A tinted moisturiser is a great option for anyone who hates the feeling of a full coverage foundation, or wants a natural base for minimal make-up days. Typically, they add a hint of colour and subtle coverage to the skin, delivering a natural, healthy-looking finish.
The type of tinted moisturiser you choose will depend on whether you lean towards a matte or dewy base, not forgetting your desired coverage and skin type.
Whether you’re seeking a sheer wash or glowy finish; an ultra-hydrating option or oil-free formula; your make-up needs can also vary from season to season.
While sun-kissed summer skin might only require a light veil, during drearier months a brightening boost is always welcome. Nourishing skincare ingredients and SPF protection bring a multi-tasking element too.
We’re here to help with our extensive guide to the best tinted moisturisers for every need.
How we tested
We trialled these tinted moisturisers over several weeks, sticking to our standard skincare routine for consistency. They were each worn for long days and with different make-up looks. We sampled a range of formulas, coverage types and SPF levels, across dewy and matte finishes.
The best tinted moisturisers for 2022 are:
- Best overall – Morphe glowstunner hydrating tinted moisturiser SPF30: £18, Lookfantastic.com
- Best dewy finish – Huda Beauty glowish multidew skin tint: £34, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best budget buy – The Ordinary serum foundation: £6.40, Deciem.com
- Best matte effect – Erborian super BB cream: £39.50, Spacenk.com
- Best for skin brightening – Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood flawless filter: £36, Charlottetilbury.com
- Best for shine control – Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser oil free natural skin perfector: £31.45, Boots.com
- Best natural finish – Glossier perfecting skin tint: £20, Glossier.com
- Best luxury buy – Chantecaille just skin tinted moisturiser SPF15: £73, Lookfantastic.com
- Best for buildable coverage – Fenty Beauty eaze drop blurring skin tint: £22.95, Boots.com
- Best SPF protection – Milk Makeup sunshine skin tint broad spectrum SPF30: £39, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for skin smoothing – Vita Liberata beauty blur: £30, Boots.com
- Best for hydration –Kevyn Aucoin stripped nude skin tint: £36, Spacenk.com
- Best: Overall
- Rating: 9/10
- Size: 30ml
- Shades: 15
- SPF?: 30
- Skin type: All
This sheer, moisturising base is available in 15 shades and includes UVA and UVB SPF30. The 30ml tube has a pump nozzle which we used to apply product onto our hand, before building it up on the face. The oil-free formula still retains hydrating properties, with the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Lactic acid is also at work here to brighten the skin, something we definitely noticed upon application.
The lightweight base allows your natural skin texture to shine through, and offers a seamless blend without settling into pores. Not overly matte nor super dewy, this formula sits right in the middle, striking the perfect balance between the two. The skin-softening veil stayed in place without any smudging, instead fading gently towards the end of the day. We think the £18 price tag is reasonable, too.
- Best: For a dewy finish
- Rating: 9/10
- Size: 40ml
- Shades: 13
- SPF?: None
- Skin types: All
This 40ml tube comes in a selection of 13 shades, and the pump release applicator offers clean product distribution. Its fragrance-free rose oil blend offers a glowy finish, with skin-smoothing coverage. The reflective pearl pigments deliver a slightly iridescent finish, adding a gorgeous luminosity to the skin that we couldn’t get enough of. The deeply hydrating formula glides on, leaving the skin feeling quite dewy.
While the formula is certainly buildable, we found it offered enough coverage from one coat and loved the glowy, healthy-looking finish it gave. A true multi-tasker, the skincare make-up hybrid works equally well mixed with foundation and dabbed sparingly as a highlighter too.
- Best: Budget buy
- Rating: 9/10
- Size: 30ml
- Shades: 37
- SPF?: 15
- Skin type: All
Yes, this is marketing as a foundation, but it has all the lightweight qualities of a tinted moisturiser. The SPF15 serum glides on much like skincare, with a wetness to work with while blending it in. There are 36 shades, and each are separated into four skin tone categories. The bottle has a pump nozzle which makes it totally mess-free to use. Once dry, we saw a demi-matte finish and a sheer, skin-softening effect. We found it so weightless and comfortable on the skin that we forgot we were wearing anything. After a long day there was no patchiness, and we liked being able to still see our freckles and skin texture too.
- Best: For a matte effect
- Rating: 8/10
- Size: 40ml
- Shades: 5
- SPF: 20
- Skin type: All
This newly launched BB cream serves up the natural look of a tinted moisturiser, with added SPF20. Ingredients include skin balancing niacinamide and moisturising ginseng. There are five shades available, and the tube features cute, illustrated branding and a twist-off lid.
The formula hugs the skin with its silky soft texture, creating a smoothing all-over base. Our tester noticed a small amount of product provides enough medium coverage to even out blemishes, and the matte finish isn’t at all drying. Plus, this is a non-comedogenic option, meaning it won’t block pores if you’re concerned about breakouts.
- Best: For skin brightening
- Rating: 8/10
- Size: 30ml
- Shades: 11
- SPF?: None
- Skin type: All
A cult favourite on TikTok, Charlotte Tilbury’s flawless filter is best described as a glowy tinted moisturiser/primer hybrid. Available in 12 shades, it gives a gently illuminating effect that we found to be smoothing on our complexion. Its glossy consistency adds a noticeable dewiness, leaving skin feeling soft and plump. We found the formula to be easily buildable as well as versatile, and enjoyed it both on bare skin and mixed with our foundation.
We also liked adding it as a skin refresh when our make-up felt flat after hours of wear. If you’re going for a subtle tint, a small amount of product brings balancing brightness. The lightly floral scent and glam gold-topped 30ml bottle add extra appeal too.
- Best: For shine control
- Rating: 9/10
- Size: 50ml
- Shades: 20
- SPF?: 20
- Skin type: All types
This generous 50ml tube houses an oil-free formula, which is especially useful if you’re wary of products which may slide off the skin or cause excess greasiness. We found the tinted moisturiser created a natural, demi-matte canvas, without being drying or settling into creases. In terms of coverage, it’s lightweight but buildable, which we appreciated.
Skincare benefits include SPF20 and vitamin E, while the formula itself feels soothing and breathable. We were seriously impressed with the longwear of this formula: it stayed put for hours on end without any mid-wear shine appearing. It’s available in 20 shades, too.
- Best: For a natural finish
- Rating: 8/10
- Size: 30ml
- Shades: 12
- SPF?: None
- Skin type: All
Although technically a skin tint, this sheer formula has moisturising properties too. There are 12 shades available, each presented in the signature squeezy Glossier bottle. We found the formula to be a light colour wash that feels softening thanks to hydrating ingredients like glycerin.
It doesn’t cling to pores or settle in fine lines, and instead offers a gently balancing veil. A tiny amount spreads quite far over the face, and can be built up without any streakiness. The overall effect is one of a “no make-up” look, which is good if you opt for a subtle, easy-wearing base.
- Best: Luxury buy
- Rating: 8/10
- Size: 50g
- Shades: 6
- SPF?: 15
- Skin type: All
This formula is available in seven shades with three undertones to choose from, called “balanced”, “soft rose” and “golden”. The SPF15 adds some protection, although we layered it with a separate SPF product without any issues. The midweight formula has a velvety texture that feels luxurious and offers a moisturising finish, with light coverage. It was also soothing on our face, which must have been down to its calming ingredients such as chamomile.
- Best: For buildable coverage
- Rating: 8/10
- Size: 32ml
- Shades: 25
- SPF?: No
- Skin type: All
This squeezy bottle has a hexagonal shape that will stand out in your make-up bag. There are 25 shades to shop in cool, warm, golden, neutral olive, bronze, and yellow undertones. We found the formula stretches across skin well without clinging to pores or creases, and layers seamlessly if you’re looking to build coverage.
A small amount goes a long way, and glides onto the face for quick and easy application. Our complexion felt gently evened out. Although it feels hydrating on skin, the tint doesn’t slip off.
- Best: For SPF protection
- Rating: 8/10
- Size: 16ml
- Shades: 14
- SPF?: 30
- Skin types: All
This tube features a unique push-up glass rollerball tip. We found this system quite messy, but it does make for speedy use and you can buy refill cartridges too. Available in 14 shades, the formula is vegan-friendly and offers medium coverage, creating a dewy softness on skin and smoothing over blemishes easily.
Moisturising ingredients include avocado and jojoba and you’ll also benefit from broad spectrum SPF30. We’re happy to report the UVA and UVB protection didn’t add any chalkiness either. The formula faded a bit throughout the day, but quick top-ups were easy with this applicator.
- Best: For skin smoothing
- Rating: 8/10
- Size: 30ml
- Shades: 1
- SPF?: None
- Skin types: All
This face product from the self-tanning brand comes in a sleek tube with a wand applicator. The creamy tint slides onto skin and feels moisturising, thanks to nourishing ingredients like aloe and shea butter. There are four shades, and the smoothing blend preps the skin well as a base.
The finish is very natural, so if you’re looking for minimum coverage this would be ideal. We particularly enjoyed using this as a primer before layering with other complexion products, but it would look great on bare skin in the summer.
- Best: For hydration
- Rating: 9/10
- Size: 30ml
- Shades: 10
- SPF: None
- Skin type: All
This lightweight tint instantly smooths the skin and feels ultra hydrating throughout the day, thanks to the inclusion of moisturising powerhouse hyaluronic acid. It delivers a sheer finish without any excess greasiness or shine. The formula feels comfortable to wear and doesn’t settle into fine lines or pores. We were still able to see our skin’s natural texture, but with a gentle layer of coverage balancing out any dryness and uneven tone.
