Ah, foundation… remember her? Don’t get us wrong, we still love a full face, but TBH our social schedule (or lack thereof) doesn’t always call for it. In saying that, if the skin tint you’ve picked up is a little too sheer for your liking or isn’t quite covering up your pigmentation as much as you’d like, a tinted moisturiser is often a happy medium.
Sitting alongside CC creams and serum foundations, it can be hard to distinguish between all the base products offering that natural, second-skin finish. So, to differentiate between the products that kickstarted the ‘natural skin’ trend, here’s everything you need to know…
What are the differences between CC and BB creams and tinted moisturisers?
CC actually stands for ‘colour correcting’, so these types of formulas are less about coverage, and more about correction – think of them as targeted treatments that work to reduce redness and even out discolouration, rather than ones that act as an actual base.
BB or ‘beauty balm’ creams, however, definitely play within base territory – they’re the closest you’ll get to an actual foundation formula within the ‘no-makeup makeup’ crew. BB blends usually act as all-in-one style products, able to offer SPF, primer and creamy light to medium coverage in a single hit. They’re generally on the illuminating side of the spectrum, and they’re ideal for those days when you need to get up and go, as they prime, protect and perfect in one speedy streamline step.
But honestly, while we have absolutely nowhere to get up and go at the moment, we’ve been longing for something even lighter – and this is why true tints are taking out the top spot in our WFH routines right now.
So… what’s so great about tinted moisturisers?
Tinted moisturiser is, well, exactly what it sounds like. It’s a moisture-boosting hydrator that takes ‘natural’ a step further than BBs and CCs, designed to offer just enough tint to make you feel alive, without leaving skin feeling (or looking – in a good way) like you’re wearing anything at all.
The magic of tinted moisturisers is that just like classic colourless formulas, different ones are designed with different skin types in mind, to make sure your skin is getting a hit of complexion-concealing hydration that is tailored to its own concerns.
And so, because these formulas aren’t one-size-fits-all, we’ve rounded up our fave finds for every skin type – from brightness boosters to blemish busters, here are our top tints.
The best tinted moisturisers
The best tinted moisturiser for dry skin
Clinique Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator SPF25
We say: If moisture and tint are all you’re after, it’s going to be hard to beat this hyaluronic acid-powered hydrator. With activated aloe water and dewy sheer tint packed into the mix, your face will look gloriously fresh and glowy all day.
You say: “This has been great – I bought it as a treat for myself and have been loving it. I’ve got the shade Medium which is on a sticker on the back of the tube. It’s quite a dark shade as I squeeze it out of the tube but it blends in really well and really suits me.” – clearcrystalwater
Want to know more? Read Clinique Moisture Surge™ Sheertint Hydrator SPF25 reviews here…
$55 at Adore Beauty
Best SPF Tinted Moisturiser
Invisible Zinc Sheer Defence Tinted Moisturiser SPF50+
We say: A multitasking product is always appreciated. This clever tube is designed to act as not only a moisturiser and a quick wash of foundation-like coverage, but also as sun protection. (*Always follow directions as instructed for sun-protection)
Want to read more? Read Invisible Zinc Sheer Defence Tinted Moisturiser SPF50+ Reviews here…
$30.49 at Chemist Warehouse
The best tinted moisturiser for dull skin
M.A.C Cosmetics Strobe Dewy Skin Tint
We say: Formulated with illuminating, light-bending effects, the Strobe Dewy Skint Tint delivers a natural, sheer finish that will last for up to eight hours.
$59 at Adore Beauty
The best tinted moisturiser for ageing skin
Tarte Maracuja Tinted Hydrator
We say: If fine lines are frustrating you, this ultra-lightweight sheer tint is here to help. Infused with maracuja (a tone and texture evening superfruit) and collagen (which needs no introduction), plump, smooth skin is practically inevitable. Delightful.
$46, currently $32.20 at Sephora
The best tinted moisturiser for sensitive skin
Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
We say: When your skin sits on the sensitive side, it can be tempting to skip products altogether, but this super sheer wash of coverage contains the skin-soothing dream team of conditioning jojoba oil and calming vitamin E to mask and reduce redness. What more could you want?
Want to know more? Read Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 reviews here…
$81 at Adore Beauty
The best tinted moisturiser for acne-prone skin
endota COLOUR Tinted Mineral Moisturiser
We say: Same goes with acne-prone skin, right? Putting anything on can seem scary – but when coverage is called for, take solace in the fact that this tint is formulated with sea buckthorn, pomegranate, cucumber and vitamin C, which all work together to balance bacteria, fight blemishes and ease irritation.
$40 at The Iconic
The best tinted tinted moisturiser for oily skin
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Oil Free
We say: We all know by now that the whole ‘moisturiser being bad for oily skin’ thing is a myth, so don’t be afraid to give this oil-free option a go. It delivers a dreamy demi-matte hint of tint, while limiting shine and balancing hydration.
$85 at MECCA
The best tinted moisturiser for combination skin
jane iredale Dream Tint® Tinted Moisturizer
We say: Coverage, no matter how light, can be tricky for anyone with a combination complexion. But, because nobody has the patience to apply different bases to different areas, try this lightweight hydrating tint – it blurs pores in oily areas while also plumping fine lines in dry ones.Heaven.
$80 at Adore Beauty
Main image credit: @summerfridays
Do you use a tinted moisturiser? What’s your favourite formula?
I absolutely LOVE my BareMinerals tinted moisturiser. I’ve been using it for years. I have tried quite a few others but I always come back to BareMinerals. Other brands I’ve used, Nars, Clinique, Chanel, Mecca, just to name a few. I much prefer the lighter coverage of the tinted moisturiser than a heavy foundation. I’ve also used an Hourglass one. Expensive but absolutely gorgeous.
Really prefer Foundation and using them only when I go anywhere not one to use BB and C tinted moisturisers. Just like to have makeup free days now that I have more time to do that and use at home Face Masks and moisturisers to make my skin glow.
cc cream sounds interesting, ill have to try one!!
I use a Bobbi Brown foundation for special occasions, otherwise just a regular moisturizer. I've never thought of a tinted moisturizer, but it's something I'll look into.
I'm all or nothing. Makeup is annoying to apply and remove so if I'm making the effort it's full coverage foundation. I don't see the point of going through all the steps to still have my blemishes show through
I haven’t tried any of the ones listed above. I really should.
Clinque Moisture Surge is a winner!
Unfortunately for my skin I need medium coverage so BB and CC creams are too sheer for me
Lol makes sense to me. 🙂
Just mix your moisturizer with a drop of your foundation = tinted moisturizer.
The Laura Mercier has one I like (not the one pictured above) but its just really pricey compared to others.
Bioderma's Photoderm in Light. The best. Plus spf50.
Heard good things about the Laura mercier one. But so pricey
I've used the Clinique one before.
I’ve given up applying full face of makeup to a more low maintenance routine of just pressed powder foundation and a bit of lipstick. I would love to try a BB or CC cream.
Bare Minerals! Loved it for years. 30 SPF so pretty good. I would be interested in Jane Iredale… No SPF is mentioned though?
I have always have added a bit of foundation to my moistuuriser
I'm an all or nothing girl – I just cant be bothered with a tinted moisturizer they cover nothing and can look yellowish on my skin.
I think they are a great idea though for young fresh skins.
I use tinted moisturiser from time to time. I have a small collection of them amongst my BB and CC creams.
Another one for bareMinerals! I like the coverage it gives me (I can build it to a light coverage), I like the fact that they have a shade light & pink enough for my skin (FYI, I wear Opal, the lightest shade) & it doesn't irritate my sensitive-combination skin, unlike some others (looking at you Mecca Cosmetica).
I prefer a light coverage so these sound good.
I love BB creams
Now is definitely a good time to be using a tinted moisturiser as we are not wearing as much makeup, but this would still provide coverage, yet nurture skin at the same time.
There are so many products out there now, BBs CCs tints, and sheer make ups. The important thing is that they factor in an SPF and you find the one that is best colour and formula for your skin type.
Good to know, great article. Looks like I need to try Bobbi Brown and/or Tarte!
I've always been a Clinique fan but I would like to try the Bobbi Brown. Only SPF15 though.
I haven't used any of these. I use untinted moisturiser and sunscreen, but if I'm wearing makeup, I use foundation. Nothing really 'in between'.
I have been reaching for tinted moisturisers over foundations for some time now
Never tried the combo, I've always had separate products.
I love Asian beauty tinted moisturisers too
Great tips…
I bought some BB cream ages ago , the colour was way too dark , I just gave up. Prefer the foundation now.
I've not used a tinted moisturiser before and not sure that I would.
I have oily skin so would love to try the product above by Laura mercier
I only wear a BB cream because I don't like the feel of foundation. Four of the above tinted moisturisers sound worth a go: jane iredale, Clinique, Tarte and DB Cosmetics.
I do love my bb cream, gives a good coverage that looks natural. I don't mind cc cream.
Love the look of the Dream Tint by Jane Iredale but maybe I should be trying to see how the Tarte one works for me too.
Napoleon BB tinted cream is amazing! It has entirely replaced foundation wearing for me.
I have had quite a few BB creams in the past and they were often too dark (even in the lightest shade) or did not sit well on my skin and moved around too much. So gave up, the only once I use (sometimes) is the lightest shade of Maybelline Dream Matte BB cream.
Some great variations here
I love tinted moisturiser.Specially with the Spf. So easy to wear all in on product.
I havent tried any of these brands, but would be very interested in trying one for dry/ageing skin.
I need more coverage than what a tinted moisturiser can give.
Well. From a MUA perspective, Bb, CC and tinted moisturisers are all of the same thing. To put them in a scale of coverage is misconceived. You will find a spectrum of coverage amongst all BB, all CC etc in the market. The tinted moisturiser in one brand may have more coverage than BB in another brand. At the end of the day, the name is irrelevant. It is the actual formulation that matters.
The clinique one is quite good. I like the sheerness and comfortable
I use a tinted product but not any on the ones listed above. I love it for several reasons – light and dewy, people ask how I get that glowy look, doesn't break me out and has SPF.
My skin can't absorb too many products: I can wear sunscreen OR moisturiser, so I choose sunscreen.
I've marked jeff2322 as SPAM!
I've marked Cobet Davidson as SPAM!
Of course the 2 for my skin have to be like $50 and over! But now I can keep an eye out for sales hehehe