9 best tinted moisturisers for a healthy glow 2026, tried and tested
The best tinted moisturisers are, without a doubt, among my spring/summer beauty essentials. I don’t know about you, but the minute the weather starts improving, I’m ready to swap my full-coverage foundation for something a bit lighter and glowier. Because really, who wants to be melting off a full face before they’ve even made it through the morning commute?
Tinted moisturisers – from tinted moisturisers with SPF to formulas you wear over your everyday face sunscreen – are ideal when you want that fresh, sheer finish without piling loads on. They’re also a great middle ground if you usually lean towards the best BB creams but want something with a little more coverage. That said, not all of them are as effortless as they claim to be. Some cause pilling, some disappear by lunchtime, and some just don’t give the hydration you need for that smooth, healthy-looking finish.
According to celebrity makeup artist Brandy Allen, winter-friendly tinted moisturisers should contain heavy-hitting hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, alongside SPF for year-round protection. If you prefer a gentle, natural finish, tinted sunscreens are still a go-to.
Whether you’re chasing a dewy winter glow, craving a touch more coverage, or searching for a skincare-packed tint that keeps your complexion fresh instead of flaky, this guide is here to cut through the noise. Think of it as your no-nonsense shortcut to the best tinted moisturisers. Let's get glowing.
Meet the experts:
| Rose Gallagher | Makeup artist and IT Cosmetics ambassador. |
| Carolyn Stull, MD | Board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. |
| Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD | Board-certified dermatologist and founder of New York City’s Mudgil Dermatology. |
| Brandy Allen | Celebrity makeup artist. |
How I tested tinted moisturisers
A huge part of my job is to test beauty products – and no, that doesn’t mean just swipe it on my face once, and call it a day. We take product testing seriously here at Glamour, which means testing each product for weeks, months, and even years (LED red light masks, I’m talking about you), before recommending it to you (our lovely readers). And, because I can’t test every single product myself, I’m lucky enough to get the help of the wider Glamour team to ensure these products are tested on various skin types and tones, so our guides are as fair and inclusive as possible. When it comes to creating this guide for the best tinted moisturisers, the first thing I always do is research. This means reaching out to dermatologists and makeup artists for their recommendations, taking deep dives into each product's ingredient list, and attending new product launches to gain as much insight as possible. When it comes to testing, we swapped our usual base for a tinted moisturiser (featured in this guide), and used it for at least three weeks. From long office days and sweaty tube journeys to after-work dinners, and even gym sessions - we made sure to put each product through its paces to see how long they lasted and whether they paired well with our other skincare & makeup products. Basically, if it’s made it into this list, it’s because we genuinely rate it.
Why you can trust me
Between us, the Glamour beauty team has swatched, blended and worn our way through more tinted moisturisers than we can count – from cult classics to brand-new launches. We’ve tested various formulas on a range of skin tones, types (dry, oily, combo and everything in between) and ages, to make our picks work across as many faces as possible.
Personally, I've literally been paid to review beauty products for the past near-decade, attending press launches, interviewing MUAs and dermatologists, and getting my hands on products before anyone else in the country. As such, I know more than your average beauty fan on what makes a tinted moisturiser good.
Scroll for our full edit of the best tinted moisturisers of 2026.
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF30/PA
Why we love it: Ask any beauty obsessive to name their holy grail base product, and there’s a strong chance this NARS icon will be top of the list. The Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser is one of those formulas that somehow ticks every box: lightweight, glowy, buildable, and packed with skin-loving ingredients. The oil-free formula smooths on like a dream, leaving behind a sheer, radiant tint that instantly perks up tired skin - with just enough coverage to blur without masking.
Glamour tester review: “I’ve tried plenty of tinted moisturisers and skin tints in my time, but what sets this apart from your average formula is the impressive ingredient line-up. It’s infused with French Polynesian Kopara, a natural extract from lagoon waters, and mineral-rich seawater, which help hydrate, refine and improve my skin’s overall texture over time. As someone who doesn’t leave the house without vitamin C in my routine, I love that this also contains vitamin C derivatives to brighten and fend off dullness. It gives me that healthy, well-rested look even when I’m running on bad lighting and late nights. And of course, I can’t ignore the built-in SPF 30, which makes it such a reliable morning multitasker, giving me glow, light coverage and sun protection in one chic tube.”
- Tester: Elle Turner, Glamour's Senior Beauty Editor.
- Shades: 12.
- SPF: Yes - 30.
- Skin type: All.
- Pros: Includes vitamin C for brightening.
- Cons: Not a huge shade range.
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Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Dewy
Why we love it: If there’s one tinted moisturiser that deserves icon status, it’s this one. Laura Mercier’s bestselling base has been a beauty editor favourite for over two decades – and for good reason. It’s the kind of product that just works: easy to apply, effortless to wear, and always makes your skin look like you’ve had eight hours of sleep (even if you’ve had four).
Glamour-tester review: “What I like most about this formula is how seamlessly it blends skincare with sheer coverage. I blended it in with a makeup brush and found it worked really easily into my skin, thanks to the lightweight texture and nourishing feel from the macadamia and kukui seed oils, which help lock in moisture and keep skin feeling supple throughout the day. I also love that it’s infused with vitamin E to help defend against environmental stressors, plus SPF 30 for that added layer of sun protection. On me, it layered beautifully with concealer and cream blush over the top, which made it really easy to build out the rest of my makeup. That said, it is super sheer, so it’s not going to properly cover blemishes or dark circles. But if you’re after something light, dewy and easy to wear through summer, this is such a great option.”
- Tester: Sophie Cockett, Glamour's Senior European Commerce Editor.
- Shades: 19.
- SPF: 30.
- Skin type: Normal to dry.
- Pros: Provides 16-hour sheer to light coverage.
- Cons: Some may find the coverage too light.
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Why we love it: Fenty Beauty’s Eaze Drop is one of those skin tints that just gets the job done - quickly, easily, and without any faff. It smooths over uneven tone, softens the look of pores and gives skin that fresh, even finish that looks like you’ve made an effort (even if you haven’t). Ideal for days when foundation feels like a bit too much.
Glamour-tester review: “I’m obsessed with how this skin tint looks on my skin. It’s lightweight enough, so it feels like a tint, not a foundation, but offers amazing coverage with the perfect dewy finish. I used the foundation side of my double-ended brush to blend the product into my skin, and it did so within seconds. It features a HydraBlend Complex to keep things feeling light and hydrated, while the soft-blur finish keeps shine under control without making skin look flat or dry - so it’s ideal for oily skin types. The shade I picked was absolutely spot on for my skin tone, and it seemed to cover redness and blemishes really well. A few things I would say is that the bottle is pretty small, so it’s not going to last you forever, and it doesn’t include SPF like some others in this guide.”
- Tester: Georgia Trodd, Glamour's Senior Commerce Writer.
- Shades: 25.
- SPF: No.
- Skin type: All.
- Pros: Humidity, sweat, and transfer-resistant. Great range of shades.
- Cons: Doesn't include SPF.
Why we love it: Sculpted By Aimee’s HydraTint is one of those clever skincare-makeup hybrids that actually looks after your skin whilst you wear it. Featuring 90% skincare, a sheer hint of tint and a lightweight, buildable texture, it gives skin that fresh, healthy, dewy skin finish we’re all looking for from a skin tint. Hyaluronic acid keeps things nicely hydrated, while Centella Asiatica water and ceramides help support the skin barrier – what’s not to love?
Glamour-tester review: “I know we hear ‘your skin but better’ a lot, but Sculpted By Aimee’s HydraTint really lives up to it. I’ve been using this for over a year now and it’s become a repeat purchase because it’s just that good. It is quite sheer, but it gives the perfect natural, dewy finish – exactly what I want from a no makeup makeup look (which is basically my everyday vibe). The formula feels buttery soft and blends almost instantly into my skin - I don’t even need a brush, just my fingers do the job.
As a dry skin girlie, I love that it’s enriched with hyaluronic acid because it gives that extra hit of hydration and doesn’t cling to dry patches. It’s one of those products I know will always have a place in my makeup bag, and I’ve genuinely used it all year round because of how hydrating it is. It also has SPF 20, which is a nice bonus, but I’d still layer a proper sunscreen underneath.”
- Shani Cohen, Glamour's Beauty Commerce Writer.
- Shades: 20.
- SPF: 20.
- Skin type: Dry.
- Pros: Easily blendable, gives a natural dewy finish.
- Cons: SPF - not a high enough concentration.
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Clarins Skin Illusion Tinted Moisturiser SPF25
Why we love it: This one’s for the days when you want your skin to look like you’ve just come back from a facial - fresh, glowy, and quietly expensive. Clarins’ Skin Illusion Tinted Moisturiser is all about subtle radiance. It gives a light sweep of colour to even things out, with just enough coverage to smooth and brighten without hiding your actual skin.
Glamour-tester review: “What makes this feel extra special to me is the skincare twist – with plant oils and organic kalanchoe to boost hydration and keep my complexion looking juicy all day long. I blended it in with my fingers instead of a brush, and it melted into my skin like a serum. It felt barely there, but gave me that naturally healthy finish I want from a tinted moisturiser, the kind of glow that still looked just as good at 8 am as it did at 8 pm. With SPF 25 included, it felt like such an easy choice for everyday glow and protection – and the kind of product that gets you endless skin compliments.”
- Tester: Denise Primbet, Beauty Contributor.
- Shades: 11.
- SPF: Yes - 25.
- Skin type: All.
- Pros: Lightweight and long-lasting.
- Cons: Expensive.
Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturiser
Why we love it: Saie is known for its award-winning cosmetics, and no-makeup makeup essentials - so it comes as no surprise that their Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturiser offers next-level hydration, broad spectrum protection and sheer flexible coverage.
Glamour-tester review: “The ingredients list really impressed me. It’s packed with skin-brightening ingredients like vitamin C, alongside liquorice and soothing aloe vera, which is super handy if you've spent a little too long in the sun. I applied it with my fingers and found it blended in pretty easily, although I probably needed a bit more product than I used initially to get the finish I wanted. I also like that it includes pansy flower extract to support sensitive skin, so it feels gentle and unlikely to aggravate irritation or breakouts, while hyaluronic acid helps retain hydration and gives my skin that dewy, plump look. The only thing to note is that it doesn’t contain any SPF, so I’d definitely layer a separate sunscreen underneath."
- Tester: Lucy Morgan, Glamour's Digital Director and Purpose Director.
- Shades: 14.
- SPF: No.
- Skin type: Sensitive.
- Pros: Soothing aloe vera and vitamin C for brightening.
- Cons: No SPF.
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Jones Road Just Enough Tinted Moisturizer
Why we love it: If you like your base to have a bit more coverage, but still want that glowy, skin-first finish, this is a good one to know about. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid for hydration and gives skin that fresh, bronzed look without having to reach for a foundation.
Glamour-editor review: “To be honest, I haven’t used loads from Jones Road, but the products I have tried – mainly Miracle Balm and the eyeshadow stick – have really impressed me. And while this is technically a tinted moisturiser rather than a BB cream, it gives a really similar finish to a lot of the formulas in this guide. As the name suggests, it gives ‘just enough’ coverage to tone down redness and blemishes, while still letting your real skin come through.
That said, it is a little thicker than what I’d usually reach for every day. I wore it for a full week, and for me, it looked best as part of a full face of makeup rather than completely on its own. I do love how hydrating it feels on the skin though, and the subtle golden tan it gave me. I went for Medium Honey – a medium-to-tan shade with neutral undertones – and it matched my olive skin tone perfectly. Maybe not my go-to for every single day, but if you want something a bit weightier than a BB cream that still gives that healthy, skin-like finish, this is a really good one to have in your makeup bag.”
- Tester: Shani Cohen, Glamour's Beauty Commerce Writer.
- Shades: 16.
- SPF: No.
- Skin type: Dry.
- Pros: Good coverage, hydrating, makes skin look fresh and even.
- Cons: Slightly thicker coverage than others in this guide.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Gel Tint
Why we love it: Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Gel Tint takes everything fans love about the cult-favourite primer – hydration, glow, and serious staying power – and wraps it up in a tinted gel formula that delivers light, breathable coverage with a ton of skincare benefits. The cooling, featherlight texture smooths on effortlessly, gripping to skin for all-day wear (hello festival season), while evening out tone and boosting hydration.
Glamour-tester review: “The cooling, lightweight texture smoothed on effortlessly and gave my skin a fresh, radiant finish without feeling heavy or greasy. It has that signature grippy quality too, so it lasted really well throughout the day while still feeling breathable and comfortable. I also liked that it’s formulated with blue agave extract, aloe vera and niacinamide, so it felt like I was getting hydration and brightness as well as coverage. On my skin, it gave that calm, even, healthy-looking glow that’s perfect for my quick morning routine. Because of its grippy nature, it is slightly tacky on the skin, and the squeeze-tube packaging can get a little messy - as you can see in my photo.”
- Tester: Denise Primbet, Beauty Contributor.
- Shades: 15.
- SPF: No.
- Skin type: Sensitive or breakout-prone.
- Pros: Gel-based tint, which has great staying power.
- Cons: Doesn't include SPF.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Blurred Matte
Why we love it: While this sits in the tinted moisturiser camp, it definitely gives the most coverage of the bunch, thanks to its matte skin-blurring finish. The formula also includes SPF 30 and is packed with skin-loving ingredients like French rose clay, Eijitsu rose extract and white rose extract to help smooth, hydrate and keep excess oil in check, making it an especially good pick for oily skin types.
Glamour-tester review: "I first tried this when I had my make-up done by a Laura Mercier artist for the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, and I remember being obsessed with how my skin looked. It gave me that glowy, healthy finish I always want, but what really sold it for me was how well it lasted. For a tinted moisturiser, the staying power and coverage really impressed me.
When I tested it properly for myself, I used shade 3N Sand, which was a great match for my olive skin tone. I applied it straight onto my skin and blended it out with my double-ended REFY brush, and it melted in really nicely without feeling heavy or sitting on top of the skin. The coverage is light to medium and buildable, so it evened everything out while still looking natural. It also worked really well with the rest of my make-up, layering nicely with concealer, bronzer and blush. My only note is that it came up a little glowier on me than expected, so I added a touch of powder – but overall, it wore beautifully throughout the day."
- Shani Cohen, Glamour's Beauty Commerce Writer.
- Shades: 20.
- SPF: 30.
- Skin type: Oily.
- Pros: Easily blendable, great coverage and offers shine-control.
- Cons: May be too matte for dry skin types.
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Your tinted moisturiser FAQs, answered:
What is a tinted moisturiser?
“A tinted moisturiser is a mixture of a moisturising day cream with a hint of makeup pigment in it. It's designed to feel like a skincare step, but with just enough pigment to even out the skin tone without being heavy or looking like makeup,” explains Rose.
“Tinted moisturisers are lovely for days when you want a one-and-done step,” continues Rose. “You can achieve multiple things – you can add luminosity, boost hydration, even tone, include skincare ingredients that complement your skin routine – all without having to add multiple steps.” You can get tinted moisturisers with SPF or tinted sunscreens, too.
How to apply tinted moisturiser:
It's all well and good finding the best product for your skin, but how do you actually apply tinted moisturiser? “The best time to apply tinted moisturiser is in the morning after washing your face and applying face serums if this is part of your routine,” says Carolyn Stull, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. “Those with dryer skin may choose to apply a regular moisturiser prior to tinted moisturiser, although this may not be necessary for oilier skin types. Application of tinted moisturiser can be followed by concealer for extra coverage in particular areas, bronzer, and blush.”
“They {tinted moisturisers} work most effectively when applied with the fingertips," Rose adds. "I like to apply some to the back of my hand, then pick up the product bit by bit to build the coverage to my desired finish. This helps you to avoid applying too much and having it feel heavy or too rich.”
You might be tempted to try a sponge or a beauty blender, but Rose warns against it: “Because tinted moisturisers are so heavily skincare based, using a sponge will likely drink up most of the product.”
How to find the best tinted moisturiser for your skin type:
According to celebrity makeup artist Brandy Allen, look for key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid for hydration, SPF for sun protection, and mineral-based formulas if you prefer lighter, natural coverage.
Additionally, look for antioxidants like vitamin C for protection throughout the day against free radical damage, especially for those with mature skin, says Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
“Tinted moisturisers may also contain botanical extracts that heal and soothe the skin,” says Allen. But keep in mind that plant extracts and essential oils can be irritants to sensitive skin.
What's the difference between tinted moisturiser and foundation?
As for what differentiates tinted moisturiser from other types of makeup? “Tinted moisturisers offer lighter coverage in comparison to classic foundation preparations,” says Dr. Mudgil. “They are basically a foundation and moisturiser hybrid, which are perfect for days when full-on makeup isn’t needed or desired.”
What's the difference between tinted moisturiser and CC or BB creams?
As if the world of tinted moisturisers wasn't confusing enough, you then have a whirlpool of letters to worry about.
“Unlike generic tinted moisturisers, which are designed to add hydration with just a touch of pigment, BB creams – or ‘Beauty Balms’ – are designed to merge these skincare effects with makeup pigments and SPF whilst still being relatively lightweight,” muses Rose when I quiz her on the matter.
“CC Creams – or ‘colour correctors’ – merge makeup, skincare and SPF with the specific intention of colour correcting any uneven tones to create a more even canvas. These tend to have slightly more pigment and coverage as they're used to correct things like redness, pigmentation or acne." She continues, "DD creams, or 'Daily Defence' creams, are the least popular. Daily defence really pertains to a cream like the others, but this time with ingredients designed to offer high SPF protection or protection against environmental aggressors with targeted ingredients like vitamin C."
Long story short, the market is full of options. Lots of them are great, but some are also quite meh, which is why I've narrowed down the very best tinted moisturisers for all skin types, budgets and preferences. I've tried to keep this list to tinted moisturisers only, but we have more guides on the best BB creams and CC creams if you like the sound of them too.
