13 best tinted moisturisers, tried and tested for a hydrated glow

This tinted moisturiser contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, so it has a noticeably hydrating effect on skin, while delivering lightweight make-up coverage. The sheer silky finish leaves skin with a subtle natural glow, which is like a very light veil. I was impressed to find that the moisturised radiance was still there eight hours after application, too.

It’s a buildable formula that layers well. When I wanted a little more base, we added a bit of extra concealer. You can shop your shade according to undertone, too, including warm, golden, rosy and neutral options, which is really useful.

This sheer, silky-soft tinted moisturiser is buildable and adds glowy radiance while being smoothing. It glides onto the skin easily, so I found a small amount goes a long way, which made the application process speedy as well. I also noted that, while it feels lightweight to wear, the product offers enough coverage to balance out uneven skin tone, and helps cover redness or dry skin. Skincare ingredients include vitamin E for conditioning and soothing, and we loved how comfy and weightless this formula is to wear.

The make-up base offers a dewy finish, making our skin look healthy and offering a boost on tired days. As it’s oil-free, the formula doesn’t cause any greasiness or block pores, and I saw a long-lasting effect that didn’t slide about. Plus, the tinted moisturiser includes SPF 30 for year-round sun protection. Even on heavier make-up days, we’ve been looking to this lightweight base, as it works well with a bit of extra concealer for more coverage.

If you’re not a fan of a dewy finish, I’d recommend Erborian’s super BB cream as the best matte tinted moisturiser that delivers a natural look. Ingredients include skin-balancing niacinamide and moisturising ginseng. There are five shades available, and the tube features cute, illustrated branding and a twist-off lid.

The formula hugs the skin with its silky soft texture, creating a smoothing all-over base. I noticed a small amount of product provides enough medium coverage to even out blemishes, and the matte finish isn’t at all drying. Plus, this is a non-comedogenic option, meaning it won’t block pores if you’re concerned about breakouts.

A cult favourite on TikTok, Charlotte Tilbury’s flawless filter is best described as a glowy tinted moisturiser/primer hybrid – and I found it the best skin brightening option. It gives a gentle, illuminating effect that I found to be smoothing on my complexion. Its glossy consistency adds a noticeable dewiness, leaving skin feeling soft and plump. I found the formula to be easily buildable as well as versatile and enjoyed it both on bare skin and mixed with my foundation.

I also liked adding it as a skin refresh when my makeup felt flat after hours of wear. If you’re going for a subtle tint, a small amount of product brings balancing brightness. The lightly floral scent and glam gold-topped 30ml bottle add extra appeal, too.

Although technically a skin tint, this sheer formula has moisturising properties. Glossier perfecting skin tint is easily the best tinted moisturiser for a natural finish. There are 12 shades available, each presented in the signature squeezy Glossier bottle. I found the formula to be a light colour wash that feels softening, thanks to hydrating ingredients such as glycerin.

It doesn’t cling to pores or settle in fine lines; instead, it offers a gentle balancing veil. A tiny amount spreads quite far over the face and can be built up without any streakiness. The overall effect is one of a “no make-up” look, which is good if you opt for a subtle, easy-wearing base.

Chantecaille’s just skin tinted moisturiser is available in seven shades, with three undertones to choose from: “balanced”, “soft rose” and “golden”. The SPF15 adds some protection, although, I layered it with a separate SPF product without any issues. The midweight formula has a velvety texture that feels luxurious and offers a moisturising finish, with light coverage. This product was also soothing on my face, which must have been down to the moisturiser’s calming ingredients, such as chamomile.

If you’re someone who enjoys wearing a formula that is light during the day but can also offer fuller coverage, I’d recommend Fenty Beauty eaze drop blurring skin tint as the best buildable tinted moisturiser.

The formula stretches across skin well without clinging to pores or creases, and layers seamlessly if you’re looking to build coverage.

A small amount goes a long way, and it glides onto the face for quick and easy application. My complexion felt gently evened out. Although it feels hydrating on the skin, the tint doesn’t slip off.

Although it’s technically a CC cream, I also use this hydrating It Cosmetics product as a tinted moisturiser, and I love the smoothing skin effect that is created immediately after application. Skincare ingredients include hydration-promoting hyaluronic acid, balancing niacinamide and antioxidant green tea extract. As I’ve found the colour-correcting base helps even out any redness, I’ve been adding this product to my neck and décolleté, too.

The glow created is radiant but natural, and the serum component makes my skin feel comforted. It feels moisturising all day long, so I’ve found it counteracts dullness as well. Plus, the broad spectrum buy includes SPF40.

Mii Cosmetics skin secret cream tint initially appears to have the same creamy white colour as a moisturiser, before cleverly adapting to suit your skin tone after application. The vegan-friendly product absorbs quickly, without any excess, and creates an impressively lightweight, sheer layer. Because of that, it doesn’t slide about – instead, I saw a refreshing effect and a very subtle, almost invisible tint with a natural moisturising effect rather than an overt glow or dewiness.

Key ingredients include soothing vitamin E and white tea extract, so it’s ideal for sensitive skin. If you prefer a subtle finish that doesn’t look like make-up, this tinted moisturiser ticks that box.

This Elf CC cream is infused with hydration-promoting skincare ingredient hyaluronic acid, which gives it a moisturising element. It offers a full-coverage effect if you’re seeking a tinted moisturiser/foundation hybrid, and it provides a smoothing finish over blemishes and patches of dry skin. I also saw a dewiness, offering a natural-looking glow. After applying a small amount, the formula felt quite thick, but this meant a little bit went a long way, and it stayed put on my skin for several hours. It’s available in 30 shades, and you can choose between cool, neutral, and warm undertones.

Kosas’s BB cream has a gel-like texture and it felt refreshing and soothing on the skin during application. It’s extremely lightweight and offers a sheeny layer of coverage that is moisturising, thanks to hydrating ingredient glycerin. I found the formula spreads easily and absorbs fast, and it feels like a layer of comforting skincare with a tint rather than make-up. This is an option for those seeking a completely natural look and minimal coverage, with it offering a healthy, natural finish and a subtle glowing dewiness.

A skin tint presented in a skincare-style bottle with an applicator pipette to reflect its serum formula, this Ilia buy is available in a selection of light, medium and deep shades. It’s packed with skincare ingredients, including balancing niacinamide and hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid and squalene, and we loved how silky soft this combination made our face feel.

The skin tint offers a light to midweight demi-matte coverage, which is also buildable, and it helps counteract the appearance of redness and blemishes, without feeling cloying. I also noted that the formula smooths dry areas and creates a natural radiance.

While this is mainly a serum with an added glow, I thought it was worth mentioning as an illuminating skin tint in a universal shade. The sheer tint from this sun protection brand comes complete with added SPF 50, and I’ve been loving it as either a primer under heavier make-up or as a standalone hydrating base. It’s designed to be used as your SPF layer and an appealing way of adding such a layer into your routine. I saw a radiant effect on our skin immediately after application, and I found that my tired face looked brighter, too.