It’s funny to think that I wore way more makeup at age 16 than I do now. My daily makeup routine has become increasingly simple over the years, and I love it. The secret to my streamlined skin? My go-to clean tinted moisturizers. And it’s not just about cutting downtime in the mornings (although that’s a definite perk)—I’m just not interested in layers of foundation and contoured cheekbones for my day-to-day look.
Give me fresh and dewy, year-round please. Whether it’s the dead of winter or the sticky summer heat is in full force, I always crave something light and airy on my skin.
The Pros of Tinted Moisturizers:
- You can see real skin shining through while still blurring imperfections, redness, and pores.
- They feel light and hydrating on the skin.
- Layers and plays well with other skin products.
- Most offer some sun protection (but you should try to layer a full-spectrum sunscreen underneath, too!)
- Bonus: nourishes your skin and boosts your complexion over time.
Tinted moisturizers give my skin major glow, and the great thing is that I can always play up the coverage by adding a touch of regular foundation or a dab of concealer if my skin is breaking out or I want to cover up dark under eyes, etc.
Recently I tried and tested 12 non-toxic brands to find my favorite clean tinted moisturizer and let me tell you, the new crop of natural makeup is good. Packed with skin-boosting ingredients, protective SPFs, and the fresh-faced glow we’re all in search of, these are makeup all-stars. All of them technically fall into the “light” coverage category, but I’ve listed them as sheer or light coverage to further clarify what kind of coverage you can expect.
Read on for what I loved about each one, and let me know if there are any other clean beauty tinted moisturizers that are must-tries.
Coverage: sheer
If you want the dewiest glow of all dewy glows, this is your product. It’s earned over 2300 five-star reviews on the brand’s website for good reason. I first tried it at a shoot and went home and ordered it that day. Light, moisturizing and skin-perfecting, with just enough coverage without looking heavy, it will remain a forever staple in my makeup bag. It’s packed with brightening vitamin C, moisturizing black currant seed oil, and peony root extract to promote firmer and smoother skin over time. The scent is a touch odd to me, but nothing that turns me off from wearing on the daily. It comes in six shades (I wear Light) and I’ve found that they span a decent range of skin tones.
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Coverage: light
I’ve been wanting to try this product ever since it came out—I finally got my hands on it and I’m in love. Major pro: this line offers versatile and varied color matches, with 18 shades to choose from. (Color matching note—the formula does oxidize a bit, so I would recommend going a shade lighter). The skin tint provides slightly more evenness and coverage than some of the others that’s easily buildable while still staying quite light. With a natural, beautiful, and fresh finish (and the scent is light and fresh too), Ilia’s Skin Tint has become a fast fave. The formula is quite glowy, so some might feel best with a light dust of setting powder on the t-zone.
Coverage: light
The idea of a tinted face oil instantly intrigued me. I can’t get enough of oils for my face and body so I love the idea of a foundation that incorporates this nourishing ingredient. It feels like a serum going on and has a surprisingly non-oily finish for being a face oil. The result is a soft, diffused coverage that’s really nice. I do like quite a dewy look, so I’ve found that my drier skin works best with this product when my face is well-moisturized before applying. The coverage is slightly more than the others on this list, without the cakey creasing of full coverage foundations. Warning: It comes out very liquidy so dispense carefully!
Suntegrity 5-in-1 Tinted Moisturizing Face Sunscreen
Coverage: light
I originally discovered Suntegrity when I fell in love with their body sunscreen. Available in five shades, the coverage is light and wears like a second skin. It seems to work better if you go for a shade lighter or have olive or warm skin tones, as they tend to have slight warm undertones and the formula oxidizes a little, too. But it wears really well all day long without settling or fading.
Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream Tinted SPF 30
Coverage: sheer
The ingredients in this no-frills product couldn’t get any better. This super-clean, organic formula works to repair, moisturize, and protect. The cream comes in an “all skin types” shade, which works for most without giving an ashy sheen due to the non-nano zinc oxide. The coverage is quite sheer, so I prefer it for beach, pool, or “no makeup” days. I love the ultra hydrating formula and use it as a stand-alone morning moisturizer to let my skin soak up the goodness. The formula dries slightly matte while still leaving the skin feeling fresh and dewy.
W3LL PEOPLE’s Bio Tint Multi-Action Moisturizer SPF 30
Coverage: light
Packed with all sorts of goodness (organic coconut oil to hydrate, broccoli seed oil to brighten, organic pomegranate to rejuvenate, and algae extracts to help reduce the appearance of discoloration) this tinted moisturizer is great for giving you a bit more coverage while still offering the light fresh application of a tinted moisturizer. It is a thicker formula, so if you have drier skin, be sure to use some sort of moisturizer first. Also, if your skin tends to be sensitive to coconut oil, this may not be the one for you.
Coverage: sheer
If you haven’t gotten your hands on one of Supergoop!’s best-selling sunscreen and skin care products, know that this buzzy brand is well worth the hype. Glowscreen packs sun protection (SPF 40, baby!), major hydration, and a luminous look into a single glow-boosting bottle. What’s more, Supergoop! is big on ensuring that your skin is not only glowing and gorgeous today, but that your future self will thank you for opting for a protective and proactive product. Work this into your daily routine and you’ll be fresh-faced for years to come.
Coverage: Sheer but buildable
There’s a new clean makeup brand in town and it’s about to dominate your beauty bag! Introducing Saie, the non-toxic makeup line that feels like skincare. The texture is soft and silky, creating a beautiful dewy finish without feeling oily—looks like your skin but better covering imperfections but not too much. It also dries down nicely so you don’t look too shiny. Apply their glowy super gel underneath for extra luminosity.
DRMTLGY Universal Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46
Coverage: sheer
An all-in-one sunscreen and foundation that suits every skin type? I’d call that clean beauty multitasking at its finest. Formulated to match all skin tones, this option offers both UVA and UVB protection to prevent premature skin aging and wrinkles. It also includes one of my favorite ingredients, hyaluronic acid, for skin that’s dewy and firm without having to resort to a full face of makeup.
Coverage: Light
This tinted moisturizer has officially raised the bar. Wait for it… this 5-in-1-breakthrough formula is a serum, moisturizer, sheer coverage, sunscreen, and blue light/pollution protector. Say what? It has a beautiful texture that’s almost souffle-like and the coverage is lovely, too. It’s not as dewy as some of the others in this list, drying down nicely to a soft hydrated finish, but it’s definitely not matte.
Coverage: sheer
At Camille Styles, we’re longtime fans of Dr. Hauschka’s clean options for beauty and body care, and this skin-nurturing moisturizer has only strengthened our love affair. It does double duty preventing dryness while also providing a sun-kissed sheen, and because Dr. Hauschka puts their products through careful dermatological testing, you can feel confident you’re using a product that’ll be effective but gentle on even the most sensitive skin. This is the kind of moisturizer that anyone can use for years and you’ll never stop loving the balanced, healthy, and hydrated glow it’ll give your skin.
Juice Beauty SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Moisturizer
Coverage: sheer
I’m always looking for ways to up my collagen game (these days, who isn’t?), and this multitasking BB cream fits the bill beautifully. Not only does it blend antioxidant-rich ingredients like apple, grape, and aloe leaf juice for added protection and boosted glow, but this pick helps shrink pores to calm acne-prone skin. The result? A brightened and balanced complexion that’ll only become more and more radiant each day.
