The 5 Best Tinted Moisturizers With SPF Are the Easiest Way to Achieve Glowy, Even Skin
I'm out the door in minutes with this skincare-makeup hybrid.
Slowly but surely, I’ve started to realize something: my love of full-coverage foundations is waning. That’s not to say I don’t love a full beat every once in a while; however, I’m more likely to opt for light-coverage foundations or, even better, tinted moisturizers with SPF.
After braving the last five summers in New York City, I’ve settled into a bit of an annual routine I consistently follow as the weather starts to warm up. High-pigment lipsticks get swapped for tinted lip balms. My scents get lighter and fresher. My complexion routine gets a makeover featuring only the best skin-like products that also offer me sun protection. As it turns out, that final step is actually one of the secrets to making sunscreen reapplication feel doable.
“I always tell clients to gently blot away excess oil first, then press the tinted SPF into the skin,” says Melissa Fox, celebrity esthetician. “Using clean fingers, a sponge, or even a tinted SPF stick or compact makes reapplication much easier without disturbing the makeup underneath.”
Before I get ahead of myself, I have some tried-and-true favorites I will be using all summer. As the self-described queen of SPF in the group chat, I also got some additional tips on how to incorporate tinted moisturizer with SPF into your daily routine. Keep reading to shop my master list.
The Best Tinted Moisturizers With SPF
- Best Tinted Moisturizer with SPF Overall: Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
- Best Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF: Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation
- Best Matte Tinted Moisturizer with SPF: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream
- Best Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer with SPF: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Hydrating Skin Tint SPF 15
- Best K-Beauty Tinted Moisturizer with SPF: Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen
I am what some people would call a Merit obsessive, and The Uniform is one of the biggest reasons why. Not only is the packaging extremely chic, but the formula is also, from a cosmetic formulation standpoint, very elegant. It feels good on the skin and is still incredibly lightweight, which is extremely important for me as someone with skin that can feel weighed down and clogged very easily.
Key Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (sun protection); Glycerin (moisture); Zea Mays (cornstarch, which is one of the powders used in this formula to smooth and blur the skin)
SPF: 45
Coverage: Light
What I Love: Pump applicator keeps product hygienic; Extremely flexible shades; Mineral sunscreen
What I Don't: Some people have reported issues of pilling when paired with existing skincare products, so keep skin prep light.
Review for MC: “The Uniform is one of my favorite lightweight complexion products of all time. From the ease with which it blends to the sleek, minimal packaging to the SPF of 45. It’s an incredible addition to any makeup bag, especially if you want something quick and easy to throw on and go.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Even though I have oily skin, I have to admit: I love a glow. But there are moments when I don’t want to use any highlighters or illuminators, and that’s where this gorgeous Hourglass formula comes in. With an SPF of 30, this product feels like a tinted moisturizer but offers the coverage of a foundation, making it perfect for someone who doesn't want to compromise on sun protection or blemish coverage.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic microspheres (moisture and texture smoothing); Avobenzone (sunscreen); Homosalate (absorbs UVB rays)
SPF: 30
Coverage: Medium
What I Love: More coverage than others on this list; Sleek gold packaging; Great coverage
What I Don't: Most expensive option on this list; I have to mix shades to get my perfect match
Review for MC: “Hourglass is one of my favorite powder brands, but their complexion products are also really good. While I don’t love that I have to mix two shades in this line to get the color I’m looking for, it’s one of the best options I’ve found that incorporates SPF and proper blemish coverage, while also being cosmetically elegant and an absolute joy to use.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
For those really hot days when I need to reel it in, my go-to tinted moisturizer with SPF is It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Natural Matte. It's another one of those formulas that has incredible coverage, full, to be exact, a fabulous shade range, and has SPF 40. All of this while keeping my oils at bay? Sign me up.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (brightening and stops excess oil); Glycerin (moisture); Lentil seed extract (regulates oil production)
SPF: 40
Coverage: Full
What I Love: Pump packaging; Full Coverage
What I Don't: If you have dry skin, this might not work for you
Review for MC: “This tinted moisturizer acts exactly like a traditional foundation, specifically for people with oily skin. Blemishes will be covered, your skin tone will be even, and your face won’t look like a grease pan at the end of the day. Tack on SPF 40 and what else could you ask for?” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Now, for people with the opposite problem, also known as dry skin, you’ll want a more hydrating formula. My favorite comes from Bobbi Brown, and it’s the Vitamin Enriched Hydrating Skin Tint. This product offers buildable coverage and a natural finish, so if you want something fresh and skin-like that you can customize, start here.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid (hydration); Shea Butter (moisture); Vitamin E Complex (antioxidant)
SPF: 15
Coverage: Light to medium
What I Love: Feels like skincare; Pleasant fresh scent; Buildable
What I Don't: Would prefer a higher SPF level
Review for MC: “If you want a tinted moisturizer that feels like an extension of your skincare routine, start your search here. Not only does this formula feel immaculate on the face, but it dries to a second-skin finish that makes your face look hydrated and even. I don’t ever rely solely on makeup for sun protection, however, with this lower SPF level, make sure that you double up with this one.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
If I were to pinpoint a single product that started my obsession with K-beauty, it’d be this one. The lightweight liquid formula looks stunning on the skin, and the shades are incredibly versatile. Still, I use these as a true makeup-skincare hybrid; I’ve been using the darker colors as bronzer in addition to my regular shade, MN230, and I love the result every time.
Key Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (sunscreen); Butyloctyl Salicylate (SPF booster and emollient)
SPF: 40
Coverage: Light
What I Love: Makes skin look glowy and hydrated; Color on the cap matches the color of the tint
What I Don't: Can be hard to find in person, so may have to blind buy online
Review for MC: “I am obsessed with this sunscreen. 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
How to Apply Tinted Moisturizer With SPF
There is no “right” way to apply your tinted SPF, so do whatever feels easiest to you and will make your skin look the way you want it to. Personally, I try to keep a few makeup brushes on my desk for quick touch-ups. However, I also opt for sheer formulas like the Merit and Beauty of Joseon tints because they warm up on the hands quickly and barely leave any pigment behind post-application, in case I’m in a rush. A quick set with a powder sunscreen on top, and I’m good to go.
What to Look For in Tinted Moisturizers With SPF
Before we get into what to look for in tinted moisturizers with SPF, I want to be clear: Never rely solely on your makeup for adequate sun protection. Always use these products in conjunction with a standalone sunscreen that has a sun protection factor of at least 30. Now, as for what to look for in your formulas, there are a few things to consider.
- Ingredients
Tinted moisturizers often include several skin-loving ingredients, making them a double-duty option for makeup and skincare. In terms of ingredients, look out for terms like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. "Any tints with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are a great find,” makeup artist Mia Dondero previously told MC. “They’re going to add extra benefits like plumping the skin, smoothing texture, and boosting hydration.”
- Easy Reapplication
On a regular day, it can be hard to remember to put on your SPF. Tinted formulas may actually make it a little easier. “Carry the product with you and apply it to the nose and cheek,” says Tracy Evans, MD, board-certified dermatologist. “I especially like to apply it with a brush, almost like makeup or foundation.” Just like how you’d touch up your powder or lips, tap on a little extra tinted moisturizer when doing your daily refresh. It’s surprisingly easy when you get it into your normal routine.
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Meet the Experts
Mia is a pro makeup artist based in both L.A. and New York City. Her work has appeared on the runways of NYFW, in campaigns for Inked by Dani, Extensible Jewelry, Navy Hair Care (and more), and in editorial spreads.
Celebrity Esthetician Melissa Fox is the founder and master ssthetician of Flawless by Melissa Fox in Miami and West Palm Beach. Melissa’s clientele includes celebrity clients such as Olivia Culpo and Elle Macpherson.
Tracy Evans, MD, MPH, is a board-certified dermatologist and Medical Director of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology.
