This Is the Derm-Approved Tinted Sunscreen I Use for Seamless Blending (2024)

Courtesy of brand / Original image by Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley

As affordable as it is beloved, CeraVe’s tinted mineral sunscreen delivers a glow while the mineral formula (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. “This broad-spectrum SPF 30 sheer face tint used mineral blockers to provide coverage against UVA and UVB. Great for all skin types, and uses a tint to blend with all skin tones,” says Dr. Garshick. Meanwhile, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid help maintain moisture alongside ceramides, which are lipids that are key for replenishing the skin barrier.

“The consistency is thick but after some rubbing it settles in nicely and leaves a dewy glow,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle, who counts on this particular pick for a no-makeup day at the beach.

Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide 5.5%, zinc oxide 10% / SPF: 30 / Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

• What we love: Blends well; hydrating; suitable for darker skin tones
• What could improve: Not always suitable for fair skin

Save when you shop for the best tinted sunscreens with these Ulta promo codes.

Courtesy of brand

If you struggle with acne and breakouts, Dr. Garshick recommends the Hailey Bieber–approved EltaMD Clear Broad-Spectrum sunscreen. “This is a great option for those with acne-prone skin. In addition to offering broad-spectrum coverage, it also contains niacinamide, which calms and soothes the skin, reducing the inflammation and redness that may be associated with acne flares,” she says. “It’s hydrating, as it contains hyaluronic acid and can be used daily. It is also oil-free and noncomedogenic, which is especially important when it comes to finding a good sunscreen for acne-prone skin. And the tint helps to camouflage blemishes.” No wonder Bieber is such a fan.

Editors are drawn to this pick, too. “I love how creamy—but not at all sticky—this lightweight option is, because it makes it a lot easier to apply than some of the more serum-like tinted sunscreens out there,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley.

Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 9.0%, octinoxate 7.5% / SPF: 46 / Size: 1.8 fl. oz.

• What we love: Lightweight and oil-free; great for acne-prone and sensitive skin
• What could improve: Some reviewers experienced pilling

Save when you shop for the best tinted sunscreens with these Dermstore promo codes.

Courtesy of brand / Original image courtesy of Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle

Both Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC, and Glamour staff writer Hanna Lustig love this Colorescience Sunforgettable Face Shield Flex. “This lightweight broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide 12%, iron oxide, antioxidants, and a patented Enviroscreen technology to protect against UVA and UVB, blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation, while also hydrating the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “It’s available in four different shades, making it easy to blend with your skin for natural coverage, and it uses iron oxide pigments to adapt to your specific tone without leaving the skin feeling greasy, making it good for all skin types.”

Lustig uses this product every day regardless of the season. “Oily-skin girlies, don’t let the cushiony texture deter you. The formula is hydrating enough to glide over dry patches and problem areas, but within minutes it dries down to a semi-matte finish with surprisingly substantial coverage.”

Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 12% / SPF: 50 / Size: 1.8 fl. oz.

• What we love: Universal tint; lightweight; water- and sweat-resistant
• What could improve: On the pricey side; can feel heavy for oily complexions

Save when you shop for the best tinted sunscreens with these Dermstore promo codes.

Courtesy of brand

If you’re looking for makeup coverage as much as sun protection, this tinted moisturizer is a must. Available in 20 shades to accommodate a variety of skin tones, the velvety formula delivers a boost of moisture too: “Available in two versions, one that is oil-free, this tinted moisturizer delivers a natural finish while still helping to camouflage blemishes,” says Dr. Garshick. “It is also formulated with SPF 30, allowing it to provide the extra benefit of sun protection, and it’s infused with tamarind seed extract to help retain moisture, as well as vitamin C and E for antioxidantsupport.”

As for how it looks on? “I highly recommend Laura Mercier’s oil-free tinted moisturizer, as it’s great for problematic skin, and the coverage is so good that you’ll be glowing,” says senior visuals editor Lauren Brown. “No need for any foundation afterward!” Oh, and Meghan Markle has vouched for it too.

Active ingredients: Octinoxate 7.49%, avobenzone 2.5%, octocrylene 2.0%, oxybenzone 1.0% / SPF: 30 / Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

• What we love: Lightweight; lots of shades; dewy finish
• What could improve: Some reviews claim it oxidizes and isn’t suitable for sensitive skin

Save when you shop for the best tinted sunscreens with these Ulta promo codes.

Original image byGlamourtester Brigitt Earley

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley}

Matte finish? Light tint? Safe for sensitive skin? Check, check, check. Not only is this mineral-based moisturizer SPF enjoyable (and easy) to blend into your face, but the formula is also both paraben- and fragrance-free, allergy tested, and powered by iron oxide for that extra blue-light bonus. Deborah Longwill, DO, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Miami Center for Dermatology, says everything this brand makes is great, because their formulations offer ample hydration but are suitable for all skin types and ages. Our tester gets the hype: “It absorbs effortlessly,” says Earley. “I love that it’s SPF 50 (give me all the sun protection!) and water-resistant, even if only for 40 minutes.”

Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide 11% / SPF: 30 / Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

• What we love: Lightweight; high SPF
• What could improve: Reviews say it runs easily; don’t love the scent

Save when you shop for the best tinted sunscreens with these Ulta promo codes.

Courtesy of brand

With nearly 17,000 five-star reviews, it’s no wonder this budget-friendly pick is another derm-favorite for dry skin. “This sunscreen not only offers broad-spectrum protection but also provides a natural tint, all while hydrating the skin, since it contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E,” says Dr. Garshick. “It is lightweight and oil-free, absorbs easily, and is great for all skin types.”

“I love the smooth texture and glowy finish,” says Meg Kernahan, Condé Nast senior manager of commerce partnerships, who appreciates that it doesn’t leave any white cast in its wake. “I love how easily the rest of my makeup blends with it if I want fuller coverage, too.”

Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 12%, octinoxate 7.5% / SPF: 46 / Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

• What we love: Universal tint; oil-free
• What could improve: Some reviewers don’t love the scent

Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley

“I think I fall more in love with this sunscreen every time I use it,” says Earley, who has counted on numerous formulas from the brand, both SPF and otherwise, for close to five years now. “I’m a fan of all of Evereden’s sunscreens, but I particularly like this one not only for how it feels on the skin, but also its smart packaging,” she says. The lightly tinted formula is quick to absorb and leaves skin soft and silky—not at all tacky like so many others. It’s also water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, which is always a nice little bonus. The packaging isn’t necessarily what we look for in the best SPF, but it’s worth a mention, because it’s beyond genius—the palm-size bottle has a little clip that allows you to hook the sunscreen onto your bag.

Active ingredient: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide / SPF: 50 / Size: 2 oz.

• What we love: Leaves skin silky soft; includes clip to attach to a bag
• What could improve: Bottle is very small

Courtesy of brand

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley}

Herbivore’s Star Seed is new to the market, but absolutely worth a look. This mineral SPF has a light tint that suits a wide range of skin tones and blends flawlessly. The finish is silky smooth—not dewy and sticky like some others—and stays that way for hours. Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg counts it as one of her new faves because it helps even out skin tone for those who want to go makeup-free, but also acts as an SPF primer, layering beautifully under any other makeup you may want to wear.

This pick is more than a sun blocker, though. The ingredient list is packed with nourishers like vitamin C to brighten and prebiotics to help strengthen the skin’s barrier. “I honestly didn’t know sunscreen could feel this luxe,” says Earley. “The finish is top grade and it even has a totally irresistible light floral scent.”

Active ingredients: Zinc oxide / SPF: 30 / Size: 1.7 oz.

• What we love: Hydrating and brightening; lightly tinted to suit many skin tones
• What could improve: Not water-resistant

Courtesy of brand

_{Original photo courtesy of Glamour associate beauty editor Danielle Sinay}

As someone with super-sensitive and oily skin, Glamour associate beauty editor Danielle Sinay is openly obsessed with Kosas’s SPF-spiked foundation and “was thrilled when the brand released a dedicated sunscreen.” Formulated with peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and allantoin, this lightweight mineral SPF hydrates and smooths skin. The subtle peachy-pink hue corrects redness and leaves your complexion even and glowing. Oh, and it manages to pull all this off without clogging pores or causing excess oil production. “I sported this all day long in the Miami heat and humidity, and my usually finicky skin just loved it; DreamBeam is definitely one of my top spring and summertime skin care staples.”

Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 21.7% / SPF: 40 / Size: 1.3 fl. oz.

• What we love: Lightweight; glowing finish; doesn’t clog pores
• What could improve: Some reviewers experienced pilling

Save when you shop for the best tinted moisturizers with these Sephora promo codes.

Courtesy of brand / Original photo courtesy of Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz

This SPF is about to become your new bestie. Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz was openly skeptical—mineral sunscreens tend to leave a white cast and two-in-one beauty products don’t usually deliver it all, she says. But this one, well, this one was different. “It applied evenly and as easily as a face moisturizer,” she says. “And the natural but glowy finish basically looks like makeup, which is ideal for me, since I never wear foundation or concealer. It even minimizes my pores the same way a makeup primer would.” Still, it sits light on skin, even after multiple applications throughout the day, and there’s zero odor to the product.

Active ingredient: Zinc oxide / SPF: 40 / Size: 1.7 oz.

• What we love: Blends easily; offers natural coverage; suitable for all skin types
• What could improve: Leaves some residue on fingertips

Original photo courtesy of Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle

Tower 28’s foundation took home a 2022 Glamour Beauty Award for the best foundation, but since the formula is so lightweight, we consider it more of a tinted SPF than foundation. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with Tower 28’s tinted sunscreen foundation, mainly because most tinted sunscreens soak right into my skin and offer no real coverage,” senior West Coast editor Jessica Radloff writes in her review. “If I’m buying something that’s tinted—whether it’s sunscreen or foundation—you’d better believe I want coverage! And this does it perfectly. My skin looks airbrushed and smooth, making it easier to apply bronzer and blush, and it lasts all day. I’m obsessed.” Prickly pear and white sage extract in the formula additionally help protect skin from blue light and free radicals, respectively.

Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 12.6% / SPF: 30 / Size: 1 fl. oz.

• What we love: Lightweight but still offers coverage; primes skin for bronzer and blush
• What could improve: Might not be suitable for very oily skin

Save when you shop for the best-tinted moisturizers with these Sephora promo codes.

Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Bella Cacciatore / Courtesy of brand

With the most extensive shade range (30 tints, for those keeping track), this liquid serum goes on smoothly and blends flawlessly, delivering an even complexion that appears dewy and refreshed. Free of oil and fragrance, the MUA-approved formula (hair and makeup artist Danni Katz has previously vouched for it, too) also delivers a boost of hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid—making it an ideal swap for foundation in the summer. “This lightweight tinted moisturizer provides broad-spectrum SPF 40 coverage using zinc oxide, as well as a blend of hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide to help hydrate and soothe the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “This product is gluten-free and free of silicones, fragrance, and chemical sunscreen filters, and is oil-free so it won’t clog pores.”

Celebs like Cindy Crawford, Kate Hudson, and Miranda Kerr have all raved about Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint—as have our editors. “It takes about two seconds to apply with my fingers,” says Glamour beauty writer Bella Cacciatore. “It offers the coverage of a light foundation, which is more than I find most tints provide.”

Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 12% / SPF: 40 / Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

• What we love: Lightweight; hydrating; radiant finish
• What could improve: Not for oily skin

Save when you shop for the best tinted moisturizers with these Sephora promo codes.

Courtesy of brand / Original photo courtesy of Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz

Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco loves wearing Supergoop’s cult-favorite Glowscreen for brightening coverage and SPF—especially on vacation. “Beach vacations are the best vacations, which is problematic for me personally for a number of reasons: I’m on prescription retinol, which leaves my skin super vulnerable to UV rays; my skin is tan, so any white cast from sunscreen almost always shows up; and I want to look cute in all my vacation photos but don’t want to melt in full makeup,” she says. “Supergoop’s sunscreen addresses all these problems, with strong SPF 40 coverage, zero white cast, and the most beautiful glowy, sun-kissed tint.”

And if you do want to pair your SPF with makeup? Supergoop! sunscreen formulas layer well under other cosmetics, says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles.

Active ingredients: Octocrylene 10%, octisalate 5%, avobenzone 3% / SPF: 40 / Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

• What we love: Lightweight; primes skin; gives a glowing finish
• What could improve: Might not be suitable for combo or oily skin

Save when you shop for the best tinted moisturizers with these Sephora promo codes.

Courtesy of brand

Saie’s Slip Tint tinted moisturizer is another option Dr. Garshick vouches for, as does makeup artist Greenberg, who says it’s a particularly good choice for mature skin. The dewy formula is powered by zinc oxide to provide SPF 35 protection, which exceeds dermatologist recommendations, and is easy to apply. “This moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and licorice root to brighten,” says Dr. Garshick. Not to mention, it comes in a variety of different shades to suit a range of skin tones.

Active ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide 15% / SPF: 30 / Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

• What we love: Lightweight, broad shade range, blends seamlessly
• What could improve: Some reviewers experience pilling

Save when you shop for the best tinted moisturizers with theseSephora promo codes.