If you’re looking for a reason to forgo foundation, good news: The best tinted moisturizers for mature skin (or otherwise) make a compelling case for anyone who wants crease-free, dewy coverage with the lightweight, soothing feel of a moisturizer (the perfect combo for subtle coverage during the hotter months, by the way). After all, those with aging skin (should) know that as time goes by, your skin needs moisture, moisture, and more moisture—and if you don’t have enough of it, it can lead to textural concerns like deep wrinkles and crepey skin.

Rich creams, radiance-boosting primers, face mists—and, of course, tinted moisturizers—are key for a flawless base both instantly and long-term. More lightweight than their foundation counterparts and packed with moisturizing ingredients, tinted moisturizers offer a happy, hydrating medium between skin care and makeup. Scroll ahead to discover the best tinted face moisturizers for aging skin that blur the look of all of the above, as chosen by experts and editors.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35 Sunscreen, $36
• Best Shade Range: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream, $38
• Best Lightweight: Trinny London BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum, $52
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen, $32
• Best for Dry Skin: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Dewy Foundation Drops, $68
• Best Radiance Booster: Beauty Pie Luminous Mineral Skin Tint SPF 40, $50
• Best Buildable Coverage: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, $49
• Best Budget: Milani Glow Hydrating Skin Tint, $12

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is tinted moisturizer?
• Why is tinted moisturizer good for mature skin?
• What's the difference between a tinted moisturizer, BB cream, and CC cream?
• How to apply tinted moisturizer to mature skin
• Meet the experts
• How we review and test products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer

Why it’s worth it: The Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer checks all the boxes: The clean formula offers a mineral-based SPF 35, hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid, and pairs sheer coverage with impressive staying power (no wonder it nabbed an Allure Best of Beauty Award back in 2021). New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Robyn Gmyrek, MD, previously called Saie’s formulation one of her favorite tinted moisturizers, and not just because it features broad-spectrum SPF protection. This featherweight cream works especially hard on the skin-care front, thanks to a lineup of antioxidant-rich ingredients like pansy flower and licorice root extract, which help hydrate and brighten skin. Available in 14 shades, the formula melts seamlessly—rather than sitting on top of the skin or settling into wrinkles—to look like your skin, but a bit perkier.

Tester feedback Shopping director Shanna Shipin called this her “desert island” skin tint for its gentle feel on her eczema-prone skin, melasma-concealing coverage, and creaseless finish. “Sun protection, a moisturizer-like feel, and buildable coverage while feeling like absolutely nothing is on your face? Groundbreaking,” she said.

Key ingredients: zinc oxide (20%), pansy flower extract, licorice root extract | Shades: 14 | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Shade Range: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream

Why it’s worth it: Kosas’s BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream is available in 24 (!) flexible shades, and that’s just the beginning of why we appreciate this formula so much. Each bottle contains a gel-like formula with a lightweight, kind of whipped feel that quickly absorbs into skin without leaving any greasiness behind. As you wear it, the oily skin-friendly pick treats skin to a cocktail of skin-firming copper peptides, redness- and breakout-reducing zinc (acne-prone and combination skin types, take note!), and hydrating sodium PCA; the latter binds water to your skin barrier, leaving it with an overall plumper, supper appearance.

Tester feedback: “This formula is the definition of weightless—if I don't apply it using a mirror, I truly question whether I put it on or not,” says Shipin. “It can be a little tricky getting the undertones just so, but once you've found the perfect color, it's Second Skin City. Truly imperceptible coverage that blends easily and wears ridiculously comfortably.”

Key ingredients: copper peptides, zinc, sodium PCA, saccharide isomerate | Shades: 24 | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Lightweight: Trinny London BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum

Why it’s worth it: For buildable coverage that feels barely there, try Trinny London’s BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum. This tinted serum feels much lighter than richer lotions and creams, and has a luminous, sheer-to-medium finish to enhance your natural glow (or lack thereof). As it conceals minimal blemishes, lines, and discoloration, the combination of hyaluronic acid and the brand’s NP-TriOX complex, a proprietary combination of peptide-rich Tephrosia purpurea seed extract and antioxidant vitamins C and E, firms and plumps skin for a more youthful appearance. And, to minimize signs of aging on all fronts, Trinny London’s tinted serum also contains a low 1% dose of tone-evening antioxidant vitamin C—bye-bye, age spots.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, NP-TriOX Technology (Tephrosia purpurea seed extract, vitamin C, vitamin E), vitamin C (1%) | Shades: 12 | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Sensitive Skin: Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen

Why it’s worth it: For a one-and-done product on no-makeup makeup days, look no further than Tower 28 SunnyDays. Designed with sensitive skin in mind, this is a sunscreen first with additional skin-care benefits and lightweight coverage. All 17 flexible shades get their soothing properties from a combination of prickly pear and aloe vera, and the light-to-medium coverage won't oxidize over the course of the day. Better yet, it's fragrance-free and has a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association so it won’t irritate sensitive skin.

Tester feedback Multiple Allure testers, like Talia Gutierrez, say they love the gentle, skin-softening feel of this tinted sunscreen. “Since the texture is remarkably light and creamy, my red zone wasn’t irritated or dried out even with additional coverage," Gutierrez says. "That eliminated any concerns about creases and cakey laugh lines as the day went on."

Key ingredients: zinc oxide (12.6%), prickly pear oil, aloe vera extract | Shades: 17 | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry Skin: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops

Why it’s worth it: If the average tinted moisturizer doesn't offer enough moisture to minimize dry patches, good news: This formula just might—and without leaving a greasy film behind. Westman Atelier’s Vital Skincare Complexion Drops lean more toward a tinted face oil, thanks to ingredients like squalane, Tsubaki oil, and ginseng, which makes skin look radiant (but not overly shiny), soft, and thoroughly hydrated finish. Need more convincing? Three of our editors and Katrina Klein, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist, love these ultra-light, buildable tinted drops. "I love these complexion drops for everyday use because they give light-to-medium coverage while still being breathable," Klein told Allure. A quick tip before you apply this formula: To avoid patchiness, shake the bottle before you dispense it to distribute the ingredients.

Tester feedback: For contributing editor Deanna Pai, who’s in her mid-30s and has combination skin, the formula leaves her skin dewy. “I’ll just say it: It smells like canola oil, but these Complexion Drops really don’t leave my skin looking shiny,” she says. “I found the texture a little slimy at first, but it gives my skin minimal (yet radiant) coverage that looks like I just got back from the beach.”

Key ingredients: squalane, Tsubaki oil, ginseng extract | Shades: 20 | Fragrance-free: yes

Best With SPF: Beauty Pie Luminous Mineral Skin Tint SPF 40

Why it’s worth it: Want moisture with a side of sun protection? Slather on this mineral-based tinted sunscreen from Beauty Pie. The Luminous Mineral Skin Tint SPF 40 guards skin against UV-related damage, while the cocktail of antioxidant-rich ingredients (microalgae, argan oil, and more) and hyaluronic acid plump and brighten skin both immediately and in the long run. “This is one of my absolute favorite tinted moisturizers right now, especially for mature skin,” says New York City-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli. Though this tinted moisturizer contains a surplus of nourishing ingredients, Beauty Pie recommends applying your usual daily moisturizer before the Luminous Mineral Skin Tint to keep creasing to a minimum.

Key ingredients: zinc oxide (10.25%), argan oil, hyaluronic acid, microalgae extract, squalane, polyglutamic acid, vitamin E, polyphenols, phospholipids, lactic acid, jojoba esters, hydrogenated lecithin, bisabolol, yacon root juice | Shades: 8 | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Buildable Coverage: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

Why it’s worth it: To make quick work of dark spots (which can take months to fade on their own), a two-part, repair-and-prevention approach is key. Therein is the magic of the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. Vitamin C slows down the pigment-production process, while broad-spectrum SPF 30 prevents UV light from undoing that hard work. The coverage may be light upon first application, but its formula cane be seamlessly layered when you want to conceal discoloration (age spots, who?). New York City-based makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci has told us she's a fan, noting it's ideal for applying with fingers as "it's super sheer and easy to blend," she said. “Or you can tap it on with a sponge to build subtle coverage.”

Key ingredients: octinoxate (7.49%), titanium dioxide (6.25%), vitamin C | Shades: 16 | Fragrance-free: no

Best Budget: Milani Glow Hydrating Skin Tint

Why it’s worth it: For immediately glowing, dewy results without breaking your budget, Scibelli recommends Milani’s Glow Hydrating Skin Tint. It contains squalane and coconut water “to blur imperfections and plump fine lines for a dewy glow,” Scibelli says. This ultra-dewy finish tint also contains humectant sodium hyaluronate and jojoba esters to leave skin feeling smooth and supple all day. It plays well with other products and is perfect for layering on top of your favorite sunscreen, too, according to Scibelli.

Key ingredients: squalane, coconut water | Shades: 6 | Fragrance-free: no

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tinted moisturizer?

A tinted moisturizer is exactly what it sounds like: a tinted cream, gel, or lotion. Tinted moisturizers focus on moisture replenishment and have a light tint to address blemishes and discoloration (albeit in a much more sheer fashion than your usual foundation, since they’re usually day creams first and complexion coverage second).

They complement a wide range of skin tones, and their light, buildable tints tend to be more flexible than full-coverage foundations, which is why the ranges are often smaller than fuller-coverage formulas.

Tinted moisturizers have a more lightweight feel than foundations, so they’re usually comfortable and won’t crease throughout the day. Regardless of age, they’re the perfect addition to both your makeup and skin-care routines if you prefer lighter, barely-there coverage and don’t even want to think about applying primer.

Why is tinted moisturizer good for mature skin?

While the best moisturizer for your skin will depend on your baseline skin type and individual concerns, some qualities matter more than others when you’re in your 40s and beyond. “I generally choose tinted sunscreens with easy-to-blend textures and buildable coverage for mature skin,” says New York City-based makeup artist Suzy Gerstein. This way, there is ample coverage to conceal, say, dark spots, but the blendable textures keep the makeup from settling into fine lines and wrinkles.

What's the difference between a tinted moisturizer, BB cream, and CC cream?

According to Scibelli, tinted moisturizers tend to have a sheerer tint and texture than BB creams, a.k.a. beauty balms. “Tinted moisturizers typically feature a sheer blend of a hydrating cream with a tint of complexion coverage, and depending on the product, some offer SPF,” he explains. The name of this category simply says it all: they’re just facial moisturizers with a tint.

Meanwhile, CC cream stands for a color-correcting cream containing pigments that neutralize discoloration like dark spots, whereas a tinted moisturizer doesn’t necessarily color-correct. “A CC cream will help address redness, hyperpigmentation (dark spots), sun spots, and uneven skin tone, while also containing moisturizing ingredients and oftentimes SPF,” Scibelli adds. CC cream can also be just that—a cream—whereas tinted moisturizers tend to have a lighter texture.

How to apply tinted moisturizer to mature skin

For the most natural finish, “I like to warm my palms together and press them onto the face a couple of times,” says Gerstein. “This helps melt the product into the skin so that it becomes one with it.” Scibelli adds that you can use your opposite hand as a palette to grab and layer product if you're not sure how much to apply. “If you have areas that may need additional coverage, you can go back in and layer a bit more of your tinted moisturizer onto those areas,” he says. “I like to use a brush with fluffier bristles so there's no streaking and it goes on evenly.”

Meet the experts

• Neil Scibelli, a New York City-based makeup artist
• Ashleigh Ciucci, a New York City-based makeup artist
• Katrina Klein, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
• Suzy Gerstein, a makeup artist based in New York City

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best tinted moisturizers for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

We've got all of the recs you could ever need for a luminous complexion at any age:

• These Foundations Won't Accentuate Fine Lines and Wrinkles
• The Best Concealers for Mature Skin, According to Makeup Artists
• Dry, Textured Lips? These Creamy Formulas Are Intensely Hydrating

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