.jpg)
If you’re looking for a reason to forgo foundation, good news: the best tinted moisturisers for mature skin (or otherwise) make a compelling case for anyone who wants crease-free, dewy coverage with the lightweight, soothing feel of a moisturiser for mature skin (the perfect combo for subtle coverage during the hotter months, by the way). After all, those with ageing skin should know that as time goes by, your skin needs moisture, moisture, and more moisture — and if you don’t have enough of it, it can lead to textural concerns like deep wrinkles and crepey skin.
Rich creams, radiance-boosting primers for mature skin, mature skin serums, face mists, — and, of course, tinted moisturisers — are key for a flawless base both instantly and long-term. More lightweight than their foundation counterparts and packed with moisturising ingredients, tinted moisturisers offer a happy, hydrating medium between skin care and makeup. Scroll ahead to discover the best tinted face moisturisers for ageing skin that blur the look of all of the above, as chosen by experts and editors.
Featured in this article
Best overall: Charlotte Tilbury Unisex Healthy Glow Hydrating Tint
Why it’s worth it: If ever there were a shortcut to that eight-hours-of-sleep glow, Charlotte Tilbury’s Healthy Glow Hydrating Tint might just be it. The clever, one-shade-fits-all formula morphs to your skin tone on application, adapting seamlessly for a natural-looking finish that works across all skin tones and types (we tested it – and it works). The sheer, lightweight texture feels like a lightweight moisturiser, delivering a wash of warmth that reads as “your skin but better”. Infused with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and vitamin E, it leaves skin feeling moisturised and looking fresh, making it perfect for foundation-free days.
Tester feedback: “I'll be the first to admit that I was sceptical about the whole ‘one shade suits all’ claim, but the moment I blended it in, I got it. It sort of melted into my skin and adjusted to my tone within seconds. It feels more like skincare than makeup, super lightweight and hydrating, and it gives me that healthy, warm glow on days when I don't want to wear any foundation for mature skin. It’s my skin, just better.”
Key ingredients: Dimethicone, glycerin, vitamin E | Shades: 1 | Fragrance-free: yes.
READ MORE: The best lipstick for older women.
Best Lightweight: Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturiser
Why it’s worth it: The Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturiser checks all the boxes: The clean formula offers a mineral-based SPF 35, hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid, and pairs sheer coverage with impressive staying power. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Robyn Gmyrek, MD, previously called Saie’s formulation one of her favourite tinted moisturisers, and not just because it features broad-spectrum SPF protection. This featherweight cream works especially hard on the skin-care front, thanks to a lineup of antioxidant-rich ingredients like pansy flower and liquorice root extract, which help hydrate and brighten skin. Available in 14 shades, the formula melts seamlessly — rather than sitting on top of the skin or settling into wrinkles — to look like your skin, but a bit perkier.
Tester feedback: Shopping writer Mayola Fernandes raved about the skin tint’s gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly formula, its ability to even out the look of hyperpigmentation, and its smooth, crease-free finish. “It protects my skin, feels like a lightweight moisturiser, and lets me layer coverage without feeling heavy — like my skin, only better,” she said.
Key ingredients: zinc oxide (20%), pansy flower extract, liquorice root extract | Shades: 14 | Fragrance-free: yes.
Use these Cult Beauty promo codes for savings on the best tinted moisturisers for mature skin.
Best Shade Range: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream
Why it’s worth it: Kosas’s BB Burst Tinted Moisturiser Gel Cream is available in 24 (!) flexible shades, and that’s just the beginning of why we appreciate this formula so much. Each bottle contains a gel-like formula with a lightweight, kind of whipped feel that quickly absorbs into skin without leaving any greasiness behind. As you wear it, the oily skin-friendly pick treats skin to a cocktail of skin-firming copper peptides, redness- and breakout-reducing zinc (acne-prone and combination skin types, take note!), and hydrating sodium PCA; the latter binds water to your skin barrier, leaving it with an overall plumper, suppler appearance.
Tester feedback: “This formula is the definition of weightless – I sometimes have to check the mirror because it’s so invisible," says Mayola. With so many shades available, once you find the right one for you, it melts into your skin effortlessly. Don’t let the light texture fool you either, this tinted moisturiser hides imperfections while leaving a radiant, dewy glow.”
Key ingredients: copper peptides, zinc, sodium PCA, saccharide isomerate | Shades: 24 | Fragrance-free: yes.
Save when you shop for the best tinted moisturisers for mature skin with these Sephora discount codes.
Best Sheer Coverage: Trinny London BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum
Why it’s worth it: For buildable coverage that feels barely there, try Trinny London’s BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum. This tinted serum feels much lighter than richer lotions and creams, and has a luminous, sheer-to-medium finish to enhance your natural glow (or lack thereof). As it conceals minimal blemishes, lines, and discolouration, the combination of hyaluronic acid and the brand’s NP-TriOX complex, a proprietary combination of peptide-rich Tephrosia purpurea seed extract and antioxidant vitamins C and E, firms and plumps skin for a more youthful appearance. And, to minimise signs of ageing on all fronts, Trinny London’s tinted serum also contains a low 1% dose of tone-evening antioxidant vitamin C — bye-bye, age spots.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, NP-TriOX Technology (Tephrosia purpurea seed extract, vitamin C, vitamin E), vitamin C (1%) | Shades: 12 |
Fragrance-free: no.
Tester feedback: “I love how Trinny London’s BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum feels so weightless on my skin. It evens out my tone without hiding my natural glow, and knowing it’s packed with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants that actually firm and plump? A five star rating from me.”
Use these Trinny London promo codes for savings on the best skincare products for mature skin including the best eye creams for mature skin.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen
Why it’s worth it: For a one-and-done product on no-makeup makeup days, look no further than Tower 28 SunnyDays. Designed with sensitive skin in mind, this is a sunscreen first with additional skin-care benefits and lightweight coverage. All 17 flexible shades get their soothing properties from a combination of prickly pear and aloe vera, and the light-to-medium coverage won't oxidise over the course of the day. Better yet, it's fragrance-free and has a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association, so it won’t irritate sensitive skin.
Tester feedback Multiple testers, like Talia Gutierrez, say they love the gentle, skin-softening feel of this tinted sunscreen. “Since the texture is remarkably light and creamy, my red zone wasn’t irritated or dried out even with additional coverage," Gutierrez says. "That eliminated any concerns about creases and cakey laugh lines as the day went on."
Key ingredients: zinc oxide (12.6%), prickly pear oil, aloe vera extract | Shades: 17 | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
Why it’s worth it: If the average tinted moisturiser doesn't offer enough moisture to minimise dry patches, good news: This formula just might — and without leaving a greasy film behind. Westman Atelier’s Vital Skincare Complexion Drops lean more toward a tinted face oil, thanks to ingredients like squalane, Tsubaki oil, and ginseng, which makes skin look radiant (but not overly shiny), soft, and thoroughly hydrated. Need more convincing? Three of our editors and Katrina Klein, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist, love these ultra-light, buildable tinted drops. "I love these complexion drops for everyday use because they give light-to-medium coverage while still being breathable," Klein told Allure. A quick tip before you apply this formula: To avoid patchiness, shake the bottle before you dispense it to distribute the ingredients.
Tester feedback: For contributing editor Deanna Pai, who’s in her mid-30s and has combination skin, the formula leaves her skin dewy. “I’ll just say it: It smells like canola oil, but these Complexion Drops really don’t leave my skin looking shiny,” she says. “I found the texture a little slimy at first, but it gives my skin minimal (yet radiant) coverage that looks like I just got back from the beach.”
Key ingredients: squalane, Tsubaki oil, ginseng extract | Shades: 20 |
Fragrance-free: yes.
Best With SPF: Beauty Pie Luminous Mineral Skin Tint SPF 40
Why it’s worth it: Want moisture with a side of sun protection? Slather on this mineral-based tinted sunscreen from Beauty Pie. The Luminous Mineral Skin Tint SPF 40 guards skin against UV-related damage, while the cocktail of antioxidant-rich ingredients (microalgae, argan oil, and more) and hyaluronic acid plump and brighten skin both immediately and in the long run. “This is one of my absolute favourite tinted moisturisers right now, especially for mature skin,” says New York City-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli. Though this tinted moisturiser contains a surplus of nourishing ingredients, Beauty Pie recommends applying your usual daily moisturiser before the Luminous Mineral Skin Tint to keep creasing to a minimum.
Key ingredients: zinc oxide (10.25%), argan oil, hyaluronic acid, microalgae extract, squalane, polyglutamic acid, vitamin E, polyphenols, phospholipids, lactic acid, jojoba esters, hydrogenated lecithin, bisabolol, yacon root juice | Shades: 8 |
Fragrance-free: yes.
Tester feedback: “I love that this mineral-based tinted sunscreen gives me both moisture and sun protection in one step,” says Mayola. My skin feels plump, bright, and nourished thanks to the antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, and it’s perfect for keeping my makeup smooth all day."
Best Buildable Coverage: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30
Why it’s worth it: To make quick work of dark spots (which can take months to fade on their own), a two-part, repair-and-prevention approach is key. Therein is the magic of the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser. Vitamin C slows down the pigment-production process, while broad-spectrum SPF 30 prevents UV light from undoing that hard work. The coverage may be light upon first application, but its formula can be seamlessly layered when you want to conceal discolouration (age spots, who?). New York City-based makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci has told us she's a fan, noting it's ideal for applying with fingers as "it's super sheer and easy to blend," she said. “Or you can tap it on with a sponge to build subtle coverage.”
Key ingredients: titanium dioxide (6.25%), vitamin C | Shades: 16 |
Fragrance-free: no.
Save when you shop for the best tinted moisturisers with buildable coverage when you use our exclusive LookFantastic promo codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tinted moisturiser?
A tinted moisturiser is exactly what it sounds like: a tinted cream, gel, or lotion. Tinted moisturizers focus on moisture replenishment and have a light tint to address blemishes and discoloration (albeit in a much more sheer fashion than your usual foundation, since they’re usually day creams first and complexion coverage second).
They complement a wide range of skin tones, and their light, buildable tints tend to be more flexible than full-coverage foundations, which is why the ranges are often smaller than fuller-coverage formulas.
Tinted moisturisers have a more lightweight feel than foundations, so they’re usually comfortable and won’t crease throughout the day. Regardless of age, they’re the perfect addition to both your mature skin makeup and skin-care routines if you prefer lighter, barely-there coverage and don’t even want to think about applying primer.
Why is tinted moisturiser good for mature skin?
While the best moisturiser for your skin will depend on your baseline skin type and individual concerns, some qualities matter more than others when you’re in your 40s and beyond. “I generally choose tinted sunscreens with easy-to-blend textures and buildable coverage for mature skin,” says New York City-based makeup artist Suzy Gerstein. This way, there is ample coverage to conceal, say, dark spots, but the blendable textures keep the makeup from settling into fine lines and wrinkles.
What's the difference between a tinted moisturiser, BB cream, and CC cream?
According to Scibelli, tinted moisturisers tend to have a sheerer tint and texture than BB creams, a.k.a. beauty balms. “Tinted moisturisers typically feature a sheer blend of a hydrating cream with a tint of complexion coverage, and depending on the product, some offer SPF,” he explains. The name of this category simply says it all: they’re just facial moisturisers with a tint.
Meanwhile, CC cream stands for a colour-correcting cream containing pigments that neutralise discolouration like dark spots, whereas a tinted moisturiser doesn’t necessarily colour-correct. “A CC cream will help address redness, hyperpigmentation (dark spots), sun spots, and uneven skin tone, while also containing moisturising ingredients and oftentimes SPF,” Scibelli adds. CC cream can also be just that — a cream — whereas tinted moisturisers tend to have a lighter texture.
How to apply tinted moisturiser to mature skin
For the most natural finish, “I like to warm my palms together and press them onto the face a couple of times,” says Gerstein. “This helps melt the product into the skin so that it becomes one with it.” Scibelli adds that you can use your opposite hand as a palette to grab and layer product if you're not sure how much to apply. “If you have areas that may need additional coverage, you can go back in and layer a bit more of your tinted moisturiser onto those areas,” he says. “I like to use a brush with fluffier bristles so there's no streaking and it goes on evenly.”
Meet the experts
- Neil Scibelli, a New York City-based makeup artist.
- Ashleigh Ciucci, a New York City-based makeup artist.
- Katrina Klein, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist.
- Suzy Gerstein, a makeup artist based in New York City.
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best tinted moisturizers for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, we want to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
This article originally appeared on Allure.
