These Tinted Moisturizers Are Basically the Paris Filter in a Bottle

Those with sensitive skin know how much of a struggle it is to find products that don’t irritate or cause a reaction. Thankfully, this tinted serum avoids sensitizing ingredients like fragrance, silicones, and oils as it also ensures that the skin stays moisturized and happy, thanks to hyaluronic acid and squalane.

Shades: 29

Finish: Dewy

Size: 1 fl. oz

An ELLE editor says: “By now, Ilia’s serum is part of my daily routine. I love that it feels lightweight but offers great, buildable coverage and makes my skin feel smooth and glowy. It works like foundation and skincare at the same time and I’m thoroughly obsessed.”—Erica Gonzales, ELLE.com senior culture editor

When you’re running out the door but just want a touch of coverage before you have to face the world, try reaching for this tinted sunscreen. While SPF 40 is the main attraction, the formula has just enough pigment that it makes your skin look more even in a flash.

Shades: 1

Finish: Natural

Size: 1.7 fl. oz

An ELLE editor says: “My dermatologist advised me to wear SPF every day. This tinted sunscreen is a two-in-one that saves room in your makeup bag.”—Claire Stern, digital director

Saie may be a makeup brand, but skin care is a huge part of its approach when formulating products. For example, this tinted moisturizer is packed with zinc oxide for sun protection, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and licorice root extract for a brightening effect.

Shades: 14

Finish: Dewy

Size: 1 fl. oz

Our expert says: “It’s hard to find something that agrees with my combination skin that’s oily one minute and dry the next. This moisturizer disappears into my skin and leaves a soft glow all day long, and the hyaluronic acid makes sure I’m not caked up or dried out by the end of the day. It also has SPF 30 built-in, cutting that extra step out of my routine. A must-have!!!”—Kevin Leblanc, fashion editor

This tinted moisturizer is a prime example of the many beauty products blurring the line between makeup and skin care these days. Some of the stars of the formula include plumping peptides, skin barrier-supporting ceramides, and soothing cactus extract. The shades stretch to accommodate several skin tones, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find your match.

Shades: 16

Finish: Natural

Size: 1.58 fl oz

An ELLE editor says: “If anyone knows a thing or two about a flawless, dewy base, it’s Danessa Myricks. Expanding her Yummy Skin line further, the tint version has the same filter finish as the tinted balm, just with more of a radiant dry-down. The buildable formula can work as a sheer veil on effortless days or can be built up to your desired coverage.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

What can we say about this beautiful tinted moisturizer that we haven’t said already? Every beauty editor at ELLE who’s tried the formula has fallen head over heels for it, and it doesn’t hurt that it also provides SPF 50 protection (although we always layer another SPF underneath). Additionally, the product defends the skin against pollution and blue light exposure, and it moisturizes while minimizing greasiness with hyaluronic acid-infused clay. Here, read our full review of the Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50.

Shades: 14

Finish: Natural

Size: 1.18 fl oz

An ELLE editor says: “When I love a product, I’ll use it for days on end until I get sick of it. It’s been weeks and I’m still singing the praises of this SPF tint. Supergoop’s Protec(Tint) offers enough coverage to conceal my dark spots, has a slightly radiant finish, and feels weightless on the skin. I love pairing it with a concealer and just lightly dusting powder on my face for an effortless look. So many people have asked what foundation I’m wearing, and I always respond with a smirk. SPF can be just as flawless as your favorite foundation.”—Nerisha Penrose

When you first dispense this product, you’ll see tiny beads of pigment floating in a clear, gel-like liquid. As you buff the formula in, the droplets burst and add natural-looking, soft-focus coverage to the skin.

Shades: 29

Finish: Dewy

Size: 1 fl. oz

Our expert says: “Ever wonder why your foundation may look cakey and dry by the end of the day? It’s literally because when you apply your skin care and makeup, your skin pulls all the water out of the products to hydrate itself. The key to preventing this atrocity is hydrated skin. The secret weapon? Well, this tinted moisturizer is a great start. It’s like a glass of water for your skin—and that’s no surprise, as H2O is one of the main ingredients. The pigmented micro-droplets blend seamlessly, providing light to medium coverage. My face looks and feels so refreshed when I wear this. It’s one of my favorites to take on beach vacations for that ‘no makeup’ makeup look.”—Danielle James, beauty expert

Glossier launched over 10 years ago with only four products, and one of them was the Perfecting Skin Tint. The formula was basically the first of its kind and became an instant classic; although water-like and extremely sheer, it acts like a filter, blurring imperfections and discoloration while adding an I-just-drank-a-gallon-of-water kind of glow to the skin.

Shades: 12

Finish: Dewy

Size: 1 fl oz

An ELLE editor says: “At first glance, this formula is a little unassuming. Upon application, it seems like it’ll barely give any coverage, but even when my acne was at its worst, this Glossier Skin Tint was a go-to. The formula is so moisturizing that it glided over any dry spots (or scabs from secretly picking at my blemishes), and it has enough coverage that it camouflaged my persistent redness with ease. A little Glossier Stretch Concealer over my breakouts and I was good to go! Plus, the best part is that no matter how many times you layer it, it looks like skin—just glowier and perfected.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate e-commerce writer

When you’re wearing Chantecaille’s Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer, you’re more likely to get compliments on your skin than on your base makeup—it’s just that undetectable. While we generally recommend opting for sun protection that has an SPF of 30 or more, the SPF 15 included in some of the shades can also act as a nice boost on top of your sunscreen of choice.

Shades: 12

Finish: Radiant

Size: 1.7 fl oz

An ELLE editor says: “I’ve always had a hard time finding a skin tint that evens out my skin without covering up my freckles. Chantecaille’s Just Skin gives just the right amount of coverage, and it genuinely doesn’t look like you’re wearing any makeup when you have it on. I also love the finish—I’ve tried so many skin tints that end up making my face look greasy, but this one makes skin look glowy without imparting too much shine.”—Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor

Laura Mercier was one of the first major brands to launch a tinted moisturizer way back in the mid-’90s. Since then, the company has launched several iterations, and this latest new-and-improved version is the stuff of dreams for those with dry skin. The hyaluronic acid-infused formula keeps skin hydrated for hours on end, preventing the cracking you might see with drier foundations.

Shades: 20

Finish: Radiant

Size: 1.52 fl oz

An ELLE editor says: “My face was like an oil slick when I was a teenager, but my skin has dried out over the years, leaving me with skin that feels increasingly parched throughout the day without proper hydration. However, this tint keeps that dreaded sensation at bay and provides more than enough coverage to conceal my rosacea and hyperpigmentation.”—Carol Lee

Rihanna wanted to come up with a foolproof skin tint that blurs the skin, and that’s exactly what she did. Although it acts as a hydrating moisturizer, it also stays looking fresh for hours in hot, humid weather. What can’t the “Diamonds” singer do?

Shades: 25

Finish: Natural

Size: 1.08 fl. oz

An ELLE editor says: “As much as I love a full glam look, my extremely dry skin does not, so opting for a tinted moisturizer has always been the best route for me. I love this skin tint because it gives me the coverage I’m looking for without drying out my skin. And it leaves a gorgeous dewy finish that I absolutely love!”—Tasha Nicole Smith, ELLE beauty assistant

Dr. Jart+ is first and foremost a skin care brand, which explains why the brand’s BB cream feels so good on the skin. If you apply enough of it, it can serve as both your foundation and sunscreen, which is a huge plus in any busy girl’s book.

Shades: 4

Finish: Natural

Size: 1.35 fl. oz

An ELLE editor says: “This BB cream is my current must-have. I’ve been dealing with skin flare-ups, and this has done the perfect job of offering coverage without doing any damage to irritated areas. Even on clear skin days, I love the way this evens and brightens my skin tone. It’s totally the ‘your skin, but better’ effect. The only downside is I have to be super sure to really rub it into the jawline, otherwise, it mingles with my regular moisturizer to form a line.”—Meg Donohue, ELLE.com associate fashion commerce editor

When you apply this skin tint, it barely feels like you’re wearing anything at all. However, you can rest easy knowing that the ingredients are working hard to let your skin live its best life; baobab seed extract infuses the skin with hydration, pumpkin seed extract soothes, and hibiscus flower extract shields against environmental stressors.

Shades: 6

Finish: Natural

Size: 1 fl. oz

An ELLE editor says: “I couldn’t be a minimalist, ‘clean’ makeup girl even if I tried—I’m the full-glam type through and through. But on the days I want something light but still semi-full coverage, Ami Colé’s Skin Enhancing Tint meets me right in the middle. The formula is a buttery smooth texture that doesn’t leave a greasy finish, covers most of my post-picking dark spots, and can be easily built up to my desired coverage without feeling cakey.”—Nerisha Penrose

Neutrogena’s best-selling tint is both a sheer foundation and a deeply hydrating serum, thanks to vitamin B5. The ingredient is best known for its prowess in attracting moisture to the skin and keeping it there.

Shades: 15

Finish: Dewy

Size: 1 fl. oz

An ELLE editor says: “If I’m ever in a bind and need a quick drugstore foundation, this moisturizing serum pick is my go-to. It’s feather-light but tinted enough to blur any blemishes or hyperpigmentation. Plus, the ingredients add much-needed hydration to my chin and cheeks whenever they get dull and dry. Sometimes I even mix this product into my medium-coverage foundation to give it a moisturizing boost.”—Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE.com culture writer