Contents
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
I’ve come to accept that my complexion routine is always in flux. Rather than force myself to settle for just one “favorite” foundation or tinted moisturizer, I allow my routine to ebb and flow based on what my skin needs—and right now, all it wants is a tinted gel-cream.
Our Top Picks
- The Barely-There Tint: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint, $70
- The O.G.: BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer, $39
- The Editor-Favorite: U Beauty The Super Tinted Hydrator, $108
- The Buttery Soft: Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer, $38
- The Medium Coverage: Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation, $89
A few months ago, I called in a bunch of tinted moisturizers to test and realized I received my exact shade of the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer. Though the formula has achieved cult-status since its 2015 launch, I had not yet tried it and was admittedly hesitant it would not work for me—someone with oily skin and post-acne scarring. I assumed it would appear too sheer and fail at veiling my discoloration; but boy was I wrong. I dotted Complexion Rescue onto my face and began blending with a brush. The results were impressive; I was shocked at how cooling it felt—almost like a cup of water, it essentially dissolved into my skin; imparting an even, hydrating glow perfect for daily wear.
Looking back, I’m not sure why I didn't think the tinted gel-cream would work for me. It’s literally a tinted version of gel-cream face moisturizers—billed as a weightless hydrator perfect for warm temps, oily skin types, or skin care layering. All this to say, it's clear the BareMinerals tint was ahead of its time. The last six months have seen a rise in these types of formulas; notably, U Beauty’s The Super Tinted Hydrator which launched in October and Kosas’s BB Burst which hit shelves in February. But what marks the shift towards gel-creams now?
Celebrity makeup artist Glenn Brownell links it to the rise in skin care sales; “I think people are backing away from traditional foundations because consumers want more benefits from everything they’re putting on their face,” he explains. “They want it to leave their skin better after they take it off at the end of the day.” Makeup artist Sean Harris agrees, emphasizing that the tinted gel-creams can even out the skin tone without looking heavy or settling into fine lines. “These formulas are very popular because when applied properly they can help to create a flawless complexion. Think radiant, beaming perfection.”
The “minimal makeup with maximum glow” that Harris describes is exactly the vibe I’ll be taking into spring and summer. At the end of the day, these formulas are effective for any skin type—from oily or dry to mature. In the journey to fresh, healthy, luminous skin, I know that the tinted gel-cream will take me—and you—far. Ahead, a look at the leading formulas to consider—from BareMinerals, U Beauty, Kosas, and more.
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
$39
AMAZON
$39
SEPHORA
- Why We Love It: A personal favorite, this O.G. tinted gel cream is excellent even 14 years after its initial debut. Its benefits arrive from a cocktail of hyaluronic acid, squalane, and mineral SPF 30 for a well-rounded formula that replenishes skin’s moisture levels and protects against UV rays.
- Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide 6.2%, hyaluronic acid, squalene
U Beauty The Super Tinted Hydrator
The Super Tinted Hydrator
$108
NORDSTROM
$108
DERMSTORE
- Why We Love It: When we asked contributing beauty & wellness editor Kathleen Baird-Murray of her favorite beauty products of 2023, she named this U Beauty’s tint. “The shades and undertones work on all skin tones, and all the potent skin care benefits you’d expect are there, as well as her signature scent and glow,” she says. “This is great for those days when you don’t want to look “'made up'.” I like to think of it as your skin, but dewier.
- Key Ingredients: Peptides, shea butter, purified oat extract, pure mineral pigments, avocado, argan, and grapeseed oil
Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer
Kosas
BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer
$38
KOSAS
$38
NORDSTROM
- Why We Love It: “Kosas BB burst Is everything I could dream of in a complexion product,” Brownell says. “The squalene, glycerin, and peptides offer enough hydration that you can get away with skipping moisturizer, and there’s also a bit of silica in it which helps to control shine if you’re on the oily side.” To best apply, he recommends blending with a firm, dense brush like Merit's Brush No.1 for “newborn-child skin.”
- Key Ingredients: Copper peptides, zinc, saccharide isomerate, sodium PCA, squalene
Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation
Chantecaille
Future Skin Gel Foundation
$89
NORDSTROM
$89
DERMSTORE
- Why We Love It: Chantecaille’s Future Skin pairs all the benefits of a face cream and foundation. Housed in a luxe glass jar is an oil-free, lightweight gel composed of 60% water, green tea, aloe, arnica, botanical oils and extracts to provide exceptional hydration, whist reflective circular pigments even skin tone with medium-to-full coverage. Pro makeup artist Renee Sanganoo is a fan, sharing that this “feels so luxurious and smooth on the skin.”
- Key Ingredients: Aloe, arnica, green tea, rice bran extract, camellia extract, matricaria flower extract, glycerin
Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
Chanel
Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
$70
CHANEL
- Why We Love It: “Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint is the perfect barely-there skin tint,” says Harris. “It will deliver a glowing texture to the skin with minimal coverage. Prepare to glow!” One of Chanel's most-coveted foundations, this skincare-makeup hybrid is made up of 75% water. Pro makeup artist Robert Rumsey also named it one of his favorite foundations ever, explaining that its gel textured and pigmented micro-droplets provide optimal coverage and radiance.
- Key Ingredients: 75% water, pigmented micro-droplets, tamarind seed extract
Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation
Hourglass
Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation
$49
NORDSTROM
- Why We Love It: “ The Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint is extremely comfortable on the skin for everyday wear,” says Della. “It is buildable, breathable, and hydrating while also visibly plumping the skin.” Because of this, the pro reaches for this when she's creating a fresh, clean glam look. Not to mention, it’s made from 94% naturally-derived ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and meadowfoam seed oil to improve skin's moisture and softness.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, meadowfoam seed oil, squalane, rambutan blend, shea butter extract