6 Glowy Tinted Sunscreens Make Skin Look Airbrushed
These editor-approved multitaskers provide coverage and protection.
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Gone are the days of thick, chalky sunscreens that pill under makeup and leave behind a ghostly cast. Today’s sunscreens are the ultimate overachievers, pulling double (sometimes triple) duty as SPF, skincare, and complexion products all in one. A few drops of a hybrid tinted sunscreen can blur redness, even out your skin tone, and leave behind that dewy, your-skin-but-better glow—all while protecting against UV damage with an SPF of 30 or more.
So many tinted sunscreen formulas are loaded with skincare ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, actively helping improve your skin over time. The textures are lighter, silkier, and infinitely more wearable than old-school SPFs, making them the kind of product you’ll actually want to apply every single morning (not to mention, they layer well with makeup, too).
Ahead, find the best tinted sunscreens that Cosmo’s beauty editors rely on for everyday wear.
Pros
- Formula is easy to blend and build with just fingers
- Works well with my acne-prone skin in that it doesn't break me out and minimizes the look of breakouts
Cons
- Shades can be a little warm, so it takes a minute to find exact match
Why we love it: Supergoop makes a ton of excellent sunscreens, but I think their new-ish tinted sunscreen is a standout. The tint is sheer but buildable, so you can use it to effectively blur the look of discoloration and breakouts. The formula is also pretty hydrating, so I can skip moisturizer and just layer this over my serums in the morning since my skin is on the oily side. Basically, one quick and easy step does all the things (conceals, moisturizes, protects) and gives that ‘your skin-but-better’ effect
One Cosmo editor says: "This tinted sunscreen makes my life so much easier. I can slather it on in the morning and head out the door with my skin looking nice and even and protected with SPF 50 too." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
| Protection level | SPF 50 |
| Sunscreen type | Mineral and chemical |
| Shades | 14 |
Pros
- Lightweight, non-greasy feel
- Contains niacinamide to soothe inflammation and regulate oil control
- Cosmo Acne Award Winner
Cons
- Shade range needs to be expanded
Why we love it: Every dermatologist I've ever met has recommended this tinted sunscreen from EltaMD. It protects skin from UVA and UVB rays, feels ultra-lightweight, and is infused with niacinamide to help minimize breakouts, redness, and acne scars.
One Cosmo editor says: "When you discover an SPF like this one that fully protects your skin from the sun and blends beautifully into the deepest of skin tones, then you definitely award it and tell the world to stock up!”—JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
| Protection level | SPF 46 |
| Sunscreen type | Mineral and chemical |
| Shades | 2 |
Pros
- Expansive shade range
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Not a full coverage finish
Why we love it: Unlike many tinted SPFs that only come in one or two shades that would never work for very-fair or very-deep skin, The Uniform is available in a whopping 20 shades that range in undertone and depth. Plus, it’s safe for acne-prone skin, which is always a win.
One Cosmo editor says: “I normally wouldn’t trust a sunscreen made by a makeup brand, TBH. I’ve been burned (literally) by formulas with minimal SPF that barely cover. But Merit sought to make a true tinted sunscreen—not a skin tint or foundation with sunscreen. This smooths over my skin, including texture and acne, in a few blendable swipes.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
| Protection level | SPF 45 |
| Sunscreen type | Mineral |
| Shade range | 20 |
Pros
- Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award Winner
- Loaded with skincare heroes
Cons
- Has a low dose retinol, which might not be suitable for sensitive skin users
Why we love it: This SPF truly does it all. PÜR’s mineral sunscreen delivers lightweight, natural-looking coverage while protecting skin with broad-spectrum SPF 50. Infused with skincare ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and encapsulated retinol, the multitasking formula helps smooth, hydrate, and brighten over time. The radiant finish gives fresh glow that feels especially perfect for everyday summer wear.
One Cosmo editor says: “My only issue with this tinted SPF? That it hasn’t been a part of my routine forever. The level of coverage is just right—sheer enough that I can apply and blend with fingers but substantial enough that I can skip foundation and concealer. It’s my newest sunscreen obsession.” —LB
| Protection level | SPF 50 |
| Sunscreen type | Mineral |
| Shades | 8 |
Pros
- Super lightweight on the skin
- Non-comedogenic
- Loved by dermatologists
Cons
- On the pricey side
Why we love it: Yes, nearly $60 for a tinted sunscreen is a splurge, but this feels more like a luxury serum than a mineral SPF. It’s loaded with skincare ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin E, and allantoin to nourish and sooth the skin while also protecting it from harsh rays. Another added bonus: It’s safe on acne-prone skin thanks to it’s pore-clogger free formula.
One Cosmo editor says: “This is the best tinted sunscreen I own. It goes on more like a serum than a sunscreen, and leaves my face looking nice and dewy, which is rare for a mineral formula. This has fully replaced my go-to tinted moisturizer on hot summer days.”—JH
| Sun protection | SPF 50 |
| Sunscreen type | Mineral |
| Shades | 6 |
Pros
- Comes in a dewy and matte version
- Blurring properties makes this a great choice for under makeup
Cons
- Tint is marketed as "universal" but would like be too light for deep skin tones
Why we love it: This only comes in one sheer tint, but it does an excellent job at blurring and smoothing skin—just like a really good primer would do. It's also full of good-for-skin ingredients, like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, so your skin is getting some hydrating and brightening benefits, too.
One Cosmo editor says: "I am the last person you will ever see wearing JUST a tinted SPF (I need coverage, dammit). But the DRMTLGY one actually evens out my skin so much that I can go without concealer and foundation. It also really blurs and smooths my skin without feeling like I'm wearing much of anything," —BG
| Protection level | SPF 46 |
| Sunscreen type | Mineral and chemical |
| Shades | 1 |
Is tinted sunscreen better than clear sunscreen?
"I can't say tinted sunscreen is better than clear sunscreen, but I can say that they are absolutely just as good as non-tinted sunscreen with the same coverage and SPF," says dermatologist, Karan Lal, MD. Another great thing about tinted sunscreens? They often have iron oxides that protect against blue light from devices. "Iron oxides are used as coloring agents and are responsible for the tint in sunscreens," he explains.
The only potential downside to tinted sunscreen? You may not be applying enough product to get enough daily sun protection. “I would not depend on being able to apply enough makeup to provide adequate protection,” dermatologist, Dornechia George Carter, MD says, adding that she advises patients to “separate” makeup and sun protection in their minds.
SPF in makeup, or tinted sunscreens, can’t hurt for added protection, but if what you’re applying is mostly marketed as makeup and you’re not applying an adequate layer, you should probably use another base sunscreen underneath.
How to choose the best tinted sunscreen for you:
Consider your coverage needs
Do you want something that can double as foundation, or are you looking for a formula that’ll subtly even out your skin tone? Once you determine what you actually want to use the tinted sunscreen for, you can find the right one for you.
Consider your skin type
To get the most out of your tinted sunscreen, it's best to incorporate products that are marketed for your skin type. Oily skin should opt for a mattifying, lightweight formula, whereas those with dry skin should find a moisturizing, dewy sunscreen. If you have particularly sensitive skin, avoid fragrances and opt for a mineral SPF formulation.
Look for SPF 30 or higher
As long as the tinted sunscreen is SPF 30 and above and broad-spectrum, you've found yourself a good match, explains Dr. Lal. "Your skin’s color or tone and photosensitivity will determine the length of time that SPF, or sun protective factor, can protect you from UV rays and skin damage," plastic surgeon, Alexis Parcells, MD, has told Cosmo. If you know you will be outside for longer periods of time, consider a higher SPF and reapply frequently—every two hours or whenever you get out of the water and dry off, she explained.
Meet the experts:
Dornechia George Carter, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. As the founder of Affinity Dermatology, she specializes in preventative skincare and the treatment of common skin conditions, like sun damage, acne, and eczema.
Karan Lal, MD, is a double board-certified adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.
Alexis Parcells, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the founder of Parcells Plastic Surgery in Eatontown, NJ, and New York City.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing sunscreen stories across print and digital. She chose tinted sunscreen picks based on editor reviews, personal testing, along with information from experts.
Jasmine Hyman is the assisant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things skincare—from the latest facial devices to makeup-infused formulas.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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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