Samantha Holender
So, you’re on the hunt for a sunscreen that actually does it all—protects your skin, blends like a dream, and, for a bonus, gives you just enough coverage to feel put together. That's where tinted sunscreens come in. The best ones start with what matters most: broad-spectrum protection against UV rays. But they also come in a range of shades that blur uneven tone, smooth texture, and settle into a natural skin-like finish. Basically, sunscreen first, makeup second.
Unlike your average foundation or tinted moisturizer with added SPF (which doesn't cut it on its own), the best tinted sunscreens are formulated to actually protect your skin. “These are brands that are sunscreens first (and tested as such!), with makeup benefits baked in—not the other way around,” Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut, previously told Marie Claire. The rule of thumb: apply these formulas as you would a regular SPF—two full finger lengths for the face.
Many use pigments like iron oxides to help the tint blend better, and to offer extra defense against visible light too (i.e., the kind that comes from your phone, computer, or overhead lights and triggers inflammation or hyperpigmentation, most commonly in deeper skin tones.) Tinted SPFs are also formulated to feel breathable on the skin and work flexibly in your routine.
Not sure where to start? We tapped board-certified dermatologist at Premier Dermatology, Lindsay Zubritsky, MD, to explain exactly which tinted SPFs offer adequate protection while functioning as extra coverage. Keep reading for our nine favorite formulas, below.
Best Tinted Sunscreens
- Best Overall Tinted Sunscreen: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
- Best Editor-Loved Tinted Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40
- Best New Tinted Sunscreen: Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen
- Best Tinted Sunscreen for Environmental Protection: Drunk Elephant Umbra 100% Mineral Cream SPF 30/PA+++
- Best Drugstore Tinted Sunscreen: Versed Multi-Serum Skin Tint Foundation SPF 40
“This one comes in several different shades, so there’s an option for everyone,” says Dr. Zubritsky. (In fact, the brand just launched two more shades to fill a gap: Light and Rich Deep.) In addition to broad-spectrum SPF 50 coverage, the formula uses iron oxides in lieu of dyes to offer extra protection against visible light, easily solidifying this tinted sunscreen as my number one pick. The formula is white initially; however, it contains encapsulated pigments that are activated when blended—the more you blend, the more the color adjusts to your skin tone and undertone. Dr. Zubritsky adds that because the coverage is buildable, it’s the perfect foundation substitute. A thin layer will instantly even out your complexion, provide a blurring effect, and, most importantly, offer protection.
SPF: 50
Coverage: Medium but buildable
Shades: 6
What I Love: Water resistant (up to 40 minutes); Coverage is totally buildable; Iron oxides prevent hyperpigmentation from visible light; High SPF protection
What I Don't: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are white and opaque, so while there is a large shade range currently, the brand is still trying to formulate products that offer the same protection and feel, but for every single skin tone
Review for MC: "Obsessed is an understatement when it comes to this tinted sunscreen. When I first apply it and the formula comes out white, I'm always taken aback by how perfectly it blends out to my skin. It also wears like makeup but protects like a real sunscreen, something that not a lot of brands get right." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
Siena Gagliano uses Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50.
Odds are, you've seen a celebrity whip this baby out in an Instagram or TikTok video (hi, Hailey Bieber). This formula is also great for anyone with sensitive or acne-prone skin, as it's fragrance-free and lightweight, which means it won't trigger a breakout or feel heavy. It's a mineral-based formulation that utilizes vitamin E to protect against free-radical damage, alongside hyaluronic acid for added hydration. The result is a glowy base that subtly blurs redness and uneven skin tone.
SPF: 40
Coverage: Sheer to light
Shades: 2
What I Love: Non-greasy; Dermatologist-recommended; Won't pill under makeup; Niacinamide helps to even out skin tone
What I Don't: Blends out sheerer, so not for those looking for a lot of coverage
Review for MC: "EltaMD is one of those brands with unassuming packaging but next-level formulas. It’s the kind of line people often overlook until they try it and realize they’ve been missing out, having picked products for their aesthetic instead of what’s actually inside. This one checks every box of mine: skin-loving (and skin-improving!) ingredients, a hint of coverage to even out my skin tone, and enough sun protection to make a derm proud, assuming you use that nickel-sized amount, of course." — Marisa Petrarca, Contributing Beauty Writer
Marisa Petrarca uses EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40.
Beauty of Joseon has long had a chokehold on everyone in the beauty industry. The brand's newest launch—a tinted, more lightweight take on its cult-favorite formula—lives up to the hype. The Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen delivers a sheer, hydrating, yet non-greasy finish that results in a soft-focus texture. It's lightweight, hydrating, and incredibly wearable on the day to day.
SPF: 40
Coverage: Sheer to light
Shades: 12
What I Love: Breathable formula that doesn't feel heavy; Buildable for extra coverage if needed; Online color matching tool is pretty accurate and easy to use; One of the larger tinted SPF color ranges
What I Don't: May pill if you don't allow a few minutes for it to dry before applying other products
Review for MC: "For years, I've been vehemently against skincare that doubles as makeup, but lately, I've been having a change of heart, partly because of this new sunscreen from Beauty of Joseon. The tinted formula has the largest SPF color range I’ve come across, so I could find a shade match easily (mine is MN230). While this product doesn't necessarily provide a ton of coverage on my skin, the slight color that it adds just evens out my complexion, and I don't have that heavy, greasy feeling that I sometimes get at the end of the day when wearing a full face of makeup, which I love." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker uses Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen.
Not only does this mineral, zinc-based SPF protect against sun damage and pollutants, but it leaves a glowy finish behind, resulting in a fresh, radiant complexion. The formulation contains a slew of antioxidants for that extra protection, alongside a stable form of brightening vitamin C and good-for-your-skin-barrier squalane and glycerin.
SPF: 30
Coverage: Sheer
Shades: 3
What I Love: Plumps and hydrates your skin; Amplifies skin's free radical defenses with antioxidants; All-mineral formula is a great option for sensitive skin
What I Don't: Can be a bit greasy for those with oily skin types
Review for MC: "My favorite part about this SPF is the luminous finish it leaves on my skin. It also doesn't feel heavy—I can apply two finger lengths of product no problem, as it layers well and won't pill with my makeup." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
Siena Gagliano uses Drunk Elephant Umbra 100% Mineral Cream SPF 30/PA+++ .
Drugstore beauty lovers rejoice! This tinted serum SPF rivals luxury skincare formulations, but without the price tag. The coverage is a light to medium, buildable formula that visibly conceals redness. A blend of hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing jojoba esters, and mineral-based UV filters (hi, zinc and titanium oxide) make this an ideal pick for sensitive skin. On top of that, it also has the National Rosacea Society seal due to its fragrance free, gentle formula.
SPF: 40
Coverage: Light to medium
Shades: 14
What I Love: Most affordable tinted moisturizer on our list; Great for sensitive and hyper-reactive skin; Accepted by the National Rosacea Association
What I Don't: It can be easy to not apply enough of this formula—make sure to use a nickel-size amount for the entire face
Review for MC: "Versed only recently expanded into makeup this past February, and I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But spoiler: I love every single product in the line, especially this hydrating and brightening skin tint. It blends like a dream, looks just like skin, and delivers the perfect light-to-medium coverage for everyday wear." — Marisa Petrarca, Contributing Beauty Writer
Marisa Petrarca uses Versed Skin Solution Multi-Serum Skin Tint Foundation.
While I wouldn't consider this formula enough for full-spectrum sun protection due to its lower SPF number, I think it is an added bonus to your everyday routine. It's a hydrating and soothing powerhouse thanks to its blend of glycerin and barrier-friendly actives. It also has the ideal amount of coverage—enough to smooth everything over and result in a soft-blur finish, but still lightweight enough to never look or feel cakey.
SPF: 15
Coverage: Light but buildable
Shades: 12
What I Love: Contains protective antioxidants; Lightweight texture; Your-skin-but-better finish
What I Don't: The SPF 15 is not enough protection on its own
Review for MC: "I never have been and never will be a full-coverage foundation girl, so a tinted moisturizer (with SPF) is my go-to. I've been a huge fan of this luxe tinted moisturizer for years. Reason being: the coverage is color-correcting yet incredible light, provides a glass-like sheen that doesn't oxidize or look greasy, and keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day." — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Samantha Holender uses Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15.
Just applying sunscreen will help prevent premature aging, but this sheer, subtle tint offers extra protection. It's packed with antioxidants to neutralize damaging free radicals and boost collagen production. It is also a dermatologist-favorite broad-spectrum SPF 50 that puts sun protection at the forefront of its formula while still offering that blurring tint.
SPF: 50
Coverage: Sheer
Shades: 1
What I Love: Contains the brand's patented DNA Repairsomes formulation to repair skin from previous sun damage; High SPF; Non-greasy, skin-like finish
What I Don't: Let it dry totally for a few minutes before applying any other makeup as it can pill
Customer Review: "It is a very nice mineral sunscreen with no white cast (tint is perfect for my complexion), it dries semi-matte (I'm not a fan of the "super dewy, luminizing" look), goes over my moisturizer and under my foundation (when I wear any) very well and doesn't pill. I do suggest letting it dry for 15 minutes if you plan to wear foundation. I truly appreciate the science behind this product. I have been using it daily for three months without skin irritation (I also use tretinoin at night), it delivers what it promises (based on my derm's comments), and it is a product I will not be without."
While this isn't exactly a tinted sunscreen in its traditional sense, it does contain added pigments for a glowing, radiant finish that I find actually still blurs skin and provides a bit of coverage. Glowscreen comes in four pearlescent shades—two shimmering bronzers and two shimmering highlighters—and is formulated with hyaluronic acid to achieve the most dewy, luminous skin ever.
SPF: 40
Coverage: Sheer but luminous
Shades: 4
What I Love: Shimmer is super-fine so it has a natural effect; Loaded with humectants for hydration; Niacinamide helps with dark spots
What I Don't: For extra coverage, you'll need a more dedicated makeup product
Customer Review: "Supergoop! Glowscreen has completely transformed my skincare routine—it's not just sunscreen, it's a skin-enhancing powerhouse! I've always struggled to find a sunscreen that doesn't feel heavy or leave a white cast on my medium-toned skin, and Glowscreen is the answer I've been searching for." — Sephora
All beauty lovers know that French beauty products are a treasure trove of skincare goodies, and that's because they stock brands like La Roche-Posay. Dr. Zubritsky loves this mineral SPF’s “elegant and lightweight” texture because it's one of the easiest formulas to rub in.
SPF: 50
Coverage: Light but buildable
Shades: 4
What I Love: Packed with antioxidants to protect against pollutants; Super blendable; Leaves behind a skin-like radiance
What I Don't: Pretty pricey for a drugstore formulation
Customer Review: "I absolutely love this face lotion. The slight tint is just enough to even out my skin tone without feeling heavy, and the added SPF is a huge bonus. I wear it instead of makeup most days because it gives my skin a healthy, natural-looking glow with just the right amount of coverage. It feels lightweight, blends easily, and doesn’t leave any greasy residue. Perfect for a no-makeup makeup look—this has definitely become a staple in my daily routine!" — Amazon
How Do I Find the Best Tinted Sunscreen?
While any good SPF is going to do the job, tinted sunscreens offer a special set of benefits, and it all boils down to the ingredient list. Tinted sunscreens often contain an ingredient called iron oxide, which gives the SPF, and in many cases, makeup, its color. “Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the main ingredients in physical sunscreen, and these minerals are white in nature. Combining iron oxides with zinc oxide helps to eliminate the white cast typically associated with mineral sunscreens," explains Dr. Zubritsky.
And leave it to iron oxides to go above and beyond. Dr. Zubritsky explains that they’re also great at protecting against blue light, which is emitted from the sun and our electronic devices. “Blue light can contribute to aging, hyperpigmentation, and worsening of certain skin conditions like melasma.” In fact, a handful of recent studies have found that tinted sunscreens containing iron oxide are “beneficial for patients with hyperpigmentation disorders.”
Why Trust Marie Claire?
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
Marie Claire is an authority on sunscreen, having written countless stories about must-have SPF formulas, such as the best sunscreens overall and the best body sunscreens, among others. The products on this list have all been tried and tested by one of our editors or hand-picked by beauty writers after testing the product over a few weeks.
While the best tinted sunscreen for you will vary based on personal preference, you truly can't go wrong with one of the items on this list.
Meet The Expert
Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Premier Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Mississippi, where she specializes in general, surgical, cosmetic, and pediatric dermatology. A Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and one of its official social media ambassadors, Dr. Zubritsky is passionate about debunking skincare myths and educating the public through her digital platforms.
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