We’ve officially made it to the warmer months (cue the iced coffee orders and rooftop brunches), which means it’s the perfect time to swap heavy foundations for the best tinted moisturizers that let your skin breathe. After spending what felt like forever indoors during the pandemic, many of us took that time to level up our skincare routines—and it’s paying off. Our skin is thriving, glowing, flourishing… so why cover it up with thick, cakey formulas now that it’s finally time to show it off?
Enter the era of “skin is in.” The no-makeup makeup trend has been dominating our beauty feeds, and honestly, we’re not mad at it. Tinted moisturizers have stepped into the spotlight as the ultimate glow-up heroes, offering hydration, light coverage, and SPF in one skin-loving formula. They’re the perfect marriage between skincare and makeup: think moisturizer meets a whisper of foundation. Whether you’re running errands, heading to brunch, or just want to look effortlessly radiant on a Zoom call, the best tinted moisturizers have got your back (and your face).
How to Find Your Glow: Picking the Best Tinted Moisturizer Shade Without the Guesswork
Choosing the right shade of tinted moisturizer can feel like finding your soulmate—it takes patience, a little trial and error, and maybe some light stalking (in this case, of product reviews). Unlike foundation, tinted moisturizers tend to have more flexible coverage, which means they’re a bit more forgiving when it comes to shade matching. That said, you still want it to blend seamlessly with your skin tone—no ghost face, no orange mask, just radiant realness.
Start by figuring out your undertone: are you warm, cool, or neutral? If your veins look greenish and gold jewelry looks fab on you, you’re probably warm. More into silver and see blue veins? You’re likely cool. A mix of both? Hello, neutral! Look for shades that actually name the undertone in the description, and when in doubt, swatch on your jawline or go for brands that offer samples or virtual try-ons. Remember: tinted moisturizer should enhance your natural skin, not try to transform it. You’re not auditioning for a new face—just giving your fabulous one a little extra glow.
Here is a rundown of 7 tinted moisturizers that hydrate, protect and offer diverse shade ranges.
7 of the Best Tinted Moisturizers That Hydrate, Moisturize and Protect
We want to be transparent with you about how we make money. This website uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the retailer. This commission comes at no additional cost to you
First up is ColourPop’s Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer. This hydrating moisturizer boasts 21 shades with warm and neutral undertones. Its main ingredients are coconut water and hyaluronic acid, which supports moisture without the oil.
This is a lightweight tint which is easily applied with your fingers or a blending sponge. This retails on Colourpop.com or Ulta for $14.
NARS Cosmetics Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer has both SPF 30 and vitamin c in their ingredients. With 15 shades, this tinted moisturizer promises to condition and refine the look of your skin.
Lightweight coverage with the brightening power of vitamin c, no wonder this tinted moisturizer is a cult favorite. This retails for $45 and can be found at both Ulta and Sephora.
We’re headed to the drugstore for our next tinted moisturizer. The new Maybelline Fit Me Tinted Moisturizer boasts a 12 hour wear time while providing a natural, shine-free finish.
The 14 shade range is similar to the Fit Me Foundation, and it comes in a squeeze tube. Maybelline states this tinted moisturizer has 76% natural ingredients plus aloe.
This doesn’t contain any SPF, so make sure to put some on before you apply. This retails for $9.99 on Ulta’s website.
The Lip Bar is a Black Woman-owned brand that has been around for a few years now. They’ve recently expanded their products to include a 3-1 Tinted Skin Conditioner.
There are 8 shades in this line, and even though it has SPF, it's SPF 11, so a little extra sunscreen might be needed.
This is available on the Lip Bar’s website or at your local Target and retails for $18.99.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector with Broad Spectrum SPF 30. It took a minute, but Laura Mercier increased the shade range of their face products a few years ago.
This tinted moisturizer comes in 20 shades that include neutral, cool, and warm
undertones.
The ingredients include macadamia and kukui seed oil which provide up to 24 hrs of hydration. The sheer coverage of this skin tint gives a dewy finish which is perfect for dry skin.
This retails at both Sephora and Ulta for $47.
Another drugstore favorite on this list is from NYX Cosmetics. The Bare With Me Skin Veil comes in 12 shades which conceal and blur any skin imperfections. According to NYX, this skin tint hydrates with a satin finish and is the perfect alternative to foundation and BB cream.
This product does not have SPF, so make sure to wear your sunscreen before applying.
You can get this at your local Target or Ulta, and it retails for $13.
Last on my list is the Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint. This one of the newer complexion products from Fenty Beauty, and as usual, the shade range is inclusive.
This lightweight skin tint comes in 25 shades, and a few drops go a long way. The finish is more satin than glowy and pairs well with your other skincare products.
This also does not have SPF as an ingredient, so make sure to protect yourself with your sunscreen.
The skin tint retails for $29.50 and can be found on Sephora.com or on Fenty Beauty’s website.
Shop Like a Pro: Tips for Snagging the Best Tinted Moisturizer Without Breaking the Bank
Look, we all love a good glow-up, but that doesn’t mean you need to drop half your paycheck on one tube of tinted magic. The best tinted moisturizer isn’t always the most expensive—it’s the one that checks all your boxes: hydration, sun protection, skin tone match, and that smooth, dewy finish you dream about. Shopping smart just means knowing what to look for—and what to avoid.
First, peep the ingredient list. Hyaluronic acid? Yes, please. SPF? Absolutely. Fragrance that makes your skin throw a tantrum? Hard pass. Also, check reviews from people who actually have your skin type—what works for your oily-skinned bestie might not fly for your dry patches. Don’t sleep on drugstore gems either—some of the best tinted moisturizers are under $20 and deliver major results. And if you’re shopping online, make sure there’s a solid return policy or try-before-you-buy option. Because nothing’s worse than committing to a tube of beige regret.
Which of these tinted moisturizers will you be buying? Let us know in the comments!
