8 of the best skin tints for a natural and dewy finish

So long, cake face 👋

best skin tints

by Aimee Jakes |
Published on

Let's get straight to it - skin tints are in and full coverage is out.

Full coverage has its place, sure, but we've begun to tire of all the blending/prepping/setting that's required for a thick and airbrush formula. No matter how much we dab, we always seem to get 'cake face' (classic) and it just doesn't look great under the bright summer sun.

Enter the skin tint. The natural and sheer alternative for your base which ensures a luminous and healthy finish. Y'know, like you're on your way back from a fancy Cotswolds spa and really into your green juice.

Even Molly-Mae Hague announced she was favouring a more 'natural make-up look' during her latest GRWM YouTube video and swapped up her usual matte foundation for the ultra-dewy Armani Neo Nude Glow Foundation .

She told her fans, "As you can see my make-up is really really natural at the moment and I'm really loving it. It's super dewy and super fresh."

We are living for the fresh-faced look, quite frankly. 10/10. Bravo.

We've rounded up the best skin tints on the market right now, from ultra-light skin tints to bb creams and almost-foundations. Don't worry if you're a skin tint newbie, there's something here for everyone...

SHOP: the best skin tints to shop 2021

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.

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SHOP: best skin tints 2021

Kevyn Aucoin Stripped Nude Skin Tint1 of 8

Kevyn Aucoin Stripped Nude Skin Tint

Best for... summer skin Perfect for holiday skin or WFH days, this sheer skin tint leaves skin looking glowy, hydrated and clear. Coverage-wise it's definitely on the lighter side and feels like you're wearing nothing at all. Pros: it's packed with skincare ingredients including hyaluronic acid to keep skin healthy and supple. Cons: some customers didn't like the smell and although we agree (it smells like slightly odd?) it definitely wasn't a dealbreaker for us.

Perfecting Skin Tint2 of 8

Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint

Best for... barely-there coverage A smoothable and breathable formula that edges the gap between make-up and bare skin. Consistency-wise, it definitely feels like an ultra-lightweight tinted moisturiser so if you're looking for a 'no-make-up' finish, you'll love this. This formula also works well for men who just want a tiny something without the tell-tale foundation cakiness. Pros: if anyone can master that 'second skin' glow, it's Glossier. This blends out beautifully and leaves skin luminous. Cons: it really is sheer, so if you prefer a bit of coverage to even out redness or conceal pigmentation, this tint probably isn't for you.

Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 503 of 8

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50

Best for... coverage without the cakinessThis foundation/cc cream/skin tint hybrid gives you that natural and luminous finish, whilst delivering a medium coverage. We are huge fans here at heat and even wrote a whole piece on whyit's just so bloody fantastic. Pros: excellent coverage and long lasting, with SPF50. It's also packed with collagen, peptides and hyaluronic acid.Cons: some customers felt the finish was too shiny when used on oily skin. It's worth pointing out that It Cosmetics also do a matte version, which is perfect for oilier skin types.

Armani Neo Nude Glow Foundation4 of 8

Armani Neo Nude Glow Foundation

Best for... waking up dull skin If you're looking for the glowiest of them all, the Armani Neo Nude Glow is the one for you. Endorsed by Molly-Mae Hague, it's delivers a sheer yet buildable coverage. Pros: gives skin a healthy and luminous glow. It's also a great option for mature skin as it doesn't accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. Cons: some customers found it difficult to colour match at home

L'Oreal Paris Skin Paradise Tinted Moisturiser5 of 8

L'Oreal Paris Skin Paradise Tinted Moisturiser

Best for... skincare benefitsCreated with a 70% water-based formula and enriched with a cocktail of Aloe Vera, Ginger and Witch Hazel, this skin tint not only looks great but does great, too. Pros: the formula is moisturising, buildable and leaves a subtle glow. Has SPF20 and is a great and affordable option for everyday. Cons: some customers found that some of the shades felt a little 'orangey' and urged others to opt for one shade lighter than normal.

Bourjois City Radiance6 of 8

Bourjois City Radiance

Best for... a bargain A radiant foundation that gives light to medium coverage. It has hundreds of five-star reviews thanks to its luminous, yet natural finish. Bourjois is sadly no longer stocked in the UK, but you can still get some of your favourites on Amazon. Hurrah. Pros: super blendable and buildable, making it an extremely versatile base. It also has SPF 30 and an 'anti-pollution screen', perfect for city goers. Cons: some felt that the shades only catered for pink skin tones, which meant the finish wasn't quite right.

Heliocare 360u00b0 Beige Color Oil Free Gel7 of 8

Heliocare 360° Beige Color Oil Free Gel

Best for... sun protectionThis savvy formula combines the coverage of a foundation and sun protection and gives a natural and glowy finish. Celebrity fansinclude Courtney Black, who dubbed it 'perfect for people who hate the feeling of foundation on their skin'. Pros: loved by dermatologists, this SPF offers stellar protection from the sun and won't clog pores. It also contains antioxidants for healthy skin. Cons: only available in three shades and although they're very forgiving, very light and very dark skin tones may struggle to find their match.

GloWish Multidew Skin Tint8 of 8

GloWish Multidew Skin Tint

Best for...a luminous gleamGloWish is Huda Kattan's latest brand,which is all about the dewy, 'weekend skin'. The Multidew Skin Tint promises a glowy finish all whilst boasting incredible skin ingredients, including Damascus rose oil and red bell pepper extract.Pros: a super luminous, glowy finish, all whilst delivering light to medium coverage. Perfect for dewy summer skin. Cons: some customers felt that it left their skin 'too greasy' and some suggested choosing a lighter shade than normal, as the colours were a lot more intense IRL.

The benefits of using a skin tint

They often are packed with skincare ingredients: from hyaluronic acid to red pepper extract, skin tints are likely to contain skin-boosting properties. Long gone are the days of make-up 'ruining your skin'.

They give a natural glow: a dewy finish not only looks healthier, but it's also a godsend for minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

They won't clog pores: skin tints are much lighter than foundations and won't encourage breakouts in the same way.

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us