

I’ve all the time been skeptical of any tinted magnificence purchase. The sub-par endurance and orange-y hues steered me away from the place they sat on the Sephora cabinets. As an alternative, I plastered on layers of basis and concealer in hopes I’d get the identical, lit-from-within glow tinted merchandise promised. Now, years later with a whole bunch of magnificence merchandise examined underneath my editor belt, I’m a proponent of make-up that doubles as skincare. (The most effective sunscreens are solely step one right into a world of beauty-centric suncare.) Not solely that, however as a result of I search to curate a easy and succinct routine, I’ve discovered myself experimenting with the perfect tinted sunscreen. And readers, I like the outcomes.
Tinted sunscreens have developed. In 2023, count on multitasking merchandise worthy of your hard-working summer season skincare routine. The most effective tinted sunscreen for you affords light-weight summer season protection whereas prioritizing personalised solar safety. And as tinted sunscreens grow to be extra well-liked, manufacturers wish to differentiate themselves. Whether or not you favor a delicate glow, concealer-like protection, or serum-like pores and skin tints—the perfect tinted sunscreen delivers.
Featured picture from our interview with Nitsa Citrine by Clare Huntsberger.
The Finest Tinted Sunscreen, In line with Magnificence Specialists
However how have you learnt in case your tinted sunscreen is offering sufficient solar safety? And are any of those 2-in-1 merchandise too good to be true? For solutions on what to search for as you store tinted sunscreens, I spoke all issues SPF with Scottsdale-based SkinSpirit Aesthetician and pores and skin most cancers survivor Kaylee Esplin. She encourages everybody to “store well,” and warns that “tinted sunscreen and make-up merchandise with SPF usually are not the identical factor!”
I additionally tapped Rose-Marie Swift, make-up professional and founding father of the beloved RMS Magnificence for her recommendations on discovering your finest method. “I’ve by no means discovered an SPF that I truly like, not to mention love. Easy as that. From the unacceptable elements to the lack to layer with make-up and that ghoulish white solid, by no means have I liked an SPF… till now.” After creating the RMS SuperNatural Radiance Serum SPF 30, Swift desires everybody to be obsessive about their sunscreen. And a tinted product could be the way in which to go.
Collectively, the 2 specialists supplied full-spectrum protection (pun supposed) on the right way to discover a tinted sunscreen that doubles down on solar safety and pores and skin protection—whereas, after all, retaining your look flawless.

What’s tinted sunscreen?
Tinted sunscreen is an antidote to the dreaded white solid fake pas. Whereas it affords the identical safety as common sunscreen, tinted formulations are pigmented to stop any white residue. From sheer tints to makeup-like protection, tinted sunscreens come in several levels of pigments to suit your desire.
What to Search for within the Finest Tinted Sunscreen
“Test the ingredient listing to keep away from potential irritants or allergens if in case you have delicate pores and skin,” says Esplin. “Additionally, contemplate the feel, non-comedogenicity (if in case you have acne-prone pores and skin), and any extra advantages like moisturization or antioxidant properties primarily based in your pores and skin’s wants.”
As for its SPF properties, Esplin recommends in search of:
- Bodily blockers. Search for sunscreens that comprise zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as they supply efficient mineral safety and are typically well-tolerated by most pores and skin sorts.
- Broad-spectrum safety. You desire a sunscreen that gives safety towards each UVA and UVB rays (that is sometimes indicated on the label).
- SPF worth. Select a sunscreen with a Solar Safety Issue (SPF) of 30 or larger to make sure ample safety.
Swift seems to be for mineral (aka bodily) sunscreen over chemical sunscreen. The tint helps stop the white solid that typically comes with mineral formulation.
Often, zinc oxide is the primary ingredient in clear mineral sunscreens. “Zinc oxide not often causes irritation on the pores and skin, so it may be used on any pores and skin kind—even on these with delicate pores and skin,” says Rose-Marie. She recommends in search of non-nano zinc oxide. “Nano refers to nanometers. Nanoparticles are smaller than 100nm. It means the mineral zinc oxide is bigger than 100nm and subsequently received’t penetrate your pores and skin.” Consequently, the zinc oxide creates a bodily defend towards the solar with out irritating or clogging pores.
In line with Swifft, different particular elements to search for embody:
- Iron oxides and rose geranium extract present blue gentle safety.
- Mica displays blue gentle.

Ideas for Making use of Tinted Sunscreen
Swift recommends what she calls the two-finger technique. “Squeeze one line of sunscreen onto your index finger from the bottom of the tip. Do the identical in your center finger and apply throughout,” she advises. “This measurement will guarantee sufficient product for ample SPF protection. Therapeutic massage it into the face and neck as you’ll a moisturizer. And remember to reapply each two hours.”
“Don’t neglect to guard your lips!” Esplin provides. “My first diagnoses was in 2016, a Basal Cell Carcinoma positioned on the cupid’s bow portion of my higher lip—an space that most individuals neglect to guard. It’s necessary to do not forget that even our lips are prone to solar injury and most cancers! And the effectiveness of any sunscreen, tinted or not, additionally is determined by correct software, utilizing the really helpful quantity, and reapplying each two hours or extra steadily if sweating or swimming.”
Do you have to put on common sunscreen beneath tinted sunscreen?
In line with Esplin, tinted sunscreen might be simply nearly as good as every other SPFs. “So long as your tinted sunscreen supplies broad-spectrum safety towards each UVA and UVB rays and has an acceptable solar safety issue (SPF of at the very least 30), it may be as protected and efficient as common sunscreen.”
“A sunscreen with SPF 30 will defend you from round 97% of UVB rays, whereas an SPF of fifty means safety from about 98% of UVB rays,” says Swift. “Something past SPF 50 makes little or no distinction when it comes to danger of solar injury, and no sunscreens provide 100% safety from UVB rays. So we really feel 30 SPF is ample.”
The Finest Tinted Sunscreens
Each product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll all the time give an sincere opinion, whether or not gifted or bought ourselves. For those who purchase one thing by our hyperlinks, we might earn a small fee for free of charge to you.

When in search of a tinted sunscreen, my precedence is discovering one thing that hides hyperpigmentation whereas nonetheless staying light-weight. With such an incredible vary of shades, I used to be wowed by how seamlessly it blended into my pores and skin and supplied a filter-like look.
- SPF: 30
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: 17 shades
- Key Elements: Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, Prickly Pear, Aloe Vera

The less merchandise, the higher—particularly within the solar. This serum is my go-to for an informal day trip. The light-weight texture means it spreads actually simply for breathable protection. It’s nice for summer season as a result of niacinamide reduces shine, making it a game-changer for greasy and mixture pores and skin.
- SPF: 40
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: 3 tones
- Key Elements: Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

Although this line solely has three shades, its blurring method means the colour matches surprisingly nicely. In the beginning of the summer season, I combined two shades collectively to get the proper match. Now, in mid-summer, my pores and skin is nearer to the Wealthy shade. Regardless of the tone, I like the delicate glow this offers me. No want for a highlighter.
- SPF: 30
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: 3 shades
- Key Elements: Zinc Oxide, Iron oxides, Mica, Rose Geranium Extract

- SPF: 44
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: One shade
- Key Elements: Zinc oxide, Titanium dioxide, Hyaluronic acid, Antioxidants
- SPF: 50
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: 15
- Key Elements: Non-nano Zinc Oxide, Apple Extract, Irish Moss, Crimson Seaweed Extract
- SPF: 30
- Kind: Mineral
- Shade vary: One shade
- Key Elements: Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide
- SPF: 50
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: One shade solely
- Key Elements: Titanium Dioxide, Senna Alata, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
- SPF: 50
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: 3 shades
- Key Elements: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Kakadu Plum, Eucalyptus, Crimson Algae
- SPF: 36
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: One shade solely
- Key Elements: Zinc Oxide, Phytoene, Phytofluene, Ectoin
- SPF: 30
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: 4 shades
- Key Elements: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E
- SPF: 50
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: One shade solely
- Key Elements: Balm mint, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
- SPF: 30
- Kind: Mineral Sunscreen
- Shade vary: One shade solely
- Key Elements: Sunflower Extract, Rosemary Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide