Ditch heavy foundation: these 5 tinted moisturizers are easier to wear every day

Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer is one of the products that made the category popular, and it remains a favorite among makeup artists and reviewers. It offers sheer to light coverage, a natural finish that looks like skin, and broad-spectrum SPF 30.

Owners praise the wide shade range and how easily it blends with fingers. It suits normal, dry and combination skin. The trade-off is price compared with drugstore options, and oily skin may need powder to keep shine down. Start with a hydrating base from our best moisturizers for dry skin if you're very dry.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer offers slightly more coverage than most tinted moisturizers while still feeling light. It evens out redness and minor discoloration, and the radiant finish gives skin a healthy glow. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 adds daytime protection.

Owners say it layers well for extra coverage where needed, and it's comfortable enough for all-day wear on normal to dry skin. It blends easily with fingers or a damp sponge. The trade-offs are a narrower shade range than some competitors and a glowy finish that can look shiny on oily skin by afternoon.

Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint is a favorite for people who want the lightest possible base. It pairs a sheer tint with mineral broad-spectrum SPF 40 and skincare ingredients like niacinamide and squalane, giving a dewy, fresh finish.

Owners love how natural it looks and how easily it applies with fingers. The trade-offs are very light coverage and a shade match that can be tricky, since the tint is sheer. If you have significant discoloration, choose something more buildable, or use a little concealer only where you need it. It's also a good pick for summer, when heavier bases feel uncomfortable.

e.l.f. Camo CC Cream offers far more coverage than you'd expect from a drugstore tinted base. It evens out redness and discoloration, includes broad-spectrum SPF 30, and comes in a wide range of shades.

Owners frequently compare it to products that cost three times as much. The trade-offs: it leans closer to foundation than a sheer tint, and some owners with very dry skin say it can cling to flaky patches without good prep. It's easy to find at Target and other drugstores, so trying a second shade costs little. Apply with a damp sponge for the most natural result.

Supergoop! is known for sunscreen, and its CC Screen combines mineral broad-spectrum SPF 50 with a color-correcting tint. It's a smart pick if sun protection is your priority and you want a little coverage without layering products.

Owners like that it doesn't leave the white cast common with mineral sunscreens, thanks to the tint. The trade-offs are a limited shade range and a texture that can feel thick, so work in small amounts. It suits people who want one step instead of sunscreen plus foundation. Finish your routine with a favorite scent from our best everyday fragrances. If you're still building your makeup bag, a gift set from our best gifts for women guide is an easy start.