I’ve Tested Legit 100+ Tinted Moisturizers—These Are My Top 15

The best tinted moisturizers contain hydrating and moisturizing ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane) and buildable pigments that conceal things like acne, chronic redness, and hyperpigmentation. Many top-rated tinted moisturizers also contain SPF 30 or more to help protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Tinted moisturizers, BB creams, CC creams, skin tints…think of them like cousins. They’re all related, but look, act, and feel slightly different. Here’s a quickie breakdown:

• Tinted moisturizers hydrate and correct. They typically have the same consistency as a lightweight face lotion and, as I mentioned previously, contain a combo of hydrating ingredients and buildable pigments camouflage things like hyperpigmentation and redness.

• BB creams and CC creams correct and cover. They usually have a thick, cream-like texture and contain targeted skincare ingredients and medium-to-full coverage pigments to fully conceal things like cystic acne and rosacea.

• Skin tints give your skin a subtle glow. They typically have a serum-like texture and provide sheer coverage (similar to a lightweight foundation) to diffuse the look of spots and marks and improve your overall skin tone.

Look for a tinted moisturizer with ingredients for your specific skin type.

Just like regular face moisturizers, tinted moisturizers are formulated with different types of ingredients for different skin types and concerns. If your skin is super dry, you’ll want to choose a nourishing formula that’s made with ceramides and heavier moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter. If your skin is on the oily side, a formula made with mattifying ingredients will be your best bet. And if you’re looking to brighten your skin tone or improve your skin texture, a tinted moisturizer that’s made with antioxidants, like vitamin C and/or niacinamide, will help get the job done.

Pay attention to the texture and finish.

Love a glowy skin moment? Any tinted moisturizer that’s labeled “dewy” “radiant” or “luminous” will help you achieve that effect. If you prefer a more natural finish with your makeup, keep an eye out for words like “matte” “satin” and “blurring”—they’ll still make your skin look smooth and healthy but not as shiny as the glow-boosting formulas.

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories that range from the best under eye concealers to the best mascaras of all time. She’s an authority in all makeup categories but an expert when it comes to under-eye concealers. She regularly tests and analyzes under-eye concealers for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top makeup artists and cosmetic chemists to assess new formulas, brands, and technologies.