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Looking for a Tinted Sunscreen? These Are the 10 Best on the Market Right Now

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Photo by Kupicoo/Getty Images

Whether you’re a novice or expert, everyone with a skincare routine knows the most important step is sunscreen. Even in the winter and fall, SPF is a crucial element in ensuring your skin is protected from UVA and UVB rays all day long. Not only does sun protection keep your skin looking healthy and youthful, but it also ensures you won't suffer from a painful sunburn after you head outdoors. But there are days when your go-to broad-spectrum SPF just won’t cut it—you want something with a little color to act as a soft skin tint for your skin tone. That’s where tinted sunscreens come into play.

Tinted sunscreen is a skincare-meets-makeup hybrid. It puts in double the work, giving you coverage and sun protection all in one. Using a tinted sunscreen will help you pair down your routine and you might even find you like using a sheer tint SPF versus your foundation. We’re big fans of swapping out our full-face makeup routine for a tinted face sunscreen during the hottest days of the year so we still get coverage while protecting our skin from free radicals.

To help you simplify your routine, we’ve rounded up the best tinted sunscreens to keep you protected from harmful UV rays and give you a beautiful glow that won’t mess with your complexion.

BARE REPUBLIC SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion

BARE REPUBLIC is all about clean, environmentally friendly products, which is why we’re such big fans of this brand. This mineral sunscreen in particular is one of our fave products. Its unique, cream-to-powder formulation blends seamlessly into the skin, leaving a non-greasy, matte finish with a sheer tint. Antioxidant-rich raspberry, grape, and carrot seed oils work overtime to protect your skin from free radicals while offering a youthful appearance over time.

2. Best Tinted Sunscreen for Dry Skin:

SUPERGOOP! Glowscreen SPF 40

SUPERGOOP! Glowscreen SPF 40
Courtesy of SUPERGOOP!

Dry skin types require a hydrating formula, which is why we recommend SUPERGOOP! Glowscreen SPF 40. Available in four shades, this tinted sunscreen utilizes hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 as powerful hydrating ingredients to leave dry skin dewy all day long. It even filters our blue light to protect your skin from damage caused by your phone, TV, or computer screen—because yes, you should wear SPF indoors.

3. Best Brightening Tinted Sunscreen:

TULA SKINCARE Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Skin Tint SPF 30

TULA SKINCARE Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Skin Tint SPF 30

Looking for a facial sunscreen that offers a brighter, more even skin tone while boosting your natural glow? The TULA SKINCARE Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Skin Tint SPF 30 is calling your name. The formula is weightless and breathable while still being buildable enough to offer light to medium coverage. Whether we want to keep things sheer or appear like we have a full face of makeup on, this skin tint does the trick.

4. Best Tinted Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin:

COLORESCIENCE Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Face Shield Flex SPF 50

COLORESCIENCE Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Face Shield Flex SPF 50
Courtesy of COLORESCIENCE

For a tinted sunscreen that offers more protection and coverage, go with the COLORESCIENCE Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Face Shield Flex SPF 50. The antioxidant-rich formula contains iron oxide pigments that seamlessly blend into any skin tone and leave behind medium coverage in a demi-matte finish. Knowing that the patented EnviroScreen® Technology provides protection against UVA/UVB, pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation makes us even bigger fans of this sunscreen.

5. Best Anti-Aging Tinted Sunscreen:

PERRICONE MD High Potency Classics: Face Finishing & Firming Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

PERRICONE MD High Potency Classics: Face Finishing & Firming Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

If you’re in the market for an oil-free tinted moisturizer, this is your best bet. The formula isn’t too heavy or too oily, and it helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, which isn’t the easiest to come by in tinted sunscreen formulas. One of the selling points for us (apart from the skincare benefits and sun protection) is the velvety rose scent. It’s not too overpowering and offers a nice calming aroma when applying the product in the morning.

6. Best Tinted Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin:

ELTAMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

ELTAMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Courtesy of ELTAMD

Formulated with 5% niacinamide and micronized zinc oxide, this sheer tinted SPF helps minimize the appearance of blemishes and discoloration while also protecting against UVA and UVB rays. We were recommended this SPF by our dermatologist and we’re so glad they suggested it. The way it has helped clear our complexion while ensuring no new acne pops up has made us the biggest fan of this sunscreen.

7. Best Tinted Moisturizer for Oily Skin:

BAREMINERALS Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer

BAREMINERALS Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer

Consider your oil production under control with this 3-in-1 tinted moisturizer, skin tint, and SPF 30. Oily skin types will be left with a dewy glow thanks to the hyaluronic acid in this formula. With a range of 20 shades, there’s one for every skin tone. There’s a reason it’s known as the #1 tinted moisturizer in the U.S.

8. Best Tinted Sunscreen Stick:

SUN BUM Signature SPF 50 Tinted Sunscreen Face Stick

SUN BUM Signature SPF 50 Tinted Sunscreen Face Stick
Courtesy of SUN BUM

This tinted mineral sunscreen stick is ideal for those days when you’re a little more active in the sun. Between a game of beach volleyball and swimming in the ocean waves, this water-resistant sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection no matter what fun in the sun you get up to. It’s the go-to SPF for various lifeguard organizations around the U.S., so if it’s good enough for them, it’s more than good enough for you.

9. Best Clean Tinted Sunscreen:

SONÄGE SKINCARE Roux Tinted Day Crème with SPF 30

SONÄGE SKINCARE Roux Tinted Day Crème with SPF 30

Those seeking a clean tinted sunscreen will appreciate this moisturizer from SONÄGE SKINCARE. The tint is subtle and won’t leave a white cast but the draw of this product is the formula filled with anti-aging active ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, tucuma butter, and peptides to keep your complexion flawless.

10. Best Hydrating Tinted Sunscreen:

CERAVE Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Sheer Tint

CERAVE Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Sheer Tint
Courtesy of CERAVE

You can’t go wrong with CERAVE; that statement is especially true with their tinted mineral sunscreen. Formulated with 100% mineral titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, this sheer face tint offers lightweight, non-greasy protection from the sun. You can use it on its own for a subtle color or apply it under your makeup to serve as a flawless base. We’re partial to the latter but the choice is yours.

Why do the labor yourself when you can get the best tinted sunscreens (and so much more!) delivered directly to you? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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About the author
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Ashley Locke
Ashley is a Long Beach-based freelance writer who loves sharing beauty and skincare hacks with her fellow “lazy girls” out there. When she isn’t writing, you can find her crying while listening to The Maine or watching "The Office".
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Article Last Updated August 7, 2024 12:00 AM