I Don't Use Foundation Anymore—These Tinted Moisturizers are Responsible For My Glow Instead

Copper peptides are the MVP ingredient in this tinted moisturizer if you're looking for an anti-aging formula—they help firm and plump skin by supporting collagen production over time. While the product is on, though, it helps cover up discoloration and soothes sensitive skin with sodium PCA and zinc. The light coverage is buildable, but feels extremely light on skin, thanks to the gel texture that blends so easily with a sponge, brush, or fingers.

• Key ingredients: Peptides, sodium PCA, zinc
  
• Coverage: Light
• Finish: Dewy

One Cosmo editor says: "This creamy formula has a shocking amount of coverage for something that feels so serum-like on my face. I dab it on my face with a beauty sponge, and it's glowy but not too oily." — BG

The O.G. Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer is the GOAT (keep scrolling for our take on this one), but if you have oily skin and still want light coverage, this new version is fantastic. It sometimes feels impossible to find a matte tinted moisturizer that doesn’t totally dry our skin out. Luckily, Laura Mercier did us a favor and packed this moisturizer with a mix of different powders and kaolin clay to help mattify and keep shine down. However, it's not drying (shout-out, rose extract and vitamin E).

• Key ingredients: Kaolin clay, vitamin E, rose extract
  
• Coverage: Medium
• Finish: Matte

One Cosmo reader says: "I’m actually impressed with the coverage as well, it’s buildable without having that cakey feel. It's very, very lightweight! It’s not too matte where you look dull, though. I can say it definitely just smooths and evens out your skin. Great for every day look!"

here was a time when tinted moisturizers came in three to four shades, max—none of which would be deep enough for a dark skin tone. Not this one. This product offers a medium coverage with a natural finish that is literally made to look just like your skin, which is why it's so important that it also comes in a great mix of deep shades. It's also hydrating, but doesn't feel too oily on skin, making it pretty suitable for just about every skin type.

• Key ingredients: Baobab extract, hibiscus extract, vitamin E
  
• Coverage: Medium
• Finish: Natural

One Cosmo reader says: "I’ve been working on improving my skin texture and evenness, and I wanted a base that provides coverage without feeling too heavy. This one is perfect! It evens out the tone across my face and chest and doesn’t feel like it’s sitting on my skin, even after wearing it for 8+ hours."

As a member of the sensitive skin community, I am usually very hesitant to try new products, as I am always worried that I will break out. However, the Saie Slip Tinth has become a staple in my routine. For days that I don’t feel like wearing makeup, but want a little something for light coverage, this is always in my hand (and on my face). My favorite aspect of this tinted moisturizer is that it has SPF 35 protection and acts like a shield against harmful rays.

• Key ingredients: Rose water, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil
  
• Coverage: Light
• Finish: Dewy

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." — Jasmine Hyman, assistant beauty editor

For those of us with dry skin, it’s sometimes a major struggle to find a product that doesn’t look patchy throughout the day. Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Hydrating Skin Tint is a true favorite based on the simple fact that it is legit loaded with a whole lotta hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, niacinamide, and botanical oils. It's also super long-wearing, which makes sense considering it's essentially the tinted version of the brand's famed Vitamin Enriched Face Base primer.

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, shea butter
  
• Coverage: Light
• Finish: Natural

One Cosmo reader says: “Wow, what a product. I have combination skin and hate having my skin feel plastered in make up, I love me a natural look. Feels so nice putting it on and you have a lovely soft fresh face afterward!”

There’s a reason every single person you know is obsessed with this award-winning tinted moisturizer. While it evens out your skin tone with the perfect amount of coverage, it also protects your skin from damaging UV rays and won’t cause any irritation. Need proof? It’s oil-free and dermatologist-and allergy-tested, so you know it’s legit.

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, grape extract, probiotics
  
• Coverage: Light
• Finish: Natural

One Cosmo reader says: “After using this product I immediately feel more confident. It makes me so glowy and gives me a really good even complexion all-over. It wears great throughout the day and doesn’t feel heavy! Would repurchase!"

Chanel makeup is some of the best out there, especially their complexion products (ILY, Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation), and this ultra-lightweight tinted moisturizer is no exception. Winner of a Cosmo Readers' Choice Award, the formula is super unique—the tiny pigmented droplets are suspended in a watery base—and provides sheer coverage and up to 12 hours of non-greasy hydration.

• Key ingredients: Bitter orange flower extract
  
• Coverage: Light
• Finish: Natural

One Cosmo editor says: “’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

Not only is this tinted moisturizer from drugstore makeup brand L'Oréal Paris affordable, oil-free, and super hydrating (thank you, aloe vera water), it’s incredibly easy to build and blend too. The more layers you add, the more coverage you’ll get (and it won’t look overly thick or cakey either—promise).

• Key ingredients: Aloe vera water, witch hazel
• Coverage: Light
• Finish: Dewy

One Cosmo reader says: "This is a great tinted moisturizer, especially for the price," says a tester, adding that "it gives the perfect amount of coverage—not too heavy, not too light—and doesn't look greasy either."

This tinted moisturizer has a lightweight gel-cream texture that's a dream for acne-prone skin. The oil-free formula majorly boosts hydration levels and improve skin barrier function, but won't clog pores or suffocate your skin. The sheer, buildable pigments are great at camouflaging breakouts and minimizing the appearance of dark marks and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation too.

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane
• Coverage: Light
• Finish: Natural

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, adds a slight glow, but feels like I'm wearing nothing." — BG

This versatile product lets you build coverage to your exact liking, whether you want a light touch or more intense coverage, all while keeping your pores feeling breathable. The thoughtfully designed nozzle dispenses the perfect amount of product, ensuring you only use what you need—no waste, just flawless results every time.

• Key ingredients: Dimethicone, urea, hyaluronic acid
• Coverage: Light
• Finish: Natural

One Cosmo editor says: "As someone who frequently switches up their makeup routine, this blurring skin tint is a must-have in my collection." — Tori Polizzotto, executive assistant