Are you fed up with your daily routine of covering your face in thick makeup and sunscreen every day? What if you could combine the two and have both sun protection and a tiny bit of coverage in one single product? This is the beauty of tinted sunscreens.
Whether you are running errands, working from home, or going on a casual lunch date, tinted sunscreen provides a “healthy glow” to the skin while protecting it from UV damage.
In this guide, we will go over the best tinted sunscreens, expert opinions, how to choose the best one, and more, all geared toward beginners residing in the U.S. who want to dip their toes into the skincare world.
What Is Tinted Sunscreen?
Tinted sunscreen is a two-in-one that provides sun protection (SPF) with a slight tint to provide a more even complexion to the skin. Tinted sunscreen typically has iron oxides in it for protection against visible light (which is especially important when protecting against hyperpigmentation).
Reasons to Use Tinted Sunscreen
If you are a complete beginner with skincare or makeup, tinted sunscreen is the easiest way to get started. Here are the reasons why:
No-makeup makeup look
Saves time (skips foundation)
Light, breathable, and non-comedogenic
Protects you from UVA/UVB and visible light
Suitable for everyday wear
Best Tinted Sunscreens for 2025
So, here are some ratings that I think will be number one with U.S. beginners:
1. EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
Best For: Sensitive/Aczemic Skin Why It Stands Out: Lightweight, dermatologist-approved
Bonus: Includes hyaluronic acid for hydration!
2. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral SPF 50
Best For: Oily/Combination Skin
Pros: Matte and oil-free finish
Feature Highlight: 100% mineral-based, water-resistant (40 minutes)
3. Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40
Best For: dry and/or dull skin
Glow Clip: Dewy, luminous finish
Perfect For: Daily wear, great under make-up!
4. Australian Gold Botanical Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 50
Best For: A budget option
Smooth non-greasy feel;
skin types: normal to oily
5. Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
Best For: Sensitive/eczema skin.
Interesting fun fact: the first tinted sunscreen to earn the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance!
Summary of How to Apply Tinted Sunscreen in Easy Steps;
1. Clean your face and pat dry;
2. If your skin is dry, add a little light moisturizer;
3. Squeeze out a little less than a .50 size of tinted sunscreen;
4. Dot about your cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose;
5. Gently (and quickly) blend with your fingers or sponge;
6. Don’t forget your ears and neck;
7. REAPPLY, every 2 hours if
Quick Stats: Tinted Sunscreen Benefits
80% of aging skin is from UV damage (Source: Skin Cancer Foundation)
Tinted sunscreen has iron oxides to absorb visible light and will help those with melasma and dark spots
Saves you 10+ minutes in your skincare/makeup routine daily
Final Thoughts: Glow Smart with Tinted Sunscreen
Tinted sunscreen is the best, multi-tasking sunscreen! It protects, it perfects, it saves time. For new users, grab one of the top 5 picks to let your skin breathe.
FAQs
1. What is tinted sunscreen and how is it different than foundation?
Tinted sunscreen has SPF protection with a hint of tint + it is skincare first, usually, tinted sunscreen is not pore-clogging like a foundation.
2. Can I use tinted sunscreen every day?
Yes! Tinted sunscreen understand SPF is the perfect option for daily use make sure it offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.
3. Is tinted sunscreen good for oily or acne-prone skin?
Yes! You just need to find an oil-free, non-comedogenic product such as La Roche-Posay or EltaMD.
4. Can tinted sunscreen replace make-up?
For many, yes. It has light coverage to help even skin tone and is great for natural make-up.
5. Do I need to reapply tinted sunscreen?
Yes! Use your tinted sunscreen just like you would any other sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours in sun, and don’t forget to reapply when you sweat or swim!
