Tester feedback: For contributing editor Deanna Pai, who’s in her mid-30s and has combination skin, the formula leaves her skin dewy. “I’ll just say it: It smells like canola oil, but these Complexion Drops really don’t leave my skin looking shiny,” she says. “I found the texture a little slimy at first, but it gives my skin minimal (yet radiant) coverage that looks like I just got back from the beach.”
Key ingredients: squalane, Tsubaki oil, ginseng extract | Shades: 20 |
Fragrance-free: yes.
Best With SPF: Beauty Pie Luminous Mineral Skin Tint SPF 40
Luminous Mineral Skin Tint SPF 40
Why it’s worth it: Want moisture with a side of sun protection? Slather on this mineral-based tinted sunscreen from Beauty Pie. The Luminous Mineral Skin Tint SPF 40 guards skin against UV-related damage, while the cocktail of antioxidant-rich ingredients (microalgae, argan oil, and more) and hyaluronic acid plump and brighten skin both immediately and in the long run. “This is one of my absolute favourite tinted moisturisers right now, especially for mature skin,” says New York City-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli. Though this tinted moisturiser contains a surplus of nourishing ingredients, Beauty Pie recommends applying your usual daily moisturiser before the Luminous Mineral Skin Tint to keep creasing to a minimum.
Key ingredients: zinc oxide (10.25%), argan oil, hyaluronic acid, microalgae extract, squalane, polyglutamic acid, vitamin E, polyphenols, phospholipids, lactic acid, jojoba esters, hydrogenated lecithin, bisabolol, yacon root juice | Shades: 8 |
Fragrance-free: yes.
Tester feedback: “I love that this mineral-based tinted sunscreen gives me both moisture and sun protection in one step,” says Mayola. My skin feels plump, bright, and nourished thanks to the antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, and it’s perfect for keeping my makeup smooth all day.”
Best Buildable Coverage: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30
Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
Why it’s worth it: To make quick work of dark spots (which can take months to fade on their own), a two-part, repair-and-prevention approach is key. Therein is the magic of the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser. Vitamin C slows down the pigment-production process, while broad-spectrum SPF 30 prevents UV light from undoing that hard work. The coverage may be light upon first application, but its formula can be seamlessly layered when you want to conceal discolouration (age spots, who?). New York City-based makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci has told us she’s a fan, noting it’s ideal for applying with fingers as “it’s super sheer and easy to blend,” she said. “Or you can tap it on with a sponge to build subtle coverage.”
Key ingredients: titanium dioxide (6.25%), vitamin C | Shades: 16 |
Fragrance-free: no.
Save when you shop for the best tinted moisturisers with buildable coverage when you use our exclusive LookFantastic promo codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tinted moisturiser?
A tinted moisturizer is exactly what it sounds like: a tinted cream, gel, or lotion. Tinted moisturizers focus on moisture replenishment and have a light tint to address blemishes and discoloration (albeit in a much more sheer fashion than your usual foundation, since they’re usually day creams first and complexion coverage second).
They complement a wide range of skin tones, and their light, buildable tints tend to be more flexible than full-coverage foundations, which is why the ranges are often smaller than fuller-coverage formulas.
Tinted moisturisers have a more lightweight feel than foundations, so they’re usually comfortable and won’t crease throughout the day. Regardless of age, they’re the perfect addition to both your makeup and skin-care routines if you prefer lighter, barely-there coverage and don’t even want to think about applying primer.
Why is tinted moisturiser good for mature skin?
While the best moisturiser for your skin will depend on your baseline skin type and individual concerns, some qualities matter more than others when you’re in your 40s and beyond. “I generally choose tinted sunscreens with easy-to-blend textures and buildable coverage for mature skin,” says New York City-based makeup artist Suzy Gerstein. This way, there is ample coverage to conceal, say, dark spots, but the blendable textures keep the makeup from settling into fine lines and wrinkles.
What’s the difference between a tinted moisturiser, BB cream, and CC cream?
According to Scibelli, tinted moisturisers tend to have a sheerer tint and texture than BB creams, a.k.a. beauty balms. “Tinted moisturisers typically feature a sheer blend of a hydrating cream with a tint of complexion coverage, and depending on the product, some offer SPF,” he explains. The name of this category simply says it all: they’re just facial moisturisers with a tint.
Meanwhile, CC cream stands for a colour-correcting cream containing pigments that neutralise discolouration like dark spots, whereas a tinted moisturiser doesn’t necessarily colour-correct. “A CC cream will help address redness, hyperpigmentation (dark spots), sun spots, and uneven skin tone, while also containing moisturising ingredients and oftentimes SPF,” Scibelli adds. CC cream can also be just that — a cream — whereas tinted moisturisers tend to have a lighter texture.
How to apply tinted moisturiser to mature skin
For the most natural finish, “I like to warm my palms together and press them onto the face a couple of times,” says Gerstein. “This helps melt the product into the skin so that it becomes one with it.” Scibelli adds that you can use your opposite hand as a palette to grab and layer product if you’re not sure how much to apply. “If you have areas that may need additional coverage, you can go back in and layer a bit more of your tinted moisturiser onto those areas,” he says. “I like to use a brush with fluffier bristles so there’s no streaking and it goes on evenly.”
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best tinted moisturizers for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, we want to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
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