Our Magnificence Editor Swears By These Tinted Sunscreens for Glowy, Protected Pores and skin

I’ve at all times 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 below 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 very best tinted sunscreen. And readers, I like the outcomes.
Tinted sunscreens have developed. In 2023, count on multitasking merchandise worthy of your hard-working summer time skincare routine. The most effective tinted sunscreen for you presents light-weight summer time protection whereas prioritizing customized solar safety. And as tinted sunscreens grow to be extra fashionable, manufacturers need to differentiate themselves. Whether or not you like a refined glow, concealer-like protection, or serum-like pores and skin tints—the very best tinted sunscreen delivers.
Featured picture from our interview with Nitsa Citrine by Clare Huntsberger.
The Finest Tinted Sunscreen, In keeping 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 skilled and founding father of the beloved RMS Magnificence for her tips about discovering your finest system. “I’ve by no means discovered an SPF that I really like, not to mention love. Easy as that. From the unacceptable elements to the shortcoming 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 may be the way in which to go.
Collectively, the 2 consultants supplied full-spectrum protection (pun meant) on learn how to discover a tinted sunscreen that doubles down on solar safety and pores and skin protection—whereas, after all, maintaining your look flawless.
What’s tinted sunscreen?
Tinted sunscreen is an antidote to the dreaded white solid fake pas. Whereas it presents 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 numerous levels of pigments to suit your desire.
What to Search for within the Finest Tinted Sunscreen
“Examine the ingredient checklist to keep away from potential irritants or allergens when you’ve got delicate pores and skin,” says Esplin. “Additionally, contemplate the feel, non-comedogenicity (when you’ve got acne-prone pores and skin), and any further advantages like moisturization or antioxidant properties based mostly in your pores and skin’s wants.”
As for its SPF properties, Esplin recommends on the lookout for:
- Bodily blockers. Search for sunscreens that include zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as they supply efficient mineral safety and are typically well-tolerated by most pores and skin varieties.
- Broad-spectrum safety. You need a sunscreen that gives safety in opposition to each UVA and UVB rays (that is usually 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 appears for mineral (aka bodily) sunscreen over chemical sunscreen. The tint helps forestall the white solid that generally 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 sort—even on these with delicate pores and skin,” says Rose-Marie. She recommends on the lookout for 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 gained’t penetrate your pores and skin.” Because of this, the zinc oxide creates a bodily defend in opposition to the solar with out irritating or clogging pores.
In keeping with Swifft, different particular elements to search for embrace:
- Iron oxides and rose geranium extract present blue gentle safety.
- Mica displays blue gentle.

Suggestions for Making use of Tinted Sunscreen
Swift recommends what she calls the two-finger methodology. “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 satisfactory SPF protection. Therapeutic massage it into the face and neck as you’d a moisturizer. And you should definitely reapply each two hours.”
“Don’t neglect to guard your lips!” Esplin provides. “My first diagnoses was in 2016, a Basal Cell Carcinoma situated 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 vulnerable to solar harm and most cancers! And the effectiveness of any sunscreen, tinted or not, additionally depends upon correct software, utilizing the really useful quantity, and reapplying each two hours or extra steadily if sweating or swimming.”
Must you put on common sunscreen beneath tinted sunscreen?
In keeping with Esplin, tinted sunscreen may be simply pretty much as good as some other SPFs. “So long as your tinted sunscreen offers broad-spectrum safety in opposition to each UVA and UVB rays and has an applicable solar safety issue (SPF of at the 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 by way of danger of solar harm, and no sunscreens supply 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 at all times give an trustworthy opinion, whether or not gifted or bought ourselves. When you purchase one thing by way of our hyperlinks, we could earn a small fee for gratis to you.

When on the lookout for a tinted sunscreen, my precedence is discovering one thing that hides hyperpigmentation whereas nonetheless staying light-weight. With such a fantastic 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 Substances: 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 time out. The light-weight texture means it spreads actually simply for breathable protection. It’s nice for summer time as a result of niacinamide reduces shine, making it a game-changer for shiny and mixture pores and skin.
- SPF: 40
- Kind: Bodily
- Shade vary: 3 tones
- Key Substances: Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

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

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