Maybe it’s just me because I’m in my mid thirties now, but the importance of SPF is RAGING all over my social media! Rightfully so, since it is the number ONE way to prevent aging signs from catching up with us, as well as, other sun related damage. But for me, as someone with imperfect skin from acne scarring, I prefer my face SPF to do triple duty – protect, cover, and provide some light moisture. Oh, I also want them to be pretty ‘clean’ (mineral based and free of harmful chemicals). Over the last few months, I’ve tested several and I’m sharing 5 clean tinted moisturizers with SPF to try now…
The mission to identify mineral sunscreen formulas with some level of sheer to light coverage wasn’t as easy as you may think! There are plenty of basic tinted moisturizers… free of SPF… but when you add the requirement of mineral formula, fragrance free AND coverage… the pickins’ are slim.
I’m going to rate these 1-5 in level of coverage, 1 being the sheerest (but still evens things out a bit), to 5 being buildable medium coverage.
Also, I’ve worn all of these on their own, with maybe a touch of extra concealer where needed (eyes!)… AND under an actual foundation. All wear as usual… Ilia will give the most ‘glow.’
If you’re looking for a filter for your face coverage (a sheer evening out) alongside a bit of Vitamin C for brightening, and have normal to dry skin, Beautycounter Dew Skin is for you!
It is a cult favorite and award winning formula for a reason. Comes in six very adaptable shades with non-nano Zinc Oxide protection that is reef safe and benzene free.
I wear shade Medium.
*NEW customers get $$$ off their first purchase! Email me steffanie AT brighterdarling DOT com for the code!
If you prefer an oil-free, liquid/serum formula that provides a hint more coverage at a more affordable price, then MyChelle’s Sunshield is for you!
It contains Bentonite Clay to help provide a balanced, semi matte finish. Comes in clear, and four adaptable shades with reef safe Zinc Oxide.
I wear shade Medium/Dark.
If you want water resistant, buildable coverage (sheer to medium buildable, depending on your day), with UVA and Blue Light Protection, along with an ingredient list that seems very safe for highly sensitive/acne prone skin, then Colorescience Flex is for you!
With an oil free formula that has tone adapting pigments in four shades, this anti-oxidant loaded Zinc Oxide sunscreen is my current personal favorite at the time of publication.
I wear shade Tan in the spring/summer, Medium in the fall/winter.
If you want a true Tinted Moisturizer with SPF… then Suntegrity is for you. It contains a solid light/medium coverage with moisture and peptides in an oil free formula.
Also worth noting, any SPF from Suntegrity is a solid choice! Love this brand for clean sunscreens.
Impeccable Skin comes in six flexible shades with Zinc Oxide based sun protection. *Don’t buy this from Nordstrom… I bought three tubes that were all expired before ordering from Credo with no problems, so linking Credo here.
I wear shade Sand.
If you need a formula with a PERFECT shade match for your skin with the most coverage and don’t mint glowing, then the Ilia one is for you because it has the largest shade variety – 29+ shades available!
Super Serum Skin Tint is oil free, but it comes in a very glowy liquid/serum formula that is not for everyone. So if you prefer to have a natural or more matte finish… this is not going to be up your alley.
It also can be a little messy with the dropper dispenser, but the coverage is a solid medium, and it layers very well where needed. It contains all the skincare buzzwords – squalane, niacinimide and hylauronic acid – in a Zinc Oxide-based formula.
The biggest con with this formula is the actual texture itself – it’s just so liquidy, messy, and looks very oily even though it’s oil free. So if you love a strong glow, or you’re very dry, you’ll adore this.
I wear shade 9 in the fall/winter, and 11 in the spring/summer.
If you’ve tried a formula NOT listed here, there’s a good chance I’ve tried it also and just didn’t like it. BUT please feel free to share your experience and recommendation for other products in the comments so readers can look them up for themselves. 🙂
Let me know if you try any of these 5 clean tinted moisturizers with SPF to try. Hope this helps you keep your skin protected and lightly covered this season and year round!
-Steffanie
