Skin Tints Are Very Hot Right Now, And These 11 Are Worth It

Best Skin Tints

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You know how you want to do your makeup but you just want to make your eye makeup pop? You do the whole thing with winged eyeliner, eyeshadow, 7 coats of mascara, and everything. And then you realize your face requires some sort of base makeup but you really, really don’t want to wear foundation. That’s where skin tints come in.

If you’re looking for an alternative to your current base product, skin tints might be the right choice. And now that the summer’s around the corner, skin tints are having a major moment. In case you haven’t noticed, more brands are coming up with their own version of a skin tint. Well, some are doing a better job at it than others. But in case you’ve never used one before, we’ve got you covered on everything skin tints. Keep reading to learn more about skin tints and the best skin tints to try.

What Is a Skin Tint?

An official definition does not exist as to what exactly a skin tint is. So I took the liberty of using my deductive reasoning from what’s out there and what’s in my bathroom cabinet. And here it is.

A skin tint is literally a skin tint that offers nothing but. From what I used and what I sampled, a skin tint usually has a very light, liquid consistency.

It’s weightless on the skin and provides sheer to low coverage. It aims to help you quickly put together a look without looking heavy or trying too hard. It’s just to warm up your complexion in the most natural way.

Now, all of these may sound familiar to you and you might even be confused a little bit. You’re not alone. Let’s clear up how a skin tint is different than other tinted makeup products.

Skin Tints vs Tinted Moisturizer vs Foundation

A skin tint is different than a tinted moisturizer because skin tints don’t offer a lot of skincare benefits. Their primary focus is giving you an even complexion and not necessarily moisturizing or nourishing your skin.

And a skin tint is different than a foundation because skin tints don’t provide coverage either. So you can infer that if you’re looking to cover up acne, hyperpigmentation, redness, or enlarged pores, skin tints won’t help you in that department.

And these beg the question: why would anyone want to use a skin tint, then? Actually, skin tints do have benefits and some are about convenience.

If you want to learn more about how different base products work, check out our guide on CC cream vs. BB cream vs. skin tint and so much more!

Why Use a Skin Tint

First of all, skin tints offer very minimal coverage if any. And that comes in handy when you don’t want anything on your face but just want a fresh, warm, even complexion without clogging your pores.

Second of all, I know most people use foundation all over the face, including the eye area, but I’m in my 30s. And foundations can make my under-eye wrinkles look worse.

So skin tints allow you to use the product all over your face, including the eye area, without magnifying anything or requiring a separate product for the eye area.

And lastly, this is my personal opinion on why I think skin tints can be superior to foundations: they’re hassle-free. I mean finding a good foundation with the right coverage and shade requires too much work!

Skin tints are more flexible. Because they disappear into the skin. So, you don’t always need to be spot-on with your shade. It just blends in!

How To Choose a Skin Tint

There are only two things to keep in mind when looking for a skin tint: formulation and finish.

You chose your skin tint based on your skin type. So you go for oil-free or non-comedogenic tints if you have oily or acne-prone skin. And you go for a little bit of oil-based skin tints if you have dry skin.

Similarly, if you prefer a radiant look, go for dewy finish skin tints. If you prefer a more natural look, go for natural, matte-finish skin tints.

Again, skin tints have nothing to do with skincare or coverage. That’s why you don’t need to look for certain skincare ingredients in them or expect a certain level of coverage.

Best Skin Tints

Below are the best skin tints to get started.

1. Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint - Best Skin Tint For Oily Skin
Applies easily
Oil-free

This runny formula is made with hyaluronic acid and provides a very smooth application. And trust me, easy application is important with skin tints. Because most of them don’t have rich emollients and that makes them dry down very fast before you get a chance to spread it out. And you get a patchy, uneven tint on your skin.

But this one is just perfect and allows you to put on a nice, even layer. This is marketed as ‘blurring’ but that can be misleading. Because it won’t blur out pores or textured skin. But because it contains silicones, it does have a soft, barely-there coverage effect on the skin. Overall, this is a great skin tint suitable for all skin types and offers a wide shade range for different skin tones.

Best Skin Tints - Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
by Ejollify

Skin Type: All skin types, especially great for oily skin
Finish: Natural/matte
Shades: 25
Size: 1.8 oz/32ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

2. Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint

Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint - Best Skin Tint For Dry Skin
Contains SPF
Silicone-free
Refill cartridge

This one has a very unique packaging and a roller applicator tip to help with the application. But more importantly, it’s super moisturizing for the skin and has a beautiful, dewy finish. It’s made with nice emollients, which makes the skin tint more creamy than liquidy.

Think avocado oil! That’s why this skin tint is great for people with dry skin. And hey, it has SPF 30 in it, which makes it super convenient for summer too. SPF is hybrid, meaning that it’s both chemical and mineral. So there’s no white cast.

Skin Type: All skin types, especially great for dry skin
Finish: Dewy
Shades: 14
Size: 0.54 oz/16ml
Good To Know: Clean, cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free

3. Huda Beauty GloWish Multidew Skin Tint

Huda Beauty GloWish Multidew Skin Tint
Very moisturizing
Waterproof
Fragrance-free

Speaking of dewy and glowing skin, I’m going to squeeze Huda here because come on. It’s Huda, so you know it’s going to be extra and blindingly glowing. This is made with rose oil and squalane to kind of make it glide smoothly on dry skin.

It’s waterproof and has a beautiful, radiant finish. It’s like an elaborate highlighter without glitter. So if you have overall lackluster skin or dry skin, this will brighten up your complexion and bring warmth to the skin for those no-makeup days.

Skin Type: All skin types
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 15
Size: 1.35 oz/40ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

4. Milani Glow Hydrating Skin Tint

Milani Glow Hydrating Skin Tint - Best Drugstore Skin Tint
Affordable
Creamy formula

If you like Huda’s glow but not so much the price, this one is a nice, affordable alternative. It’s not a dupe, but it’s similar to Huda’s Skin Tint in that this one is brimming with squalane too. In fact, it packs coconut water and hyaluronic acid to hydrate thirsty skin.

And it’s just as creamy and just as dewy too. So if you have dry or flaky skin and need something that won’t cling on to dry patches, this one is a great drugstore skin tint that offers sheer coverage to even out your complexion for no-makeup days.

Skin Type: All skin types
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 8
Size: 1.0 oz/30ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

5. Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 - Best Skin Tint For Sensitive Skin
Suitable for sensitive skin
Oil-free
Fragrance-free
Mineral SPF

If you have sensitive skin and looking for a more skincare-focused skin tint, this is absolutely gorgeous. Think of this as a tinted sunscreen that’ll protect your skin with mineral SPF. And it won’t irritate it either.

It’s excellent for people who don’t like to layer products. It packs niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and squalane to support the skin barrier. The liquid formula wakes up your complexion and gives it a natural dewy finish.

Skin Type: All skin types
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 60
Size: 1.0 oz/30ml
Good To Know: Award-winning, vegan, cruelty-free, silicone-free

6. Morphe 2 Hint Hint Skin Tint

Morphe 2 Hint Hint Skin Tint - Best Affordable Skin Tint
Good shade range
Non-comedogenic

This is really liquidy which makes me wonder how come it contains silicones. But don’t get me wrong; the silicones in the formula help the tint keep moisture in and make the formula last longer.

The runny texture allows you to work the tint into the skin until you get a nice, even layer that looks natural. It’s in a more reasonable price range too.

Skin Type: All skin types
Finish: Dewy/natural
Shades: 20
Size: 1.0 oz/30ml
Good To Know: Vegan

7. Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint SPF 20

Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint SPF 20 - Best Skin Tint With SPF
Doesn’t require a lot of touch-ups
Non-comedogenic
Fragrance-free

OK. I’m a sucker for Shiseido’s face products, especially their foundations, and blushes. And this is like your skin but way better. It’s for those times when you don’t want to hide your skin but could use a wash of color to look more awake and fresh.

The coverage is very minimal and the finish is natural. It offers sun protection, making it a multi-purpose skincare and makeup staple too. It evens your skin tone and goes on very well. If you have fine lines that tend to crease with BB creams or foundations, this is worth your attention.

Skin Type: All skin types
Finish: Natural
Shades: 12
Size: 1.0 oz/30ml

8. La Mer The Radiant Skin Tint SPF 30

La Mer The Radiant Skin Tint Spf 30 - Best Skin Tint For Mature Skin
Anti-aging formula
Contains SPF
Moisturizing

Speaking of fine lines, if you have mature skin and are looking for something to revive lackluster skin, this is glorious! The creamy texture tints your skin without creating a visible and feelable layer on it. That’s why it doesn’t draw attention to texture irregularities or wrinkles.

Plus, it’s packed with amazing anti-agers! It’s got brightening vitamin C, energizing caffeine, and line-smoothing Argireline! It’s pricey but it’s worth every penny!

Skin Type: All skin types
Finish: Dewy
Shades: 7
Size: 1.4 oz/40ml

9. Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint

Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint
Very natural
Thin consistency
Fragrance-free

This one is actually one of the most popular skin tints out there. The cute little squeezy bottle is in line with what the tint offers: simple, easy to use, and convenient for effortless looks.

It’s very runny like a water-based formula and goes on smoothly without making the skin look flaky or patchy. It’s great for all skin types including combination skin. And they’ve got 12 shades with warm, medium, and neutral shades to match your skin tone.

Skin Type: All skin types
Finish: Dewy
Shades: 12
Size: 1.0 oz/30ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

10. Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint SPF 15

Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint
Natural coverage
Contains SPF
Fragrance-free

OK. I’ve mentioned that skin tints basically offer no coverage. But this is a rare and pleasant exception. So if you’re looking for just a little bit of coverage from your skin tint, this is it. The formula is similar to a low/medium coverage cream foundation with a visibly smoothing effect.

Coverage can be relative. But at least know that this is buildable. It’ll minimize, not conceal, imperfections and give you a natural look. Also, it contains hyaluronic acid to plump up fine lines and SPF 15 for sun protection. And they mostly have shades to match light and fair skin tones.

Skin Type: All skin types
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 12
Size: 1.0 oz/30ml

11. Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint - Best Dewy Skin Tint
Nice coverage
Great for redness
Comes with brush

And speaking of good coverage, this is another formula with a satisfying level of coverage. It doesn’t look like you’re wearing foundation but it definitely looks like you’ve color-corrected or spot-concealed blemishes. The unique formula is like water but with pigment droplets that burst and melt into the skin as you blend it in. It looks like Erborian CC Water Gel but with higher coverage.

It’s super hydrating for the skin and layers beautifully with both matte and radiant products. Though it comes with this cute little brush for easy application, I’d say skip it because it soaks up a good amount of product. Overall, if you don’t mind a little fragrance, this is one of the best skin tints you can use no matter your skin type.

Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint - Best Skin Tint
by Ejollify

Skin Type: All skin types
Finish: Natural
Shades: 8
Size: 1.0 oz/30ml

So these are some of the best skin tints you can try for summer makeup, natural makeup, or weightless makeup that won’t smother your skin. Know that you don’t have to choose between a skin tint and what you’re currently using. If you’re happy with your tinted moisturizer or CC cream, good for you. Keep using it. Just know that a skin tint is a nice alternative to base makeup products. Now, if you need help with the application, keep reading to find out how to apply a skin tint for the best results.

How To Apply Skin Tint

You can apply your skin tint using a brush, a sponge, or your fingers. But here’s my suggestion. Use your fingers.

Skin tints can be expensive. And we know that brushes and sponges do soak up some product. And considering that these are very liquidy products, applicators are more likely to waste your skin tint, causing you to use it up way sooner.

So I personally use my fingers which also allows me to better spread the product too. And one more thing! Again, a skin tint is nothing like a tinted moisturizer. So you’ll need to properly moisturize your skin before applying your tint.

Read Next: Best Makeup Products For Summer

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