Don’t get us wrong, we love a full-coverage moment, but the best skin tints are even better bets for a year-round glow, without the heavy feel that often accompanies foundation. Instead, skin tints and tinted moisturizers boast supremely lightweight textures, easy-on-pores formulations, and sheer yet buildable coverage, and they tend to treat your skin to nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide, too. Plus, many formulas on the market feature SPF—and while a skin tint with SPF shouldn’t replace a standalone sunscreen (unless it has SPF 30 or higher), we always welcome extra UV protection. So, without further ado, these are the very best skin tints approved by editors and board-certified dermatologists to perfect your no-makeup-makeup look.
Our Top Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
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Best Overall: Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer
Why it’s worth it: Saie’s Slip Tint’s delightfully dewy, sheer, and moisturizing coverage makes it one of our absolute favorite complexion products on the shelf. The formula is loaded with hyaluronic acid and pansy flower oil to boost hydration and licorice root extract to brighten skin from the inside out. Broad-spectrum SPF 35 provides mineral UV protection, which is key for sun protection and ideal for sensitive skin. The extra glide comes from Saie’s Fatty Acid Complex derived from argan oil and jojoba esters.
“This is my deserted island makeup product. Sun protection, a moisturizer-like feel, and buildable coverage while feeling like absolutely nothing is on your face? Groundbreaking. I have facial eczema, and this tint allows my skin to breathe without accentuating flakes or fine lines—all while covering up decades-old acne scars and pregnancy-induced melasma.”
- Key ingredients: zinc oxide (15%), hyaluronic acid, licorice root extract
- Who it’s for: everyone, especially people who want a base product that feels like skin care and/or extra sun defense
- SPF: 35
- Shade count: 15
Most Buildable Coverage: Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint
Why it’s worth it: Daydreaming of a product with a “your skin but better” finish? Snap out of it and pick up Iconic London’s Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint. Infused with plant-derived amino acids, pea extract, and peach flower extract to hydrate skin and promote firmness, the tint’s second-skin formula lends your complexion a buildable yet sheer veil of color that feels and looks barely there (in the best way possible).
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“I’ve tried a handful of skin tints, but none work as well as Iconic London’s Super Smoother. Neutral Light is a perfect shade match most of the year, and in the warmer months, when I (gasp) get a bit more sun, I reach for Neutral Medium. Most days, one layer is good enough for me, but on days I crave a bit more coverage—or know I’ll be taking photos (real talk)—it’s so easy to build up and still maintains a featherweight feel. And absolutely no pilling! I pack this wherever I go—I can’t be without it.”
- Key ingredients: amino acid, pea extract, peach flower extract
- Who it’s for: people who want buildable coverage
- SPF: 0
- Shade count: 17
Best with SPF: Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint
Why it’s worth it: You probably know (and love) Supergoop for its invisible Unseen Sunscreen, but you can count on a little more color this time. With the power of SPF 50, Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint guards your face against harmful UV rays and offers a wash of sheer, brightening pigment that makes skin look more even and awake. The star ingredient, ectoin, fights free radical damage, and the hyaluronic acid–infused clay keeps your skin hydrated while soaking up excess sebum. Note that this is a hybrid formula, meaning it contains both mineral and chemical UV filters. Genius.
“As an oily skin girly, I didn’t even have to set it with powder, but if you like a matte finish, you may find this a bit too dewy.”
Tester feedback from former associate project manager Talia Gutierrez
“My olive-toned skin is sometimes hard to match as I find many skin tints lean too orange, but I found my shade 30W with no hassle. The buildable coverage by no means completely conceals my freckles (thank goodness). I also found that areas of my skin, like my jawline and around my nose, with slight discoloration and redness, were covered and concealed, leaving an even-looking complexion.”
- Key ingredients: zinc oxide (13.58%), homosalate (7%), octisalate (5%), hyaluronic acid, ectoin
- Who it’s for: people who want extra sun protection
- SPF: 50
- Shade count: 14
Best for Medium Coverage: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
Why it’s worth it: A no-makeup-makeup staple, Westman Atelier’s Vital Skin Care Complexion Foundation Drops doesn’t mess around when it comes to dewiness. This noncomedogenic formula swirls together Tsubaki oil, ginseng, and pomegranate extract to boost brightness and hydration while providing the ideal wash of breathable coverage. Allure editors and celebrity makeup artists have been among fans since 2022. “I love these complexion drops for everyday use because they give light-to-medium coverage while still being breathable,” sums up Katrina Klein, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“I didn’t love this formula at first, since it left my naturally oily skin a little too dewy. Turns out, it was a matter of timing. It’s a godsend, especially in the winter, when my skin practically begs for the blend of sunflower, almond, and tsubaki oil. It imparts enough coverage to even out my skin tone while feeling like nothing at all.”
- Key ingredients: tsubaki oil, ginseng, pomegranate extract
- Who it’s for: people who want a dewy finish
- SPF: 0
- Shade count: 20
Best Glowy Finish: Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint
Why it’s worth it: For a natural yet slightly dewy finish that won’t quit, Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint is your gal. Don’t just take our word for it. “After trekking through the city on a hot summer day, my skin still looked hydrated and non-oily by the time I returned home,” Kassidy Silva, social director, noted in our review. Summer Fridays debuted as a skin-care brand, so it’s no surprise the brand’s first makeup product serves up some familiar skin-loving ingredients, including glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane to lock in moisture. Those with sensitive skin will appreciate the addition of tiger grass to soothe skin and reduce the look of redness.
“I like to use this on the days I don’t want to try too hard but want to look like I tried hard (if that makes sense). It just leaves the most natural glow, all while hydrating and evening out my skin with a blend of hyaluronic acid and tiger grass. P.S. You gotta give this skin tint a good shake to mix all the skin-nourishing ingredients.”
- Key ingredients: tiger grass, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane
- Who it’s for: people who want a sheer, no-makeup-makeup-like finish
- SPF: 0
- Shade count: 12
Best for Redness: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream
Why it’s worth it: Kosas’ BB Burst toes the line between a BB cream and a skin tint, meaning it offers just the right amount of buildable coverage but doesn’t skimp on TLC ingredients. For all that moisturizing goodness, you can thank two humectants, sodium PCA and saccharide isomerate, and to neutralize redness, a hearty dose of copper peptides and zinc. Start with one pump, warming in between your fingers for the smoothest application and adding more as you get your perfect amount of coverage.
If you have specific areas that need extra attention, we recommend spot-concealing with the Kosas Revealer Concealer—these two are a base match in heaven.
“This formula is the definition of weightless—if I don’t apply it using a mirror, I truly question whether I put it on. It can be a little tricky getting the undertones just so, but once you’ve found the perfect color, it’s Second Skin City. Truly imperceptible coverage that blends easily and wears ridiculously comfortably. It’s my ideal summer skin tint.”
- Key ingredients: copper peptides, zinc, sodium PCA, saccharide isomerate
- Who it’s for: people who a moisturizer/tint hybrid
- SPF: 0
- Shade count: 24
Best Shade Range: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
Why it’s worth it: Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is a silky, radiant pick beloved by the pros. Just ask Kirin Bhatty, a bi-coastal celebrity makeup artist. “This feels like skin care and looks like skin care, but with good coverage,” says Bhatty. “I love how glowy this formula is, and I feel like it’s good for my skin. The shade range is also so beautiful.” It’s formulated with squalane, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid for an extra dose of hydration that seeps into skin without leaving behind any greasy cast. Keep in mind that your shade will look lighter on your skin at first, but then it will dry down to its true tone in 30 to 60 seconds.
“This is one of my favorite formulas when I can’t be bothered to do skin care or makeup. Putting the word ‘serum’ in the name wasn’t a lie; this stuff oozes, goozes, and slathers just like a thick, somewhat oily serum—and that’s exactly what lends itself as a seconds-long, rub-in application and instantly hydrating effect.”
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane, niacinamide
- Who it’s for: people who want a lightweight tint with SPF
- SPF: 40
- Shade count: 30
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Ciele Tint & Protect Serum
Why it’s worth it: The buttery, buildable coverage of Ciele’s Tint & Protect Serum happens to be non-comedogenic, a.k.a. safe for acne-prone skin, and calms redness using bisabolol. Besides, we love makeup that doesn’t skimp on UV protection, which is why Ciele’s Tint & Protect Serum is such a standout. Start with six to nine drops, blending with your favorite tool (fingers welcome), and add as you go for more coverage. In our testing, we also found that it lasted for hours—a rarity for a skin tint.
“As a foundation loyalist, it’s rare that I’ll only reach for a skin tint. Ciele’s Tint & Protect has me abandoning my base makeup staple and replacing it with a few swipes. It’s lightweight, long-lasting, and blends effortlessly—what more can a girl ask for?”
- Key ingredients: zinc oxide (12%), bisabolol, niacinamide, allantoin
- Who it’s for: people wanting serious sun protection, people with acne-prone skin
- SPF: 50
- Shade count: 13
More skin tints to consider:
- For a super blendable, hydrating option, reach for Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint. The ceramides, cactus extract, and peptides paired with the rich-but-not-too-rich, skin-like pigments are a total treat for your face. It blends like a dream, and the hydration hangs out for up to 24 hours. Oh, and it’s a Best of Beauty Award winner—NBD.
- Made specifically for oily skin types (or anyone who prefers their complexion on the matte side), Fenty Beauty’s Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint comes with a wide shade selection and holds up well against humidity and sweat. P.S. Fenty’s website has a handy feature that allows you to try on different shades virtually to find your perfect match.
- Okay, picture this: a skin tint in a solid, stick form. Keep picturing, and bam, you have the Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint. This 2024 Best of Beauty winner is a breeze to apply and stow in your purse for on-the-go touchups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between foundation and skin tint?
Foundations and skin tints are differentiated by their levels of pigmentation and purported skin-care benefits. “Foundation has higher pigment levels—8 to 12%—while skin tint can be 1 to 5% depending on shades,” cosmetic chemist Ginger King tells Allure. Skin tints “offer some glow and buildable coverage, unlike traditional foundation, which can be heavy and sink into fine lines due to the amount of powder in their formulas.” Skin tints often include nourishing skin-care ingredients you might not find in standard foundation or concealer (which we’ll go more in-depth about below). And because skin tints tend to be lighter and more hydrating than foundation, people with dry or mature skin are great candidates.
That’s not to say the two base products can’t work in tandem. “I can easily see myself using a tint as a priming step to even the skin, and adding coverage with foundation and concealer where needed,” makeup artist Tommy Napoli told Allure. In the case of fuller coverage, a translucent setting powder is crucial to lock everything in place and minimize shine.
What ingredients should I look for in a skin tint?
When something is advertised as a skin tint, according to King, you’ll see more skin-loving actives like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and squalane at work. “[Hyaluronic acid] is great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness,” New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, previously told Allure. Squalane, conversely, “aids in skin-care problems wherein the skin barrier is disrupted and transepidermal water loss is an issue,” according to Florida-based board-certified dermatologist Samantha Fisher, MD. Everyone, including sensitive skin (squalane is odorless, by the way), can benefit from this emollient.
While examining the formula of Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint, Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, shouted out some of her favorite skin tint ingredients. “Niacinamide brightens tone and increases the skin’s production of ceramides, which in turn can prevent moisture loss,” explained Dr. King. She also named mineral SPFs, like non-nano zinc oxide, as a beneficial ingredient—but we always recommend applying a standalone sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or more, instead of relying on SPF-spiked makeup.
Meet the experts
- Samantha Fisher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Florida
- Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
- Katrina Klein, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles
- Tommy Napoli, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Cindy Bae, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Kirin Bhatty, a bi-coastal, celebrity makeup artist
- Katrina Klein, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best skin tints, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from makeup artists, dermatologists, and cosmetic chemists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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