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The best tinted moisturisers that combine coverage with care
Where skincare and make-up collide; the lightweight base products that protect, nourish, brighten and unify in one
In the past few years, the contents of our make-up bags has undeniably shifted. Full-coverage foundations and heavy-duty powders were once the standard, but now a host of lighter, dewier formulas that celebrate (not camouflage) our natural skin are reigning supreme. And at the heart of our new make-up routines? A great tinted moisturiser.
15 best tinted moisturisers
Today, as the line between skincare and make-up continues to blur, everything on our shrinking shelves must offer multi-faceted benefits: a foundation that offers little more than a mask feels old fashioned and, frankly, redundant – it could be working so much harder.
This shift in thinking has opened the floor to a new school of tinted moisturisers: hybrid products that offer pollution shields, sun protection and skin-conditioning benefits alongside a veil of unifying, brightening coverage – not to mention, crucially, skin that still looks like skin.
Here, we've put together our edit of the top tinted moisturisers for a lighter look, from Jones Road's brand new first formula to an unbeatable cult classic from Nars.
How we test
Any product that comes Bazaar-recommended will have been thoroughly put through its paces: that means products are scrutinised, promises are unpacked, and formulas put through their paces. The tinted moisturisers we're happy to spotlight are recommended by experts in their field (some are even made by the professionals themselves), and approved of by the Bazaar beauty team.
The 15 best tinted moisturiser for all skin types and tones
And it is indeed just enough – a perfectly balanced, lightweight foundation alternative that is on the money (we'd expect nothing less from make-up artist and founder Bobbi Brown of course). True-to-life undertones are her speciality, and the 16 shades of this silky tinted moisturiser are testament to her expert eye; the colour range may not be the largest in this edit, but chances are you’ll find a shade that’s a perfect match.
The plumping, hydrating formula is a pleasure to use too; apply it with a foundation brush for a polished finish or to build up coverage where you need it.
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Natural
Shades: 16
An industry classic, Nars's tinted moisturiser is still a failsafe choice for every day. It contains SPF30 alongside protective antioxidants, and provides significant coverage without caking or drying.
It glides on beautifully when applied with just fingers and while it’s not the dewiest finish in this edit, you can team it with a luminising primer for mature skin underneath, to create both a glow and anchor your base in place all day.
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Natural
Shades: 19
While some luminous and otherwise lovely tinted moisturisers can make skin look instantly lit-from-within, they can start to fade by lunchtime. Not so with this creamy skin tint. It contains a complex derived from oat sugars that forms a natural-looking (and feeling) film over skin, enhancing wear without a trace of tackiness.
Coverage: Light
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 11
We were surprised to hear this little-known skin tint is Sephora's best-selling base product in the US – but once we tried the silky, satiny formula, it made total sense.
Ilia's skin-kind complexion enhancer can be applied straight after your face serum: with an almost oil-like texture, it moisturises, softens, and delivers the most flattering veil of bright, dewy colour.
Free from fragrance (although this does mean the product doesn't smell so great) and boasting non-nano mineral SFP30 protection, this is a great choice for anyone who finds foundation usually looks flat, dry or flaky.
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Natural
Shades: 30
Trinny Woodall's phenomenally popular BFF cream is loved for its multitasking powers: this single product acts as your moisturiser, sun protection and skin tint.
The cream appears white at first pump, but transforms on application as the encapsulated pigments burst, creating bright, dewy coverage that never settles into fine lines or pores.
Coverage: Sheer
Finish: Healthy glow
Shades: 5 stretchy
Kosas is a name to know if you like your make-up dewy and delicate. This recent launch has seriously impressed us: it delivers glossy, light-reflecting skin with minimal coverage and a translucency that always looks flattering.
Coverage: Light
Finish: Fresh, glowy
Shades: 24
This deeply hydrating skin tint is a great choice for anyone who needs mega moisture. The shade range is exemplary, and the formula's combination of hyaluronic acid, squalane and meadowfoam seed oil means it'll soften dry patches particularly well.
Coverage: Light
Finish: Natural
Shades: 18
This comforting cream is slightly green-tinted, which might be worrying at first try, but trust us: you will not be left looking sickly. Instead, the green hue works to knock back any redness. while the encapsulated pigment delivers a gentle touch of colour.
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Natural
Shades: 1
There are several reasons why people rave about this cult hero. Firstly, there's the coverage: high enough to convert even the most loyal foundation users, yet never dry or cakey. Then, there's the wide-reaching shade range. And finally, proper broad-spectrum SPF50 protection: leagues ahead of the token factor usually found in make-up.
If you're prone to congestion, consider the Oil-Free Matte iteration, and if you like a luminous, lightly glimmering effect, opt for the Illumination formula.
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Natural
Shades: 22
Red-carpet mainstay Gucci Westman knows exactly how we want our skin to look now: bright, light-reflecting, and enviously healthy.
And that's exactly what her new Complexion Drops deliver: expect hydrated, dewy skin with a tiny hint of coverage to camouflage redness and uneven tone. The clever oil-infused serum texture means a moisturised finish that looks fresh for hours on end.
Coverage: Light
Finish: Natural
Shades: 20
Those with oily complexions might not be quite so allured by the new school of tinted moisturisers, most of which are geared towards achieving a dewy look. For something that'll gently control shine, turn to the original mineral make-up brand. This mattifying tinted moisturiser will soften that lunchtime glow without leaving a powdery, dry finish on the skin.
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Natural, matte
Shades: 9
Laura Mercier's tinted moisturiser is one of the most iconic, and this year the formula has been elevated with long-wear properties and skin-kind ingredients such as a prebiotic complex to soothe sensitive complexions, and hydrating raspberry leaf extracts.
While we'll always recommend using an SPF cream daily, the addition of SPF30 here doesn't hurt - especially during the summer months.
Coverage: Sheer
Finish: Dewy
Shades: 20
While many base products boast the inclusion of sun protection these days, it's often a formula afterthought and shouldn't be relied on as your sole facial SPF.
Australian sunscreen brand Ultra Violette, however, has married proper protection with complete coverage in this brilliant tinted option. It comes in a decent array of shades (somehow still a rare find when it comes to sunscreen) and delivers significant yet glowy coverage alongside that important SPF 50.
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Natural
Shades: 15
A recent discovery on the Bazaar beauty team, this brilliant tinted moisturiser is definitely one for those who like a well-hydrated finish. Feeling more like a moisturiser than make-up, the rich cream melts into skin and leaves behind minimal colour and maximum glow.
Coverage: Light
Finish: Glowy
Shades: 14
Sisley excels at luminous base products, and the brand's tinted moisturiser is no exception. In terms of coverage, it sits somewhere in the middle, with a creamy texture that feels especially beneficial on dry and dehydrated complexions.
Don't rest on the SPF15 (you'll still need a higher-factor facial sunscreen beneath), but when it comes to a glowing finish, this one wins every time.
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Glowy
Shades: 6
