13 Best Tinted Moisturizers to Achieve a Natural Glow, According to Experts

Painting on layers of your favorite beauty must-haves for a glammed-out makeup look is fun, but there are times when you want to serve face in a look that's a bit more laid back. With no-makeup makeup taking over TikTok and celebs like Hailey Bieber and Zendaya casually slaying the clean girl aesthetic, now is the perfect time to try out a tinted moisturizer. When you're ready to skip out on long-wear foundations and put your full-coverage concealers back on the shelf, the best tinted moisturizers help conceal blemishes and even out the skin's texture. Plus, they deliver a luminous glow.

How does tinted moisturizer work?

"Tinted moisturizers have a specific dual purpose, almost acting more like skincare versus makeup," Sarah Egan, a celebrity makeup artist, tells Seventeen. Often lightweight in texture, tinted moisturizers, aka skin tints, "have less pigment than foundation and concealer," Egan says, but they can be worn alone or layered on top of other beauty staples to achieve your desired finish.

The MUA, who also works as the makeup department head for Late Night with Seth Meyers, recommends tinted moisturizers because they are paired with "moisturizing skin ingredients." Along with keeping the skin hydrated thanks to nourishing formulas that include properties like squalane and hyaluronic acid, some tinted moisturizers are even enriched with UV ray-blocking SPF, which is a must for daily skin care.

Can tinted moisturizers be used by all skin types?

By now, you probably know the importance of considering your skin type before you snag a new beauty product, and the same is true when it comes to tinted moisturizers. If you have oily or combination skin, Dr. Rachel Westbay, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical, suggests skin tints with oil-free free formulas to prevent clogged pores and possible breakouts. Tinted moisturizers with hydrating ingredients are Dr. Westbay's go-to choice for dry skin to help nourish. If you're experiencing breakouts or have acne-prone skin, Dr. Westbay recommends anti-inflammatory options to help with active blemishes and tinted moisturizers enriched with antioxidants like vitamin C to brighten and improve your skin tone.

What's the difference between tinted moisturizers and BB and CC creams?

There are so many trusted skincare staples that deliver lightweight coverage. Tinted moisturizers are often compared to both BB and CC creams because they act as skincare meets makeup hybrids as well. According to Dr. Westbay, tinted moisturizers provide long-lasting hydrating with very minimal coverage. BB creams "simplify beauty routines" by combining moisturizing, primer, and SPF all in one. BB Creams are sheer, so they can be worn in place of foundation and concealer, Dr. Westbay explains. They are often enriched with ingredients that hydrate as well as SPF. CC creams are created to color correct, moisturize, prime, and work as foundation and concealer. On the other hand, tinted moisturizers deliver a sheerer finish due to their lightweight texture, so Egan recommends using skin tints because they provide a "blurring effect" that conceals blemishes and other imperfections.

Are you ready to join the no-makeup, clean-girl, glass-skin trend that all of your favorite it-girls are wearing atm? Read ahead to find the best tinted moisturizers to help achieve a natural glow.