The best tinted moisturisers for healthy-looking skin

Give your skin a boost with the right formula for your skin type

best tinted moisturisers
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On a daily basis, more and more of us are leaning towards a paired-down, natural look over layering up the best foundation for a flawless finish. Enter the best tinted moisturisers to add a little bit of sparkle to your complexion.

Wondering what the difference between a foundation and a tinted moisturiser is? We've spoken to Bobbi Brown's Editorial Pro Artist, Amalie Russell, to find out everything you need to know. Just keep on scrolling...

What's the difference between a tinted moisturiser and a foundation?

"The difference between tinted moisturisers and foundations boils down to skin care benefits, density and coverage," explains Russell. "Tinted moisturisers are almost transparent and feel like second skin due to their hybrid skincare formulas that have SPF to protect. Foundations on the other hand come in various levels of coverage and different textures such as creams, sticks, powders or liquids  that can accommodate all skin types." 

You won't get a whole lot of coverage with a tinted moisturiser. Instead, think of it as your skin, but just that little bit better than usual.

Are tinted moisturisers suitable for all skin types?

"Tinted moisturisers are best suited for normal to dry, dehydrated or more sensitive skin types," says Russell. "They are also great for anyone looking for that 'barely there' look."

How do you apply a tinted moisturiser?

Russell recommends applying the product with your fingers for the most natural look. However, if you want a more 'airbrushed' finish, use a foundation blending brush instead.

Intrigued? Read on for the formulas that pass the Marie Claire UK test in the best tinted moisturiser department. If you want to know how we test the products that make it into our articles, check out our in-depth guide.

For more inspiration, don't forget to check out our guides to the best foundation for oily skin, the best foundation for dry skin, the best foundation for acne-prone skin and even the best drugstore foundation.

Grace Lindsay testing the best tinted moisturisers

Beauty Writer, Grace Lindsay, testing the best tinted moisturisers

(Image credit: Grace Lindsay)

The best tinted moisturisers to buy now

1. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifiant Moisturiser

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifiant Moisturiser - best tinted moisturisers

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La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifiant Moisturiser

Best tinted moisturiser for oily skin

Specifications

Number of shades: 2
Formula: Liquid

For acne and blemish-prone skin, there's a tinted version of the famous Effaclar Duo+. It has all of the original's skincare benefits – salicylic acid to break down blockages, niacinamide to calm blemishes – plus a slight tint to help reduce the visibility of breakouts. A great buy for excessively oily skin.

2. Clarins HydraQuench Tinted Moisturiser

Clarins HydraQuench Tinted Moisturiser SPF15 - best tinted moisturisers

(Image credit: Clarins)

Clarins HydraQuench Tinted Moisturiser

Best tinted moisturiser for dry skin

Specifications

Number of shades: 5
Formula: Liquid

Dry skin needs something that's going to keep it soft and smooth for the long run. Crammed with hyaluronic acid, this tinted moisturiser packs a punch. Continuously moisturising your skin while you wear it and providing three layers of UV protection, this beautifying cream will do your complexion the world of good.

3. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturiser Hydrating Gel Cream

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturiser Hydrating Gel Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 - best tinted moisturisers

(Image credit: Lookfantastic)

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturiser Hydrating Gel Cream

Best tinted gel

Specifications

Number of shades: 16
Formula: Gel cream

Complexion Rescue is one of our all time favourite things to put on our face. It's more than a tinted moisturiser but it doesn't fall within the realm of a BB or a CC cream either. With squalane, marine botanicals and humectants, it massively boosts hydration. It's available in an amazing 16 shades too so absolutely everybody can get in on the action.

4. Kosas Tinted Face Oil

Kosas Tinted Face Oil - best tinted moisturisers

(Image credit: Cult Beauty)

Kosas Tinted Face Oil

Best tinted oil

Specifications

Number of shades: 16
Formula: Oil

If you want a soft veil of colour that blurs pores, smooths fine lines, hydrates parched skin and, importantly, lasts all day (a rarity amongst lightweight formulas) may we suggest this skin-loving tinted oil from Kosas. Featuring 16 shades, you can customise the coverage by using a couple of drops for a sheer and natural look, or 4-6 drops for a more 'I'm going out tonight' look.

5. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30/PA+++ - best tinted moisturisers

(Image credit: John Lewis)

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser

Best everyday option

Specifications

Number of shades: 12
Formula: Liquid

Good coverage, long lasting and not too expensive, this really is the one for everyday wear. Team with a little bit of cream blush for the ultimate healthy look. It's available in 12 shades, so you're sure to find a match.

6. Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturiser

Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15 - best tinted moisturisers

(Image credit: Bobbi Brown)

Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturiser

Best tinted moisturiser for a natural glow

Specifications

Number of shades: 8
Formula: Liquid

Bobbi Brown base products are some of our favourite base products of all time, and this tinted moisturiser is no exception. It's perfect for giving that natural glow as not only does it work to minimise redness and unevenness, but it also infuses skin with hydration. Although it's not the best option for oily skin, normal to dry complexions will love this.

7. La Mer The Radiant Skintint

La Mer The Radiant Skintint SPF 30 - best tinted moisturisers

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La Mer The Radiant Skintint

Best luxury tinted moisturiser

Specifications

Number of shades: 7
Formula: Liquid

La Mer have classed this as sheer, but we definitely think that it gives good enough coverage to cover up blemishes and dark spots. It isn't the most moisturising, so if you have dry skin then we would recommend pairing with a hydrating moisturiser first. Oilier skin types will love it though.

8. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector SFP30 - best tinted moisturisers

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Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector

Best Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser

Specifications

Number of shades: 20
Formula: Liquid

It doesn't get much better than a Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser, which you'd expect considering she invented the stuff. With an SPF of 30 and coming in 20 shades to suit a broad range of skin tones, this formula is well worth a look.

9. Estée Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Moisturiser

Estée Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Moisturiser SPF15 - best tinted moisturiser

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Estée Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Moisturiser

Best sheer tinted moisturiser

Specifications

Number of shades: 1
Formula: Liquid

This is tinted, but only ever so slightly so perfect if you prefer lighter coverage. It has some UVA protection, but it's pretty low so you'll probably want to wear a higher one underneath. It does, however have free-radical damage protection.

10. Origins GinZing™ Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturiser

Origins GinZing™ Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturiser SPF40 - best tinted moisturisers

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Origins GinZing™ Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturiser

Best tinted moisturiser for a radiant finish

Specifications

Number of shades: 1
Formula: Liquid

The Origins GinZing range adds energy to lacklustre skin (the eye cream does wonders at camouflaging and dispelling dark circles.) This tinted moisturiser does just that - it gives your complexion a boost of moisture and energy - thanks to the caffeine and Panax ginseng inside that does the hard work - and leaves you with a perfect finish.

11. Dr. Hauschka Tinted Day Cream

Dr. Hauschka Tinted Day Cream - best tinted moisturiser

(Image credit: Dr. Hauschka)

Dr. Hauschka Tinted Day Cream

Best healthy-looking tinted moisturiser

Specifications

Number of shades: 1
Formula: Liquid

Oh my goodness, do we LOVE this cream. If you want to look hydrated, plump and really, really healthy then this is the cream for you. Annoyingly it doesn't have any sun protection, but you'll forgive it when you see how gloriously well you look. It comes out quite thick (making it really hydrating), but if you warm it in your hands first it makes it easier to work it into your skin.

12. Authored Tinted Moisturiser

Authored Tinted Moisturiser - best tinted moisturiser

(Image credit: Authored)

Authored Tinted Moisturiser

Best blurring tinted moisturiser

Specifications

Number of shades: 12
Formula: Liquid

We recently gave Tanya Burr's make-up line, Authored, a go, and this tinted moisturiser definitely came out on top. Although it's lightweight on the skin, it offers a great amount of coverage, blurring pores and imperfections. It has a soft matte finish but still leaves you with a subtle glow, and you only need to use a small amount. A word of warning, it does come out of the tube fast, so be ready to blend.

Katie Thomas

Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over 10 years of experience on women's luxury lifestyle titles, she covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She started her career on fashion desks across the industry - from The Telegraph to Brides - but found her calling in the Tatler beauty department. From there she moved to Instyle, before joining the Marie Claire digital team in 2018. She’s made it her own personal mission to find the best concealer in the world to cover her tenacious dark circles. She’s obsessed with skincare that makes her skin bouncy and glowy, low-maintenance hair that doesn’t require brushing and a cracking good manicure. Oh and she wears more jewellery than the Queen.

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