7 Top Skin Tints for Achieving Your Most Radiant Skin Yet
Skin tints are currently enjoying significant popularity, continuously making waves on TikTok. As we usher in a new year, it’s an ideal moment to explore skin tints, particularly if heavy foundation isn’t your style.
If you seek a formula that provides a balanced skin tone, delivers sufficient coverage to conceal occasional blemishes or dark under-eye circles, and feels (and resembles) natural skin, then you definitely need to give skin tints a try.
Several options are creating buzz right now; Charlotte Tilbury’s latest Skin Tint has sparked varied opinions among users, a topic we’ll delve into shortly. There’s also the remarkable Clarins skin tint, which works wonders for mature skin textures, alongside favorites like Sculpted by Aimee, Saie, and many others.
Meet the Experts
- Sian Duke, a celebrity makeup artist and hairstylist specializing in clean beauty looks and red carpet styles. She currently favors the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser and MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint.
- I’ll chime in here as well. My name is Leanne, and I’ve been a journalist with over 16 years of experience in the beauty industry. Many of the products listed below were sampled during press events where we gather essential insights about launches.
What is a Skin Tint?
That’s a great question! The definition can vary by brand, as each offers its interpretation of what a skin tint should be. Some may provide slightly more coverage, but generally speaking, a skin tint is less intense than foundation—it typically offers just enough coverage to mask redness or pigmentation without overly covering your skin with makeup.
If you’re looking for a foundation with sheer coverage, you will be pleasantly surprised by the skin tints available. They allow your natural complexion to shine through, often described as “your skin, but better.”
A skin tint is made for the low-maintenance individual—you won’t need to spend too much time applying or blending, embodying the concept of effortless makeup application.
Celebrity makeup artist Sian is a huge advocate for skin tints; if you check her kit, you’re bound to find several. She shared: “As a professional makeup artist, skin tints are ALWAYS in my kit because they work for ALL skin types.”
How I Chose the Best Skin Tints
I’m an avid user of complexion products and wear makeup daily, regardless of my activities. I typically reserve foundation for special occasions and opt for skin tints on normal days, especially when my skin looks good. If I seek extra coverage, I’ll use a good quality full-coverage concealer.
The skin tints selected here were based on personal testing (conducted as part of my research) as well as recommendations from trusted peers or celebrity makeup artists I follow on social media. Each skin tint in this collection has its unique features, so it’s simply about discovering the one that suits you and your skin type best.
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation
© Charlotte Tilbury
Why We Rate It
- Provides an exceptional glow
- Quick application
- Lightweight texture
Editor’s Note
Charlotte Tilbury’s latest complexion product – the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation – has everyone buzzing. Dubbed a ring light for the face, it’s receiving plenty of love on social media, with some calling it their new must-have. Others, however, feel it lacks sufficient coverage and is overly shiny.
Having tried it myself, I understand why opinions are mixed. It has a super-natural finish and applies seamlessly. Personally, I lean towards a bit more coverage in my skin tints, but I can see it being a go-to for summer evenings. This product is perfect for those who adore a radiant makeup look. Its formula infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E helps to blur imperfections and provide a soft-focus effect on the skin.
Clarins Tinted Oleo-Serum
© Clarins
Why We Rate It
- Ideal for mature skin
- Buildable coverage
- Lightweight
Editor’s Note
Skin tints are fantastic for mature skin because unlike heavy foundations, they don’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles. I recommend reducing shimmer while keeping hydration levels high. The Clarins Tinted Oleo-Serum serves as a lightweight skin tint and complexion enhancer, blending mineral pigments with nourishing botanical oils to boost radiance and hydrate your skin instantly.
Sian reaches for this product when glamorizing older clients. “For mature and drier skin types, skin tints provide a sheer wash of translucent color while delivering hydration and skincare benefits, including serums and SPF.”
Lisa Eldridge Beauty Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint
© Lisa Eldridge Beauty
Why We Rate It
- Perfect for skincare enthusiasts
- Approved by makeup artists
- Elegant packaging
Editor’s Note
I’ve been eager to try the Lisa Eldridge Skin Tint ever since makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes gushed about it on TikTok (she’s not alone—this skin tint has taken TikTok by storm), stating, “It offers a stunning satiny velvety finish without being sticky or overly dewy.”
The celebrated makeup artist, known for her work with stars like Dua Lipa, mentioned: “It features a delightful texture and user experience.”
So why the hype? Primarily, it contains 78% of skincare ingredients, and it was crafted by Lisa Eldridge, a renowned makeup artist whose product creations garner significant attention. Eldridge promotes her “patchwork skin technique,” which involves applying coverage only where necessary. “This approach allows your skin’s natural beauty to shine through—whether it’s freckles or areas needing less coverage, just let them be,” she recommends.
I will certainly keep this advice in mind for my next makeup application.
Sculpted by Aimee Tint & Glow
© Sculpted by Aimee
Why We Rate It
- Ideal for foundation enthusiasts
- Buildable coverage
- Dewy finish
Editor’s Note
I enthusiastically recommend this product to anyone who will listen; I’ve already gone through two tubes. The Tint & Glow delivers light tinted coverage with a radiant sheen. I like to place a small amount on the back of my hand (it’s not as runny as most other skin tints) and apply it with a brush (but feel free to use your fingers if you prefer). A little goes a long way.
Usually, I top it off with a little concealer or setting powder on my shiny areas, and it offers just the right amount of coverage to balance my skin tone. Sometimes I layer it as a base for foundation when heading out at night.
Saie Slip Tint Tinted Moisturiser
© Saie
Why We Rate It
- Excellent for dry skin
- Hydrating
- Lightweight
Editor’s Note
Clean beauty enthusiasts will appreciate Saie’s Slip Tint Tinted Moisturiser, hailed as a “game changer” base product. It delivers sheer coverage infused with maximal skincare ingredients. Packed with Saie’s Fatty Acid Complex (Argan Oil & Jojoba Esters), potent ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Liquorice Root Extract, and Broad-spectrum SPF 35 for comprehensive protection against UVA/UVB rays and free radicals, this is truly a standout product.
Upon trying it, I adored the glow it provided. It checks all the essentials: surprising hydration, 100% mineral broad-spectrum sunscreen, and sheer, adaptable coverage. The no-spill tube is a thoughtful bonus.
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
© Fenty Beauty
Why We Rate It
- Accurate shade matching
- Light to medium coverage
- Blurring effect
Editor’s Note
When Rihanna endorses a product, it’s bound to pique my interest. She designed Eaze Drop to be a user-friendly, flexible skin tint that effortlessly evens out your skin tone while providing a flattering blur. With its HydraBlend complex, it’s perfect for achieving a natural makeup look or simply appearing effortlessly polished.
As expected, the shade range is exceptional. I recently ordered it to review for you guys, and I found the online shade matcher to be incredibly efficient—by far the best I’ve encountered. Users rave about its blurring effect and how it allows you to build up to a medium-longwear coverage while being resistant to humidity, sweat, and transfer.
Chanel Les Beiges Eau De Teint Water-Fresh Tint
© Chanel
Why We Rate It
- Super lightweight
- Sheer coverage
- Easy to apply
Editor’s Note
I’m a big fan of Chanel makeup, especially during the warm summer months. The Les Beiges Eau De Teint Water-Fresh Tint embodies that effortlessly luxurious summer makeup ideal. But what are my thoughts on it? It’s incredibly lightweight and leaves the skin feeling refreshing and hydrated—perfect after a day outdoors.
Utilizing micro-fluidic technology, this formulation presents micro-droplets of encapsulated pigments that seamlessly blend into the skin upon application for a radiant, bare-skin effect. The blurring and smoothing properties unify your complexion, allowing your skin’s natural beauty to sparkle through with sheer coverage.
This product stands out as one of the most natural options in this lineup—if foundations aren’t your look, but you wish for a hint of complexion enhancement, this is for you.
How to Apply a Skin Tint?
I’ll let the pro share her tips! Sian suggests using your fingers or a damp sponge when applying a skin tint: “For a fresh, balmy look, I typically use my fingers or a damp beauty sponge. Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of your hands—fingers help blend the product flawlessly due to their warmth for a seamless finish.”
She continued, “For added coverage, I like to use a slightly mattifying concealer around the center of the face, typically the nose, forehead, and chin.”
“When applying cream blush, opt for a gentle dabbing technique to avoid displacing the product. And remember to add a touch of setting powder—this ties the tint and concealer together and diffuses the blush for a natural-looking flush. Often, I revisit the blush for a gentle layer for added vibrancy or highlight for longevity.”
