The Best Tinted Moisturizers for a Natural, Fresh-Faced Glow

Saie’s cult-favorite Slip Tint is one of those products that actually is worth the hype. It’s particularly suited to those with dryer skin since it includes powerhouse hydration ingredients like hyaluronic acid. If you’re into matte, stay away, because this gives a serious glow, for the ultimate glazed donut vibe. It also has 100 percent mineral SPF 35, which is a major plus for those that prefer to avoid chemical sunscreens.

I could write a short novel about my love for the Ilia Skin Tint, but I’ll refrain and just let you know that it’s my go-to for dewy, light coverage any time of the year, and it’s also the first item I put in my toiletry bag when packing for trips. It’s like a tinted highlighter in a bottle, and leaves you with the most angelic glow. As an added bonus, it also has SPF 40.

This is technically a tinted sunscreen, but it’s so hydrating that if you’re on the oiler side, I’d recommend skipping the moisturizer and just using this glowy, 100 percent mineral SPF. It’s packed with niacinamide, mineral mica and hyaluronic acid, which work together to hydrate, brighten and illuminate your skin.

Think of IT Cosmetics’ new CC+ Nude Glow as a tinted moisturizer-light foundation-serum hybrid. The skincare-first formula includes niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and green tea extract, which hydrate and brighten, and it’s a much more lightweight formula than most CC or foundation products out there. And, of course, you know how much we love the inclusion of SPF 40.

There’s a lot of chatter around Kosas’ very well-received new foundation right now (which we very much agree with), but don’t forget about the brand’s unique tinted face oil. It has moisturizing, reparative and smoothing ingredients and is perfect when you want super sheer, lightweight coverage and a major glow.

Chantecaille is one of my current absolute favorite beauty brands, and their weightless tinted moisturizer does not disappoint. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s also a fantastic and just plain luxurious product, which is what we all deserve right now! It’s a light coverage option that blends like a dream, plus it’s filled with antioxidants.

For a barely-there dash of color, try Rare Beauty’s new tinted moisturizer, which also has SPF 20.

Who doesn’t love a multitasking product? Tower 28’s tinted SunnyDays mineral sunscreen is a top choice for anyone with sensitive, reactive skin, and it’s even approved for those who deal with eczema. Even better, it comes in 14 shades, so there won’t be any pesky white cast that’s so common with mineral sunscreen products.

A lot of tinted moisturizers promise they’re the key to getting glass skin, but Smashbox’s Halo Healthy will actually help you get there. It has sheer coverage with a luminescent finish, because as you can tell, dewy donut is where it’s at. It also contains rose extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and peptides that hydrate, plump and smooth, and since it’s also a primer, it’s perfect for days when you need your makeup to last, sans any caking or creasing.

Those constantly on the go will surely gravitate towards Milk Makeup’s vegan skin tint, as not only does it leave you with a minimal layer of hydrating coverage, but the petite packing is perfect to just throw in your purse for touch-ups.

For that elusive, just-got-back-from-vacation, bronzed beauty look, try Charlotte Tilbury’s glowy moisturizer. It’s definitely on the lower-coverage side, but if you’re trying to achieve a sun-kissed, day-at-the-beach aesthetic, it’s perfect.

Many of Chanel’s base products are pretty high coverage, but this gel-like tint is ideal for when you want a light-to-medium, barely-there option.

This cream is great for more mature skin, as along with velvety, medium-to-full coverage and SPF. It also has anti-aging ingredients.

This ultra-creamy tinted moisturizer has long had a dedicated following, and for good reason. It has SPF and is oil-free, which is great for acne-prone skin, but it’s also incredibly hydrating and has a nice blurring effect.

This clean tinted moisturizer is another good sheer option for sensitive, oily or blemish-prone skin types, thanks to the ultra-lightweight gel-cream formulation. It has a nice dewy finish, promises major hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid, and has mineral-based sun protection.

The original Laura Mercier oil-free tinted moisturizer was my go-to for years; it was the only formula during my particularly acne-prone late teens that didn’t cause my skin to immediately revolt against me. They’ve reformulated the product since, but people continue to love the new version, which is still an oil-free SPF 20 with lightweight coverage.