Add One of These Top-Rated Tinted Sunscreens to Your Makeup Bag ASAP (2024)

I'm obsessed with this ultra-sheer tinted sunscreen for my no-makeup makeup days. The SPF 50 formula is available in four shades—fair, medium, tan, and deep—and comes out of the bottle totally white, but it's filled with encapsulated pigments that adjust to your skin tone. It's got a demi-matte finish and helps blur discoloration, soothe inflammation, and protect skin from the damaging effects of blue light (ahem, your phone).

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 50
• Shades: 4

Glowing Customer Review: "Goes on so easily and matches very nicely to my skin tone! Love how it replaces my use of foundation."

Dermatologist Dornechia George Carter, MD, recommends Neutrogena’s new Purescreen+ Tinted Sunscreen, especially for those with deeper skin tones. With a water-resistant formula that’s available in four shades, this lightweight sunscreen is ideal for anything from a quick swim to a full face of makeup. As a bonus, it also contains Vitamin E to help condition and hydrate.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 30
• Shades: 4

Glowing Customer Review: “This mineral tint looks great and feels good. Love that there is a FAIR mineral block sunscreen! I usually look like I put bronzer on with other mineral tints, so I can’t use them. This product has many shades for all skin colors. Cool!”

This beautiful, glowy sunscreen is my newest find and obsession. It comes in three light-reflecting shades—01, 02, 03—to give your skin an ethereal, just-napped-on-the-beach look. The coverage is light, but it gives just enough to even out your skin tone. I also absolutely love how this is a clean formula, and the brand is totally sustainable, offering all its products in glass and recycled packaging.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, squalane
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 30
• Shades: 3

Glowing Customer Review: "I’ve tried so many zinc oxide SPF tinted moisturizers, and I finally found one that is flawless in its finish, doesn’t turn my face white, and has a level of moisture that allows me to not have to use my regular moisturizer when I wear it in the morning. Gives a nice glow as well. I sometimes add a few touchups of stick foundation depending on the day as it’s rather sheer. My skin is sensitive and slightly on the dry side. Love it!"

Listen, no product will ever be "universal," but, but! If there was one SPF I would say works for the most skin tones, IMO, it would be this one. Live Tinted’s Hueguard was developed to avoid leaving any white cast, especially for those with deeper skin tones. Though it is technically slightly tinted, the color should essentially just melt into your skin, leaving behind a blurred, natural glowy effect, as well as sun protection of SPF 30.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 30
• Shades: 1

Glowing Customer Review: “I’m a brown-skinned person who doesn’t like to use chemical sunscreens on the face due to burning, so I’ve searched high and low to find a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t turn me purple/gray/chalky,” one reviewer writes. “Guys, this is the one. There are others out there that are good with the white cast, but then the texture is all wrong, and vice versa. This one nails it both in texture and has no white cast.”

If you prefer a chemical sunscreen, try Tula Skincare’s Radiant Skin Brightening Serum. The product is formulated with avobenzone and octisalate for sun protection, plus ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help boost your moisture barrier. The best part? It comes in 30 shades.

• Key ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate
• Sunscreen type: Chemical
• Protection: SPF 30
• Shades: 30

Glowing Customer Review: “This is great stuff!! It has all the great things for the skin and is so lightweight. And the SPF 30 is ‘chef’s kiss.' Great skincare product and great value. I recommend it to everyone!!”

Okay, this formula—created by plastic surgeons—has the best texture of any SPF I've ever used, truly. It's seriously magic; it comes out with a slight tint to it, and during the blending process, it totally disappears, leaving a finish that looks like your natural skin but better. This specific formula is a lil dewy and intended for normal to dry skin types, but if you have oily skin, Inside Beauty also offers a matte version.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, vitamins C & E
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 4o
• Shades: 1

Traditionally, you should apply sunscreen as the last step in your skincare routine, before makeup. The only problem? Some SPFs can pill under makeup, so the key is to find an SPF that works with your products. Case in point: This tinted SPF 43 primer serum that offers the most buildable coverage, makes your skin look smooth-as-hell, feels totally weightless, and works as the best SPF makeup primer I've ever used.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 43
• Shades: 6

Glowing Customer Review: "A fantastic tinted sunscreen. I purchased medium tint because I’m between fair and medium. I use this as my sunscreen and foundation—it is lightweight and does a wonderful job of covering the imperfections on my face. What I love about this tinted sunscreen is that it does not make my fine lines pronounced, [or settle into them]."

The best thing about Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation? The 17 inclusive shade options. It also gives a great, hydrating finish while protecting you from harmful UV rays, thanks to the SPF 30.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 30
• Shades: 17

Glowing Customer Review: "I love this tinted sunscreen! It has just enough pigment and it sits beautifully on my skin. I love wearing this daily because it doesn’t look like I’m wearing anything. Plus, the color selection is excellent, and I feel I was able to find myself a good match."

If you want a skin-lovin' SPF tint that feels like you're not wearing anything, get yourself the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint. Not only will it feel lightweight, but you won't be able to tell you're wearing anything at all, yet your skin will look evened out and glowy.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 40
• Shades: 30

Glowing Customer Review: "I really do love this product. It evens out my skin tone, doesn’t pill on me, and gives me a nice understated glow. My skin looks healthy and fine lines seem to be less noticeable."

I have never been let down by a CeraVe product. And considering this is one of the bestselling sunscreens on Amazon, many other people feel the same. It has a sheer tint compatible with a range of skin tones and contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to keep your skin looking healthy and glowy. Plus, at less than $15, it's a budget-friendly pick.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 30
• Shades: 1

Glowing Customer Review: "I love the new tinted formulation. It is a marked improvement over prior non-tinted formulations by this brand, as it does not clump, pill, or ball up. It is not greasy nor is it drying."

Every dermatologist I've ever met has told me to use this sheer tinted sunscreen from EltaMD. It protects skin from UVA and UVB rays, feels ultra-lightweight, and is infused with niacinamide to help minimize breakouts, redness, and acne scars. Oh, and did I mention it's Hailey Bieber's fave? She uses it in this TikTok video, and her skin looks legit amaze.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 46
• Shades: 1

Glowing Customer Review: "I rarely write reviews unless I really love or hate something, and this stuff is amazing. I have light/medium skin without the need for a heavy foundation. However, I do have HUGE pores. That said, this is an all-in-one sunscreen and foundation for me. I feel like it's so light that I don't even know I have anything on my face."

Supergoop makes a ton of excellent sunscreens, but this all-mineral tinted version is hands-down my fave. The sheer tint works with all skin tones, and the fluffy, mousse-like texture is easy to blend and leaves skin with a soft, matte finish, so you don't look overly shiny.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 40
• Shades: 1

Glowing Customer Review: "This is the best sunscreen I've ever used. It protects, feels lightweight—I don't even feel it after 10 minutes—doesn't make me break out, doesn't leave a horrible white cast, and doesn't look like I'm wearing a layer of foundation!"

This tinted sunscreen feels just like a foundation, making it the perfect choice for anyone who prefers more coverage. It instantly covers redness, melasma, and breakouts (without settling into fine lines or pores), while protecting skin with a mineral-based SPF 50.

• Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 50
• Shades: 22

Glowing Customer Review: "I have age spots, LARGE pores, and redness due to sun damage. I do not have flawless skin, but this makes it look damn near flawless WITHOUT being cakey or looking overdone!"

This ultra-creamy tinted sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so it's perf for beach and pool days. You'll still need to reapply, but it's definitely the best option if you're looking to minimize sunburn and sun damage while swimming and sweating this summer.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 30
• Shades: 1

Glowing Customer Review: "I am African American with medium skin, and I use this for my face every day after moisturizer. It leaves no white cast and can be worn with or without makeup. Has a semi-matte finish on its own. I love how it blends into my skin, it is not thick and adds an extra layer of moisture."

This tinted sunscreen is ideal for anyone who tends to avoid SPF because they hate how it feels. The gel-cream texture is ultra-lightweight, sinks in fast, is non-greasy, and has a buildable tint that helps hide zits and dark spots without feeling heavy or "makeup-y."

• Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 30
• Shades: 20

Glowing Customer Review: "My go-to tinted moisturizer. I have a combination, of light-medium-neutral undertoned skin, and I use Natural 05. It’s hydrating and perfect coverage for evening out of my skin tone on days I’m being active and in the sun."

This sunscreen is specifically formulated and tinted for melanin-rich skin. It contains niacinamide to help brighten and repair damaged skin barriers, along with natural hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil and shea butter.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 60
• Shades: 3

Glowing Customer Review: "This sunscreen is honestly magical. I get so many compliments because it gives me an airbrushed look."

With 16 shades to choose from, there's a pretty good chance you'll be able to find one that matches your skin tone well. This tinted moisturizer can be built up to full coverage, or sheered out for a more natural look—the choice is yours! Just be sure if you like a lighter coverage that you're still managing to protect your full face and neck.

• Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 30
• Shades: 16

Glowing Customer Review: "My go-to makeup. Perfect in the summertime when you just need some light coverage and moisturizer. Great in colder weather with a little bit of powder on top for extra coverage. Lasts a long time too!"

Even though it's made with mineral blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, this tinted sunscreen this tinted sunscreen comes in two shades—Light/Medium and Medium/Dark—so it's totally cool to use on all skin tones. It's also made with all-natural ingredients, like coconut oil and shea butter.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
• Sunscreen type: Mineral
• Protection: SPF 30
• Shades: 2

Glowing Customer Review: "This sunscreen is very moisturizing and easy to apply. I have very sensitive skin and this product did not irritate it at all! I'm very grateful for this clean sunscreen that doesn’t leave me with a white cast!"

"I can't say tinted sunscreen is better than clear sunscreen, but I can say that they are absolutely just as good as non-tinted sunscreen with the same coverage and SPF," says dermatologist, Karan Lal, MD. Another great thing about tinted sunscreens? They often have iron oxides that protect against blue light from devices. "Iron oxides are used as coloring agents and are responsible for the tint in sunscreens," he explains.

The only potential downside to tinted moisturizers? You may not be applying enough product to get enough daily sun protection. “I would not depend on being able to apply enough makeup to provide adequate protection,” dermatologist, Dornechia George Carter, MD says, adding that she advises patients to “separate” makeup and sun protection in their minds. SPF in makeup, or tinted sunscreens, can’tf hurt for added protection, but if what you’re applying is mostly marketed as makeup, you should probably use another base sunscreen underneath.

Consider your coverage needs

Do you want something that can double as foundation, or are you looking for a formula that’ll subtly even out your skin tone? Once you determine what you actually want to use the tinted sunscreen for, you can find the right one for you.

Consider your skin type

To get the most out of your tinted sunscreen, it's best to incorporate products that are marketed for your skin type. Oily skin should opt for a mattifying, lightweight formula, whereas those with dry skin should find a moisturizing, dewy sunscreen. If you have particularly sensitive skin, avoid fragrances and opt for a mineral SPF formulation.

Look for SPF 30 or higher

As long as the tinted sunscreen is SPF 30 and above and broad-spectrum, you've found yourself a good match, explains Dr. Lal. "Your skin’s color or tone and photosensitivity will determine the length of time that SPF, or sun protective factor, can protect you from UV rays and skin damage," plastic surgeon, Alexis Parcells, MD, has told Cosmo. If you know you will be outside for longer periods of time, consider a higher SPF and reapply frequently—every two hours or whenever you get out of the water and dry off, she explained.