Skin Tints Can Be Hit or Miss—15 You'll Be Instantly Obsessed With
In case you've missed it, skin tints have been experiencing a meteoric rise in popularity over the past few months. While I'll always leave a place in my makeup bag for a mid-coverage foundation and brightening concealer, skin tints have also been making an appearance lately. In fact, my ultra-dewy base routine has expanded to include skin tints that are easy to use and comfortable enough to wear all day and that create a gorgeous "your skin but better" finish.
If that sounds like a tall order, I hear you. While skin tints have definitely worked wonders for my makeup, it's also worth noting that they have the tendency to be hit or miss. Since they lean toward lightweight and light coverage, it's fair to wonder whether these products can truly target the appearance of fine lines, skin texture, and hyperpigmentation. Finding a skin tint that does it all is nearly mythical.
Spoiler alert: There are more than a few that achieve all of the above. With the help of four Who What Wear beauty editors and thousands of product reviews across major retailers, I've rounded up 15 high-performing skin tints that are the definition of "if you know, you know."
The Best Skin Tints at a Glance
- Best Overall: U Beauty The Super Tinted Hydrator
- Best With SPF: Ciele Tint & Protect Serum Foundation
- Best for Medium to Deep Skin Tones: Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint
- Best for Light to Medium Skin Tones: Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
- Best for Combination Skin: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream
The 15 Best Skin Tints of 2024
Best Overall: U Beauty The Super Tinted Hydrator
Pros: Leaves skin with a moisture shield and dewy, sheer finish
Cons: Offered at a luxury price point
Size: 1-ounce pump dispenser
Shades: 10
SPF: None
Senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider and Beauty Director Erin Jahns were more than happy to enthuse about this one. Not only does it instantly provide the perfect color match with boosted luminosity and moisture, but it also corrects uneven skin tone and texture with self-adjusting coverage. "I'm obsessed," notes Schneider. For a flawless finish, allow the Super Tinted Hydrator to dry fully before layering additional products.
Customer Review: "The Super Hydrator is a total savior for my skin, especially in brutal Canadian winters! Love how cushy this makes my skin feel. I'd love to get a full size of this for sure. Also, just like some of their other products, this isn't strongly scented, which my sensitive skin appreciates."
Best for Concealing Blemishes: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Pros: Offers a skin-like, dewy finish while diffusing blemishes
Cons: Is not very buildable and offers little coverage
Size: 1.2-ounce tube
Shades: 18
SPF: None
Model and beauty mogul Hailey Bieber took to the internet recently with this Hourglass skin tint to demonstrate how to create the perfect "peachy girl summer" makeup look. It delivers moisture to the skin and provides a sheer veil of coverage for a radiant finish that lasts all day. The skin tint also works to diffuse blemishes to even the skin in addition to plumping and smoothing the complexion.
Customer Review: "If you are looking for a lighter coverage foundation look no further. It is really moisturizing as well. There have been days where I forgot to put a moisturizer on, but this does the trick. Hides what it needs to and gives you a glowy moisturized finish. My new favorite foundation!"
Best With SPF: Ciele Tint & Protect Serum Foundation
Pros: Perfect natural finish, a little goes a long way, noncomedogenic
Cons: Has higher coverage than other options
Size: 1.28-ounce bottle with dropper
Shades: 13
SPF: 50
"I'll be honest. I was a little skeptical of this tinted serum foundation before I actually got my hands on it," says Schneider. "I don't normally love tinted serums, as they tend to look a little greasy on my combination skin. Let me tell you—this Ciele option is a dream. It sinks effortlessly into my skin without leaving an oily residue, instantly fuses to my complexion, and offers just the right amount of coverage and glow. A little also goes a long way; I only need two drops for my entire face for a light wash of coverage. Hands down, this is my go-to for a dewy everyday look."
Customer Review: "I've been using this for a week and I love it! I have dry skin so this has worked great. It doesn’t cling to dry patches, it has the right amount the glow where you don’t like sweaty. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments wearing this!"
Best for Medium to Deep Skin Tones: Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint
Pros: Offered in 16 shades optimized to address redness and unevenness
Cons: Not ideal for use on oily skin types
Size: 1.58-ounce tube
Shades: 16
SPF: None
Danessa Myricks's Yummy Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint Foundation is a favorite of mine. It's a hydrating, skincare-infused skin tint that provides radiant coverage across 16 shades. Optimized to correct tone in all skin complexions, its formula combines ceramides and cactus extract to strengthen and protect the skin barrier.
Customer Review: "Based on first impressions, I absolutely love this skin tint. I find most skin tints that are hydrating tend to look greasy and sit on top of my skin, but this one genuinely gives me a lit-from-within glow and evened out my skin tone enough for it to look natural."
Best for Light to Medium Skin Tones: Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
Pros: Infused with botanical actives that deliver hydration
Cons: Does not provide buildable coverage
Size: 1.2-ounce tube
Shades: 10
SPF: 15
Even though associate beauty editor Shawna Hudson rarely wears skin tints, she absolutely loves this Chantecaille find. Sometimes, your skin needs support to reach its full potential, and the Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer is able to provide great nourishment and coverage. Daily use leaves skin radiant and smooth with a formula that features hydrating botanical polysaccharide.
Customer Review: "I have been using this tinted moisturizer for many years. It is, by far, my favorite. The texture is not too greasy or thin. It provides good coverage without being too heavy and opaque. I use Glow which looks like it would be too dark for my fair skin, but it's transparent enough to add a bit of color while still looking natural."
Best for Combination Skin: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream
Pros: Pairs nicely with Kosas's Dream Beam Sunscreen SPF 40 as a primer
Cons: Challenging to apply with a brush or Beautyblender due to thick formula
Size: 1-ounce pump dispenser
Shades: 24
SPF: None
For smooth, skincare-driven coverage every time, "Kosas BB is sooooo good," Jahns gushes. The formula is powered by triple-hydration technology, copper peptides, and zinc oxide to support the skin barrier and visibly reduce redness. The skin tint is also clinically proven to increase hydration over 230% after four weeks, improving the appearance of bare skin.
Customer Review: "I have mature, oily skin. I was skeptical about this product. I bought it on the whim, and I love it. I use my fingers instead of a brush, a little goes along way. I only use one pump for my whole face. It doesn’t make my face oily and it lasts all day. It gives me such a beautiful, slight glow."
Best for Oily Skin: Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen
Pros: Formulated without pore-clogging ingredients, safe for problem-prone or sensitive skin
Cons: Does not immediately soak into the skin and shifts beneath other products
Size: 1-ounce tube
Shades: 17
SPF: 30
Tower 28's multipurpose product offers natural-looking, light-to-medium buildable coverage with 100% mineral SPF 30. Formulated with problem-prone and sensitive skin in mind, it features noncomedogenic ingredients like prickly pear extract for defense against blue light pollution and white sage extract to neutralize free radicals. It's also nongreasy and nonoxidizing and doesn't leave a white cast.
Customer Review: "I absolutely love this product! I've seen such an improvement in my skin since I started using it. I struggle with oily skin and hormonal acne, and this is hands down the best foundation I've found. I love the finish—it's dewy but not overly shiny. It's also super buildable but has great coverage, so I wear it for a night out as well as my day to day tinted sunscreen."
Best Multipurpose Formula: Typology Tinted Face Serum
Pros: Silicone-free and nonclogging
Cons: Limited color diversity
Size: 1-ounce jar with dropper
Shades: 6
SPF: None
According to associate beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock, the Tinted Face Serum by Typology is an easy winner. Its silicone-free, nonclogging formula is crafted with vitamin C, squalane, and aloe vera that promote deep, long-lasting hydration and radiance. It also offers light coverage and a perfect natural, no-makeup finish without any fuss. Because it's 99% naturally derived and vegan, it's ideal for anyone with sensitive and reactive skin who needs a gentle product.
Customer Review: "I can't rave enough about this tinted serum! I love a light coverage, and this product delivers. It's great for that no-makeup, makeup look or as a first step to even out skin tone. Use as concealer, color corrector, or wear alone. Love, love, love! Would highly recommend!"
Best for All-Day Wear: Saie Slip Tint Tinted Moisturizer
Pros: Sheer, breathable, and comfortable to wear
Cons: Does not cover and correct blemishes
Size: 1.3-ounce tube
Shades: 14
SPF: 35
A good tinted moisturizer can completely transform your makeup routine, and the Slip Tint is a prime example of that. Packed with a blend of nourishing ingredients like licorice-root extract and hyaluronic acid, it dramatically brightens and refines the skin while giving it protection against UVA/UVB rays and free radical damage. This skin tint is also fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin, and dermatologist tested.
Customer Review: "This is the best tinted moisturizer on the market. I've tried them all! I've always worn tinted moisture, I hate foundation. This is perfect coverage, SPF built in saves a step and the dewy finish keeps your skin looking hydrated all day."
Best for Dry Skin: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Pros: 25+ shades with various undertones
Cons: Can be messy and has a tendency to leak once opened
Size: 1-ounce bottle with dropper
Shades: 30
SPF: 40
Ilia's award-winning tinted serum is a must for anyone hoping to pull off a dewy base without juggling multiple products. In addition to combining plant-based squalane, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, tighten, and nourish the skin, it diminishes the appearance of blemishes. Plus, it's offered in 30 different shades that blend seamlessly for a natural-looking finish.
Customer Review: "After much research in looking for a 'clean' foundation, I found Ilia. I just finished my 3rd bottle and will be repurchasing again because nothing else compares! I'm loyal for life. It's the perfect light coverage and doesn't weigh you down. Nice and subtle yet effective. Highly recommend!"
Best for Sensitive Skin: Gee Beauty Prime Skin
Pros: Formulated with color technology that adapts and warms to your skin tone
Cons: None
Size: 1.2-ounce pump dispenser
Shades: 9
SPF: None
The Gee Beauty Prime Skin is another skin tint Jahns loves to use on the daily. It's a hybrid skin tint that delivers light coverage while also ensuring the complexion stays nourished and protected with powerful ingredients like SPF 20 and hyaluronic acid. Don't let the nine shades fool you—the formula uses flexible color technology that adapts and warms to your unique skin tone.
Customer Review: "10 out of 10—will repurchase. I I have sensitive, aging, skin with a lot of texture and pores. This looks beautiful on my skin. Did not emphasize my texture, did not emphasize my pores. I got a lot of compliments when I wore this. I will definitely be repurchasing."
Best Skin-Loving Formula: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Skin Tint
Pros: Formula does not fade, crease, or settle into fine lines
Cons: Limited selection of shades and undertones
Size: 1.69-ounce tube
Shades: 18
SPF: 15
Trust me. When it comes to skin-loving ingredients, this is one of the best skin tints on the market. Bobbi Brown's Vitamin Enriched Skin Tint is a two-in-one product that offers unbeatable moisture while delivering natural-looking coverage. It strengthens the skin barrier with provitamin D and cactus flower while also using Pigment-Flex Technology to adapt the formula to a wide range of skin tones.
Customer Review: "I rarely write reviews, but I had to for this! I have a very hard time finding good color matches. Medium 2 is perfect for light—medium olive skin. Undertone is perfect. My skin feels hydrated all day. I use a lot of moisturizer underneath and my fingers to apply it. Great for easy, everyday wear in Spring/Summer!"
Best Dewy Finish: Almay Skin Perfecting Hydrating Tint
Pros: Quick and easy to use with a brush, a Beautyblender, or your fingers
Cons: Slightly waxy during initial application
Size: 0.94-ounce tube
Shades: 8
SPF: None
Dry, dull skin is no match for the Skin Perfecting Hydrating Tint. By locking in moisture and infusing the skin with a blend of hyaluronic acid as well as a multivitamin complex, this Almay skin tint instantly hydrates the complexion and reduces sneaky signs of aging. Over time, you'll notice your skin will have more plumpness and elasticity.
Customer Review: "This Almay Skin perfecting hydrating tint in color Ivory had the perfect light coverage I've been looking for. It feels weightless on my skin with no harsh smells. My skin felt healthy after using it and I had no skin irritation or breakouts."
Best Drugstore Option: Covergirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk
Pros: Instantly delivers light coverage for all skin types
Cons: Limited shades and undertones
Size: 1-ounce tube
Shades: 14
SPF: None
McLintock uses Covergirl's Clean Fresh Skin Milk to keep her complexion looking its best. For just $5, you can experience this product's ability to create an all-day healthy glow with good-for-you ingredients and light coverage. Its formula features hydrating coconut milk and aloe extract, two ingredients that promote a youthful, dewy glow. I like to pair this one with Covergirl's Clean Fresh Hydrating Concealer for a bit more coverage.
Customer Review: "Unleash the glam with Covergirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk! It's a blendable dream, weightless, and gives that radiant dewiness. With fun shades and full vegan vibes, it's a makeup must-have. Seriously, why don't you have this beauty boost yet?"
Best Luxury Option: YSL Beauty Nu Bare Look Tint Hydrating Skin Tint
Pros: Melts into the skin for buildable, medium-to-full coverage
Cons: Not ideal for achieving a sheer, dewy finish
Size: 1-ounce tube
Shades: 20
SPF: None
If you're looking for the ideal luxury skin tint, you've found it. This one by YSL has buildable light-to-medium coverage for all skin types to promote a fresh, dewy complexion. Its water-cream texture offers up to 25 hours of hydration using a formula infused with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and brightening mallow for an effortless no-makeup look. I also love that it comes in recyclable packaging!
Customer Review: "I love this skin tint, which is honestly more like a foundation as it has a lot of coverage. I love applying it with my hands. The tube makes it so easy to just squeeze out a small amount directly on the face. This color is perfect for me too. Makes your skin look healthy."
What to Look for in a Skin Tint
We've given you a pretty good jumping-off point if we do say so ourselves, but still, navigating the sheer number of options on the market can be a little overwhelming. Here are a few factors to keep in mind as you're combing the beauty aisles.
- Finish: Are you partial to dewier looks, or do you opt for more of a matte finish? Skin tints will typically lean on the dewy side, but some have a satin-like finish that doesn't read so glowy if that's more your jam. For example, Typology's tinted serum is capital-D dewy, while Tower 28's SunnyDays has a natural, skin-like effect.
- Coverage: Skin tints are typically more sheer than foundations, but there's still a spectrum of coverage to keep in mind. Some offer a lightweight veil of pigment (like U Beauty's formula), others are denser and more foundation-like (such as YSL's), and with others, you can build to your desired level of coverage.
- Skincare ingredients: As I mentioned, skin tints tend to be formulated with high-quality actives to quench dryness (hyaluronic acid), smooth fine lines (peptides), fade hyperpigmentation (vitamin C), and so on. Many also include SPF to offer extra protection from UV damage, which is often the number one culprit for those aforementioned skin woes.
How We Chose
As with all buying guides here at Who What Wear, we compile our product lists based on original testing. The WWW beauty team tried all of the options listed above, offering their favorite formulas and what they would change, if anything, about each one. Testing is important when it comes to how the product actually looks and feels on the skin, so our beauty team made sure to comment on the finish and coverage of each product.
We also pored over ingredient lists for each skin tint, making sure each had good-for-skin actives to simultaneously improve texture and tone. After all, skin tints are known for being skin-makeup hybrids. Customer reviews are, of course, important to keep in mind, especially when it comes to TikTok-viral and celebrity-endorsed favorites. That said, we scoured the review sections of our favorite retailers when compiling our list of 15.
Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's assistant beauty editor based in New York City. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.
- Jamie SchneiderSenior Beauty Editor
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