These Lightweight Tinted Moisturizers Will Make You Ditch Foundation for Good
The hydrating formulas even out skin for a filtered effect.
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2016 makeup trends may be having a moment, but I’ll never go back to wearing full-coverage matte foundations after discovering—and falling in love with—the best tinted moisturizers. These hybrid formulas meld the hydrating benefits of moisturizers with the skin tone-evening power of lightweight complexion products for a glowy and fresh, your-skin-but-better finish.
If you’re the kind of person who likes to keep their makeup simple and straightforward, tinted moisturizers will completely streamline your routine. And since they’re formulated with hydrators, like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and glycerin (as well as SPF in some cases!), one product can knock out multiple steps.
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Once you try one of team Cosmo’s top tinted moisturizers, you’ll never want to use another face base again. Discover our seven favorites, below.
Pros
- Plumps and deeply hydrates skin without feeling heavy
- Easily buildable
Cons
- Might not be the best pick if you're looking for fuller coverage
Whether you want a sheer wash of color to even out your skin tone or prefer more coverage for special occasions, this versatile tinted moisturizer can do both—and always leaves your complexion looking natural and fresh. Skin gets a surge of plumping moisture from a mix of polyglutamic and hyaluronic acids that works throughout the day to keep you comfy. By the time you take your makeup off at the end of the night, you’ll feel just as fresh as when you first applied it in the morning.
One Cosmo editor says: “I’ve never tried a makeup product with more hydration than this skin tint—it makes my face look smooth, plump, and juicy without feeling heavy. In addition to its hydrating ingredients, it’s free of pore cloggers, so it’s great for acne-prone skin.” — JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Key features at a glance
| Key ingredients | Polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid, grapefruit extract |
| Coverage | sheer-to-medium |
| Finish | Radiant |
Pros
- Leaves you with a filtered skin effect
- It's sheer yet beautifully evens out skin tone
Cons
- We wish there were more shade options
The ultimate no-makeup makeup tinted moisturizer, this lightweight formula provides a sheer wash of color for a filtered skin effect. Featherlight hydrators—lookin’ at sodium hyaluronate, a smaller form of hyaluronic acid—keep skin soft and supple throughout wear without clogging pores. It’s rare for a formula to work for all skin types, but this one truly does.
One Cosmo editor says: “I've gone through multiple tubes of this tinted moisturizer in a few different shades because it's so reliable to travel with. When I don't want to think about my makeup but want a teensy bit of coverage, this does the trick and plays well with every concealer, bronzer, blush, etc. that I own.” — BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Key features at a glance
| Key ingredients | Sodium hyaluronate |
| Coverage | Light |
| Finish | Natural |
Pros
- Loaded with hydrating ingredients that make skin v glowy
- Has a medium, buildable coverage
Cons
- We wish there were more shade options
Packed with mega hydrators, including aloe, hyaluronic acid, and maracuja oil, this tinted moisturizer gives your skin an enviable glow—while you’re wearing it and after you wash it off. (Yep, it works overtime!) Even with all the hydration, the formula doesn't feel heavy or suffocating on skin, which is surprising considering how easy it is to build coverage. One layer gives you a lovely sheer finish, but you can easily work up to medium coverage.
One Cosmo editor says: "I rely on this in the summertime when I want a lil more coverage for special occasions but still prefer a fresh vibe. It's extremely lightweight but covers a lot. It's pretty damn long-lasting too—I checked the mirror more than 10 hours after I had applied it and still didn't need to touch up." — BG
Key features at a glance
| Key ingredients | Maracuja oil, hyaluronic acid, aloe |
| Coverage | Medium |
| Finish | Dewy |
Pros
- Holy Grail Award winner
- Doesn't irritate sensitive skin, per testing
Cons
- It's a bit of an investment, but lasts a long time
The secret behind Gracie Abrams’ stunning glow on her Cosmo cover? This natural tinted moisturizer that provides a ‘your skin, but better’ finish. It seamlessly evens out your skin tone and adds a smidge of coverage on any acne or dark spots, but it still feels and looks just like your natural skin.
Although it's called a ‘skin tint foundation,’ it's more aligned with a true skin tint thanks to a mix of hyaluronic acid and squalane. Plus, meadowfoam seed oil helps give your complexion a pretty sheen without looking oily or cakey.
One Cosmo editor says: “This tinted moisturizer gives my skin that plump, juicy look that I crave. And the tint is just right—sheer and blendable but still opaque enough to provide some meaningful coverage.”— LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Key features at a glance
| Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, squalane, meadowfoam seed oil |
| Coverage | Light-to-medium |
| Finish | Natural |
Pros
- Ultra-moisturizing formula is ideal for dry skin types
- Doesn't irritate sensitive skin
- Includes SPF 35
Cons
- Might be a tad oily for acne-prone skin types
As a member of the sensitive skin community, I’m usually very hesitant to try new products, as I always worry I’ll break out. However, the Saie Slip Tint has become a staple in my routine. For days when I don’t feel like wearing makeup, but want a little something, this is always my go-to. I also feel a tad more protected courtesy of the SPF 35.
One Cosmo editor says: "Okay, there’s nothing this tinted moisturizer CAN’T do. Its formula is super hydrating, it’s packed with SPF, smooths out my skin, and perfectly covers my blemishes all at the same time… talk about a freaking multitasker. As a makeup minimalist, I love wearing this as my everyday complexion product, but it also plays well with others! This, a little concealer, and my favorite liquid blush = the glowy base of my dreams." — JH
Key features at a glance
| Key ingredients | Rose water, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil |
| Coverage | Light |
| Finish | Dewy |
Pros
- Readers' Choice Award winner
- Water-like texture has a barely there feel
Cons
- Most expensive option on this list
Chanel creates some of the best designer makeup ever—and their complexion products are the crème de la crème. This ultra-lightweight tinted moisturizer is by far a favorite amongst team Cosmo and readers. (It even won Readers' Choice Award!) The unique formula is crafted with tiny pigmented droplets suspended in a watery base. These burst on contact with skin to provide sheer coverage and up to 12 hours of non-greasy hydration.
One Cosmo editor says: “I’m fully obsessed. This formula has very minimal coverage—like, it really just adds a glow to my skin but doesn’t even necessarily even out discoloration. But with a concealer covering up my zits and dark circles, it offers such a fresh, barely-there look to my skin that’s so natural." — BG
Key features at a glance
| Key ingredients | Bitter orange flower extract |
| Coverage | Light |
| Finish | Natural |
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 30
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 30
Pros
- Oil-free, non-comedogenic formula is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts
Cons
- Not opaque enough to fully conceal cystic breakouts
This gel-cream tinted moisturizer is a dream for acne-prone skin. The oil-free formula majorly boosts hydration levels and improves skin barrier function, but won't clog pores (so long, acne!). We love that the sheer, buildable pigment camouflages breakouts while also minimizing the appearance of dark marks and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
One Cosmo editor says: "All beauty editors have those products they have to keep on hands at all times. This one is mine. I cannot live without it, because it's so simple yet makes me feel more confident every time I put it on. It evens out my skin tone and adds a slight glow, but feels like I'm wearing nothing." — BG
Key features at a glance
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, squalane |
| Coverage | Light |
| Finish | Natural |
Which Tinted Moisturizers Are Best?
The best tinted moisturizers contain hydrating and moisturizing ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane), as well as buildable pigments that conceal imperfections, like acne, chronic redness, and hyperpigmentation. Many top-rated tinted moisturizers also contain SPF 30 or more to help protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
What's the Difference Between Tinted Moisturizer and BB Cream?
Tinted moisturizers, BB creams, CC creams, skin tints...consider them cousins. They're all related, but look, act, and feel slightly different. Here's a quick breakdown:
- Tinted moisturizers hydrate and correct. They typically have the same consistency as a lightweight face lotion and, as mentioned previously, contain a combo of hydrating ingredients and buildable pigments to camouflage things like hyperpigmentation and redness.
- BB creams and CC creams correct and cover. They usually have a thick, cream-like texture and contain targeted skincare ingredients as well as medium-to-full coverage pigments to fully conceal things like cystic acne and rosacea.
- Skin tints give your skin a subtle glow. They typically have a serum-like texture and provide sheer coverage—similar to a lightweight foundation—to diffuse the look of spots and marks and improve your overall skin tone.
How to Choose a Tinted Moisturizer
Look for a tinted moisturizer with ingredients for your specific skin type.
Just like regular face moisturizers, tinted moisturizers are formulated with different types of ingredients for different skin types and concerns. If your skin is super dry, you'll want to choose a nourishing formula that's made with ceramides and heavier ingredients like jojoba oil and shea butter. If your skin is on the oily side, a formula made with mattifying ingredients will be your best bet. And if you're looking to brighten your skin tone or improve your skin texture, a tinted moisturizer that's made with antioxidants, like vitamin C and/or niacinamide, will help get the job done.
Pay attention to the texture and finish.
Love a glowy skin moment? Any tinted moisturizer that's labeled "dewy," "radiant," or "luminous" will help you achieve that effect. If you prefer a more natural finish with your makeup, keep an eye out for words like "matte," "satin," and "blurring"—they'll still make your skin look smooth and healthy but not as shiny as the glow-boosting formulas.
Why Trust 'Cosmopolitan'?
Mary Honkus is a contributing editor for Cosmopolitan with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories. For this story, she tested a variety of tinted moisturizers to find the most comfortable formulas that you’ll actually enjoy wearing.
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories that range from the best under-eye concealers to the best mascaras of all time. She’s an authority in all makeup categories but an expert when it comes to under-eye concealers. She regularly tests and analyzes under-eye concealers for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top makeup artists and cosmetic chemists to assess new formulas, brands, and technologies.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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