13 best tinted moisturisers for glowy, lightweight coverage this summer – tried and tested

Why we love it: This is one of those products I never expected to love, but now I use it all the time. Stick formulas – be it a foundation or in this case, a skin tint – have never been my thing, but this completely changed my opinion. It glides on like a cream (without any tugging) and only needs a damp beauty sponge or your fingers to blend in.

The look is super flattering – a dewy wash of coverage that fades redness and texture while lending a believable radiance to my complexion. It’s my go-to holiday base product as a sweep of blush and bronzer on top creates that sun-kissed golden glow I’m obsessed with.

Why we love it: We all remember when the Liquid Filter first launched – it took the world of social media by storm, and consequently it took me four trips to Boots to get my hands on one.

So, what’s the hype all about? Well, other than the fact that it reminds us of another famous filter, the e.l.f. Halo Glow is essentially like a ‘filter in a bottle’ – it blurs the appearance of redness and uneven tone, while lending a glowy sheen that brightens and conceals in all the right places. You can absolutely wear it alone – it surprisingly offers decent coverage, more than others in this edit – or you can even layer it under foundation to give your complexion extra glow.

Better yet, it contains everyone’s fave hydrators – squalane and hyaluronic acid – to keep your skin feeling moisturised for as long as you wear it.

Why we love it: I’ll forever be in Laura Mercier’s corner when it comes to its complexion products. I mean, hello?! There’s so many foundations, skin tints and balms I love from the brand but if I had to pick an absolute favourite, it would be the Tinted Moisturiser Natural Dewy. I love that it gives me enough coverage to even my skin tone, but still requires a concealer to cover up spots or major redness – which, for day-to-day, I kinda love.

The finish (as you’d guess) is dewy and fresh, so this is my go-to when I want something sheer that will awaken my complexion. I also appreciate the skin-kind ingredients – there’s white rose extract and prebiotics – to keep my skin feeling hydrated and comforted for as long as I wear it.

Read our full Cosmo review here.

Why we love it: If there was a Hollywood Walk of Fame for makeup products, Tilbury's Flawless Filter would be handed a big pink star without question.

Arguably one of the most well-known cosmetic products around, the Flawless Filter is used by celebs, editors and beauty buffs to achieve a radiant and unified complexion. Although it's seen as more of a radiant primer or lightweight tint as opposed to a tinted moisturiser, the formula still keeps the skin feeling hydrated and supple for as long as you wear it. This is the bottle you’d want to take on holiday or have in your summer makeup bag – it’s beautifully weightless, glossy and is bound to get you loads of compliments.

Why we love it: Nars’ Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser is an all-time fave and one I’ve been loyal to for almost five years (yes, that’s a true love affair). With a solid range of shades to choose from, it’s a trusted beauty hero that you can't go wrong with.

As for the formula, it carries just as many skincare benefits as it does makeup. There’s vitamin C and an ingredient named kopara that helps to support skin hydration and the barrier function. Once you apply – which you can do with your fingers, brush or sponge – it layers on a sheer, natural wash of coverage that evens out your skin tone while adding a healthy shot of radiance.

Finally, though this is a great option for those with dry skin, it’s an oil-free formula so it won’t cause greasiness or block pores. Those with combination skin, rejoice!

We we love it: bareMinerals is reinventing the tinted moisturiser wheel with its Luminous Skin Tint Stick. Formulated to boost hydration by 48% and to strengthen the skin barrier by 13%, this is not just a tinted moisturiser – it’s a hard-working, multi-tasking base that improves your skin while delivering a radiant, second-skin finish

I’m not the only one who love this BB. Lia Mappoura, Cosmopolitan’s Beauty Writer, says: “The coverage is sheer but cleverly blurring; my redness dialled all the way down, and post-blemish marks softened without being aggressively concealed.”

Read the full Cosmo review here.

Why we love it: I’m a little bit obsessed with this skin tint (I think I’m now on my third bottle). It’s slightly higher in coverage than your average tinted moisturiser, but it still gives the illusion that you naturally have incredible skin.

I’d also like to put my oily or acne-prone girlies onto this. The formula is oil-free so it won’t contribute to a greasy or shiny appearance throughout the day – plus, it includes silica and talc to lend a blurred, soft-focus finish that minimises the appearance of pores and acne texture.

Why we love it: We all knew REFY would launch a stellar tinted moisturiser – glossy, natural and great-looking skin is part of the brand’s DNA. Luckily for us, the Skin Base Skin Tint lived up to every expectation.

The texture of this bb isn’t like most – as opposed to being a liquid texture like many, this is a gel. Why does that matter, you may ask? It helps the formula blend seamlessly into the skin, while lending a fresh-faced and dewy glow. In fact, that’s the perfect way to describe this formula: fresh. It makes your skin look naturally perfected as opposed to anything too made up.

It certainly sits on the lighter side: one layer is enough to subtly smooth redness and texture, though you can build it into something with a touch more coverage – though still light. If you’re into your skincare, you’ll appreciate the inclusion of hyaluronic acid to keep your skin feeling hydrated. Take it on your next Euro-summer holiday and thank us later.

We we love it: True Match is arguably one of the most popular high-street franchises around, and for good reason. I’ll forever love the foundation, but if I’m looking for something a little lighter, this serum iteration is my go-to.

It offers more coverage than most tinted moisturisers, but the overall finish looks beautifully natural. Thanks to its serum-like texture, it quickly sinks into the skin and lends a satin finish, enough to fade the appearance of redness and texture, while still looking beautifully natural. Your skin will look so, so good.

Better yet, it’s refreshingly hydrating and undetectable to wear, so it’s a wise investment to see you through summer.

Why we love it: I’m sure you would have seen this sleek bottle on your FYP. Featured in many of the chicest makeup routines is the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint – the base to reach for if you’re after a velvety, glowy sheen that subtly evens out your skin tone.

It’s packed with hydrating ingredients including hyaluronic acid and squalane, so it delivers skincare benefits alongside coverage. But undoubtably my favourite part is the second-skin finish that diffuses texture and pigmentation, leaving you with buttery-smooth-looking skin.

And, in case this tempts your purchase, it’s a favourite of Hourglass’ ambassador: Olivia Dean. That’s right – the photos you see of stars getting glammed before an event with beautifully glowy, smooth skin... it could be this!

Why we love it: Saie has captured our attention with its fresh-faced formulas – and this dewy tint is the best of the lot. It has a gel-like texture that those with dry or combination skin will love this summer: the formula effortlessly melts into the skin without feeling like you’re caked in makeup. As for the finish, it’s certainly on the natural side, lending a radiant finish that creates the illusion you have great skin – rather than wearing makeup.

And if you’re into your skincare benefits, listen up! It’s packed with soothing aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin feeling moisturised while you wear it – never dry or cakey.