Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
Don’t get us wrong: We love a full-coverage foundation moment, but some days, we’d rather our skin still look like, well, skin. The best skin tints hit that sweet spot, using a subtle dose of pigment to soften redness, discoloration, and uneven tone without masking everything underneath. Coverage typically ranges from sheer to medium and, unlike foundations that can feel like a commitment, these fluid, serum-like, and even solid formulas are designed to blend in quickly (you can use your fingers!) and feel like next to nothing.
The category has become increasingly difficult to separate from skin care—and we’re not complaining. You’ll find familiar ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to boost hydration, squalane and ceramides to keep skin soft and comfortable, and niacinamide to support the skin barrier and improve the look of uneven tone. Some even throw SPF into the equation. And there’s no one-finish-fits-all rule: Our favorites run the gamut from juicy and radiant to softly blurred and shine-controlled. Ahead, makeup artists and Allure editors share the skin tints worth swapping into your routine whenever you’re feeling a no-makeup makeup vibe.
Our Top Skin Tints
- Best Overall: Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint, $36
- Best Lightweight: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint, $72
- Best for Mature Skin: IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm, $34
- Best Stick: MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick, $38
- Best for Oily Skin: Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint, $41
- Best for Uneven Skin: Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops, $42
- Best Drugstore: CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint, $14
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What's the difference between foundation and skin tint?
- What ingredients should I look for in a skin tint?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint
Save to wishlist
Make Up For Ever
Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint
Elizabeth Gulino
If hydration is a big part of your skin goals, Make Up For Ever’s Super Boost Skin Tint “feels comparable to face serums in texture, but still has buildable coverage,” says New York City-based makeup artist Anluis Minier. The lightweight formula backs up that comparison with glycerin, which draws water into the skin, and squalane, an emollient that prevents moisture from escaping. Sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, binds water at the skin’s surface for a temporarily plumper, smoother look. But the more unexpected addition in this skin tint is polyglutamic acid, a humectant that’s more commonly found in hydrating serums that attracts moisture at the skin’s surface. Silicones like dimethicone, meanwhile, add silky slip and glide over dry patches and uneven texture. Despite its stacked roster of hydrators, the formula stays weightless enough for all skin types.
Gulino before applying the Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint
Elizabeth Gulino
Gulino after applying the Make Up For Ever Super Boost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint
Elizabeth Gulino
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
LargeChevron
“I love a base product that leaves me looking glowy, and this one by Make Up For Ever sure did. It's definitely a sheer, lightweight skin tint, which is something I usually gravitate towards, but it still has buildable coverage. My only gripe is the shade range—I tend to go for neutral shades and there weren't many options for me!” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin, squalane, sodium hyaluronate, polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid, silicones
- Shade count: 18
Best Lightweight: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
Save to wishlist
Chanel
Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
Chanel
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
Shanna Shipin
Allure senior news editor James Manso applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
James Manso
Why we love it: When it comes to Chanel’s Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint, “light coverage” doesn’t mean barely any pigment. Rather than dispersing pigment throughout the formula like a traditional foundation, this skin tint suspends tiny pigment-filled microdroplets in a mostly transparent, watery base. As you blend, the droplets break open and release small amounts of color, evening out tone. The brand recommends dispensing it onto the back of your hand first to break up the droplets before applying (though we found that it works just as well if you apply it directly), and it even comes with a complexion brush to blend everything in seamlessly. (Per our staffer, the tradeoff for that fantastic, featherlight texture is that a little doesn’t go quite as long a way as you might expect, and the limited shade range leaves room for improvement.)
Water makes up 75% of the formula, while glycerin and tamarind seed extract keep dehydration at bay. According to Westchester, New York-based makeup artist Camila Mancipe, all that hydration doesn’t make it too hydrating for oily skin, though, as the oil-free formula settles in without leaving behind a heavy residue. If your skin is very dry, though, Mancipe recommends layering a richer moisturizer underneath or choosing a more moisturizing base.
Shipin before applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
Shanna Shipin
Manso before applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
James Manso
Manso after applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
James Manso
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
LargeChevron
“The way this evens out my skin tone is amazing—it genuinely feels like I’m wearing nothing, and I often forget I’ve applied any product at all. As the name suggests, this is a lightweight tint, so for my more hyperpigmented acne spots or the melasma around my mouth, I usually pair it with the Chanel Les Beiges serum concealer. The formula has amazing stretch, and someone with a little less to cover could probably get away with just one pump, but I use two. It lays on the skin like nothing at all (which is saying a lot because I have plenty of texture and dry patches) and leaves behind a lovely, healthy glow that is sadly usually never there—mom of two with no sleep, y’all. It has also never once irritated the dermatitis on my often-inflamed eyelids, which is absolutely necessary for a daily product.” —Shanna Shippin, senior commerce director
Tester feedback from senior news editor James Manso
LargeChevron
“The format of this product is so intriguing: It comes in an airless pump with suspended pigments in a serum-y, gel-like base, and gives the coverage of a light foundation. I know it's a 'skin tint,' but it has the attributes of a skin care serum, a BB cream, a foundation, and an Instagram filter all at the same time. In any case, it's a delight to use, blends in easily, offers just a touch of you-but-more-even coverage, and feels lighter than most moisturizers. If you're looking for something with more coverage, this probably isn't for you, but it's great if you want to look like you're not wearing makeup.” —James Manso, senior news editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin, tamarind seed extract
- Shade count: 8
Best for Mature Skin: IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm
Save to wishlist
IT Cosmetics
Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm
Ulta Beauty
Allure executive beauty director Jenny Bailly applying the IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm
Jenny Bailly
Why we love it: IT Cosmetics’ fan-favorite CC+ Cream has racked up multiple Allure Readers’ Choice Awards over the years for being the ultimate multitasker—coverage, color correction, and SPF, all in one tube—so a complexion product called Do It All has some pretty big shoes to fill.
But Do It All Hydrating Sheer Tint Face Balm isn’t CC+ Cream 2.0; it takes an entirely different, much sheerer approach that's so good, it already earned a 2026 Best of Beauty Award. Think of it instead as a “solid serum” with tint: The balm melts into a featherlight texture to even out tone while letting your skin show through. And, true to the brand, there’s plenty of skin care packed inside: Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate pull in water for bouncy skin, while vitamin E moisturizes and provides antioxidant protection. And, if fine lines and wrinkles are on your radar, the peptides are a nice bonus, helping skin look smoother and firmer over time.
Bailly before applying the IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm
Jenny Bailly
Bailly after applying the IT Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm
Jenny Bailly
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
LargeChevron
“I [always come] right back to the IT Cosmetics’ Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm—to the point that I have already emptied one jar and am well into my second (and would honestly feel more comfortable if I had a third waiting in reserve). As it says right there on the packaging, this is a balm. And it is indeed sheer. But somehow it also hides all of my redness and blurs my dark spots without looking (or feeling) like a mask. And the jar doesn't mention my favorite part: It feels cool on your skin when you apply it. You can definitely apply this with your fingers (and I do when I'm traveling), but I've found that using a big fluffy brush gives me the sheerest version of this sheer formula. The IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 is, go figure, an ideal choice—it also has a smaller, denser brush on one end, and I use that to blend this tint under my eyes where I need more coverage.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, vitamin E, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
- Shade count: 12
Best Stick: MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick
Save to wishlist
MAC
Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick in Light Medium 1
Christa Joanna Lee
Why we love it: Unlike every other skin tint on this list, the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick doesn’t contain a drop of water—and that’s part of what makes it so good on the go. The solid, anhydrous formula won’t spill in your makeup bag, and the stick lets you swipe coverage exactly where you want it—say, over redness around your nose or uneven tone on your cheeks—rather than committing to a fluid tint all over. The formula relies on breathable emollients for a creamy, easy-to-blend glide, while sunflower seed oil and fatty acids (including linoleic, linolenic, and oleic) soften and condition skin. The skin-care benefits don’t stop there: Açaí and radish seed extracts provide antioxidants, vitamin E conditions, and kaolin soaks up any excess oil. If MAC’s water-based Strobe Dewy Skin Tint skewed a little too dewy for you, consider this its more targeted, shine-controlled alternative—it keeps the radiance, just without quite so much gleam.
Lee before applying the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick in Light Medium 1
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick in Light Medium 1
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
LargeChevron
“I’m genuinely surprised this formula manages to hold its shape as a solid, because the literal second the MAC Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick hits my skin, it melts in like a liquid foundation. It’s so creamy and easy to blend that, had I not been at home with my kabuki brush handy, I could’ve easily gotten away with just using my fingers. The coverage is a tad sheerer than I normally reach for when I’m trying to camouflage my melasma, but there’s just enough pigment to even everything out while somehow making it look like I’m wearing no makeup at all—this is simply my skin, thank you very much. I’m very excited to keep this one in daily rotation, especially on days when I want my complexion to look naturally glowier and even toned without feeling like I’m wearing foundation.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, linoleic, linolenic, and oleic acids, açaí and radish seed extracts, vitamin E, kaolin
- Shade count: 20
Best for Oily Skin: Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Save to wishlist
Fenty Beauty
Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Sarah Han
Why we love it: You may think skin tints are synonymous with dewy coverage, but the big selling point of Fenty Beauty’s Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint is that it’s more about blur than glow. The formula does sneak in skin-care ingredients—including glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and urea to retain moisture—but its silicone-heavy base drives the easy spreadability and instant soft-focus effect. Dimethicone smooths over the look of pores and uneven texture, while talc and silica absorb excess sebum to minimize unwanted shine in oily skin. “It feels more modern than a traditional matte base, striking that tricky balance where there’s enough hydration to avoid skin from looking flat or chalky, but it still keeps excess shine in check,” says Magen Grays, a makeup artist based in Atlanta.
Han before applying the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tin
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tin
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
LargeChevron
“I love a dewy skin tint but cameras don't often agree with me, usually making my T-zone and cheeks look blinding and more apparent than they do in person—not fun! So, on days I know I'll be taking photos, Fenty's Eaze Drops are a go-to. They help tamp down the shine and blur the look of my pores—especially on and around my nose—but still leave my skin looking fresh and bouncy, thanks to the skin-care ingredients. It strikes the ideal balance for my combination/oily skin, and the formula truly feels like nothing. I find that my fingers can do 90% of the blending and I only pick up a sponge to blend the product around my nose and around the perimeter of my face just to make sure there are no random lines or splotches.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, urea, dimethicone, talc, silica
- Shade count: 25
Best for Uneven Texture: Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops
Save to wishlist
Drunk Elephant
Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops
Deanna Pai
Why we love it: Though Drunk Elephant has dabbled in color with D-Bronzi, O-Bloos, and B-Goldi, those were always positioned as serum drops meant to be mixed into your skin care. Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops is the brand’s first bona fide complexion product—but, naturally, it doesn’t abandon its skin-care roots. The formula uses 18% amino-acid-coated pigments, meaning the color particles are treated with amino acids to disperse more evenly, glide evenly over skin, and adhere better for less patchy, cakey coverage. Alongside them, a 4% peptide complex improves the look of firmness, uneven texture, and fine lines over time. More immediately, a cocktail of 11 amino acids and moisture-binding ingredients like glycerin, sodium PCA, and sodium lactate keeps skin hydrated, helping dullness and roughness look less noticeable, while squalane, marula oil, and green tea seed oil condition skin for a softer, smoother surface. That’s a lot of skin care for something we still firmly maintain is, yes, makeup.
Pai before applying the Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Drunk Elephant Kamo Triple-Peptide Cover Drops
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
LargeChevron
“Drunk Elephant isn’t kidding with its capital-m Makeup: This stuff is so pigmented that I initially put on way too much. A drop or two is enough to cover the whole face, and I liked that I could blend it in seamlessly just with my fingers. It left my skin looking fresh—with enough coverage to deal with dark spots and tiny clogged pores—and stayed put the whole day, humidity be damned. It’s perfect for quick, low-key coverage when I need something that’s a step up from tinted sunscreen.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: 18% amino-acid-coated pigments, 4% peptide complex, glycerin, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, squalane, marula oil, green tea seed oil
- Shade count: 25
Best Drugstore: CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint
Save to wishlist
CoverGirl
Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applying the CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint
Katie Gunderman
Why we love it: CoverGirl’s Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint may sound familiar (its predecessor was Clean Fresh Skin Milk). The latest iteration keeps the same light-to-medium coverage but adds 2% niacinamide, which can strengthen the skin barrier, regulate excess oil, and improve the look of uneven tone. More surprising for a makeup formula is acetyl glucosamine, a hydrating amino sugar often paired with niacinamide in skin care to improve the look of uneven tone. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate handle much of the hydration, while aloe and allantoin soothe and plant oils like coconut and soybean keep skin soft. But it’s not all about piling on moisture: Aluminum starch absorbs excess oil, making this affordable tint for all skin types—even oily.
Gunderman before applying the CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint
Katie Gunderman
Gunderman after applying the CoverGirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint
Katie Gunderman
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
LargeChevron
“The Covergirl Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint gives me the prettiest light coverage that looks natural and lightweight on the skin. It applies smoothly with a brush or a sponge if you want to thin it out more and even can give you a nice medium coverage if you add more concealer. It wears beautifully and will give you a natural glow if you don't set it down with powder. I think for the price this is an amazing skin tint and the squeeze bottle makes application so easy.” —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: 2% niacinamide, acetyl glucosamine, glycerin, panthenol, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, urea, sodium hyaluronate, aloe, allantoin
- Shade count: 14
Best Glowy Finish: Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint
Save to wishlist
Summer Fridays
Sheer Skin Tint
Amazon
Revolve
Sephora
Shipin applying the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: There’s a fine line between dewy and greasy, and the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint never crosses it. One of our testers said her skin still looked hydrated yet non-oily after trekking through New York City on a hot summer day, but its moisture-heavy formula makes just as much sense once sweater weather hits. Since Summer Fridays debuted as a skin-care brand, it's no surprise that its skin tint features familiar ingredients: There’s glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane to attract and lock in moisture. Those with sensitive skin will appreciate the addition of tiger grass to soothe skin and reduce the look of redness.
Shipin before applying the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from Shipin
LargeChevron
“Not a day goes by that I don't use this skin tint—it truly is the ‘your skin but better’ formula in a bottle. Despite being super dry, consistently battling hormonal acne, and having a mix of deep and fine lines, this skin tint is undetectable! No settling into creases, no weird ashiness in the pigment, no accentuating my eczema patches—just a perfect weightless wear. The shade ranges are uniquely fitting; I'm Shade 5, which is ‘medium with warm neutral undertones’—do you know how rare it is to find a combination like this?! You do if you have a tricky medium skin tone that's all at once golden, warm, and olive. It's a borderline magical product. The only drawback is that it's a liquid, so sometimes you may spill if you're in a rush (hi, mom of two and perpetually late to things). It has stained a top of mine, but, hey, that's some good staying-power for you!” —Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: tiger grass, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane
- Shade count: 12
Best Shade Range: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
Save to wishlist
Ilia
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
Lexi Herrick
Why we love it: The impressive shade range is one of the many reasons Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is beloved by the pros. Because sheer pigments allow more of your natural skin tone to show through, skin tints tend to be a bit more forgiving than full-coverage foundations—one reason the category has historically gotten away with fewer shades. However, “Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 offers the kind of nuanced undertone range you’d expect from a foundation, making it much easier to find a shade that disappears seamlessly into your skin,” says Renée Loiz, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles.
Beyond the pigment, squalane and shea butter-derived emollients soften skin, while niacinamide supports the skin barrier and improves the look of uneven tone. Two forms of hyaluronic acid boost hydration, and aloe, bisabolol, and allantoin soothe easily irritated skin. Then there’s 12% zinc oxide, the mineral UV filter behind its SPF 40. One quirk of the mineral formula: The zinc oxide can make your shade look lighter when it first hits skin, so give it 30 to 60 seconds to settle before deciding whether you’ve found your match. Though the formula contains no added fragrance, our tester noticed a slightly offbeat scent upon application—but it faded quickly enough that it was hardly a dealbreaker.
Herrick before applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
Lexi Herrick
Herrick after applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
Lexi Herrick
Tester feedback from senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick
LargeChevron
“This product is actually a dream. I have never been a skin tint girl (thanks, acne), but I have been experimenting with more lightweight formulas, and Ilia's Skin Tint skyrocketed to the top as one of my favorites. Everything from the gentle, soothing scent to the creamy and blendable consistency is incredible. It soaks into my skin beautifully and gives me the perfect amount of coverage without too much heaviness. I feel it's done wonders for my acne as well! Team skin tint!” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of commerce audience & analytics
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane, niacinamide
- Shade count: 30
Best for Dry Skin: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Save to wishlist
Hourglass
Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Alessandra Foresto
Why we love it: Arguably, most skin tints are already pretty friendly to dry skin, but the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint ups the ante by giving skin “the juiciest, healthy finish I’ve seen in a skin tint,” says Loiz. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate replenish moisture, while squalane and meadowfoam seed oil slow down moisture loss. Shea butter adds another layer of emollience, which explains why the formula feels so plush and forgiving on rough, flaky patches. All that moisture in the Best of Beauty Award winner translates to a naturally radiant finish and a texture that’s so silky and fluid that you can skip the brush altogether (though the Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush is our favorite) and blend it in with your fingertips like a lotion.
Foresto before applying the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Alessandra Foresto
Foresto after applying the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Alessandra Foresto
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
LargeChevron
“This hydrating skin tint has the most perfect glowy finish and actually stays put all day, but doesn't make my skin feel tight and dry (like I need to spritz face mist every five minutes). As an eczema-prone girlie, I'm a big fan of its lightweight but buildable formula too, because it lets me hide some pesky eczema hyperpigmentation without the need to use a higher coverage base or extra concealer.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
LargeChevron
"I'm not big on foundation for everyday. Every one I try feels like a mask on my skin that I can't wait to wash off, so there is no way I could commit to wearing it five days a week. I typically reserve base makeup for days when I have to be on TV or at an event. This skin tint feels more like a face lotion—in fact, I often apply it with just my hands. The coverage is very light. However, it's enough to make people think I did something to get a natural glow." —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, hyaluronic acid, rambutan, squalane
- Shade count: 18
Best Plumping: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint
Save to wishlist
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Yummy Skin Tint
Sephora
Allure former beauty closet associate Edward Horgan applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint
Edward Horgan
Why we love it: You’ll find the usual skin-tint suspects in Danessa Myricks’ Beauty Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint—glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and squalane—but things get a little more interesting from there. Ceramides and phytosterols (plant-derived compounds similar to the lipids naturally in your skin) support the skin barrier, while cactus extract hydrates and soothes. There’s also a plant-derived sugar complex, including xylitol derivatives, that helps skin hold onto water. Most unique is SR-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, what the brand calls a vegan collagen peptide: It’s a biotechnology-derived protein designed to mimic certain properties of collagen. All of that skin care comes wrapped up in sheer coverage with a plump, skin-like finish that makes the “Yummy Skin” name feel pretty spot-on. “It won’t erase every variation in the complexion, but it creates a beautiful, overall harmony in the skin tone,” says Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a makeup artist based in New Jersey.
Horgan before applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint
Edward Horgan
Horgan after applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint
Edward Horgan
Tester feedback from former beauty closet associate Edward Horgan
LargeChevron
“This skin tint has the perfect balance of coverage and glow that covers up my redness while still leaving my skin looking like my skin! It has a lightweight feel to it and works so well with any other product I layer on top of it; it’s my go-to for a reason.” —Edward Horgan, former beauty closet associate
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, squalane, ceramides, peptides (SR-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1), cactus extract
- Shade count: 20
Best Blurring: Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir
Save to wishlist
Kylie Cosmetics
Skin Tint Blurring Elixir
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure creative producer Sydney Malone applying the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir
Sydney Malone
Why we love it: There’s a time and a place for a full King Kylie beat—sculpted contour, XL lashes, and an expertly overdrawn matte lip—and then there are days when less is more. Kylie Cosmetics’ Skin Tint Blurring Elixir caters to the latter with a natural, second-skin finish that still does plenty of behind-the-scenes work. The 2025 Best of Beauty winner uses weightless silicones to give the fluid formula its slip to effortlessly smooth over the look of pores and uneven texture, while silica absorbs excess oil for additional mattifying without making skin look flat. Film-forming ingredients give all that barely there coverage some serious staying power, helping it hold up against sweat and humidity. And because blurring should never be code for drying, humectants propanediol and sodium hyaluronate keep moisture in the equation.
Malone before applying the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir
Sydney Malone
Malone after applying the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir
Sydney Malone
Tester feedback from creative producer Sydney Malone
LargeChevron
“I absolutely love this skin tint, especially for the summer, since the lightweight coverage doesn't feel overbearing in the heat. It gives me a light glow while not appearing shiny.” —Sydney Malone, creative producer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, mica, silica
- Shade count: 24
Best for Sensitive Skin: Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Save to wishlist
Saie
Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Amazon
Shop
Sephora
Gulino applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Elizabeth Gulino
Why we love it: Does your sensitive skin make you wary of trying new products? Saie’s Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer keeps potential freak-outs to a minimum. The Best of Beauty Award winner skips added fragrance, a common potential irritant, and brings in bisabolol, aloe, and licorice root extract to soothe and calm skin. Glycerin and two forms of hyaluronic acid keep your complexion hydrated, while grape-seed and argan oils, jojoba esters, and beeswax soften skin and seal that hydration in. We can’t overlook the added bonus of SPF 35 protection, either: It comes courtesy of 15% zinc oxide, a mineral UV filter that tends to be well tolerated by sensitive skin—making this sheer, dewy tint an especially appealing option if chemical sunscreen filters haven’t always agreed with you.
Gulino before applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Elizabeth Gulino
Gulino after applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Elizabeth Gulino
Tester feedback from Gulino
LargeChevron
"It only took a week of using this product for me to add it to my beauty drawer permanently. The application is easy, it provides just enough buildable coverage, and it has left my skin looking glowy without being too oily. A feat! I've been applying it with Saie's The Big Brush—a perfect combination, in my opinion. I've been using shade two, which was formulated for very light skin tones with peach undertones. The packaging looks and feels luxe, but the scent is not my favorite. That's not necessarily a dealbreaker for me, though." —Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: 15% zinc oxide, pansy extract, hyaluronic acid
- Shade count: 14
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between foundation and skin tint?
Foundations and skin tints mainly differ in both pigment levels and their skin-care perks. Foundations deliver more coverage, but that extra pigment can often feel heavy—and powders in the formula may settle into fine lines. (That’s why it’s all the more important to find a foundation made for mature skin.)
Skin tints, on the other hand, often come loaded with nourishing ingredients you won’t always find in standard foundation or concealer (more on that below). Their lighter, more hydrating formulas make them a particularly good fit for those with dry or mature skin who want to avoid anything thick or heavy.
That's not to say the two base products can't work in tandem. "I can easily see myself using a tint as a priming step to even the skin, and adding coverage with foundation and concealer where needed," New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli told Allure. If you go the route of fuller coverage, locking in everything with a translucent setting powder is crucial.
What ingredients should I look for in a skin tint?
When something is advertised as a skin tint, you may see more skin-loving actives like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and squalane at work. "[Hyaluronic acid] is great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, previously told Allure. Squalane, conversely, "aids in skin-care problems wherein the skin barrier is disrupted and transepidermal water loss is an issue," according to Palm Beach, Florida-based board-certified dermatologist Samantha Fisher, MD. Everyone, including sensitive skin (squalane is odorless, by the way), can benefit from this emollient.
While examining the formula of Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint, Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, shouted out some of her favorite skin tint ingredients. "Niacinamide brightens tone and increases the skin's production of ceramides, which in turn can prevent moisture loss," explained Dr. King. She also named mineral SPFs, like non-nano zinc oxide, as a beneficial ingredient—but we always recommend applying a standalone sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or more, instead of relying on SPF-spiked makeup.
Meet the experts
- Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Samantha Fisher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
- Magen Grays, a makeup artist based in Atlanta
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Renée Loiz, a makeup artist and founder of Color May Vary based in Los Angeles
- Anluis Minier, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Camila Mancipe, a makeup artist based in Westchester, New York
- Tommy Napoli, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a makeup artist based in New Jersey
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best skin tints, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from makeup artists, dermatologists, and cosmetic chemists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Leave a Reply