13 Best Tinted Sunscreens for All Skin Types (2024)

If your dermatologist hasn't told you already, wearing sunscreen is one of the most important anti-aging tools out there. But if you don't love the feeling of face sunscreens or find that mineral sunscreens, there's a solution: tinted SPFs. Tinted sunscreens offer both sun protection and some cosmetic coverage to help even out skin tone; plus, they can be used on oily skin, dry skin, acne-prone skin, mature skin and more, so there's truly an option for everyone.

Tinted sunscreens "contain unique blends of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxide," said Pearl E. Grimes, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at The Grimes Center for Medical & Aesthetic Dermatology in Beverly Hills. "Iron oxide provides the best protection against visible light (blue light)."

Though all mineral sunscreens (tinted or not) contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or a combination of the two, tinted broad-spectrum options "protect against UVA and UVB radiation and visible light," explains GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek, whereas traditional broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against just UVA and UVB radiation. Visible light can cause pigmentation and redness, Wnek adds.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab has tested countless SPFs over the years, from natural sunscreen to zinc oxide sunscreen. For this article, Wnek evaluated seven tinted sunscreens; we've included top picks from that evaluation, as well as previous test winners and editor-loved picks.

Great for everyday use, this La-Roche Posay is everything you could want in a tinted sunscreen: broad spectrum SPF 50, water-resistant and lightweight. The fragrance-free mineral sunscreen is one of our Beauty Assistant's favorites; she wears it every day under makeup. "The tint acts as a primer to even out my skin tone," she shared. "I can even wear it on its own without foundation on a light makeup day." It's offered in just one shade, and it can sometimes look a little orange on very light skin tones if not rubbed in fully.

Priced under $20, Bubble's tinted SPF is a great bargain buy and was Wnek's favorite option she evaluated for this story. "The initial texture of the product is like a hydrating lotion and it absorbs quickly," she shared. Though it's great for any skin type, she especially likes it for combination or oily skin. "The color coverage is sheer to light, and the finish is matte radiant, not oily," she adds. "I was taken aback at how dark it is upon application, but the final shade is similar to my skin tone."

Despite a high level of mineral SPF, this formula proved to blend well with no white cast when Wnek tested it. She likes the mattifying mousse-like texture for oilier skin types. "Of the water-resistant tinted face sunscreens, I liked this one especially for those with oily skin," she said. "It feels light and matte throughout the day." Take note that this option won't give you a ton of coverage, as it's very sheer and feels more like a regular sunscreen than a tinted one.

If you're willing to splurge on sunscreen, this is the one to try. Featuring skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this SPF simultaneously protects your skin from the sun while keeping it moisturized and nourished. The formula is more watery than others we've tried, so it feels like nothing on your skin. And the peachy tint blends seamlessly, leaving no white cast behind. Our Beauty Assistant loves the dewy glow that it leaves on her dry but acne-prone skin. "It layers amazingly under makeup or stands on its own," she said.

EltaMD is widely loved by experts, derms, editors and consumers alike. This tinted SPF from the brand applies smoothly on skin. "It feels nice, hydrating and so smooth on skin," said Wnek. "I thought it is a bit heavier than the UV Clear version, so it may be better for normal to dry skin. It's almost like a lotion in texture." Expect light color coverage and a natural finish with this sunscreen. Note that this is likely best suited for medium to dark skin tones that pull warm, as it is too dark and orange on lighter or cooler skin tones.

Some tinted sunscreens don't provide a lot of coverage, but that's not the case with this one. GH Beauty Director April Franzino calls it her "overall favorite tinted SPF" and loves that it is a medium coverage option. "It matches my skin tone perfectly, provides great coverage and evens skin tone beautifully, so much so that I can skip tinted moisturizer or foundation afterward," she raved. Offered in multiple shades (including options for dark skin tones), it also spreads well and feels soft on skin, she reports, adding that "you can hardly believe it's a high-level mineral sunscreen." If you prefer a sheer sunscreen, this isn't the one for you.

Formulated with ceramides and niacinamide, CeraVe's well-priced creamy and lightweight tinted sunscreen is great for soothing and protecting skin at the same time. "I love that it functions as a moisturizer, SPF and foundation, cutting down on the time it takes me to get ready," said GH Digital Content Director Lauren Matthews. She appreciates that it provides smooth, even coverage with zero white cast, and notes that "it doesn't make my acne-prone skin break out and makes my skin glow," though some online reviewers find it makes their skin look more greasy than glowy.

Widely loved on TikTok, Supergoop's Glowscreen is often used under makeup or on its own to give skin a sunkissed look. It's the rare tinted sunscreen that has chemical actives (rather than mineral, which is more common when it comes to tinted options). Some online reviewers complain that it pills under makeup, though our Beauty Assistant has never experienced that. "This is amazing to wear for a subtle, summery glow," she shared. "I love that it's offered in multiple shades so it matches my skin tone better than other options that sometimes look too orange on me." The four shades offered range from fair to deep.

Though most tinted sunscreens are for the face, this option from Colorescience is for the body instead (so it's offered in a bigger bottle than others). Offered in a lighter pinkish shade and a darker bronze shade, you can pick based on your skin tone. In her evaluation, Wnek found that it "feels moisturizing but takes a while to rub in; there is some resistance to it," she shared, though this tends to be the case with mineral sunscreens. She liked the pink undertone of this SPF as it "worked as a brightening pigment," she explains.

Sunscreen in a serum form is ideal for the face. This mineral SPF from Bloomeffects has a rich, thick texture and includes skincare ingredients like niacinamide and allantoin. These help make the formula "soothing and softening on my dry skin," said Franzino. She also likes that the sheer tint gives a bit of a glow and balances skin tone as well. It's on the pricier side, but for sunscreen and skincare benefits in one, it's a worthy investment.

Most of the tinted sunscreens you'll find on the market are mineral, including this one Wnek evaluated. She likes that it's offered in two shades. This Cotz sunscreen give sheer, light coverage, delivering a dewy finish. "It is thicker in texture and there is some weight to it on skin," she said, recommending it for drier skin types especially. Ensure you check the "best by" date on this tube or give it a good shake before applying, as the sample she had "was separating, so I worry about the integrity of the sunscreen active in this formula," she explained.

"Most consumers do not apply enough traditional sunscreen to their face to obtain the SPF listed on the label," said Wnek. "When it comes to makeup with SPF or tinted sunscreen products, they apply even less." To achieve a sufficient amount of sun protection, remember to apply at least a nickel size amount to your face and re-apply every two hours, she advised.