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11 Drugstore Tinted Moisturizers That Won’t Break the Bank
I got my flawless face on sale.
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The next time you’re perusing the aisles of your local CVS, consider picking up a tinted moisturizer (or two). Particularly during the summer months when the sun has the tendency to melt off half your makeup by the end of the day, swapping in a lightweight, hydrating skin perfector instead of your favorite foundation can make a huge difference. The best part is, so many tinted moisturizers also come with a slew of other skin care benefits, like hyaluronic acid and sun protection, so your skin looks fantastic even after you wash your face at the end of the day. “The benefits of a tinted moisturizer are a more hydrated and second-skin makeup look. Most foundations provide coverage, but minimal skin care. Tinted moisturizers have skin care benefits along with a natural but buildable coverage,” says makeup artist Erica Taylor.
Shop our favorite drugstore tinted moisturizers
And while we aren’t afraid to shell out some cash on our favorite luxury perfumes, drugstore aisles are packed with some of the best tinted moisturizers on the market. Here, shop our picks for the best drugstore tinted moisturizers that won’t break the bank.
L’Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
L’Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
Pros
- Contains skin care ingredients
Cons
- Bottle can become messy quickly
If you’re looking for a lightweight, skin-loving tinted moisturizer, this product is a fan-favorite—just ask all the viral TikTok creators. It contains hyaluronic acid, which keeps the skin feeling hydrated even after you wash it off. “My favorite tinted moisturizer to work with as a 46-year-old makeup artist is L’Oréal’s True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum for light coverage and hydration all day,” says Taylor.
Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars
Shades: 14
NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil
NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil
Pros
- Feels lightweight on the skin
Cons
- Limited shade range
NYX is launching hit after hit in the complexion category, and this tinted moisturizer is no exception. It’s incredibly lightweight, but still gives a glowy finish to the skin, reducing redness and pigmentation.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love this product. It’s not heavy at all. It’s really lightweight and perfect for the summer. It gives you good coverage and feels like you don’t have anything on. It’s not sticky or greasy.”
Shades: 6
Maybelline New York Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream
Maybelline New York Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream
Pros
- Doesn’t sink into fine lines
Cons
- Limited shade range
So many foundations and concealers can sink into the wearer’s fine lines and wrinkles, exacerbating their appearance. This affordable BB cream, however, manages to never do this, according to hundreds of reviewers.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I am 64 years old, and it is really hard to come by any foundation that works on mature skin without accentuating fine lines and wrinkles. This works so well! I use a small brush and apply this under my eyes and slightly to the side of my eyes, and I go from looking too tired to looking years younger. I also use this for my entire face, and there is no need for powder on top. I have tried so many products, it was nice to try one that I could actually use!”
Shades: 5
COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream
COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream
Pros
- Matte finish
Cons
- Limited shade range
If you want that lightweight feeling without glowing like a disco ball, this wallet-friendly choice dries matte, so you never have to apply extra powder to set it.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I loved this product, with light coverage, [it] feels nice on the skin and doesn’t leave a greasy, oily feel. It really gives [a] matte finish. I use it on a daily basis.”
Shades: 6
CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30
CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30
Pros
- SPF protection
Cons
- Only one shade
If you want a skin care product to do more than just one job, this tinted sunscreen also has a subtle beige color, which has the benefit of reducing redness on lighter skin tones, and never leaving a white cast on deeper skin tones.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’m pretty fair-skinned, so my concern about whether it would complement my skin tone was unnecessary. It goes on smoothly, evens out discoloration, and a little bit goes a long way.”
Shades: 1
e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream
e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream
Pros
- Large shade range
Cons
- Can feel cakey to some reviewers
It’s a common problem that tinted moisturizers often don’t come with large shade ranges. However, this one from e.l.f. boasts an impressive 23 shades. With medium coverage and SPF 30, this cream will replace your regular foundation in a heartbeat.
Ulta rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I love this CC cream so much, it’s my favorite! I use this with the e.l.f. Halo Glow under it and it looks great. I got shade 120 and I have fair skin, and this matches perfectly. It also hides the pink/redness of skin. You’ve gotta try this product!”
Shades: 23
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Tinted Facial Moisturizer SPF 30
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Tinted Facial Moisturizer SPF 30
Pros
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- Limited shade range
If you have sensitive skin, complexion makeup and sunscreen are often two of the most difficult products to find. This pick from Neutrogena makes both a possibility. Packed with antioxidants, SPF 30 protection, and a non-comedogenic ingredient list, acne-prone and sensitive skin types will love this tinted moisturizer.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have very sensitive skin and am very cautious about trying new facial products. I don’t like heavy foundations or greasy moisturizers. This product fit the bill perfectly. It is light and non-greasy. It does not irritate my face. I am very pleased with this tinted moisturizer.”
Shades: 3
Makeup Revolution Superdewy Tinted Moisturiser
Makeup Revolution Superdewy Tinted Moisturiser
Pros
- Dewy finish
Cons
- Can be difficult to blend
While most tinted moisturizers contain some hydrating ingredients, this one comes packed with hydration. With a super dewy finish, you’ll be able to glow all day long with this product in your arsenal.
Amazon rating: 4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have tried SO many products just trying to find something for dry skin. I first use my daily moisturizer and then this on top and it blends in perfectly. It feels really nice on and evens out my skin tone. It doesn’t last through a work out, but it’s great for regular daily use. I’m so happy I found this after literally years of searching for something for dry skin.”
Shades: 7
Milani Glow Hydrating Skin Tint
Milani Glow Hydrating Skin Tint
Pros
- Contains skin care ingredients
Cons
- May not be suited for oily skin types
This product brings the glow—both while you wear it, and after you wash it off. With a ton of skin-loving squalane and hints of coconut water, you’ll become obsessed with how healthy your skin looks with this on.
Amazon rating: 4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “The best moisturizing BB cream I’ve used. It gives a natural finish and coverage. Perfect for hot weather!”
Shades: 8
ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer
ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer
Pros
- Large shade range
Cons
- Can look patchy
If you just want to look like your skin is naturally glowing and even, consider this lightweight tinted moisturizer, which contains hyaluronic acid. It’s the perfect your-skin-but-better product.
Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “This is my favorite thing to put on when I don’t want to wear a bunch of makeup. [It] makes my face look even, and when I want a fuller coverage look, I mix it with the foundation and it makes it look way better.”
Shades: 20
PÜR 4-In-1 Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
PÜR 4-In-1 Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
Pros
- Contains retinol and SPF
Cons
- Pricey
Your makeup and skin care products should compliment each other, rather than compete. If your skin care goals include reducing fine lines and hyperpigmentation, this product uses retinol to gently exfoliate your skin, without causing any irritation.
Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “This moisturizer actually feels good on your face is not thick. With it being tinted, it has great coverage, yet does not set into your fine lines like foundation.”
Shades: 14
Meet the Expert
Erica Taylor is a makeup artist and educator, and a member of the L’Oréal Paris League of Experts.
What are the benefits of using a tinted moisturizer instead of a foundation?
If you’ve found that your foundations aren’t giving you the look you want, or are irritating your skin, a tinted moisturizer may be the way to go. “The benefits of a tinted moisturizer are a more hydrated and second-skin makeup look. Most foundations provide coverage but minimal skin care. Tinted moisturizers have skin care benefits along with a natural but buildable coverage,” says Taylor.
How should you apply a tinted moisturizer?
Don’t let the name fool you: tinted moisturizers might have skin care benefits, but they still need to be applied like makeup. “It’s important to remember that at times that, yes, tinted moisturizer is still makeup, and I recommend applying your daily moisturizer first to stay properly hydrated. Tinted moisturizers can vary with the amount of actual skin care infused, so it’s still essential to appropriately hydrate and treat skin. I recommend applying a tinted with your hands; a sponge can provide too little coverage and a brush will dilute the minimal coverage. Put it on starting in the center, and rub it in like you would your daily SPF or lotion,” says Taylor. She adds, “My best tip: patting your tinted moisturizer, especially in the T-zone, to build coverage to provide a second-skin look. The skin-on-skin approach of hands to face will minimize the look of pores and blur fine lines.”
What skin types are best suited to tinted moisturizers?
“All skin types can use tinted moisturizer, however, if you require or desire additional coverage, you may opt for a traditional foundation. A tinted moisturizer is essentially a lightweight coverage with skin care infused. Tinted moisturizer will provide a healthy sheer coverage, and it’s perfect for everyday wear. But for an occasion, photography, or just an extended period of time, I would stick with a basic foundation,” says Taylor.
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Tatjana Freund consulted an expert to learn about the best drugstore tinted moisturizers and how to apply them.
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
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