The 15 Best Tinted Moisturizers With SPF, Tested by Editors

Foundation, moisturizer, and sunscreen all in one.

Collage of tinted moisturizers by Ilia, Bare Minerals, and Nars with photo of woman with makeup overlaid on gradient background
(Image credit: Future)

You don’t need a beauty editor to tell you to wear sunscreen every day, but consider this your friendly PSA anyway. Rain or shine, UV rays are out there, ready to sabotage your skin, and yes, they absolutely sneak through office windows. But if slathering on sunscreen feels like a chore—especially when it’s thick, chalky, or breakout-inducing—allow me to introduce the tinted moisturizers with SPF that make daily application feel less like a task and more like a treat.

Tinted moisturizers are built to multitask. "Tinted moisturizer will provide hydration, skincare benefits, and a small amount of coverage," Los Angeles makeup artist Mia Dondero tells Marie Claire. "Whereas foundation is used purposefully for coverage, but doesn’t always offer the same hydrating benefits." Translation: A tinted moisturizer with SPF is the ultimate beauty trifecta: hydrating, complexion-perfecting, and UV-shielding all in one step.

As editors who swipe on tinted moisturizers with SPF almost daily, we’ve developed a high standard. The best tinted moisturizers with SPF are packed with skin-loving ingredients, deliver lightweight (ideally buildable!) coverage, and actually moisturize. Ahead, I’m breaking down the 15 best tinted moisturizers with SPF that not only make your skin look gorgeous, but help keep it protected, too. Fair warning: your favorite foundation may start collecting dust.

The Best Tinted Moisturizers With SPF

Marisa Petrarca using the Versed Skin Solution Multi-Serum Skin Tint Foundation

Contributing beauty writer Marisa Petrarca uses the Versed Skin Solution Multi-Serum Skin Tint Foundation

(Image credit: Marisa Petrarca)

Other Tinted Moisturizers I Love

What to Look For in Tinted Moisturizers With SPF

If you're looking for adequate sun protection, it's best to use a traditional sunscreen (with broad-spectrum protection and an SPF of at least 30 or higher), rather than relying solely on a tinted moisturizer with SPF. That being said, think of the best hybrid products as an additional means of sun protection with all of the benefits of a tinted moisturizer.

Here's what else to consider when looking for a tinted moisturizer with SPF.

  • Ingredients 

Tinted moisturizers tend to have several skin-loving ingredients, allowing them to pull double duty as makeup and skincare. In terms of ingredients, Dondero recommends looking out for hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. "Any face tints with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are a great find, because it’s going to add extra skincare benefits like plumping the skin, smoothing texture, and adding extra hydration," she explains.

Additionally, both Dondero and pro makeup artist Cat Mignano choose tinted moisturizers that only uses clean ingredients, meaning they are formulated without any phthalates, parabens, formaldehydes, sulfates, and other elements that may be harmful to you or the environment.

  • Finish 

Tinted moisturizers with SPF also have a range of different finishes, providing distinct looks depending on your skin type. If you have dry or combination skin, you may want to choose a tinted moisturizer with a glowy, radiant, or dewy finish. "I love any skin tints that have a glowy finish, because the glow will blur texture on the skin," adds Dondero. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, go with a matte finish to help keep unwanted shine at bay. And if you're not a fan of the glowy or matte look, you can't go wrong with a tinted moisturizer with a natural, second-skin finish.

How to Apply Tinted Moisturizer With SPF

Some makeup products can be tricky to apply, but tinted moisturizers aren't overly complicated. In fact, you don't even need a foundation brush—just your fingers will do. "I like to apply tinted moisturizer as if it was any other moisturizer, with my hands," says Mignano. "I think that the warmth of your fingers really helps the product melt into your skin, making the product look as if its a second layer of your beautiful skin, but better."

Simply rub the tinted moisturizer between your fingers and pat onto the skin. To ensure the tinted moisturizer lasts all day, Dondero says to make sure you set it with a setting powder.

Why Trust Marie Claire

Marie Claire has long been an authority on the fusion of makeup and SPF, covering everything from whether makeup with SPF is a real substitute for sunscreen to the best lip balms that offer sun protection—and everything in between.

Beauty Writer Marisa Petrarca brings nearly a decade of expertise to this story and has tested countless tinted moisturizers with SPF. For this story, she and former Marie Claire staffers consulted two professional makeup artists for their expert insight.

How We Tested

Meet the Experts

For this story, we sourced editor favorites and tested over 20 tinted moisturizers with SPF. We evaluated each formula oil based on texture, how effortlessly it applied and blended into the skin, wearability, and overall performance—both instantly and after a full day of wear.

Mia Dondero headshot, pro makeup artist, holding up makeup brush
Mia Dondero

Mia is a pro makeup artist based in both L.A. and New York City. Her work has appeared on the runways of NYFW, in campaigns for Inked by Dani, Extensible Jewelry, Navy Hair Care (and more), and in editorial spreads. 

Cat Mignano headshot, pro makeup artist
Cat Mignano

Cat is a New York City-based makeup artist who was formally trained at the Make-Up Designory (MUD) in New York City, completing the Multi-Media Program. She has extensive experience in editorial and branded beauty looks. Some of her clients include Bethenny Frankel, Ellen Pompeo, Remi Bader, and Alex Cooper. 

Marisa Petrarca
Freelance Beauty Writer

Marisa Petrarca is a writer and editor based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, specializing in beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle. She previously served as the Senior Beauty and Fashion Editor at Grazia USA and Beauty and Style Editor at Us Weekly. Her expertise spans breaking beauty news, shopping roundups, product reviews, and explainer articles on popular topics in skin, makeup, and aesthetics. Her work has been featured in PS, Cosmopolitan, Allure, NewBeauty, InStyle, and The Zoe Report, among others. Marisa holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Wagner College. Follow her on Instagram @Marisa Petrarca.

With contributions from