dipping their toes into makeup and want light coverage.”
Celeb-Approved
Han Skincare Cosmetics Serum CC with SPF 30+
“Sunscreen is always really important. My mom has always told me that it was really important and I hate when I get sunburned,” says Cabello who is a fan of the Han Skincare Cosmetics Serum CC. Though she loves it for the featured SPF 30, this is also ideal to hydrate and even out skin tone thanks to its cocktail of essential oils.
Oil-Free Options
Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation
While this is infused with SPF 23 and hyaluronic acid, what we love most about Lancôme’s tinted moisturizer is that it’s oil-free. Expect this to leave a seamless velvety smooth finish even before powder.
Smooth Looking Skin
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty has given the industry many star makeup products, and its skin tint is certainly one of the most memorable. Available in 25 shades, this is not only suitable for a wide range of skin tones but works to smooth and blur skin in an instant—making it an excellent choice to reduce the look of pores or texture.
Skin-Care Shortcut
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Ilia’s Super Serum is a skin tint that has too captured the hearts of Vogue editors. Associate market editor Mai Morsch admitted in 2020 how the 3-in-1 hydrating serum replaced her entire skin-care routine. “This virtually undetectable tint boasts a combination of niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic acid that leaves my skin impossibly dewy, while the lightweight coverage promises a Zoom-ready appearance; and the addition of SPF 40 just makes it all the sweeter (and safer!) for summer,” she wrote.
For All-Day Hydration
Yves Saint Laurent Nu Bare Look Tint Foundation
The key to that dewy no-makeup makeup look is an incredibly hydrated base. Follow your radiance-boosting skin-care regimen with the Yves Saint Laurent Nu Bare Look Tint Foundation that’s packed with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and mallow for up to 24-hour hydration surge that rivals even the best face moisturizers.
Your Skin But Better
Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Skin Tint
Celebrity makeup artist Jen Tioseco tells Vogue that “radiant skin but with some coverage” will trend this spring—one of her favorites being Rose Inc’s Skin Enhance Luminous Skin Tint. She says, it’s “super lightweight but evens the skin out just enough to look like you’re blessed with perfect skin; and to top it off it’s a clean beauty product!”
Brilliant Brightening
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
Those looking to vitamin C to deal with hyperpigmentation, dullness, and dark marks should consider adding the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer to their makeup assortment. Infused with not only the antioxidant, SPF, and the conditioning ingredient French Polynesian kopara, expect a sheer, radiant finish that can help protect and even out skin tone over time.
For Buildable Coverage
Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
The Tower 28 SunnyDays is an all-star tinted sunscreen recently introduced to the market that’s already well-loved for pairing skin-loving benefits with buildable coverage. Designed to soothe stressed skin (through a cocktail of prickly pear, white sage, aloe vera, and broad-spectrum SPF 30), apply a bit with your fingers to even skin tone or use your favorite brush to actually cover discoloration.
Sensitive Skin Savior
It Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
It Cosmetics’ coveted CC cream certainly won’t do you wrong, especially if you have sensitive, temperamental skin. Though its full coverage with SPF 50, this is known to calm skin as it blends thanks to the featured collagen, peptides, and hyaluronic acid.
Wrinkle and Pore Friendly
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint SPF 20
What’s better than a formula that alters to your skin’s needs? Enter this option by Shiseido that’s crafted to combat heat, humidity, oil, and even motion. And so, it has become a favorite for celebrity makeup artists Fiona Stiles and Brigitte Reiss-Andersen because it delivers lightweight radiance without exaggerating the look of wrinkles or pores.
Comfortable Coverage
Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
As the name suggests, Chanel’s Water-Fresh Tint is made up of 75% water for a gel-textured formula that feels surprisingly refreshing going on. It’s powered by pigmented micro droplets for weightless coverage.
Vacation Ready Formula
The Lip Bar Just A Tint 3-in-1 Tinted Skin Conditioner with SPF
Parring your travel makeup bag to just a few TSA-friendly products is hard enough, but The Lip Bar’s skin conditioner makes packing that much easier. Founded by Melissa Butler, the brand’s vegan, cruelty-free formula is crafted to protect, perfect, and moisturize at once—replacing even the best skin-care products.
