Our Thoughts On Tinted Moisturizers

Have you heard the phrase "jack of all trades, master of none"? That pretty much sums up our feelings about tinted moisturizer – which is almost always trying to be an SPF product as well. We field several weekly questions from clients looking for recommendations for a good tinted moisturizer option that's also acne-safe. And coming up with an answer is harder than you would think!

Despite our thoughts, tinted moisturizers are popular. For many people, it's because they're looking for fewer steps. For others, it's because the makeup look they're after is the "no makeup" look. And for those somewhere in the middle looking for more coverage, it's still buildable by adding concealer and powder.

For some reason, though, some people assume that tinted moisturizers are a better option for acne since they have fewer products on their skin. We know you don't want to look cakey, but we are here to help you pick safe and effective products, which also means ensuring your SPF is protecting you. We're finally here to do what we've been putting off for a long time and will share our thoughts on tinted moisturizer/SPF products.

First, it's often not a proper moisturizer 

According to the internet, tinted moisturizer is skincare with the added benefit of some light, dewy coverage. However, if a makeup brand is selling a tinted moisturizer, do you really think it's going to fill all the moisture needs that your skin has? Similarly, if a skincare brand has created a tinted moisturizer, while it will probably be a better moisturizer for your skin than the makeup brand product – it likely won't perfectly match and enhance your skin tone the way makeup does. This is a typical "stay in your lane" issue. Skincare brands know how to make skincare, and makeup brands know how to make makeup. Combining the two will probably leave you making some sort of concession.

Second, it's probably not acne-safe 

Moisturizers are usually the most troublesome when it comes to pore-clogging ingredients. Fatty acids, fatty esters, waxes, oils, butters, and emollients are among the best ingredients for adding and trapping moisture but can also be highly likely to be comedogenic.

What does that mean? Every ingredient is on a spectrum of likeliness to clog the pores. And there is nothing about a tinted moisturizer that should make you think it is less likely to clog pores because of its "lighter" makeup coverage. It's less about the coverage and more about the product's formulation. You have to look at every specific formula, but water-based foundations and mineral powders tend to be the safest type of makeup product for acne-prone pores.

Finally, it's probably not enough sun protection anyway

We have even worse news for those looking for the trifecta – a 3-in-1 product combining moisture, SPF, and some makeup coverage. You've probably heard by now sunscreen in your makeup is not enough, so the same would be true of sunscreen in your tinted moisturizer. Much like moisture, you can't fully trust a makeup line to provide skincare-level SPF protection, either.  Also, the amount of product you’d need to use to get adequate SPF coverage would look completely thick and cakey from a makeup standpoint.

There are some exceptions that pass for sunscreen and coverage, but that is because they come from skincare lines and are first and foremost sunscreen brands that come with a little tint. Usually, the tint is not just for coverage but offers some evenness to your skin's tone and masks any white cast of the SPF. Some examples of these products are TiZO Tinted SPF40, TiZO3 Tinted SPF40, SkinBetter SunBetter Tone Smart SPF75, and Colorescience Sunforgettable Flex Shield SPF50. None of these are moisturizers, but do count as SPF and makeup and if you want even more of a makeup look, you can use an acne-safe concealer and powder on top, if needed.

So what do we recommend? 

We always want you to do a 4-step regimen in the morning that includes sun protection. And for those looking for a wee bit (or a lot) of makeup support, then use a light, but buildable, coverage foundation (that's acne-safe if you have acne-prone skin). Our favorite is Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, which you can order online directly from NARS. We promise it's not heavy and doesn't look makeup-y – it looks like skin. Otherwise, Chanel makes some excellent lighter coverage options that might read like a tinted moisturizer, but they are water-based foundations that will last better throughout the day. 

There is also the option of lightweight mineral powders that you can mix with your moisturizer to make a quick and easy at-home tinted moisturizer. Good formulas for that are Bare Minerals Loose Original Powder, Priia Cosmetics, and Haus Labs Bio-Blurring Loose Setting Powder. Of course, all these can also be used on their own as mineral powders on top of your lotion and are so easy to apply for a lighter look. 

In addition to your regular homecare routine, get monthly or bi-monthly facial treatments to keep up on extractions and microdermabrasion. That way, you will have less texture to worry about covering up. Our chemical peels will help keep your skin tone even and bright. Finally, let that good skin shine through your makeup, and you will be most happy.