The 11 Best Skin Tints for Glowy, Weightless Coverage

Key ingredients: non-nano mineral zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, licorice root extract | Who it's for: everyone, especially people who want a base product that feels like skin care and/or extra sun defense | SPF: 35 | Shade count: 15

Most Buildable Coverage: Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint

Why it's worth it: Imagine a product that gives you a "your skin but better" finish. Now, snap out of it and pick up Iconic London's Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint. Infused with plant-derived amino acids, pea extract, and peach flower extract to hydrate skin and promote firmness, the tint's second-skin-like formula lends your complexion a buildably bright, sheer veil of color that feels and looks barely there (in the best way possible).

Tester feedback: "I've tried a handful of skin tints but none work as well as Iconic London's Super Smoother," says commerce editor Sarah Han. "Neutral Light is a perfect shade match most of the year, and in the warmer months when I (gasp) get a bit more sun, I reach for Neutral Medium. Most days one layer is good enough for me but on days I crave a bit more coverage—or know I'll be taking photos (real talk)—it's so easy to build up and still maintains a featherweight feel. And absolutely no pilling! I pack this wherever I go—I can't be without it."

Key ingredients: amino acid, pea extract, peach flower extract | Who it's for: people who want coverage | SPF: 0 | Shade count: 17

Best Glowy Finish: Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint

Why it's worth it: For a natural yet slightly dewy finish that won't quit, Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint is your gal. Don't just take our word for it. "After trekking through the city on a hot summer day, my skin still looked hydrated and non-oily by the time I returned home," Kassidy Silva, social director, noted in our review.

Summer Fridays, if you didn't know, debuted as a skin-care brand (hello, Jet Lag Masque), so it's no surprise the brand's first makeup product serves up some familiar skin-loving ingredients, including glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane to lock in moisture. Those with sensitive skin will appreciate the addition of tiger grass to soothe skin and reduce the look of redness.

Tester feedback: "I like to use this on the days I don't want to try too hard but want to look like I tried hard (if that makes sense)," says shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis. "It just leaves the most natural glow, all while hydrating and evening out my skin with a blend of hyaluronic acid and tiger grass. P.S. You gotta give this skin tint a good shake to mix all the skin-nourishing ingredients."

Key ingredients: tiger grass, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane | Who it's for: people who want a sheer, no-makeup-makeup-like finish | SPF: 0 | Shade count: 12

More skin tints we love:

Best Oil-Free Formula: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Why it's worth it: One of the heavier hitters on this list, Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint has a syrup-like consistency that sinks deep into the skin to provide hydration, light-to-medium coverage, and sun protection with SPF 40 (though we still recommend layering a separate sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30). This Best of Beauty Award winner has nourishing ingredients like niacinamide to even skin tone and squalane to seal moisture. "It's like using an Instagram filter in real life," raved contributor Loren Savini. It gave me an even glow, and once it dried, I completely forgot I had it on."

Key ingredients: zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Who it's for: people with dry skin | SPF: 40 | Shade count: 30

Best Skin Tint with SPF: Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint

Why it's worth it: You probably know (and love) Supergoop for its invisible Unseen Sunscreen, but this time, you can count on a little more color. Clocking in with SPF 50, Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint guards your skin against harmful UV rays and offers a wash of sheer, brightening pigment that makes skin look more even and awake. The star ingredient, ectoin fights free radical damage and the hyaluronic acid–infused clay keeps your skin hydrated, while also soaking up excess sebum. Genius. Note that this is a hybrid formula, meaning it contains both mineral and chemical UV filters.

Tester feedback: "My olive-toned skin is sometimes hard to match as I find many skin tints lean too orange, but I found my shade 30W with no hassle," Talia Gutierrez, associate manager of special projects, said in her review. "The buildable coverage by no means completely conceals my freckles (thank goodness). The cluster of brown, speckled dots along my upper cheekbones—both real and fake—is my favorite feature, and I'm thrilled to report they still peeked through after applying a layer. I also found that areas of my skin, like my jawline and around my nose, with slight discoloration and redness were covered and concealed, leaving an even-looking complexion."

Key ingredients: zinc oxide, homosalate, octisalate, hyaluronic acid, ectoin | Who it's for: people who want extra sun protection | SPF: 50 | Shade count: 14

Worth the Splurge: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops

Why it's worth it: Westman Atelier's Vital Skincare Complexion Drops strike the perfect balance between serum and tint—non-comedogenic and hydrating. The brand's proprietary Skin Vitality Complex blends tsubaki oil, ginseng, and pomegranate extract for plumping, firming goodness, and when you wash it off, the skin-loving effects linger. Los Angeles-based makeup artist Katrina Klein vouched for the drops, noting, “I love these complexion drops for everyday use because they give light-to-medium coverage while still being breathable.”

Tester feedback: Dianna Mazzone Singh, our associate features director, typically wears tinted moisturizers and said these complexion drops, in comparison, offer "a little more coverage" without feeling foundation-y. "The formula sinks into skin with minimal blending, and the luminosity lasts all day," adds Mazzone Singh, who has combination skin. Another tester with oily skin said this formula veered into greasy territory, so take note based on your skin type. To reduce shine, couple the drops with Westman Atelier's Vital Pressed Skincare Powder.

Key ingredients: squalene, avocado oil, ginseng, tsubaki oil | Who it's for: people who want a serum-like formula | SPF: 0 | Shade count: 20

Best Radiant Finish: Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer

Why it's worth it: Selena Gomez knew what she was doing when she dropped Rare Beauty's Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer. Just shake the bottle and massage a few drops into your skin with your desired tool. You'll immediately notice blurred skin and a healthy glow. The non-comedogenic formula also contains vitamin E for some extra, skin-loving juice.

Key ingredients: homosalate, sunflower seed oil, gardenia florida fruit extract | Who it's for: people who want a sheer, radiant finish | SPF: 20 | Shade count: 24

Best Matte Finish: Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

Why it's worth it: Rihanna and Fenty Beauty developed the Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint specifically for oily skin types and anyone who prefers their complexion on the matte side. And, because this is Fenty we're talking about, it comes with a wide shade selection and stands up well against humidity and sweat. Eaze Drop layers nicely with primer and the rest of your skin care, too. P.S. Fenty's website has a handy feature that allows you to try on different shades virtually to find your perfect match.

Key ingredients: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | Who it's for: people who prefer a matte (but still lightweight) finish | SPF: 0 | Shade count: 25

Best Lightweight: BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer

Why it's worth it: The never-tacky BareMinerals Complexion Rescue triples as moisturizer, SPF, and a wash of glowy color. Complete with hyaluronic acid and squalane, the creamy-sheer formula goes on swiftly and builds nicely. It's won four Best of Beauty awards for its ability to blur, hydrate, and smooth—all while feeling like nothing on the skin. Got oilier skin? Go for the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Natural Matte Tinted Moisturizer instead.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane, titanium dioxide | Who it's for: people with dry to normal skin | SPF: 30 | Shade count: 20

Best for Mature Skin: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream

Why it's worth it: Kosas' BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream plumps and soothes skin while imparting buildable coverage with a natural finish. A quick lesson about copper peptides (which are featured in this formula): These carrier peptides "help active wound healing pathways" which, in turn, stimulates collagen production, as Cindy Bae, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist previously explained. Since our bodies naturally produce less collagen over time—leading to sagging skin and the formation of wrinkles—this skin-care-makeup-hybrid is a great option for mature skin.

If you have certain areas that need extra attention, we recommend spot-concealing with the Kosas Revealer Concealer—these two are a base match in heaven.

Key ingredients: copper peptides, sodium PCA, zinc | Who it's for: people with mature skin or those who want a plumping effect | SPF: 0 | Shade count: 24

Best Blendable: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint

Why it's worth it: What makes the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint so yummy? So glad you asked. The ceramides, cactus extract, and peptides paired with the rich-but-not-too-rich, skin-like pigments are a total treat for your face. It blends like a dream, and the hydration hangs out for up to 24 hours. Rather than rub, tap the tint onto your skin for the most natural-looking results.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, cactus extract | Who it's for: people who want a second-skin look | SPF: 0 | Shade count: 16

Foundations and skin tints are differentiated by their levels of pigmentation and purported skin-care benefits. "Foundation has higher pigment levels—8 to 12%—while skin tint can be 1 to 5% depending on shades," cosmetic chemist Ginger King tells Allure. Skin tints "offer some glow and buildable coverage unlike traditional foundation, which can be heavy and sink to fine lines due to the amount of powder in their formulas." Skin tints often include nourishing skin-care ingredients you might not find in standard foundation or concealer, which we'll go more in-depth, below. Because skin tints tend to be lighter and more hydrating than foundation, people with dry skin or mature skin are great candidates.

That's not to say the two base products can't work in tandem. "I can easily see myself using a tint as a priming step to even the skin, and adding coverage with foundation and concealer where needed," makeup artist Tommy Napoli told Allure. In the case of fuller coverage, a translucent setting powder is crucial to lock everything in place and minimize shine.

When something is advertised as a skin tint, according to King, you'll see more skin-loving actives like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and squalane at work. "[Hyaluronic acid] is great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, previously told Allure. Squalane, conversely, "aids in skin-care problems wherein the skin barrier is disrupted and transepidermal water loss is an issue," according to Florida-based board-certified dermatologist Samantha Fisher, MD. Everyone, including sensitive skin (squalane is odorless, by the way), can benefit from this emollient.

While examining the formula of Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint, Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, shouted out some of her favorite skin tint ingredients. "Niacinamide brightens tone and increases the skin's production of ceramides, which in turn can prevent moisture loss," explained Dr. King. She also named mineral SPFs, like non-nano zinc oxide, as a beneficial ingredient—but we always recommend applying a standalone sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or more, instead of relying on SPF-spiked makeup.

• Samantha Fisher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Florida
• Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
• Katrina Klein, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles
• Tommy Napoli, a makeup artist based in New York City

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best skin tints, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from makeup artists, dermatologists, and cosmetic chemists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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