From foundations to concealer, we're guessing your bathroom cabinet is probably jam-packed with a plethora of makeup products. (Don't worry — ours are, too!). However, if you're looking to achieve a natural facial glow without that thick, cakey feel, skin tints are worth adding to your skin care arsenal.
"A skin tint is a makeup product that provides lightweight, breathable coverage designed to enhance your skin’s natural complexion," explains Dr. Noah Gratch, a board-certified dermatologist.
Along with Gratch, we spoke with Kristin Gunn, a celebrity esthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux Medspa, to learn more about the key ingredients to look for in a skin tint as well as the various benefits associated with them.
As a part of our Shop TODAY Ranked series, our editors scored their favorite skin tints based on key factors, including formula (ingredients and texture), the coverage and complexion results, and how long it lasted throughout the day.
Scroll down to shop the best expert-recommended and editor-tested skin tints from It Cosmetics, Milk Makeup, Ilia and more.
Best for hydration$undefined$38.00
Best overall
Formula: 5/5 | Coverage: 5/5 | Long-wearing: 5/5 Overall Score: 5/5
It Cosmetics’ recent launch became a quick favorite among Shop TODAY editors, even checking off the expert-recommended boxes for ingredients, coverage and complexion.
Editor Shannon Garlin was so impressed, she gave it top rankings across the board. “This formula just glides across and blends seamlessly into your skin,” says Garlin. “Despite being a ‘balm,’ the formula is serum-based, making it lightweight and packed with anti-aging and hydrating ingredients. I found my overall complexion looks radiant, plumper and more even.”
She says it’s now become a part of her daily makeup routine, and especially likes that it layers extremely well with her skin care, sunscreen and concealer, if needed.
Best hydration
Formula: 5/5 | Coverage: 5/5 | Long-wearing: 4/5 | Overall: 4.6/5
Several Shop TODAY editors of different skin types and tones put this beauty award winner, Milk Makeup Hydro Grip, to the test, all of whom gave the skin tint high praise, declaring it the best for hydration. It’s formulated with hyluronic acid, niacinamide and squalane, which the brand says help boost the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture. Plus, each editor who tested this said the shade matching was easy to do.
“It’s the easiest time I’ve had shade matching myself to any tinted makeup online, says editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson. “As for the tint itself, it’s really lightweight and feels like a second skin — perfect for an everyday makeup look. I kept getting compliments on how good my skin looks. It blended in really easy, and I was able to layer other products over it easily as well.”
Best skin care ingredients
Formula: 5/5 | Coverage: 4.25/5 | Long-wearing: 4.5/5 | Best overall: 4.58/5
“The French know what they’re doing when it comes to multipurpose beauty products,” says deputy managing editor Jess Bender. “Not only does this do an effective job as a light coverage skin tint that’s easy to build up, but there’s also the added benefit of vitamin C and squalane for all-day hydration and brightness,” she continues.
“While other skin tints I’ve used offer up a dewier appearance, which could translate as oily, this one provides a soft, satin finish that evens out redness across my complexion,” Bender explains.
Gunn says this is the first skin tint she has ever tried and feels like she has stumbled on a major secret no one knew about yet. “It is definitely a more natural look than some of the others,” she adds.
Best for sun protection
Formula: 4/5 | Coverage: 4/5 | Long-wearing: 5/5 | Overall Score: 4.3/5
Gratch is a big fan of this Ilia skin tint and says it’s a great option for dry skin. “It’s packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane and niacinamide, and it helps blur imperfections. Plus, it offers SPF-40 protection,” he explains. After putting this to the test, commerce writer Emma Stessman says this pick was amazing for her dry skin, dimming dark spots and other imperfections.
Not to mention, we find proper SPF in a skin tint to be rare; that’s why we ranked this the best for sun protection. It also comes in 30 shades, which makes it accessible for a wider range of people.
Best drugstore
Formula: 4/5 | Coverage: 4.5/5 | Long-wearing: 4/5 | Overall score: 4.1/5
A Shop TODAY contributor, PJ Gach, was on the hunt for a skin tint within her budget that wasn’t heavy, would cover her hyperpigmentation and wouldn’t settle into her maturing skin. That’s when she landed on this affordable option from L’Oreal. Formulated with niacinamide and “reflective pearls,” this skin tint provides a glowy, buildable coverage while hydrating the skin.
“The first thing I noticed when I pumped the foundation on my hand was that it didn’t have a discernible scent. Because I have sensitive skin, a fragrance doesn’t work for me. This skin tint has a water base, making it incredibly light on my face,” says Gach in a review article. “I noticed that no matter what type of product I use with it (a powder blush, cream blush, concealer, and other foundation), [the glow tint] plays well with other products. It’s never pilled, slid off, disappeared, or become patchy.”
Garlin also tested this glow tint and said it blended well and complemented her skin tone. “I’m super pale and teeter between a cool and neutral tone, so it’s hard for me to color match ... but I got this glow tint right on the first try,” she says. “The formula was really lightweight and blended in perfectly into my skin, leaving it looking dewy, even and moisturized.”
More skin tints, tested by editors and experts
Gunn loves this hydrating, natural-looking, and super lightweight skin tint. “If you’re into the dewy, minimalist makeup look, this is your jam!” she raves.
“It doesn’t provide a lot of coverage, so if you have rosacea or other skin imperfections, it may not be for you. It does play well with concealer, so that is also an option!” Gunn adds.
Gratch recommends this bestselling Fenty Beauty by Rihanna skin tint. He says it’s a fantastic choice for combination skin due to its ingredients that help keep the skin balanced and hydrated while offering a smooth, blurred finish.
Former commerce editor Amanda Fama recommends this skin tint, which she says is extremely easy to apply with a few swipes. “It has opaque coverage with a seemingly matte finish, and it feels very lightweight on my skin. It doesn’t feel drying, either (and I have very dry skin!),” she shares.
Commerce editor Vivien Moon swears by this tinted serum from Trinny London, so much so that she finished the entire bottle. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this smoothing serum provides little to medium coverage and is designed for normal to dry skin.
What are the benefits of skin tints?
If you prefer a more natural look and don’t like to pile on the makeup, skin tints are the way to go.
Skin tints tend to be less cakey than traditional foundations and offer a myriad of benefits. “Unlike a traditional foundation, which typically offers medium to full coverage and minimizes imperfections, skin tints offer lighter coverage, giving a more natural and radiant finish,” explains Gratch.
“With its serum-like formula, skin tints are hydrating and help keep the skin moisturized, making them ideal for everyday wear,” he adds.
“Skin tints come in many different formulas designed to treat and address the needs of different skin types, offering skin care benefits like hydration, skin brightening, sun protection, and anti-aging, all while providing a lightweight, natural-looking and buildable finish,” says Gratch.
“You ever wanted a real-life filter?” asks Gunn. “Skin tints are it! They are typically sheer and can give the appearance of an even skin tone, give you a little glow, and many even include ingredients for hydration,” she continues.
Key ingredients to look for in skin tints
Just like with your favorite recipes, the ingredients used in your makeup and skin care truly do matter. “The best skin tints are made up of nourishing ingredients that hydrate the skin,” explains Gratch.
“Some of these beneficial ingredients include hyaluronic acid, squalane and niacinamide (to soothe the skin), glycerin (to draw in moisture) and zinc oxide (for broad-spectrum SPF),” he recommends.
Gunn adds that when it comes to skin tints, you can’t get enough nourishing ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins (specifically vitamin C for combating free radicals) and hydration.
Frequently asked questions
The short answer is no. "Skin tints alone are not designed to treat acne, however some formulas contain soothing ingredients, like salicylic acid and niacinamide, which can help reduce inflammation in the skin," Gratch explains.
"Although skin tints can contain moisturizing ingredients, they should not be used as a replacement for a moisturizer," explains Gratch. He says it is recommended to apply a nourishing moisturizer before applying a skin tint to help keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
Gratch recommends looking for a non-comedogenic formula to prevent clogging pores when selecting a skin tint. "Plus, always be sure to remove makeup thoroughly at the end of the day for best results," he adds.
"Yes, many skin tints contain SPF, however the level of protection may not be enough for all-day sun exposure," suggests Gratch. "To ensure full protection, it’s best to apply sunscreen underneath your skin tint," he recommends.
How we chose the best skin tints
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best skin tints by enlisting the products of a board-certified dermatologist, as well as a celebrity esthetician and skin care expert. Based on these recommendations, we asked our editors to rank their tried-and-true favorite skin tints, too.
We made sure to wear each skin tint consistently for a week, making sure to wear them for a full day to test for longevity and coverage. Each foundation is one that we’ve used previously and appreciate for various reasons. To make sure the testing was fair, we had each editor rank their specific skin tint, and then organize and choose the superlatives based on the experience and overall score.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Noah Gratch, MD is a board-certified dermatologist serving patients from throughout Manhattan, Commack and Plainview, NY at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
- Kristin Gunn is a celebrity esthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux Medspa.
Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil
Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil