I tested 13 tinted moisturizers — here's what they look like on, and which ones are worth it

Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator

Urban Decay's Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator offers impressive medium coverage that stays dewy and fresh.

If you want a bit more than sheer coverage but still prefer lightweight face makeup, Urban Decay's tinted moisturizer is the one for you. This deliciously dewy product has an almost serum-like texture, allowing for a super smooth application and all-day luminous finish. While the 24-hour wear claim is a bit extreme (and unlikely to ever be needed in the first place), it definitely holds up for several hours with no dry patches in sight.

Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint

Milk Makeup's Sunshine Skin Tint uses a blend of natural oils for an ultra-dewy finish.

Formulated with a blend of grapeseed, avocado, mandarin, jojoba and olive oils, Milk Makeup's skin tint is truly one of the dewiest tinted moisturizers out there. It's also about as low-maintenance as it gets when it comes to application; the rollerball applicator glides right onto the skin and the formula is easily blendable with just your fingertips. Plus, its light, citrus scent makes for an all-around pleasant experience.

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint

Most tinted moisturizers boast skincare benefits, but ILIA's Skin Tint takes things to the next level.

This tinted moisturizer is worth every penny. Not only does it offer a stunning lit-from-within glow, but ILIA's Super Serum Skin Tint is also boosted with skin-nourishing superheroes Hyaluronic Acid, plant-based squalane, and niacinamide. The downsides? A somewhat messy dropper applicator and a strong SPF scent. Even still, this product stands tall above the rest.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

Sensitive skin? Look no further than First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer.

First Aid Beauty puts the "moisturizer" in tinted moisturizer. Known for being sensitive-skin friendly, the brand certainly does not disappoint with this member of the Ultra Repair line. The light, airy texture is so similar to that of a face cream that you might just forget you're wearing makeup — which is probably the entire point.

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream is the epitome of light, dewy coverage.

The perfect balance of hydration and natural coverage, this will surely become your daily go-to. It's great to throw on when you need to look put together quickly (i.e. last-minute Zoom meetings), but it's also easily buildable for a more full-coverage (but always dewy) complexion.

Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint

Though it contains fragrance, you simply cannot beat the healthy glow of Chanel's Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint.

This product is worthy of accolades simply because it is precisely what it claims to be: a sheer, healthy glow. One swipe of the Chanel Les Beiges tinted moisturizer and your skin looks revitalized, luminous, and impossibly supple. There's not much coverage, and the shade range is very narrow compared to the other tinted moisturizers on this list, but the gorgeous finish is exactly what we wish for on natural makeup days.

Kosas Tinted Face Oil

Kosas' Tinted Face Oil is perhaps the most comfortable tinted moisturizer out there.

Kosas says their Tinted Face Oil is "the sweatpants of foundation", and there is truly no better description. The lightweight formula absorbs immediately into the skin and leaves behind a soft, silky texture — perfect for those who can't stand the feeling of foundation on their face. The name "tinted face oil" is also incredibly accurate, as what this product lacks in coverage it makes up for in glow.

Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint

Glossier's Perfecting Skin Tint is like your skin ... but better.

Similar to the Kosas Tinted Face Oil, Glossier's Perfecting Skin Tint gives your skin a subtle, glowy boost — with even less coverage. In fact, it probably has the least amount of coverage on this entire list. However, it really does perfect the look of skin by blurring pores, taking down redness, and adding bouncy hydration. If fresh, natural-looking skin is your priority, this will be your new best friend.

Thrive Causemetics Buildable Blur CC Cream SPF 35

Thrive Causemetics Buildable Blur CC Cream offers a fuller coverage option — without sacrificing hydration.

Because it's technically a CC cream (which is an abbreviation for "color correcting"), Thrive Causemetics' tinted moisturizer provides buildable coverage that neutralizes redness and hyperpigmentation. However, it still has a luminous finish and light texture, making it a great option for someone who wants the hydration of a tinted moisturizer but the pigment of a medium coverage foundation.

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Color Corrector

Clinique's Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Color Corrector is not too dewy and has an incredibly natural-looking finish.

As part of the Moisture Surge collection, you might assume that this CC cream would be ultra-glowy. While it's certainly not matte, it doesn't apply as tacky as most products like it. Instead, it has a natural luminosity with toned-down dew — no powder required. Just note that this CC cream has the least amount of shades of all of the tints on this list, and doesn't really provide a hue to match those with deeper skin tones. Hopefully Clinique will start offering a wider shade range.

Other tinted moisturizers we considered

The 10 tinted moisturizers above were my top picks, but I also tested 3 others. Here's why they didn't make the cut:

• ITCosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream: This CC cream has great coverage, but sits heavily on my skin. It feels hydrating when I first apply it, but quickly clings to my dry spots and never quite sinks into my skin.
• Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer: Tarte's tinted moisturizer has a light, hydrating texture and looks very natural on my skin. However, the shade range leaves something to be desired — there are barely any options for deeper skin tones.
• Sephora Collection Weekend Warrior Tone Up Cream: This product feels hydrating, but offers nothing beyond what a moisturizer would. There is no color correction and hardly any glow — plus, no sun protection.

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