15 Best Tinted Sunscreens for Skin That’s as Clear as Day
We dare you to swap your daily complexion-evening base with one of the best tinted sunscreens on the market. These magical little base products are lightweight, excellent for evening skin tone, and are especially ideal for touching up throughout the day. (Every two hours, remember?) Now, upgrade your sun protection routine by applying one of the best tinted sunscreens that protect against harsh UV rays, correct skin tone, and then some.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 44, $47
- Best Sheer Coverage: Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50, $44
- Best Coverage: Live Tinted Hueguard Tint Skin Tint SPF 50, $42
- Best CC Cream: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 50, $47
- Best SPF Serum: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, $48
Frequently Asked Questions
- How to find the best tinted sunscreen shade for my skin tone
- How to apply tinted sunscreen
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: EltaMD UV Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Why It's Worth It: EltaMD has been impressing editors for as long as it's been making sunscreen, and its UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 is no exception. It has one of the most comfortably moisturizing formulas, thanks to the addition of hyaluronic acid. It also has a universally tone-evening tint and lightweight feel on skin that's so pleasant to wear, you'll forget you're also getting the benefits of a water-resistant, antioxidant-rich mineral sunscreen.
Tester Feedback: “I'm all about anything that will give me a glowy complexion. This formula not only over-achieves in that but does it while protecting my skin. I mean, a girl really can't ask for much more,” says market editor Angela Trakoshis.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C | Who It's For: Dull, dehydrated skin
Best Sheer Coverage: Supergoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF50
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Why It's Worth It: Picking our favorite out of all Supergoop SPFs is a near-impossible tasks, but when it comes to the brand's tinted options, Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay says the Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF50 is her go-to for its second-skin look and feel. "The formula is lightweight, the shade match is near perfect, and it did a decent job of covering up my dark spots," she says.
Tester Feedback: Blay gives this formula bonus points for its non-greasy finish. "As an oily skin girly, I didn't even have to set it with powder, but if you like a matte finish you may find this a bit too dewy," she says.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ectoin, zinc oxide | Who It's For: All skin types
Best Coverage: Live Tinted Hueguard Tint Skin Tint SPF 50
Why It's Worth It: Few mineral sunscreens have passed Allure commerce editor Sarah Han's testing process, so the fact that she uses Live Tinted’s Hueguard Tint all the time is a big deal. "I’ve been on a light-coverage base/skin tint kick for quite some time now and Hueguard Tint totally fits the bill — Shade 9 gives me an incredible glow that makes me look so much more alive over Zoom (and IRL, of course) but the formula doesn’t feel greasy or the least bit heavy on my combination skin," she says.
Tester Feedback: Han recommends wetting a beauty sponge to add extra coverage to smaller areas of concern, including your hairline and around your nose.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, sea buckthorn oil, Indian gooseberry, zinc oxide | Who It's For: All skin types
Best SPF Serum: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Why It's Worth It: Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 gets a lot of love from us for a multitude of reasons. In addition to offering light coverage in 30 actually diverse shades — pretty major for a tinted sunscreen — its nearly weightless serum format makes it truly unique. Although it feels like you're wearing nothing (and looks like you're wearing a perfect complexion), it's actually introducing moisture-boosting, calming ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide into the skin, topped off with mineral sun filters.
Tester Feedback: Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen says her hands "automatically gravitate" to this tinted serum "when I can't be bothered to do skin care or makeup (aka very frequently)." "Putting the word 'serum' in the name wasn't a lie; this stuff oozes, goozes, and slathers just like a thick, somewhat oily serum — and that's exactly what lends itself as a seconds-long, rub-in application and instantly hydrating effect," she says.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, squalane, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: Normal and dry skin types
Best Matte Finish: MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30
Why It's Worth It: When it comes to tinted sunscreens, Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein always reaches for MDSolarSciences's Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30. "Its tint is basically an exact replica of my light-medium skin tone and its medium-coverage formula conceals my rosacea flare-ups — I don't even need foundation after putting this glowy sunscreen on," she says.
Editor Tip: This formula is spiked with antioxidant-rich vitamin C (an ultra-stable form called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) to guard skin against free radical damage, replenish moisture, and reduce the look of hyperpigmentation.
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, vitamin C, green tea extract, pomegranate, cranberry | Who It's For: All skin types, including sensitive
More tinted sunscreens we love:
Best Dewy Finish: BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
Why It's Worth It: The BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 is a triple Allure Best of Beauty Award-winner and it's nabbed two Readers' Choice Awards, too. So when we tell you this lightweight base is worth every penny, we mean it. The 20-shade range alone raises the bar for other tinted moisturizers and sunscreens on the market, but its dew-enhancing formula is just as impressive.
Editor Tip: Like many skin-hydrating products, this nourishing formula contains hyaluronic acid to plump and soften skin and squalane to retain moisture, which is one of the many keys to preventing and reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, hyaluronic acid, squalane | Who It's For: Mature, dry, normal, and combination skin
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50
Why It's Worth It: Yes, mineral SPF products get a bad rap for creating a white cast, but La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50 will convince you otherwise. This oil- and fragrance-free formula was made especially for easily irritated complexions, but oily skin types will love it just as much for its matte finish.
Editor Tip: As for its skin-protecting benefits, this beloved tinted sunscreen guards against UVA and UVB rays with 100 percent mineral-based titanium dioxide, so it's also reef-safe.
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, vitamin E, thermal spring water, dimethicone | Who It's For: All skin types, sensitive skin
Best for Mature Skin: Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
Why It's Worth It: The beauty of Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen is that it's crafted to prevent photoaging, also known as the signs of aging UV rays can leave behind (CC: sun spots and wrinkles). This mineral-based SPF is enriched with firming peptides and tone-evening antioxidants that not only prevent damage but improve the look of current dark marks and fine lines.
Editor Tip: Though its tint comes out beige, its formula is completely transparent on all skin tones and blends in as you rub its formula onto your face.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, antioxidants (derived from plankton extract), zinc oxide | Who It's For: Maturing skin, sensitive skin
Best With Makeup: UnSun Cosmetics Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 30
Why It's Worth It: UnSun Cosmetics' Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 30 is well-known for its blendable, second-skin shades, but our editors love this sunscreen's ability to play well with makeup. Sure, you can use it as a buildable, medium-coverage skin tint and call it a day, but its formula is formulated to also act as a makeup primer, so feel free to enhance your glam with your go-to foundation, blush, and contour essentials.
Editor Tip: Unlike most mattifying options available, this formula has more of a natural, second-skin finish, so dry and oily skin types will equally enjoy it.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, beet root extract | Who It's For: All skin types
Best CC Cream: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Natural Matte Cream
Why It's Worth It: Though it's technically a CC cream the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Natural Matte Cream wears more as a buildable, medium-to-full foundation. This cream acts as a three-in-one foundation, serum, and UV protectant. Though it has a matte finish, this formula won't dry out your skin as you wear it, thanks to hydrating hyaluronic acid.
Tester Feedback: If matte isn't your thing, we recommend trying a dewier formula, like IT Cosmetics' CC+ Nude Glow SPF 40.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: Normal-to-oily skin
Best Buildable Coverage: Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
Why It's Worth It: The beauty of Tower 28's SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation is that it's equal parts makeup and sunscreen. Our editors fell in love with Tower 28's first complexion product the moment it launched for its lightweight, barely-there feel on skin and natural, sheer-to-medium finish. It also gets judos from our team for its ability to tone down the look of redness, which is all thanks to an antioxidant-rich blend of white sage and prickly pear extracts.
Editor Tip: Like most makeup and skin-care products from Tower 28, this formula received the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance for its gentle, irritant-free formulation.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, white sage extract, prickly pear extract | Who It's For: All skin types
Best for Dry Skin: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Sheer Tint
Why It's Worth It: Dryness can appear at any time of the year, but that's no issue for CeraVe's Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Sheer Tint. Ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide ensure that your skin stays supple and smooth without a greasy feel. This lightly tinted formula has a dewy, radiance-boosting finish that'll leave your skin glowing even after you've washed it off.
Editor Tip: This mineral-based formula is oil- and fragrance-free, so sensitive skin types can feel free to try it.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Who It's For: Dry skin, sensitive skin
Best Radiance Booster: SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
Why It's Worth It: If you're an avid Allure reader, you're probably well aware that our editors have a love affair with anything from SkinCeuticals, including the Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50. This mineral-based broad spectrum sunscreen has a subtle universal tint to make white casts and ashy finishes a thing of the past.
Editor Tip: Along with its easy-to-blend hue, this lightweight sunscreen lotion also contains artemia salina, an antioxidant-rich extract derived from plankton to minimize environmental stressors. On top of antioxidants' ability to neutralize skin-damaging free radicals, they're also known for their complexion-brightening properties.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, artemia salina | Who It's For: All skin types
TikTok-Favorite: Colorescience Face Shield Flex SPF 50
Why It's Worth It: Mineral-based sunscreens are everywhere now, but the Colorescience Face Shield Flex SPF 50 is the crème de la crème of zinc and iron oxide-based formulations, which is why it had such a moment on TikTok. As its broad-spectrum SPF 50 formula keeps sun damage and blue light-related concerns at bay, its sheer pigments blur the look of blemishes and discoloration without a white cast or ashy finish.
Editor Tip: As a special treat for your skin, Colorescience also spiked this sunscreen with antioxidant vitamin E for its skin-softening, tone-evening properties.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, iron oxide, | Who It's For: Anyone who wants buildable, medium-to-full complexion coverage, even sensitive skin types.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to find the best tinted sunscreen shade for my skin tone
As much as we love these glow-inducing formulas, the biggest caveat when it comes to tinted sunscreens is the lack of inclusive colors currently available, with most being optimal for light-to-medium skin tones. That said, there are several brands that are getting it right and checking all the boxes in terms of protection, skin-perfecting, and shade range, so we're really hoping others do the smart thing and follow suit soon. To find the best tinted sunscreens across all shade ranges, our diverse team of editors put the most popular formulas currently on the market to the test, and the above ranked high on our list of go-tos.
Like shades, tinted sunscreens also come in several different formulas (liquid, cream, powder) and finishes (dewy, matte, satin), and feature sheer-, medium-, and full-coverage formulas to choose from. So whether you're looking for a fabulous all-in-one product to knock out a few products in your skincare routine, or just want to double up on your SPF, tinted sunscreens are the answer.
You should also know that there are options in SPF 15 (which is below the American Academy of Dermatology's broad-spectrum SPF rating recommendation) up to broad-spectrum SPF 50, plus they come in mineral, chemical, and hybrid formulas to test. Speaking of the former, mineral-based formulas are more likely to create a white cast, especially on those with darker skin tones, says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD. "[Mineral sunscreens] typically contain ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide which create a white cast on the skin," she says. Dr. Green adds that the white cast is an indication that the sunscreen is working and is creating a physical barrier on your skin, albeit a very unflattering one. That's where tinted SPF formulas come in. They provide all the broad-spectrum protection you need to protect against UV rays without a white, ashy finish.
How to apply tinted sunscreen
Like any sunscreen you wear, we recommend applying AAD's recommended amount of one ounce on your entire body—remember, every inch of your skin is susceptible to the damaging effects of UV rays. With that being said, we assume you'll apply your tinted sunscreen only to your face (but they can be used anywhere!), so if that's the case, New York-based board-certified dermatologist Carmen Castilla, MD, previously told Allure to follow the "two-finger method." Simply dispense sunscreen along the length of your pointer and middle fingers, and this amount is derm-approved to ensure your face and neck have a proper layer of UV protection. "There really is no harm in applying extra sunscreen, so if you are unsure that you are adequately protected, just apply some more," she said.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing every product that’s included in the review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best tinted sunscreens, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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, Allure wants 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.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
