A Review of Clean Tinted Moisturizers
A Review of Clean Tinted Moisturizers
first published 3/27/19; last updated 08/08/24
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Save for my wedding day, I’ve never worn foundation. Instead, I’ve always opted for clean tinted moisturizers. I prefer having something that is lighter and doesn't weigh my skin down with a caked, heavy feeling. Plus, in the off chance I forget (or don’t have time) to apply moisturizer and/or sunscreen, it’s nice knowing I have a product that’s pulling triple duty for me.
Since I’ve pretty much only ever worn tinted moisturizer as my base, you can say I’ve had a few years to test out different products, and I have to say, the clean/natural options have definitely come a long way, not to mention there are so many more to choose from these days. The four listed below are the only ones I’ve tried over the past four years, listed in order of cost (from least to most expensive), along with my honest, no non-sense, #notsponsored reviews.
Ilia // SUPER SERUM SKIN TINT ($48)
WEAR: blends easily, long last, oesn’t settle into lines, no white cast or shadow
FEEL: liquid-y texture that is AIRY + MOISTURIZING and feels weightless on skin
LOOK: very natural MEDIUM coverage WITH A GLOWY FINISH
NUMBER OF SHADES: 30
SPF: 40
VERDICT: This is by far my favorite and most used tinted moisturizer {it’s my go to on a daily basis}. Not only do I love how it wears and how it feels, I also APPRECIATE the higher spf {the highest one on this list} as well as the amount of shades it’s AVAILABLE in {again, the highest number on the list}, meaning it is also the most inclusive product on this list.
A few other favorite points- it protects against blue light and infrared light {along with UVA, UVB, UVC}, it’s great for sensitive skin, it doesn’t settle into lines, it’s loaded with all kinds of nutrients that also make this feel very much like a hydrating, smoothing and plumping skincare product and it comes in recyclable packaging. Ilia also has an awesome BEAUTY RECYCLING PROGRAM where you can recycle not only their products but any other beauty empties, as well!
W3LL People // BIO TINT MULTI-ACTION MOISTURIZER ($30)
WEAR: blends in seamlessly, buildable coverage + holds up nicely throughout the day
FEEL: thicker texture that feels light on skin
LOOK: very good (almost foundation-like) coverage with a slightly dewy finish
NUMBER OF SHADES: 14
SPF: 30
VERDICT: This is my second favorite tinted moisturizer on this list. The coverage is amazing, almost even foundation-like yet it hardly feels like I’m wearing anything at all. it has a great dewy finish that is just right and you can’t beat the price point. Plus, it’s super easy to find as W3LL People’s products are now available at Target. I would say the only downside to this is the limited amount of shades it comes in.
When I first wrote this post, this was the tinted moisturizer I wore every day. However I’ve now made the Ilia one my every day option as it’s even more lightweight and I now reserve the W3LL People one for the times I want a bit more coverage {i.e. date night, going out, etc.}.
LUNE+ASTER // REALGLOW SKIN TINT ($52)
WEAR: blends in easily, lasts all day, although can start to turn a bit shiny after several hours
FEEL: light + very fluid texture that feels weightless on skin
LOOK: great coverage, radiant finish
NUMBER OF SHADES: 11
SPF: 0
VERDICT: Another absolute favorite on this list that I wear quite frequently. It blends easily, its very light, the coverage is great and I love that it’s loaded with beneficial ingredients that impvoe the moisture, texture and tone of your skin. They also offer the second highest amount of shades of any of the moisturizers on this list. The only downsides are that sometimes it can start to look a bit shiny/oily after a few hours, the high price point and the fact that it doesn’t have spf. Now, of course I have spf i can put on first. however, if i’m in a hurry, or for everyday use, it’s an additional step that i don’t necessarily want to have to do.
Juice Beauty // STEM CELLULAR CC CREAM with MINERAL ($39.50)
WEAR: requires extra blending + re-applying after several hours
FEEL: a bit of a heavy, pasty texture
LOOK: a slightly white + pink chalky undertone with a finish that is just a tad too dewy/almost greasy with only average coverage
NUMBER OF SHADES: 7
SPF: 30
VERDICT: Since this product is a bit on the thicker side, I was really expecting the coverage to be better than it was. I also was not a fan of the way it would leave my skin with a bit of a weird shadow/undertone+I wasn’t crazy about the smell either (though it may not bother everyone). In fact, I didn’t even bother finishing the tube before buying a different brand of tinted moisturizer. In summary, this product is a pass for me.
HAN SKINCARE // SERUM CC ($32)
WEAR: blends in easily, long lasting
FEEL: light, airy + nourishing
LOOK: great coverage that is buildable yet natural with a dewy finish
NUMBER OF SHADES: 4 (8 available here)
SPF: 30
VERDICT: There are just so many things to love about this product! First, it’s a multi-tasking product that is incredibly nourishing and hydrating thanks to things like vitamin E and rose hip oil. I also absolutely love that it comes in an airless pump bottle to help minimize oxidation and exposure to the elements and preserve the formula and spf. I also really love that this product is reef safe.
I also love this company in general. While it is a new-to-me brand, I’m all about their clean, vegan formulas that are Leaping Bunny Certified, free of so many toxic ingredients and also very reasonably priced making clean products more accessible to more people. Last, but CERTAINLY not least, they also have an incredible recycling program.
SUNTEGRITY // 5 in 1 NATURAL MOISTURIZING FACE SUNSCREEN ($48)
WEAR: blends in well + very buildable
FEEL: thick, almost foundation-like, but doesn’t feel as heavy on skin
LOOK: provides excellent coverage
NUMBER OF SHADES: 4
SPF: 30
VERDICT: I adored this tinted moisturizer so much, from the look + feel to the smell + the coverage it provided. Alas, I have the world’s most sensitive skin and something in this product caused me to break out in a rash. The company kindly offered me a full refund, but I truly wish I could have just kept using their product instead. In other words, if you don’t have SENSITIVE skin, give this product a go.
I recently also started using Tower 28 Sunny Days (in shade Mulholland) and it may just be my favorite clean tinted moisturizer yet. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s the second most affordable one on this list and it’s loaded with skin nourishing goodness! SPF 30 and available in 17 shades, full review coming soon!