The Best Tinted Moisturizers For Every Skin Type

(Photo: Laura Mercier)

Since we’re spending the majority of our time indoors, many of us have renounced foundation in favour of lighter coverage. Plus, with the weather *finally* warming up, there couldn’t be a better time to consider the humble tinted moisturizer.

In a world of BB and CC creams, tinted moisturizers are pretty straightforward about what they do: they offer hydration (which you don’t always get from foundations) and lightweight coverage in one convenient tube. “It’s makeup but can also be subbed in for a moisturizer,” explains Sheri Stroh, a Toronto-based makeup artist. “You’re getting skincare benefits, plus a bit of coverage.” BB creams, on the other hand, offer more coverage along with skin-nourishing ingredients, while CC creams focus on colour correction and work to even out redness and dark spots.

The key to a flawless application is to start with a small amount of product and to build up to the coverage you need. Tinted moisturizers don’t do any of the heavy lifting of a foundation, so they won’t work for you if you’re looking for full coverage. That being said, you can still cover that stubborn zit or blemish by reaching for your concealer. Apply tinted moisturizer first to even out your skin, says Stroh, and then go in with your concealer. “It’ll show you exactly where you need it.”

Now that you’re up to speed on the many benefits of tinted moisturizers, here are the best picks for every skin type and concern.

Mineral electrolytes like calcium and magnesium power up this hydrating tinted moisturizer with a gel cream texture that promises not to cling to dry patches. It also packs olive-derived squalane to keep moisture locked in and offers light-to-medium coverage in 16 shades.

This vegan formula is your ticket to a natural-looking glow, thanks to maracuja oil (an antioxidant-packed superfruit). It’s also infused with a bevvy of other skin-nourishing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, collagen, aloe and skin-brightening turmeric.

This non-comedogenic, oil-free formula hydrates using hyaluronic acid and vegetal glycerin, and also protects skin against environmental pollution with antioxidant-rich moringa tree extract. It gives a fresh-faced finish with none of the greasy aftermath.

This tinted moisturizer was formulated specifically for sensitive and reactive skin types. It contains mineral filter titanium dioxide to protect against UVA and UVB rays and boasts 12 hours of matte coverage.

Lightweight and dewy, this tinted moisturizer contains SPF and comes in 16 shades. Thanks to vitamin C, it works beyond its immediate skin-perfecting benefits to help skin look brighter over time.

Perfect for days when you need a soft-focus filter effect but still want your skin’s texture to shine through, this creamy formula contains a skin-brightening cocktail of black currant, peony flower root extract and vitamin C.

This tinted moisturizer conceals redness to create an even skin tone, and it’s packed with glycerin, squalene and sunflower seed oil to keep skin hydrated.