The 16 Best Tinted Sunscreens for UV Protection With Natural Coverage for Flawless-Looking Skin
Wearing sunscreen is a non-negotiable skin care option, but what if you want to double down on your sun protection while adding some coverage, too? If layering sunscreen under makeup makes for an extra step on busy days, try tinted sunscreen. This super popular skincare-meets-makeup product acts like a skin tint (some give more coverage than others) with the full protection of a standard sunscreen, making this single product all you need. With their weightless, natural finish, below, our roundup of the best tinted sunscreens allows you to reap the benefits of SPF while forgoing heavy face makeup—a win-win!
What is Tinted Sunscreen?
Tinted sunscreens are pigmented SPFs that offer the benefit of lightweight makeup to provide coverage to the skin. Unlike other types of sunscreens that can leave behind a white cast, the colored pigment in tinted sunscreens allows the formula to seamlessly blend in with the skin’s tone for a natural finish. Heavier than a tinted moisturizer, tinted sunscreens offer the added benefit of full sun protection. That means that when wearing one, there’s zero compromise of sun protection. While some versions offer the added benefit of hydration or incorporate anti-aging ingredients, their finishes also range from dewy to more matte.
What to Look for in Tinted Sunscreens?
Choosing the right tinted sunscreen for you is a personal choice, but there are a few important factors to consider so you can rest assured that the product provides ample protection.
SPF: Tinted sunscreens use the same SPF levels as traditional sunscreens, so like them, make sure yours has at least SPF 30 to block out most UV rays. Skin Type. Since some sunscreens may not be a good fit for some skin types, it’s important to use one that works for your skin—not against it. For example, if your skin is oily or acne-prone, look for a non-comedogenic formula, and if your skin is dry, layer on one that contains hyaluronic acid or glycerin for a moisturizing effect. A Skin-Tone-Flattering Shade: Some tinted sunscreens are universal in color, while others, like makeup, come in a variety of different shades. Swatch a few shades to find one that flatters your skin tone for a natural look. The Coverage Factors: Like foundation and concealer, tinted sunscreen provides coverage ranging from sheer to full.
Shop the Best Tinted Sunscreens
1. Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40
9 reviews
$38.00
This superglowy lightweight tinted sunscreen provides ample sun protection while doubling as a makeup primer. Thanks to hyaluronic acid, it is perfect for adding a dose of long-lasting hydration. Skin emerges with a gorgeous sun-kissed glow that will have everyone asking you what highlighter you are wearing.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, cocoa peptides
Skin Type: Dry, Combination, Normal
SPF: 40
Related Article: 7 Best Supergoop! Sunscreens—And How to Pick The Right One
2. Suntegrity Skincare Impeccable Skin Sunscreen Foundation
$58.00
With multiple shades, this 3-in-1 sunscreen serves the purpose of a sunscreen, makeup, and skincare product. Offering medium coverage that nourishes and protects the skin, the formula is free of silicones and oils for a smooth, even finish, making it perfect for everyday use.
Key Ingredients: Vitamins, peptides, antioxidants, zinc oxide
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 30
3. Eminence Organics Skin Care Daily Defense Tinted SPF 50
2 reviews
$64.00
We love this tinted sunscreen for its lightweight yet natural finish that never clogs the pores or leaves skin looking or feeling greasy. The all-mineral formula is enriched with antioxidants for full-spectrum sun and blue light protection with the added benefit of long-lasting hydration.
Key Ingredients: Rosemary extract, prickly pear seed oil, rice bran extract, jojoba seed oil, aloe leaf juice, zinc oxide
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 50
4. Agent Nateur Holi Sun SPF 50 Dewy Tinted Skin Drops
1 reviews
$58.00
These non-nano zinc oxide-powered sunscreen drops block out up to 98% of UVA and UVB rays. Perfect for adding a hint of coverage to the skin with a lit-from-within glow, the skin-tone-improving sunscreen improves the skin’s appearance with a thin layer so that it looks healthy and dewy.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, vitamins B3 and E, squalene, omega 9, rice bran extract, bisabolol, rosemary leaf extract, green tea leaf extract, niacinamide, allantoin
Skin Type: Dry
SPF: 50
5. Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15
4 reviews
$72.00
This ultra-luxe makeup-meets-skincare formula keeps your skin moisturized while reaping the benefits of skin-smoothing botanical actives. While its fresh and dewy finish is a major plus, we also like that the easy-to-apply tinted sunscreen improves hydration levels in one hour while simultaneously refining the pores and overall complexion.
Key Ingredients: Polysaccharides, titanium dioxide, glycerin, rose flower water
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 15
6. Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
82 reviews
$54.00
The tinted sunscreen that started it all, this medium-coverage formula, evens out the skin tone for a flawless look. Packed with antioxidants and hydrators, this skin tone adapting formula protects against pollution damage, blue light, infrared radiation, and UVA and UVB rays while nourishing the skin to improve its overall health.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, iron oxides, niacinamide, Lipochroman, bisabolol, silver ear mushroom
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 50
7. Epionce Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50
132 reviews
$42.00
Perfect for even the most sensitive skin types, this water-resistant sunscreen is enhanced with botanical ingredients for a dose of antioxidant benefits while imparting a healthy glow. Thanks to its sheer coverage that lets the skin show through, this sunscreen works well on its own or layered under your favorite makeup.
Key Ingredients: Sunflower, Argan oil, rosemary extract, apple fruit extract, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 50
8. ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
12 reviews
$78.00
If you like an ultralight sunscreen with a hint of added coverage, this one is for you. With its fast dry down and unique blend of skin-friendly ingredients, this 100% mineral sunscreen works to repair signs of sun damage while reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, antioxidants, DNA Reparisomes
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 50
9. Revision Skincare Intellishade Original
101 reviews
$86.00
More than your average tinted sunscreen, this 5-in-1 version corrects, protects, conceals, brightens, and hydrates the skin to improve signs of aging while enhancing its moisture content. It also works hard to eliminate any redness from the skin while restoring a youthful radiance to it. Consider this one a miracle worker!
Key Ingredients: Peptide, vitamin C, white birch extract, yeast extract, plankton extract, coenzyme Q10, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 45
10. MD Solarsciences Mineral SPF 30 Tinted Crème
8 reviews
$35.00
This mineral-tinted sunscreen blends into all skin tones and types and leaves no heavy residue or white cast behind. Instead, the smooth, matte finish blurs away imperfections for flawless, well-protected skin with a filter-like finish.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, green tea, cranberry fruit, pomegranate extract
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 30
11. SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 32 Tinted
153 reviews
$40.00
Safeguard your skin from the sun and its damaging effects with this lightly tinted sunscreen formula, which offers the highest UVA protection. The mineral ingredients are gentle on the skin and never clog the pores or cause irritation or redness, a major plus for sunscreen.
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 30
12. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Light Fluid SPF 50
With four shades to choose from, this tinted mineral sunscreen gives the skin a subtle yet extremely buildable and blendable tint for a healthy glow and smooth base. Powered by Cell-Ox Shield Technology for powerful sun and free radical damage protection, this dermatologist-tested sunscreen is suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.
Key Ingredients: Cell-Ox B3 shield technology, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, zinc oxide, vitamin E
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 50
Related Article: An Unfiltered Review of La Roche-Posay Sunscreens, Tested and Approved By Our Beauty Editor
13. EltaMD UV Restore Tinted Broad Spectrum Facial Sunscreen SPF 40
6 reviews
$48.00
This physical sunscreen improves the look of sun-damaged skin while restoring moisture and suppleness. Thanks to a unique blend of ginger root extract and saccharide isomerate, which promotes a healthier-looking complexion and smoother skin, the lightly tinted sunscreen defends the skin from UV rays and infrared radiation.
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, ginger root, saccharide isomerate, vitamins C and E, squalane
Skin Type: Combination, Dry
SPF: 40
14. Vichy Capital Soleil Tinted Mineral Sunscreen for Face SPF 60
2 reviews
$34.99
Pretty packaging aside, this 100-percent mineral sunscreen gives the skin the most beautiful glow and natural tint in a lightweight formula. Perfect for sensitive skin, the fragrance-free formula is clinically proven to help strengthen the skin’s barrier and limit damage when exposed to UV rays and pollution.
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, thermal spring water
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 60
15. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer Mineral SPF 30
$39.00
The moisturizer meets skin tint meets sunscreen is the one to reach for daily if a healthy glow and dewy skin sits high on your beauty wish list. Loaded with hyaluronic acid for long-lasting hydration, the sheer-to-light coverage formula works to even out the skin’s tone and blur imperfections all while perfectly protecting it from the sun’s harsh rays.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, titanium dioxide
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 30
16. RMS Beauty Supernatural Radiance Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Treat your skin to this daily sunscreen serum, featuring skin-tone correcting pigments to boost the skin’s appearance while improving imperfections. Boasting a subtle tint and a hint of illumination, the complexion perfector works immediately over the long term to smooth the skin and boost its radiance for a glow like no other.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, peptides, niacinamide, pea extract
Skin Type: All skin types
SPF: 30
FAQs
Is it Okay to Use Tinted Sunscreen Every Day?
It’s perfectly fine to use tinted sunscreen every day. Just like traditional sunscreen, the key to reaping an SPF’s benefits is consistent use. So, whether you lean towards a tinted sunscreen or prefer a white one, the goal is to shield the skin from photodamage.
Which is Better, Tinted Sunscreen or Tinted Moisturizer?
Tinted sunscreens typically offer more skin benefits than tinted moisturizers. While some tinted moisturizers also contain SPF, not every one does, which requires the addition of a separate sunscreen. Unlike tinted moisturizers, tinted sunscreens also offer protection against blue light and high-energy visible light thanks to the iron oxides and pigments—a major advantage. Many of today’s modern tinted sunscreens are formulated with hydrating ingredients so your skin can reap the benefits of all a tinted sunscreen offers.
Do Dermatologists Recommend Tinted Sunscreen?
Absolutely! Dermatologists prefer their patients to use some form of sunscreen versus nothing at all. Your skin is well protected as long as your tinted sunscreen contains at least SPF 30, the minimum recommended amount for daily use.
The Bottom Line
Navigating the world of sunscreens is tricky, and the addition of trendy tinted sunscreens doesn’t make it any easier. Our picks of the best tinted sunscreens protect the skin from damaging UV rays while offering a wash of color and added skin benefits to help hydrate, firm, and enhance the skin’s radiance. However, the most significant advantage of using a tinted sunscreen over a regular one is that there’s no white cast left behind, and many replace the need for wearing additional face makeup, making them a time and money saver in the long run.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com
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