These Tinted Moisturizers With SPF Are The Perfect Combo Of Skincare & Makeup
For those days when you just can’t be bothered to apply a bunch of different products, the best tinted moisturizers with SPF are the way to go. They are the perfect combination of makeup and skincare, providing you lightweight coverage with some added perks for your skin.
Selecting A Tinted Moisturizer
Moisturizer is an essential step in any skin care routine, since it helps to keep your skin hydrated. But a tinted moisturizer goes a step beyond just hydration, providing a subtle amount of pigmented coverage (albeit, not as much coverage as a traditional foundation) to smooth out your skin tone for that perfect no-makeup look. In addition, many tinted moisturizers contain ingredients that can be beneficial for specific skin types. Dr. Lauren Eckert Ploch, MD, MEd, FAAD, told Bustle in an interview that hyaluronic acid is one ingredient to be on the lookout for, especially if you have dry skin. Hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate your skin and give it a glow. And if you have very dry skin, she recommends looking for a moisturizer that contains ceramides, which can help your skin for losing moisture. If you have oily skin, look for oil-free formulations that will hydrate without leaving your complexion greasy.
Beyond standard tinted moisturizers, you'll also find BB and CC creams. Both are essentially tinted moisturizers, but BB creams tend to provide a bit thicker coverage than a standard tinted moisturizer (but still less than foundation), while lighter-weight CC creams even out any redness or dark spots on your skin.
What About SPF?
SPF is super important when it comes to protecting your skin from sun damage such as sunburn and skin cancer. Both Dr. Ploch and Dr. Skylar Souyoul, MD recommend reaching for tinted moisturizers that contain at least SPF 30. Make sure the product also provides broad spectrum protection, meaning it protects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. If you have sensitive skin, Dr. Souyoul recommends looking for a product with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
A tinted moisturizer with SPF is a good way to start with sun protection, but Dr. Souyoul still recommends using sunscreen, too. “If you are using a sunscreen in a moisturizer or make-up you might not be applying enough of the product or you might be avoiding areas like around the eyes or neck,” she explained.
With all this in mind, I’ve tracked down these amazing tinted moisturizers with SPF. Not only are these products adored by Amazon reviewers for their ability to hydrate and moisturize the skin, they’re also beloved for providing lightweight coverage that makes skin appear smooth, even, and healthy.
01Best For Dry Skin: A Super Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 30 & Hyaluronic Acid
This tinted moisturizer from First Aid Beauty is packed with ingredients to help moisturize dry skin. Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid are the difference makers when it comes to hydration, plus colloidal oatmeal helps to calm and soothe — a biggie if your skin is sensitive. Plus, the formulation is non-comedogenic, aka it won’t clog your pores.
The tinted moisturizer comes in six different shades, and is free of artificial fragrances, parabens, and sulfates. It’s vegan and gluten-free, too. SPF 30 and broad spectrum coverage will help to protect your skin from the sun.
Available Shades: Deep, Rich, Bronze, Tan, Cream, Light, Ivory, Fair, Bone
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "I am a fan of the First Aid Beauty products for lots of reasons with the two most important being: the company is cruelty free, the products WORK!! The cover provided by this particular product is great for anyone who doesn't want a heavy foundation or look like they are wearing a lot of makeup. Goes on smoothly and also protects the face with a good amount of sunscreen. Product also lasts a good amount of time as you don't need much to get the smooth look it provides. Love it!!! Thank you, First Aid Beauty."
02Best For Oily Skin: An Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 30
With a standout 4.6-star rating on Amazon, this bareMinerals tinted hydrating gel is truly a favorite on the site. But don’t let its name fool you... while the formulation is certainly hydrating, it won't leave your skin overly greasy; gel formulas are ideal for oily skin since they typically have a higher water content, which provides a non-greasy boost of moisture. This pick is also totally oil-free.
While many tinted moisturizers are lacking in terms of shade range, this pick is actually pretty good; choose from 10 different options. This pick also offers broad spectrum protection and SPF 30. It’s free of silicones, parabens, and fragrance, and is hypoallergenic, too.
Available Shades: Sienna (10), Chestnut (09), Spice (08), Tan (07), Ginger (06), Natural (05), Suede (04), Buttercream (03), Vanilla (02), Opal (01),
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "This gave my skin that great glow that I had heard so much about but have never been able to achieve. I am not really a heavy skin makeup person but had some redness I wanted to tone down and just generally even my skin tone. I think this is a life time product for me now. The tone is perfect, the absorption is quick and I feel hydrated. 6 stars from me."
03Best For Sensitive Skin: A Tinted Moisturizer With Zinc Oxide & SPF 30
This Juice Beauty tinted moisturizer uses the mineral zinc oxide as the active sunscreen ingredient (which is more skin-friendly than a chemical sunscreen ingredient), so it’s the perfect pick for those with sensitive skin. And SPF 30 and broad spectrum coverage will protect your skin from the sun.
The tinted moisturizer also contains other ingredients that are a gentle enough for those with sensitive skin. Organic coconut, sunflower, and jojoba oils hydrate the skin, while plant-derived hyaluronic acid also helps to replenish lost moisture.
This tinted moisturizer provides light coverage and comes in three shades.
Available Shades: Tan, Sand, Ivory,
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "Great sunscreen. The tint coverage is very sheer but just enough to feel “finished”. I have very sensitive fair skin and this sunscreen protects my skin and does not irritate or clog pores. I have purchased both the sand and ivory shades and I prefer the ivory however both worked. I have attached a photo to show how fair skinned I am."
04Best BB Cream: A Wildly Popular Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 30
With a solid 4.6-star rating after over 2,000 (and growing!) total reviews, this BB cream from purlisse is adored on Amazon. And it’s easy to see why: it has SPF 30 and soothing antioxidants like chamomile, plus it provides natural-looking coverage. Let's not forget about the fact that this BB cream comes in a wide shade range with eight light and dark shades so you can actually find a good match for your skin tone. The BB cream is hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, vegan, and paraben-free.
Available Shades: Deep, Tan Deep, Tan, Medium Tan, Medium, Light Medium, Light, Fair
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "The best bb cream I have ever used. I spent years trying to find something that protected my skin, went on smoothly, and looked good all day long. I even tried ones from other countries and thought that maybe my standards were too high until I found this. Even my husband says that this bb cream is the best he has ever seen on me (and he has seen a lot). If you want that wonderfully natural no makeup makeup look then this is what you want to use."
05Highest SPF: A Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 50, A Matte Finish & Redness-Reducing Formula
Amazon reviewers love the fact that this MDSolarSciences beauty balm has an SPF of 50. And with broad spectrum coverage, you can rest easy knowing that this product will help to protect your skin from the sun. Beyond sunscreen, this matte-finish BB cream is packed with ingredients that will benefit your skin. Caffeine and niacinamide help to reduce the appearance of redness and discoloration for a more even skin tone. Ingredients like CoQ10 and vitamins C and E help smooth and soothe the skin. This cream is also hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores.
Only downside? This pick comes in just two shades.
Available Shades: Light/Medium, Medium/Dark
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "My board certified dermatologist suggested this company, and I absolutely love this product! [...] I’ve purchased this Beauty Balm multiple times now, and it’s made a huge difference in my appearance. [...] This product doesn’t offer much coverage, but does give a slight blur. I often wear it alone, and use a liquid or powder foundation over it for a more professional finish. It can be worn on your neck without transferring to clothes, a huge plus for me, and it doesn’t contain all the usual, harmful sunscreen chemicals. Oh, and it doesn’t seem to burn your eyes; I apply right up to the lash line without problem. [...]"
06Best CC Cream: A Vegan Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 30
You’ll be shocked at how much this Honest Beauty CC cream can do for your skin. The product primes, brightens (thanks to antioxidant-rich vitamin C), and corrects, and locks in moisture. Plus, the CC cream uses non-chemical sunscreen ingredients for broad spectrum SPF 30 protection against the sun and blue light (such as the light from your laptop). Reviewers also report that the cream provides a beautifully lightweight, dewy finish.
This CC cream is free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. It’s vegan, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), and cruelty-free, too. Choose from four different shades.
Available Shades: Deep, Medium, Light, Fair
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "This tinted moisturizer is exceptional. It glides on smoothly, doesn't cake up, and moisturizes while covering up blemishes. It's not irritating, protects against ultra-violet rays. I find that to be a bonus living in Florida. It is odorless and lasts all day. Absolute 5 star product to tint skin while moisturizing and protecting it."
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Expert Sources:
Skylar Souyoul, MD, Lupo Center for Aesthetic and General Dermatology in New Orleans, LA
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