When Beautycounter closed its doors, the first thought I had was, “What will I do without my Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer!?”
Luckily, I was able to snag a couple extra bottles of my beloved tinted moisturizer, but since Beautycounter likely won’t be returning until sometime in 2025, I’ve been getting curious about other (clean) tinted moisturizers on the market. Could there be one that’s better!?
I wore Dew Skin literally every single day. It was my all-in-one, easy, must-have product to feel put-together fast. I liked the coverage, easy application, and that it had SPF 20 protection. I never left the house without it.
What are tinted moisturizers?
Tinted moisturizers are where skincare meets makeup. Combining the hydrating benefits of a moisturizer with a hint of color, they offer a natural, dewy finish while evening out your skin tone. Whether you’re aiming for a minimal makeup look or seeking a quick, fuss-free way to enhance your complexion, tinted moisturizers are a must-have in any beauty routine. What I love most about them is they don’t require a lot of color matching or blending – they are as easy to put on as a day cream.
Today, I’m sharing a handful of new-to-me tinted moisturizers, and which one I like best! They are all so different in texture and color, so I have a few that are clear favorites.
Thickest to Thinnest: Dime –> Crunchi –> Beautycounter –> Daybird –> Ilia
The Best Tinted Moisturizers
Dime Tinted Glow Wonderscreen®
Description: Get the daily protection you want and need (plus a luminous glow) from Tinted Glow Wonderscreen® SPF 30. Containing 19% zinc (that’s a lot of protection), this clean mineral sunscreen features a sheer tint (now available in three shades) for that gorgeous year-round glow.
SPF Level: 30 (Zinc Oxide 19%)
Shades: 3
Price: $44 – use code KATHEATS for a discount!
My Thoughts: The Dime Wonderscreen is my favorite for everyday wearing! I LOVE the gel-like texture because it blends in so very well. I never wonder if I’ve left any spots unblended. I wear shade 2 which, upon first glance, was so brown I thought there was no way it was my color match. However, it actually blends in perfectly and even gives a bit of a bronzer look. While some of the others can leave me looking more orange, I love the pink/brown tones this has. It’s also a great SPF coverage. The Wonderscreen is maybe a little less on the “skincare” side, but it’s also a great price, especially with my discount code!
Crunchi Sunlight® Tinted SPF 30
Description: This beyond-clean tinted SPF 30 is the perfect blend of makeup, skincare, and sun protection. Available in five shades designed to blend seamlessly across all skin tones, Sunlight® Tinted SPF 30 delivers healthy-looking, radiant skin.
SPF Level: 30 (active ingredient: Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 9.40%)
Shades: 5
Price: $52 – use code ADVOCATE10 for 10% off
My Thoughts: Crunchi launched their Sunlight Tinted just this summer. It’s on the thick side, but a bit more of a lotion than the Wonderscreen. I think of them all, this one is the closest to my natural skin tone. I wear shade Light. The product is a bit thicker so it requires a bit more patience blending in, but it’s also a bit more full coverage. I love that this is EWG Verified, which makes it the cleanest in the bunch, and has vitamin C!
Daybird 4-in-1 Serum Skin Tint
Description: Meet your everyday, 4-in-1 multitasker: Your clean and vegan serum, moisturizer, sheer tint and mineral SPF 50 sunscreen.
SPF Level: 50 (active ingredient: Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 12%)
Shades: 3
Price: $39.50
My Thoughts: I received the Daybird as a sample, and love how all-in-one it is. Pros include a great price, a high SPF, and added skincare benefits from niacinamide, an antioxidant that increases dermal collagen, and chamomile extract to reduce inflammation and even skin tone. It is on the liquid-y end of the spectrum, which I find a little harder to apply and blend in. I also don’t love the bottle since you can’t squeeze it. Overall, it has good coverage!
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
Description: Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is an award-winning skin tint that delivers light coverage, potent skincare, and mineral SPF—all with a dewy finish for skin that looks and feels alive. Powered by potent levels of skincare ingredients, it’s clinically proven to improve the look of dryness, blemishes, redness, wrinkles, and uneven tone over time. Plus, it’s vegan, non-comedogenic, safe for sensitive skin, and formulated without fragrance, gluten, or silicone.
SPF Level: 40
Shades: 30(!)
Price: $48
My Thoughts: Ilia is a well-known clean makeup brand, and I bet some of you have tried this one before! It’s actually known for having a very strange scent, which is definitely it’s biggest drawback. You apply it with a dropper, and it’s the most liquid-y of all the tinted moisturizers I’ve tried. The formula and coverage is great though, and I’d actually describe this almost as more of a light foundation than a tinted moisturizer. But it still has some great skincare ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and squalene. There are so many shades so you are bound to find the perfect match! My shade is Balos – ST3.
It’s amazing to me that they all appear to be quite different shades and then they all rub in seamlessly and match my skin tone!
Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer
Description: Beautycounter’s hero product, the Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer is award winning and multitasking. It increases the appearance of firmness and elasticity over time thanks to the infusion of black currant seed oil, peony root extract, and vitamin C.
SPF Level: 20
Shades: 6
Price: $50
My Thoughts: I obviously have loved Dew Skin for years, as it was my go-to before BC went on hiatus. It is thicker but blended in very easily. I’ve worn shades 2 and 3 depending on the season. The finish is very dewy – hence the name! I think it is the most hydrating of all of these choices and the name Dew Skin confirms that. I hope it comes back! I will say I don’t love the tube they changed to a few years ago. Much prefer a pump.
Olive Rose Skin Tint
Description: Olive Rose Skin Tint is a buildable, hydrating, brightening formula with a dewy finish. As a mix of skincare and makeup, it features the main antioxidant ingredient in all Oliveda products: hydroxytyrosol, plus hyaluronic acid. It is also formulated without any water, so it doesn’t run off with sweat.
SPF Level: No
Shades: 14 to start with more planned
Price: $59
My Thoughts: I really love this skin tint! It is on the liquidy side like Ilia and Daybird. It goes on very smoothly and doesn’t settle into lines. The coverage is great. I tend to use a little more than other other brands for a more buildable coverage. I love that is has anti-inflammatory properties and is free of fragrance, alcohol, silicone, sulphates,
parabens, and EU allergens. I am wearing shade 5. Take the shade finder quiz here!
Tinted Moisturizers Ranked
Of the ones above that are available, here is my list of favorites:
- Wonderscreen (favorite everyday )
- Olive Rose
- Ilia
- Daybird
- Dew Skin
- Crunchi
How To Apply Tinted Moisturizer
Recommended Tools
- Fingers (what I use): the warmth from your fingers can help blend the product more naturally into your skin
- Makeup Sponge: a makeup sponge can provide a smooth, even application
- Brush: a foundation brush can give you more control and a polished finish
Application
- Dispense: Squeeze a small amount of tinted moisturizer onto the back of your hand. You can always add more if needed.
- Dot: Using your fingers or a makeup sponge, dot the tinted moisturizer onto your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
- Blend: Blend the product into your skin using your fingers, a makeup sponge, or a brush. Start from the center of your face and work outwards. Make sure to blend well around your hairline, jawline, and neck to avoid any noticeable lines.
Do you have a favorite tinted moisturizer with SPF?
Kori says
I love Ilia Beauty! Their serum has been my go-to for an easy natural look or to layer with their complexion stick. I still sometimes struggle slightly with their foundation and any foundation drying throughout the day. And make-up tends to clog the pores on my nose and chin. I think they’re just slightly bigger and collect product. I am not sure if you or anyone has dealt with this. I lightly exfoliate maybe once weekly and use nose strips.
This was a fun post to read!
Beth says
I can’t find how to select a shade for the DIME Wonderscreen. Any tips? If you use #2, I have dark hair and slightly olive skin tone. I’d hate to go too dark?
Kath Younger says
It’s very forgiving! I’d probably go medium to be safe 🙂