As we age, our skin changes. You might notice that it feels drier or doesn’t seem as plump as before. When this happens, it’s a good time to give your makeup bag a mini makeover. Consider swapping out those heavy, full-coverage foundations for lighter options that won’t draw attention to fine lines or texture shifts. This is where the tinted moisturizers can help.
Dr. Hannah B. Kopelman, a dermatologist, explains that these products offer a two-in-one solution to mature skin, blending skin care benefits with light coverage. “For mature skin with concerns like dryness, fine lines or uneven texture, a tinted moisturizer can be a great option, especially if it’s formulated with ingredients that address those specific issues,” she says.
However, tinted moisturizers are not one-size-fits-all products. They vary in ingredient composition, shade range, coverage level and overall texture. To help you find the best tinted moisturizers for mature skin, we talked to a handful of experts, including board-certified dermatologists, formulation experts and celebrity makeup artists. They shared valuable insights on what to look for in a tinted moisturizer and how these products can help enhance mature skin.
Below, you’ll find a curated list of Shop TODAY’s top picks, featuring expert-recommended products that stand out from the crowd.
What are tinted moisturizers? | What to look for in a tinted moisturizer | How to find the best tinted moisturizers | Best tinted moisturizers, per experts | Best tinted moisturizers, per editors | Why does mature skin need a tinted moisturizer? | How to wear tinted moisturizer | How we chose | Meet the experts
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What are tinted moisturizers?
A tinted moisturizer is a hybrid product that combines elements of both foundation and standard moisturizer.
Kopelman says the main difference is that tinted moisturizers have pigment, which helps cover up skin imperfections. “Tinted moisturizers offer the same hydration benefits as regular moisturizers but with the added bonus of evening out skin tone,” she explains.
Tinted moisturizers are also different from regular foundation products. According to dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon, tinted moisturizers often include a range of hydrating ingredients that you typically won’t find in standard foundations. These ingredients include hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and glycerin, which all work to nourish and hydrate the skin.
She continues, “You will also see ingredients that are used to plump and strengthen the skin’s barrier and boost collagen production like peptides and ceramides.”
Coverage is another key difference between foundation and tinted moisturizer products. Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman notes that tinted moisturizers provide a much lighter coverage. “Think of tinted moisturizers like watercolor and acrylic paints,” he explains. “These products have 30% less coverage than full pigmented foundation.”
In addition to their cosmetic benefits, many tinted moisturizers also provide sun protection, with SPF levels typically between 30 and 50.
According to Maria Hawkins, a board-certified physician associate, higher SPF formulations are often recommended, particularly for mature skin. She explains, “Sun protection is crucial for preventing premature aging."
What to look for in a tinted moisturizer
A simple search for tinted moisturizers can yield thousands of options. To narrow your choices, take the following features into account.
- Shade range: To help everyone discover their perfect shade, tinted moisturizers should come in a broad range of colors, spanning from light to medium to deep. Dermatologist Dr. Jody A. Levine highlights this need, particularly for mature skin that may show more discoloration or uneven tones. She explains, “Choosing a shade that matches your natural skin tone is essential for achieving a smooth and glowing look.”
- Skin type: As you think about which tinted moisturizer to choose, don’t forget to factor in your skin type. Levine explains that with age, our skin can become drier, making it crucial to select a product that hydrates and nourishes. However, if your skin is oily or a mix of both oily and dry, she advises opting for products tailored to address those specific concerns.
- Coverage: Coverage should be a key consideration when picking out tinted moisturizers. According to Levine, it’s best to go for products that offer light to medium coverage, which can give you a radiant look while preventing the product from settling into any fine lines.
- Ingredients: Ingredients are essential when picking a tinted moisturizer because they provide the necessary nourishment and hydration for dry skin. Levine suggests seeking out formulas with hyaluronic acid, peptides or vitamins C and E, and she warns against using products that may be too harsh or cause irritation.
- SPF protection: Dr. Levine stresses the importance of sun protection for everyone, but it becomes even more crucial as we age. Therefore, she recommends selecting a tinted moisturizer that offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to effectively protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
How to find the best tinted moisturizers
Finding the ideal tinted moisturizer starts with understanding your skin type and its unique needs. To find this out, Levine recommends seeking guidance from a board-certified dermatologist who can pinpoint your skin’s needs and create a tailored skincare regimen specifically for you.
The best tinted moisturizers, according to experts
Hydrating formula: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint for Dry Skin
- Non-comodengenic
- Lightweight
- Hydrating
- Contains no SPF
- Applicator can be difficult
Shades: 10 | Skin type compatibility: Dry, combination, and sensitive | Coverage: Light | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, titanium oxide | SPF Protection: No
The Neutrogena tinted moisturizer is an outstanding choice. It provides light and buildable coverage that does a great job of concealing dark spots while being available in ten different shades to match various skin tones from light to deep.
With nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin included, this tinted moisturizer is especially suitable for those with dry, combination, or sensitive skin types. Freedman even highlights it as his favorite drugstore tinted moisturizer, saying, “This product gives such a gorgeous finish. I always grab two — they sell out quickly!”
Sheer coverage: Summer Fridays Skin Tint with Hyaluronic Acid + Squalane
- Buildable lightweight coverage
- Hydrating ingredients
- Fluid formula
- Does not contain SPF
- Limited shade range
Shades: 12 | Skin type compatibility: Normal, dry, combination and sensitive | Coverage: Light | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid | SPF Protection: No
Aimee Car, a medical esthetician, makeup artist and expert in clean beauty formulation, recommends the Summer Fridays tinted moisturizer as a great option for those seeking clean beauty products with ingredients that benefit skin health. “The formula features niacinamide, which improves skin appearance and texture, along with hyaluronic acid that hydrates the skin and gives it a radiant look,” she explains.
But there’s even more to love about this tinted moisturizer. It’s suitable for various skin types — normal, dry, combination, and sensitive — and has a velvety-smooth liquid texture that applies effortlessly without drawing attention to wrinkles or fine lines.
Long-lasting coverage: Bobbi Brown Hydrating Skin Tint
- Vitamin rich formula
- Buildable, light coverage
- Lasts for 12 hours
- Limited SPF protection
- Contains scent
Shades: 18 | Skin type compatibility: Dry, normal, and combination | Coverage: Light | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E complex and shea butter | SPF Protection: SPF 15
This Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer stands out as our top pick for several reasons. It offers impressive longevity, lasting up to 12 hours, while its vitamin-enriched formula nourishes the skin. In terms of coverage, this product excels, ranging from sheer to buildable, effectively concealing imperfections without a heavy feel. Plus, with an inclusive range of 18 shades, it caters to all skin tones. Freedman also praises its performance, noting, “This goes on like a dream and though sheer, it grips to skin and lasts all day.”
Multitasker with vast shade range: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Skincare Foundation
- 30 shades
- Contains SPF40
- Hyaluronic acid + niacinamide
- Some shades may be sold out
- Formula is thicker
Shades: 30 | Skin type compatibility: Dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin types | Coverage: Light | Key Ingredients: Nano-zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide | SPF Protection: SPF 40
Looking for another clean tinted moisturizer that does it all? Carr highly recommends this multitasker from Ilia. It’s loaded with beneficial ingredients like nano-zinc oxide to shield your skin from the sun, while hyaluronic acid and niacinamide give your complexion a hydration boost. Carr also loves that this product is fragrance-free and offers SPF 40 protection. She continues, “It also provides good coverage and comes in 30 different shades to suit a wide range of skin tones.”
Major sun protection: Sunbetter Tone Smart SPF 75 Sunscreen Lotion
- Tone adapting formula
- Dermatologist-tested
- SPF 75
- Price
- Requires reapplication
Shades: 1 | Skin type compatibility: Mature, oily, dry, normal and combination skin | Coverage: Light | Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide | SPF Protection: SPF 70
When you need a tinted moisturizer that addresses hydration, makeup application and sun protection all in one, Hawkins recommends this dermatologist-approved sunscreen lotion. It comes in a universally flattering tint that works well for many skin tones while offering strong SPF 70 protection.
This lotion is suitable for various skin types, including mature, oily, normal, dry and combination. Although it does come at a higher price point and requires reapplication every two hours, the protection it offers against UVA/UVB rays, blue light, pollution and infrared radiation still makes it a worthwhile investment.
Best tinted moisturizers, according to editors
All-day wear: bareMinerals COMPLEXION RESCUE® Tinted Moisturizer
- Looks super natural
- Lightweight formula
- Contains SPF
- Won't cover deep blemishes
Shades: 20 | Skin type compatibility: Dry, normal and combination skin | Coverage: Sheer-light | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, olive-derived squalene | SPF Protection: SPF 30
Julie Ricevuto, a commerce editor and producer at Shop TODAY, recommends this tinted moisturizer by bareMinerals. She tells us, "I’ve been using this tinted moisturizer for over five years, and I plan to always keep it in my skin care rotation. My skin always look naturally flawless all day long with this tinted moisturizer — to the point that people are shocked I have anything on."
Editor favorite: Clinique Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator
- Looks natural
- Blends easily
- May need extra moisturizer
Shades: 7 | Skin type compatibility: Dry, combination, oily, normal | Coverage: Sheer-light | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe water | SPF Protection: SPF 25
Commerce editor Amanda Fama likes this tinted moisturizer so much that she ran out of it within a few months of purchasing the tube. She says, "It goes on so smooth, leaves the perfect amount of color and even adds hydration. I usually apply it to my skin after a moisturizer, and it leaves my skin feeling super smooth."
Fama continues, "However, in the wintertime, I like to add an additional moisturizer below it because my skin dries out pretty quickly."
Why does mature skin need a tinted moisturizer?
Mature skin is often characterized by dryness, dullness and the presence of fine lines and wrinkles. Chacon recommends tinted moisturizers for mature skin as they provide coverage while keeping the skin hydrated. “This combination is ideal for mature skin,” she notes. Additionally, tinted moisturizers are generally lightweight, preventing them from settling into fine lines and wrinkles.
However, it’s important to remember that tinted moisturizers should not replace regular moisturizers. If your skin is extremely dry and lacking moisture, Chacon suggests using both a moisturizer and a tinted moisturizer. “Mature skin often needs extra hydration, and using both products can help meet these needs,” she says.
How to wear tinted moisturizer
For the best application of tinted moisturizer, celebrity makeup artist and spray tan specialist Sloan Casper suggests starting with clean, dry skin and applying it over your skincare products, including primer if you have one. While your fingers can work for application, she recommends using a synthetic brush or silicone sponge for better results. “These tools won’t absorb the product, allowing you to use less while achieving a smoother, more airbrushed finish,” she notes.
When applying tinted moisturizer, Dr. Kopelman advises beginning with a small amount and gradually adding more coverage where needed, particularly in areas with uneven or dry skin.
“Be sure to blend well around the edges of your face and down your neck to avoid any harsh lines,” she adds. “If you want extra coverage, feel free to apply another layer of tinted moisturizer or finish with a light dusting of translucent powder.”
How we chose
Shop TODAY’s recommendations for the best tinted moisturizers came from the advice and guidance of experts, including board-certified dermatologists, makeup artists and formulation experts.
We also assessed tinted moisturizers suitable for dry skin by considering various factors such as the range of shades available, coverage levels, ingredient quality, SPF protection and how well they match different skin types.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Hannah B. Kopelman, DO, is a dermatologist at the Kopelman Hair Restoration Clinic.
- Sloane Casper is a celebrity makeup artist and spray tan expert.
- Aimee Carr is a medical esthetician, makeup artist, and clean beauty formulation expert.
- Dr. Jody A. Levine, MD, FAAD FAAP, is a board-certified dermatologist.
- Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
- Maria Hawkins, MPAS, PA-C, is a board-certified physician associate.
- Brett Freedman is a celebrity makeup artist.
