Back when I worked at a beauty counter, my most frequently requested product recommendation was probably for the best tinted moisturiser for mature skin types.
Most people, upon experiencing the changes that come with skin ageing—loose skin, fine lines and hyperpigmentation—sought something lighter than natural-looking foundation and wanted a product with skincare benefits, but didn't want to compromise when it came to coverage.
What Does a Tinted Moisturiser Do?
Tinted moisturisers are essentially skincare/makeup hybrids. The best tinted moisturisers for mature skin even the complexion and contain the concealing properties of a foundation, minus the heavy texture and propensity for creasing, caking and settling into fine lines and pores. They also feature various associated benefits from moisturisers too; depending on the product or formula, this may involve plumping, refining or hydrating the skin.
Is Tinted Moisturiser Better for Mature Skin Than Foundation?
If you're on the hunt for a base product for mature skin that's lighter and more breathable than a foundation, then a tinted moisturiser may be the answer.
"For me, the most important thing is that tinted moisturisers add radiance," explains celebrity makeup artist, Neil Young. "As we mature, the skin lacks natural radiance and it tends to be drier, so anything you can do to add that back into the complexion is always beneficial," he adds.
Indeed, the best tinted moisturisers will essentially act like skincare products, infusing your barrier with hydrating ingredients that help your complexion to appear healthy and radiant. "This is exactly why I'm such a fan of tinted moisturisers—they effectively pack in a load of skincare ingredients almost like a serum," says Young.
"The wonderful thing about tinted moisturisers is they’re more of a stained-glass skin effect, so you can see the skin through the product, and what that will do is allow you to go a little bit deeper in tone than you would a foundation and it will still look completely natural."
What's more, tinted moisturisers are so easy to apply—you don't even need a makeup brush because your fingertips will suffice as the formula is much lighter to work with. They're perfect for everyday wear, can be layered up if you do want or need a bit more coverage, and many of them may also come with the benefits of added sunscreen (although we always recommend applying a separate SPF for adequate protection).
With this in mind, we've selected the best tinted moisturisers for mature skin—hydrated and glowing complexions await.
The Best Tinted Moisturisers for Mature Skin
- Best Overall Tinted Moisturiser For Mature Skin: Chanel Les Beiges Eau De Teint Water-Fresh Tint, £55
- Best Skincare-Infused Tinted Moisturiser For Mature Skin: Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm, £37
- Best Affordable Tinted Moisturiser For Mature Skin: L'Oréal Paris Paradise Lumi Glotion, £12
- Best Lightweight Tinted Moisturiser For Mature Skin: Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint, £42
1. Chanel Les Beiges Eau De Teint Water Fresh Tint
"If you have a relatively good, clear complexion and you don't necessarily need any coverage to perfect anything, it will give you a really beautiful, healthy, radiant glow, which I love," says Young of Chanel Beauty's skin tints.
Who What Wear's beauty team are besotted with the Les Beiges Eau De Teint Water-Fresh Tint. "The soft and hydrating formula melts into this really smoothing base that gently blurs your complexion," says Who What Wear UK SEO writer, Ava Gilchrist."The coverage is ultra-light, but enough to even tone and conceal darker spots while still providing a lit-from-within glow," she adds.
Pros
- Delivers a sheer, dewy glow
- Looks undetectable on the skin
Cons
- On the expensive side
2. L'Oréal Paris Paradise Lumi Glotion
"This formula sits somewhere between a tinted moisturiser and a glow booster—trust me, if radiance is what you seek, this product delivers," explainsBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's deputy editor, Maxine Eggenberger. "I bought it when I was travelling as I wanted something super lightweight in comparison to what I had packed, and my mum ended up stealing it from me when our trip came to an end," she adds. "It's super hydrating and lightweight, making it ideal for all skin types, and gives your skin the sort of luminous quality you usually only achieve after a two-week holiday. Not bad for £12."
Pros
- Leaves skin glowy, and your bank account happy
Cons
- Not for you if you want a matte finish
3. Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm
With a totally weightless, whipped texture, this tinted moisturiser from Dr. Jart+ is fast winning over makeup artists and beauty editors alike. Despite the limited shade range, the new formula was tested across a wide scope of skin tones, and the general consensus was that it was very adaptable because of the buildable and lightweight finish. The silky, smooth formula also blends like a dream, immediately blurring over imperfections without emphasising fine lines.
Pros
- Offers buildable coverage
Cons
- Limited shade range, but caters across the complexion spectrum
4. Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint
If you prefer a thinner, liquid formula to a thick cream, Glossier's hydrating skin tint is a winner. The thin, breathable formula is super sheer but still works hard to moisturise skin. Just a few drops will help to even out your skin tone—without caking, clogging pores or hiding freckles. (Though, we are loving the look of the faux freckle makeup trend at the moment.)
Pros
- Delivers natural-looking coverage
- Dewy finish
Cons
- Not for you if you want more coverage
5. Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint
This tinted moisturiser is a great option if you're totally new to wearing makeup and don't want a product that you can feel or obviously see on your skin. The sheer-to-light coverage gives skin a really natural-looking finish, helping to conceal redness by enhancing (rather than masking) your natural complexion.
Pros
- Looks and feels light on the skin
Cons
- You may need concealer on blemishes, as the coverage is sheer
6. BareMinerals Complexion Rescue
BareMinerals' makeup products are all about achieving fresh, natural-looking skin using clean, naturally derived ingredients. Providing 24 hours of hydration, this tinted moisturiser is ideal for mature skin that's experiencing dryness—it's proven to boost skin hydration by 215% in just one week of use.
Pros
- Leaves skin looking fresh and glowy
Cons
- May be too dewy on oily skin
7. Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer
Chantecaille's tinted moisturiser takes a three-in-one approach, combining moisturising ingredients with SPF protection and skin-smoothing coverage. Key ingredients include thyme and butterfly bush extract, which have anti-pollution benefits.
Pros
- Luxurious formula
- Melts into the skin
Cons
- Has the luxury price tag to match
8. Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturiser
This tinted moisturiser offers surprisingly strong coverage considering how light it feels upon application. If you want a product that blurs and conceals as well as your regular foundation (but doesn't feel heavy or look cakey), look no further.
Pros
- Offers good coverage without feeling like a foundation
Cons
- May be too heavy if you want a very sheer effect
9. MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tinted Moisturiser
When it comes to base products, MAC has an extensive collection of foundations, skin tints, and tinted moisturisers, but this is our top pick for mature skin. The bright, dewy finish helps to counteract any dryness and dullness.
Pros
- Leaves skin ultra-dewy and glowy
Cons
- May be too radiant for some
10. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser
No list of tinted moisturisers would be complete without the addition of Nars' Radiant Tinted Moisturiser, which is an MUA kit staple. "If I want to give my client an unrivalled glow, this is the product I usually go for," says Young. Perfect for achieving a truly skin-like finish while still working hard to conceal and cover.
Pros
- Loved by editors and MUAs
- Delivers a natural-looking result
Cons
- May be too rich for oily skin
11. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector
This cult tinted moisturiser is beloved for a reason—it's absolutely brimming with hydrating ingredients like kukui seed and macadamia oils to really infuse mature skin with hydration. Not only that, but it also contains vitamins E and C to protect and brighten skin, and it has a beautifully dewy finish that leaves skin looking so healthy.
Pros
- Great for dry skin seeking a glow
Cons
- May be too rich for oily complexions
12. No7 City Light Tinted Moisturiser
No 7 has long been a go-to brand for those looking for products to tackle the emerging signs of mature skin, like fine lines. The brand is famous for its powerful serums, but its makeup offerings are not to be overlooked. Formulated with skin-protecting antioxidants like vitamins C and E, and ginseng root extract, this is every bit as much a skincare product as it is makeup. The lightweight formula melts into skin for a really natural-looking finish.
Pros
- Offers anti-pollution technology
- Natural-looking
- Good price-point
Cons
- Not the most luxe on our list, but it gets the job done
13. Lumene Invisible Illumination Instant Glow Fresh Skin Tint
A pot of goodness if ever we saw one. We'd recommend this moisture-packed skincare-makeup hybrid if you do really struggle with both dry and oily areas of skin. With a fresh, gel-like consistency that melts and blends like butter, the tinted cream deeply moisturises skin for up to 24 hours thanks to a power-combo of pure Arctic spring water and Nordic algae.
Pros
- Good for combination skin
- Gel texture feels light on skin
Cons
- On the spennier side
How to Apply Tinted Moisturisers for Mature Skin
Those with mature skin will often notice a slight loss in the skin's elasticity, leading to their complexion appearing more sagged compared to when they were younger. (Don't worry, a great skin-tightening cream can always help firm and steady!)
In saying that, it's always best to be gentle and extra nourishing with mature skin. "I've always felt that warming product up on the back of my hand or on my palm is the best way to get that lived-in consistency," explains Gilchrist. This is a similar technique you can follow when applying tinted moisturisers for mature skin. Simply follow this up by dabbing the product in with your finger or taking a tool like a Beautyblender to stipple it in further.
Shop Tools to Apply Tinted Moisturisers to Mature Skin:
For a really natural-looking finish, apply your tinted moisturiser with a Beautyblender. Bouncing it onto skin will help to achieve a really seamless effect.
If you want to build up more coverage, a flat buffing brush like this one is an easy way to do so.
Want your tinted moisturiser to stick around all day? Prepping skin with this primer will help to do so.
This loose setting powder will help to prevent oil from disturbing your makeup. Because it's water-based, it won't make skin look cakey in the process.
Dry skin types especially will benefit from setting their makeup with this setting spray—it's packed with hydrating ingredients and formulated for all day hold.
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