Not quite foundation. Not quite skincare. Skin tints sit somewhere in-between, and they’re your shortcut to an even complexion, effortless glow, and sheer, natural-looking coverage.
The good ones (and there are lots of them!) are the masters of beauty multitaskers. Skin-first in their formulas – often featuring hydrating ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and squalane – they improve your complexion with every application while offering just enough pigment to even out your skin and add a healthy dose of glowy hydration.
Adding to their appeal, they’re incredibly easy to use and impossible to mess up. For those makeup free days when you just want a hint of tint, simply blend the product into skin using fingertips for a dewy finish with serious glow. For a little extra coverage, you can go over any specific areas with a concealer or foundation. Layer anything else you want over the top – blush, bronzer, highlighter, powder, and you’re done.
You know you’ve chosen the right skin tint when someone says you look well rested. The key is picking one suited to your skin type or concern – like these...
Best for dry skin
MECCA MAX Off Duty Serum Skin Tint

Best for combination skin
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Skin Perfecting Tint

Best for SPF protection
ILIA Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

Best for mature skin
Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops

Best for oily skin
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser

Best for combination skin
Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint

Best for redness
Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Creme
Whether you're looking for a fail-proof skin perfector, don't want to go full-out on foundation, or just don't have the time for a full beat in the morning, Kosas’ bouncy gel–like cream version of a skin tint will quickly become your daily go-to. It’s hard to count how many benefits fit into this one little bottle. There’s zinc oxide to visibly reduce redness, copper peptides to support collagen, pump and firm, and saccharide isomerate + sodium PCA for hydration and skin barrier support. In summary, it’s like a perfect-10 finish that takes all of 60 seconds to apply.
