The Most Highly-Rated Skin Tints And Tinted Moisturisers For Natural Skin-Like Skin

If we’re talking about the famous “clean girl” aesthetic, eternally chic but especially so on our social media feeds these days, then it’s not just your lips that have to be better — it’s your skin too. Not without a little help though.

“My skin but better” is the goal here, and we’re letting our base makeup do the talking. Instead of piling on, or worse, slathering on, a whole chunk of foundation though, picking up a skin tint or tinted moisturiser is the way to go to achieve that subtle, natural look.

These tinted formulas effortlessly grace the skin with their lightweight textures, and yet, seem to magically do the work of blurring pores and evening out skin tones without covering up one’s naturally beautiful skin, freckles and all. Your natural skin’s enhanced just enough that there’s still a radiant sheen. It’s all about that dewy texture and light, fresh-faced coverage here.

Most of the good ones are also infused with skincare actives and UV protection, which care for the skin while having the added benefit of having makeup last longer, since skin is well-hydrated underneath. Some of our favourites include Fenty Beauty’s Eaze Drop and Pixi’s H20 Tint for their sheer and natural finish, while you’ll find a list of our top recommendations below.

Just a couple of tips before you embark on your hunt for the perfect tint. These are medium coverage at best — and as they should be — so if you’re looking for a more flawless look, try topping up with concealer on spots you want to hide.

Many of the tinted products are also water-based formulas in order to deliver on that lightweight textures we love; so just a note if you’re going in with an oil-based primer and finding them piling. You don’t really have to though, since they’re made to be as unfussy as possible. To use, simply blend out with your fingers or use a brush on bare skin, right after your sunscreen step.

Lastly, embrace your skin, even if there might be freckles, pigmentation or blemishes; these skin tints are here to enhance, not cover up!

Here are some beloved formulas you can try:

[click on the images below to expand, and for more info.]

LAURA MERCIER TINTED MOISTURIZER LIGHT REVEALER, $79 — The brand's tinted moisturiser is already well-loved for its ultra-sheer, effortless vibes, but this one takes it up a notch. Designed to boost the skin's natural radiance, the water-break cream now comes with luminescent pearls shade-matched to your skin tone, in order to give off the smoothest and most natural-looking glow; these reflect light to brighten the look of dull skin. Skincare ingredients such as French Algae and an Antioxidant Complex are present in the formula too, along with Broad Spectrum SPF 25 to protect against the environment.

RATIONALE #3 THE TINTED SERUM SPF50+, $189 — Australian skincare brand debuts a tinted serum that's more skincare than makeup, and we're here for that. This one's a hydrating daily serum and sunscreen that offers advanced solar and environmental protection while it's on your skin, achieved using their proprietary Zinc Fusion technology, where each particle provides constant UV protection without compromising on luminosity, while other actives fortify the skin barrier too. This is then complete with a sheer, weightless tint that leaves a velvety finish.

CHANEL WATER-FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH, USD65 — Currently all over CHANEL Beauty's feed starring South Korean actress Hoyeon and fashion model Malika Louback, this versatile makeup product is infused with ultra-concentrated micro-droplet pigments, and offers a medium coverage, pretty rare for this lightweight a texture. If you're looking for even lighter coverage from their MicroFluidic range though, there's the Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint ($106), a refreshing number that's CHANEL's first water-fresh tint.

FENTY BEAUTY EAZE DROP BLURRING SKIN TINT, $49 — I've been finding every opportunity to talk about this skin tint, and no, it's not just because of Rihanna. Not really anyway. The formula stands out on its own with a light coverage that's buildable and easy to apply with just your fingers, while the texture blends out beautifully and smoothly. It evens out the complexion instantly with a blurred filter effect that looks just like natural skin, so you'll look effortlessly put-together, and truly with minimal fuss too.

RARE BEAUTY POSITIVE LIGHT TINTED MOISTURIZER, $48 — A hot-selling item since Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty brand launched on Sephora, this breathable and lightweight formula gives a naturally radiant finish, with built-in SPF 20 and hydrating skincare to boot. It's blendable and buildable as well, and goes from light to medium coverage, and is flexible enough to move with your skin instead of settling into it, keeping your complexion looking fresh throughout the day.

PIXI H20 SKINTINT, $39 — While not the newest kid on the block, Pixi's skin tint was one of the earliest tinted formulas I've tried, and I still stand by its natural-looking coverage that's achieved with the super lightweight gel-like texture of the tinted moisturiser. Yes, it cares for your skin too. There's just something about the way it captures the way skin looks and feels, complete with a transparent glow and sheen. All very much in line with Pixi's embracing of natural, fuss-free and timeless beauty by the way, a mantra they've been at since the brand's inception.

HERMÈS PLEIN AIR, $148 — The natural enhancing complexion balm is the beauty atelier’s answer to fresh, lightweight coverage that also takes care of the skin. Earlier this year, Creative Director Gregoris demonstrated the beautiful versatility of the product, how it gives subtle, layered coverage while still letting our skin’s natural radiance shine through, and we've been sold since. Its innovative texture is achieved via a partnership with a Japanese laboratory, for a silky-soft consistency that caresses the contours of the face.

SHISEIDO SYNCHRO SKIN SELF-REFRESHING SKIN TINT, $65 — Shiseido's complexion products deserve a lot more attention, because the Japanese brand often gets it right with their high-quality textures and cutting-edge technology, which often push the limits of their fields. Case in point: the Activeforce™ Technology, which synchronises with skin to resist heat and humidity, oil and motion for a natural, skin-like finish, present across the Synchro Skin range. The skin tint is no different, and offers a self-balancing formula with light coverage, while promising long-lasting and long-lasting looking wear. Skincare actives combine with a light-reflecting pearl powders and smart correcting powder, for those who want a subtly enhanced complexion without having to worry about how it looks at the end of the day.

• LAURA MERCIER TINTED MOISTURIZER LIGHT REVEALER, $79.

• Rationale #3 The Tinted Serum SPF50+, $189.

• CHANEL Water-Fresh Complexion Touch, USD65. LES BEIGES WATER-FRESH TINT, $106.

• Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint, $49.

• Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer, $48.

• Pixi H2O Skintint, $39.

• HERMÈS PLEIN AIR, $148.

• Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint, $65.