Makeup users often fall into two categories. Those who prefer a full coverage foundation and those who feel the need to tell everyone and their mailman that they’re “only wearing tinted moisturiser!” I jest, I jest. But, for a long time I fell into the former camp, not understanding why anyone would wear a watered down foundation when you could go full force and supplant a new face onto your own courtesy of a full coverage formula. After all, if you’re going to do something, you might as well go all the way, right?
Well, apparently there is a) some merit to the concept of a tinted moisturiser and b) I had confused tinted moisturisers with skin tints. Able to be easily applied with your fingers—just like a moisturiser! Who’d have thought?!—the best tinted moisturisers impart a more even complexion and often add a touch of natural-looking radiance and luminance. While they won’t completely cover up acne and severe hyperpigmentation, a good tinted moisturiser is more than up to the challenge of concealing redness and some dark spots.
The world of tinted moisturisers is a vast one. While traditionally tinted moisturisers were solely designed to provide sheer to medium coverage in an easy-to-apply format, the category has made significant advancement in terms of skincare benefits, with certain tinted moisturiser formulas boasting anti-redness, hydrating, and mattifying properties. Many formulas also come with added sun protection, which acts as an extra layer of defense against harmful UVA and UVB rays. On top of that, the tinted moisturiser category also encompasses BB creams and CC creams.
To simplify the search for the best tinted moisturiser, we’ve put together a definitive guide on the difference between tinted moisturisers, skin tints, CC creams, and BB creams. Plus, the best tinted moisturisers for every skin type and need.
Click here to jump ahead to discover the best tinted moisturisers.
First up, what exactly is a tinted moisturiser?
Defining a tinted moisturiser is simple; the clue is in the name. Tinted moisturisers are exactly what they sound like — a moisturiser which has a tint to it and provides light to medium coverage. Basically, like mixing a little foundation into a standard moisturiser or cream.
While some tinted moisturisers provide broad spectrum sun protection, they’re typically not imbued with active skincare ingredients (such as vitamin C and niacinamide). However some contain soothing botanical extracts such as aloe vera and many contain hyaluronic acid.
Tinted moisturisers cater to a variety of skin types. Those with oily, acne-prone, and combination skin types should opt for oil-free, water-based formulas, while those with dry or sensitive skin will likely respond well to an oil-based formula with hydrating and skin-strengthening ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and squalane. Tinted moisturisers also come in matte, natural, and dewy finishes, making it possible to find a formula for every taste.
Cool, so how’s that different to a skin tint?
As tinted moisturisers are essentially foundation mixed with moisturiser, they have a texture and consistency similar to moisturiser (this is what makes them so quick and easy to apply). On the other hand, skin tints have texture and consistency similar to a serum and provide sheer coverage (less than a tinted moisturiser). They’re also less moisturising than a tinted moisturiser and are designed to be used on top of—rather than in place of—a conventional moisturiser or face cream.
Skin tints often contain skincare ingredients such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and botanical extracts which aid in improving skin tone and texture while providing sheer coverage. Skin tints are suitable for all skin types, however their thinner consistency means that they can ‘slide’ off oily or combination skin and often work better on normal or dry skin types.
It’s worth noting that many brands nowadays use the words ‘tinted moisturiser’ and ‘skin tint’ interchangeably, making it difficult to differentiate between the two. However, the deciding factor for us is the consistency — thin and runny makes it a skin tint, while a cream-like texture puts it into the tinted moisturiser category.
Great, but what about BB and CC creams?
BB and CC creams fall under the tinted moisturiser umbrella.
The ‘BB’ in BB cream stands for ‘blemish balm’ or ‘beauty balm’ and provides buildable medium to heavy coverage. BB creams provide more coverage than tinted moisturisers, not only evening out skin tone but also concealing blemishes and dark spots. BB creams tend to be laden with skincare benefits, often geared towards reducing breakouts, providing antioxidant protection, and hydrating the skin.
Like BB creams, CC creams (the ‘CC’ stands for ‘colour correcting’) provide buildable medium to heavy coverage. The difference is that CC creams are targeted towards correcting redness and uneven skin tone. CC cream is best for those looking to conceal redness, pigmentation, and blotchiness and can be used on its own or under foundation as a colour corrector.
The best tinted moisturisers in 2024
1. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30
Price: $65AUD
The Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30 has long been recommended as one of the best tinted moisturisers for oily and acne-prone skin. The gel-cream formula provides sheer to light coverage, working to conceal redness. The consistency is more like a gel than a liquid, which makes it easy (read: not messy!) to apply and blend into the skin. While many tinted moisturisers that cater to oily and acne-prone skin tend to have a matte finish, the Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30 has a natural satin finish that’s dewy without looking oily or overly shiny.
Best for: oily, combination, acne-prone, normal skin
Skincare ingredients: squalane, hyaluronic acid
Sun protection? Yes, SPF 30
Coverage level: sheer to light
Shade range: 20
2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30
Price: $90AUD
Hydrating glycerin and moisturising macadamia and kukui seed oils make the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30 an ideal tinted moisturiser for those with dry or mature skin. Coverage is sheer and not overly buildable, so we’d recommend this one for those looking to lightly even out their skin tone and blur fine lines and imperfections rather than conceal hyperpigmentation or acne. The finish is luminous and dewy yet still natural and very ‘skin like’. The addition of skincare ingredients like vitamin C and E work to provide antioxidant protection against environmental stressors.
Best for: dry, mature, normal skin
Skincare ingredients: vitamins C and E, macadamia and kukui seed oils, glycerin
Sun protection? Yes, SPF 30 (editor’s note: in Australia, this formula is sold without the ‘SPF 30’ rating, however the ingredient list is the same)
Coverage level: sheer to light
Shade range: 20
3. Clinique Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator SPF 25
Price: $62AUD
It’s worth bearing in mind that oily skin needs hydration and can still get dehydrated (and in the same vein, dry skin is caused by a lack of moisture rather than a lack of hydration). A rare formula that works for oily, acne-prone, and dry skin (as well as normal and combination), the Clinique Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator SPF 25 is an oil-free formula that combats dehydration with a powerful hydrating complex that includes aloe vera, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. The formula is light on the skin and doesn’t sink into wrinkles or fine lines, however it’s worth noting that some people have reported that it doesn’t blend into textured skin well.
Best for: dry, normal, oily, acne-prone, combination skin
Skincare ingredients: hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, glycerin
Sun protection? Yes, SPF 25
Coverage level: sheer to light
Shade range: seven
4. Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturiser
Price: $59AUD
For those with oily or combination skin looking for the absolute sheerest of tinted moisturisers, the Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturiser is the way to go — and, it has one of the most impressive shade ranges on the market. While Rare Beauty calls this product a tinted moisturiser, the consistency of the formula is almost veering into skin tint territory (think: more liquidy than cream-like). It provides ultra-light coverage with a satin-matte finish that looks natural on the skin and feels weightless while worn. Unlike some of the other formulas on this list, this one isn’t particularly hydrating, so we’d recommend applying a hydrating serum and moisturiser prior to application.
Best for: oily, combination skin
Skincare ingredients: lotus, gardenia, and white water lily extracts
Sun protection? Yes, SPF 20 (editor’s note: in Australia, this formula is sold without the ‘SPF 30’ rating, however the ingredient list is the same)
Coverage level: sheer
Shade range: 24
5. Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Huez SPF 30
Price: $62AUD
One of our favourite tinted moisturisers, the Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Huez SPF 30 works for all skin types. It’s hydrating and glowy without being greasy, and provides more coverage than a standard tinted moisturiser — evening out redness while also concealing light hyperpigmentation and acne. The formula contains mineral sun protection and is the consistency of a standard moisturiser, making it easy (and not messy!) to apply. Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera provide hydration while niacinamide works to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of pores. We loved how the Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Huez SPF 30 worked across a variety of skin types; it settled nicely and didn’t budge on oily skin, but was also nourishing for dry skin and didn’t sink into fine lines or accentuate texture.
Best for: dry, normal, mature, acne-prone, oily, combination skin
Skincare ingredients: kalahari melon and baobab extracts, niacinamide, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid
Sun protection? Yes, SPF 30
Coverage level: medium (buildable)
Shade range: 10
6. Trinny London BFF De-Stress
Price: $75AUD
Despite the brand labelling this a ‘tinted serum’, the Trinny London BFF De-Stress has a beautiful creamy consistency and is one of our favourite tinted moisturisers for dry and mature skin. It’s formulated with the brand’s NP-TriOX technology which contains a combination of antioxidants designed to combat environmental stressors and stimulate collagen production, as well as hyaluronic acid to boost the skin’s hydration. The lightweight cream texture makes it easy to blend, while buildable coverage works to even out redness and conceal fine lines. The hydrating formula doesn’t sink into wrinkles, fine lines, or pores and doesn’t accentuate texture, settling onto the skin with a natural, radiant finish.
Best for: normal, dry, mature, combination skin
Skincare ingredients: NP-TriOX (antioxidant complex), hyaluronic acid
Sun protection? No
Coverage level: light to medium (buildable)
Shade range: 12
7. Mecca Max Off Duty BB Cream SPF 15
Price: $22AUD
A budget-friendly option for those with oily and acne-prone skin, the Mecca Max Off Duty BB Cream SPF 15 works to conceal breakouts and cancel out mild redness. It applies smoothly and doesn’t cling to texture or dry patches, and settles down with a natural, slightly dewy satin finish.
Best for: oily, combination, normal skin
Skincare ingredients: No
Sun protection? Yes, SPF 15
Coverage level: sheer to light
Shade range: 15
8. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
Price: $76AUD
A favourite for dry and oily skin types alike, the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 is an oil-free formula that provides light to medium buildable coverage and works to conceal the appearance of pores and fine lines, as well as even out redness and light hyperpigmentation. Like the Fenty iteration, the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 provides more coverage than a standard tinted moisturiser, with a little going a long way. Vitamin C aids in brightening the skin over time, while polysaccharide extracts provide instant hydration and comfort the skin. The finish is dewy and glowy — oilier skin types may need to use a light setting powder over this to prevent it from moving throughout the day.
Best for: dry, normal, mature, acne-prone, oily, combination skin
Skincare ingredients: polysaccharide extract, vitamin C
Sun protection? Yes, SPF 30
Coverage level: medium (buildable)
Shade range: 16
9. Saie Slip Tint Lightweight Tinted Moisturiser SPF 35
Price: approx. $57AUD ($36USD)
A moisturising and hydrating tinted moisturiser for dry and mature skin types. The Saie Slip Tint Lightweight Tinted Moisturiser SPF 35 combines broad spectrum mineral sun protection with a nourishing complex of argan oil, jojoba esters, and hyaluronic acid, as well as brightening licorice extract. The moisturising formula provides medium buildable coverage and goes onto the skin smoothly without enhancing dry patches. The finish is dewy and glowy — it works well for drier skin, however those with combination or oily skin may find it too shiny.
Best for: dry, mature, normal skin
Skincare ingredients: licorice root, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, argan oil, jojoba esters
Sun protection? Yes, SPF 35
Coverage level: light to medium (buildable)
Shade range: 14
10. Tower SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen
Price: $53AUD
The liquid consistency of the Tower SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen is almost veering into skin tint territory, but it remains non-messy and easy to apply. Designed with sensitive and reactive skin in mind, the formula is non-irritating and hydrating on the skin, working well for pretty much all skin types. Coverage is buildable, with the formula effectively concealing redness and mild acne without feeling heavy on the skin. It’s also silicone-free and non-comedogenic, which means it doesn’t clog pores, exacerbate existing acne, or cause breakouts.
Best for: sensitive, oily, combination, dry, mature, normal, acne-prone skin
Skincare ingredients: prickly pear and white sage extracts, aloe vera
Sun protection? Yes, SPF 30
Coverage level: light to medium (buildable)
Shade range: 17
Other formulas we considered
We also tested the following formulas, however they did not make the list — either due to performance or not meeting the criteria of what constitutes a skin tint.
- Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturiser Gel Cream ($63AUD): we liked the shade range, however found that the formula was difficult to blend out and tended to pill.
- Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF 50 Tinted Veil ($55AUD): this formula is often included in lists of the best tinted moisturisers, however the runny texture and sheer coverage definitely puts it into the skin tint category. It’s a decent formula for dry skin, however we found it appeared greasy and slid off on oily and combination skin.
- Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint ($70AUD): again, definitely a skin tint — it’s in the name. Like the Ultra Violette formula, this one was good for dry skin but never really settled down on oily and combination skin. The formula is also very (very!!) sheer and doesn’t provide any coverage beyond lightly evening skin tone.
- Morphe Morphe 2 Hint Hint Skin Tint ($28AUD): clearly a skin tint, the Morphe 2 Hint Hint Skin Tint is a serum-like formula that delivers medium coverage. We found this worked well on all skin types.
Does a tinted moisturiser with SPF replace your sunscreen?
Many of the best tinted moisturisers contain broad spectrum sun protection. Tinted moisturisers with SPF should be viewed as an additional layer of sun protection, rather than a product that replaces your dedicated sunscreen. This is because it is difficult to apply the correct amount of tinted moisturiser for the formula to be effective. For effective sun protection, you should be applying a minimum of one teaspoon to the face, neck, and ears — most people (particularly those after sheer to light coverage) apply far less tinted moisturiser than this.
To ensure you’re getting effective sun protection, it’s important to wear a dedicated sunscreen under your tinted moisturiser. These formulas are lightweight and protect the skin without leaving a white cast.
Words by Arabella Johnson and T. Angel
