11 Drugstore Tinted Moisturizers That Won’t Break the Bank
I got my flawless face on sale.
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While we love the finer things in life, like beautiful luxury perfumes and luxury makeup, we also appreciate all the gems that drugstores offer. From drugstore primers to drugstore sunscreens, the shelves of your local CVS are teeming with sophisticated beauty products that hold their own against pricier ones—including drugstore tinted moisturizers. These lightweight and moisturizing formulas often have just enough coverage to perfect your skin and blur blemishes, but they won’t feel heavy on your face or melt off and get patchy in hot, humid weather. Plus, it’ll look like your skin is naturally that flawless on its own—almost like you woke up like that.
“The benefits of a tinted moisturizer are a more hydrated and second-skin makeup look. Most foundations provide coverage, but minimal skin care. Tinted moisturizers have skin care benefits along with a natural but buildable coverage,” says makeup artist Erica Taylor. Some of those useful benefits include sun protection from SPF and hydration from hyaluronic acid, and your skin will thank you for them.
Shop our favorite drugstore tinted moisturizers
We spoke to an expert makeup artist, searched the internet, and read hundreds of customer reviews before landing on this list of the 11 best drugstore tinted moisturizers you can buy right now. Below, you’ll discover the makeup-skin care hybrids that are ready to replace your current roster of so-so complexion products without hurting your wallet.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen for Face SPF 50
Pros
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Only one shade
This mineral sunscreen from drugstore superstar La Roche-Posay has a slight tint to it that not only prevents it from having that dreaded white cast but also provides the slightest bit of coverage that evens out your skin tone. On days when you don’t feel like wearing foundation but want a blurring effect, this SPF is a great choice.
Shades: 1
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “It’s difficult—okay, nearly impossible—to find a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a dreaded white cast. La Roche Posay’s tinted moisturizer fools you at first. As you rub the product into your skin, you start to see that familiar gray tint, but keep going! The white cast disappears, leaving a sun-protected, moisturized, even skin tone. I love it!” —Danielle James, digital beauty director
Pros
- Contains skin care ingredients
Cons
- May not be suited for oily skin types
This product brings the glow—both while you wear it, and after you wash it off. With a ton of skin-loving squalane and hints of coconut water, you’ll become obsessed with how healthy your skin looks with this on.
Shades: 8
Amazon rating: 4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This formula truly feels like a deeply hydrating moisturizer first and a complexion product second. The coverage is so forgiving that I can just rub it into my fingers like a regular face lotion, which blurs the redness and imperfections I have on my face. But I can also tap in a little extra with the tip of my finger to add coverage where I need it.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream
Pros
- Large shade range
Cons
- Can feel cakey to some reviewers
It’s a common problem that tinted moisturizers often lack large shade ranges. However, this one from e.l.f. boasts an impressive 23 shades. With medium coverage and SPF 30, this cream will replace your regular foundation in a heartbeat.
Shades: 23
Ulta rating: 4.1/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This CC cream is one of the best formulas on the market for the price. Its performance can easily be compared to more luxurious brands. It’s medium-to-full coverage and perfect on days my skin is irritated and experiencing breakouts. It color corrects, hydrates, and brightens my skin, in addition to providing the perfect amount of coverage.” —Danielle James
CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30
Pros
- SPF protection
Cons
- Only one shade
If you want a skin care product to do more than just one job, this tinted sunscreen also has a subtle beige color, which has the benefit of reducing redness on lighter skin tones, and never leaving a white cast on deeper skin tones.
Shades: 1
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I was shocked by how moisturizing this tinted sunscreen is. The consistency is perfect for my normal-to-dry skin, but I also don’t think it’d feel greasy on oilier skin, either. While it’s pretty light coverage, the formula manages to slightly camouflage the redness on my cheeks and nose and perfect my complexion.” —Carol Lee
L’Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
Pros
- Contains skin care ingredients
Cons
- Bottle can become messy quickly
If you’re looking for a lightweight, skin-loving tinted moisturizer, this product is a fan favorite—just ask all the viral TikTok creators. It contains hyaluronic acid, which keeps the skin hydrated even after washing it off.
Shades: 14
Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars
Our expert says: “My favorite tinted moisturizer to work with as a 46-year-old makeup artist is L’Oréal’s True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum for light coverage and hydration all day.” —Erica Taylor
ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer
Pros
- Large shade range
Cons
- Can look patchy
If you want to look like your skin is naturally glowing and even, consider this lightweight tinted moisturizer, which contains hyaluronic acid. It’s the perfect your-skin-but-better product.
Shades: 20
Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This is my favorite thing to put on when I don’t want to wear a bunch of makeup. [It] makes my face look even, and when I want a fuller coverage look, I mix it with the foundation, and it makes it look way better.” —Carol Lee
Pros
- Matte finish
Cons
- Limited shade range
If you want that lightweight feeling without glowing like a disco ball, this wallet-friendly choice dries matte, so you never have to apply extra powder to set it.
Shades: 6
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I have no idea why it took so long for me to try this product when I’ve heard YouTubers and influencers rave about it for years. Now, I can see why—I feel comfortable applying it with my fingers or a brush, since you’d have to try really hard to cause any streaking. I also like the buildable coverage since it has enough to even everything out but stays undetectable on the skin. It gives me a glow, like I drink more than enough water every day (which I don’t but definitely should).” —Carol Lee
Wet n Wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- May not be suitable for very fair skin
The first layer of this semi-matte tinted moisturizer is sheer, but you can build it up to medium coverage without it feeling too thick or greasy. Dry skin will appreciate the hyaluronic acid in the formula, which drenches the skin in moisture.
Shades: 8
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve tried so many tinted moisturizers and hated every single one. I was very surprised when I used this one, and it went on flawlessly. I used to love a heavy matte foundation with powder to finish it. However, being a teacher, I need to just be able to get ready for work and go, and I needed something that would stay on all day, especially on hot days. This tinted moisturizer is easy to apply—it only takes a minute, [and] you can top with powder if you need to, but it literally has great coverage. It stays on all day, and I believe that it’s actually making my skin look better because of the hyaluronic acid.”
Maybelline New York Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream
Pros
- Doesn’t sink into fine lines
Cons
- Limited shade range
So many foundations and concealers can sink into the wearer’s fine lines and wrinkles, exacerbating their appearance. This affordable BB cream, however, manages to never do this, according to hundreds of reviewers.
Shades: 5
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I am 64 years old, and it is really hard to come by any foundation that works on mature skin without accentuating fine lines and wrinkles. This works so well! I use a small brush and apply this under my eyes and slightly to the side of my eyes, and I go from looking too tired to looking years younger. I also use this for my entire face, and there is no need for powder on top. I have tried so many products, it was nice to try one that I could actually use!”
Pros
- Feels lightweight on the skin
Cons
- Limited shade range
NYX is launching hit after hit in the complexion category, and this tinted moisturizer is no exception. It’s incredibly lightweight but still gives skin a glowy finish and reduces redness and pigmentation.
Shades: 6
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love this product. It’s not heavy at all. It’s really lightweight and perfect for the summer. It gives you good coverage and feels like you don’t have anything on. It’s not sticky or greasy.”
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Tinted Facial Moisturizer SPF 30
Pros
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- Limited shade range
If you have sensitive skin, complexion makeup and sunscreen are often two of the most difficult products to find. This pick from Neutrogena makes both a possibility. Packed with antioxidants, SPF 30 protection, and a non-comedogenic ingredient list, acne-prone and sensitive skin types will love this tinted moisturizer.
Shades: 3
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have very sensitive skin and am very cautious about trying new facial products. I don’t like heavy foundations or greasy moisturizers. This product fit the bill perfectly. It is light and non-greasy. It does not irritate my face. I am very pleased with this tinted moisturizer.”
Meet the Expert
Erica Taylor is a makeup artist and educator, and a member of the L’Oréal Paris League of Experts.
What are the benefits of using a tinted moisturizer instead of a foundation?
If you’ve found that your foundations aren’t giving you the look you want, or are irritating your skin, a tinted moisturizer may be the way to go. “The benefits of a tinted moisturizer are a more hydrated and second-skin makeup look. Most foundations provide coverage but minimal skin care. Tinted moisturizers have skin care benefits along with a natural but buildable coverage,” says Taylor.
How should you apply a tinted moisturizer?
Don’t let the name fool you: tinted moisturizers might have skin care benefits, but they still need to be applied like makeup. “It’s important to remember that at times that, yes, tinted moisturizer is still makeup, and I recommend applying your daily moisturizer first to stay properly hydrated. Tinted moisturizers can vary with the amount of actual skin care infused, so it’s still essential to appropriately hydrate and treat skin. I recommend applying a tinted with your hands; a sponge can provide too little coverage and a brush will dilute the minimal coverage. Put it on starting in the center, and rub it in like you would your daily SPF or lotion,” says Taylor. She adds, “My best tip: patting your tinted moisturizer, especially in the T-zone, to build coverage to provide a second-skin look. The skin-on-skin approach of hands to face will minimize the look of pores and blur fine lines.”
What skin types are best suited to tinted moisturizers?
“All skin types can use tinted moisturizer, however, if you require or desire additional coverage, you may opt for a traditional foundation. A tinted moisturizer is essentially a lightweight coverage with skin care infused. Tinted moisturizer will provide a healthy sheer coverage, and it’s perfect for everyday wear. But for an occasion, photography, or just an extended period of time, I would stick with a basic foundation,” says Taylor.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Tatjana Freund consulted an expert to learn about the best drugstore tinted moisturizers and how to apply them. She and Carol Lee also read through countless customer reviews and evaluated each product on their ingredients and features.
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