Tinted Moisturizer Reviews
I’m a big fan of tinted moisturizers — particularly tinted moisturizer sunscreen options. A lighter, more breathable option than traditional foundation, tinted moisturizers can bring coverage, hydration, and even SPF to your daily wear makeup routine. If you’re wondering what are the best tinted moisturizer sunscreen formulas out there to try, you’ve come to the right place. Here, I’ll be sharing the best tinted moisturizers I’ve tried, including formulas specifically suitable for acne prone or sensitive skin. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter, too, where I share the latest and greatest in daily beauty!
Table of Contents
- Tinted Moisturizers vs. Foundations
- The Best Tinted Moisturizers
- The Best Tinted Moisturizer for Full Coverage: Versed Multi-Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
- For Dry Skin: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
- For Sensitive or Acne Prone Skin: EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
- For Repairing Skin: ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Mineral Broad-Spectrum Tinted Face Sunscreen
- Shop the Best Tinted Moisturizers with SPF here:
Tinted Moisturizers vs. Foundations
First things first — is tinted moisturizer better than foundation? This kind of comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize coverage over breathability, then tinted moisturizers are probably not what you’re looking for. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a lightweight, hydrating base layer, then these products are probably the way to go.
Sunscreen with Tinted Moisturizer
Personally, I use tinted moisturizer as foundation, generally on top of a base layer of sunscreen. While it is generally a good idea to use a dedicated sunscreen beyond a tinted moisturizer with SPF, most of my favorites do wind up offering some sun protection. Furthermore, all of the tinted moisturizers I’m discussing here are mineral sunscreen, which create a physical barrier between the skin and the sun.
The Best Tinted Moisturizers
The Best Tinted Moisturizer for Full Coverage:
Versed Multi-Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
A relatively new-to-me beauty brand, Versed products are quickly becoming some of my all time favorites. The Versed Multi-Serum Skin Tint is a great tinted sunscreen option that comes in a wide range of colors and is priced very fairly. While it is still far lighter than traditional foundation, it offers a fuller coverage than the other tinted moisturizers listed here. It works well on its own or paired with a light powered (the brand has this setting powder they recommend) and has good staying power. I typically double wash at the end of the day with this one.
Shop this Versed tinted moisturizer from Versed and Ulta.
The Best Tinted Moisturizer for Dry Skin:
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
As far as dry skin goes, I really love the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint. This product comes in a huge array of shades and is exceedingly lightweight, providing a truly natural finish. The Ilia tinted moisturizer has hyaluronic acid and squalane oil in it, as well, both of which promote hydration in the skin. This formula is fragrance-free and offers sun screen coverage of mineral SPF 40. Pair it with or without a powder foundation (I like this one) and you’re good to go.
Shop this Ilia tinted moisturizer from Ilia, Amazon, and Sephora.
The Best Tinted Moisturizer for Sensitive or acne prone Skin:
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Suitable for a wide range of skin types — combination, dry, and oily — the EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF is the best tinted moisturizing sunscreen for anyone with sensitive skin or acne prone skin. Offering robust hydration without feeling heavy, this EltaMD tinted moisturizer is really all you need for makeup in a day. Top it with powder if you feel like it, but it offers good coverage without being too much. The formula feels very soothing on the skin and contains Niacinamide to help improve skin tone and discoloration, both from acne or rosacea.
Shop this EltaMD tinted moisturizer from EltaMD and Amazon.
P.S. if you are looking for more color correction, check out this new green tint broad spectrum SPF from EltaMD! It’s not technically a tinted moisturizer sunscreen, but it deserves an honorary mention.
I have been using it for a few weeks now and am loving it. The color correction is subtle but just enough, and the texture is basically the same as the tinted moisturizer sunscreen described above. Sometimes I top it with powder, but often just wear it by itself.
Currently, this color correction formula is available from EtlaMD and Amazon.
The Best Tinted Moisturizer for repairing Skin:
Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Mineral Broad-Spectrum Tinted Face Sunscreen
If you are a fan of a dryer finish for tinted sunscreens and tinted moisturizers, this ISDIN formula is perfect for you! Lightweight and tinted, this mineral sunscreen defends against new sun damage while repairing existing sun damage and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I have been using this ISDIN tinted sunscreen for a few years now; it came dermatologist recommended for me and, like the options above, is generally all I need in terms of makeup. This formula is a little pricier, but the bottle lasts so long, it’s totally worth the cost. As I said, I’ve been using it for a few years, and I’m only on my third bottle.
Shop this ISDIN tinted moisturizer from Dermstore and Amazon.
Shop the Best Tinted Moisturizers with SPF here:
Looking for more beauty deep dives?
Check out my guide to the best daily sunscreens here!
And if you’re looking for more beauty tried and trues, here is a regularly updated round up of my makeup and skin care favorites I think you’re going to love!
Read the Latest on Cats & Coffee:
- What to Keep in a Summer Beauty Bag
- The Best Green Nail Polish Colors to Try
- The Best Skin Care Products for Dry Skin
- Festive Nails: Christmas Nail Colors To Try
- The 6 Best Water Based Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
*This post was originally published on November 13, 2022. It was most recently updated on April 9, 2026.
