Both skin tint and tinted moisturizer are makeup products that provide light, natural-looking coverage while evening out skin tone. However, there are some key differences between the two. Skin tint tends to be lighter in coverage and more like a tinted serum, while tinted moisturizer provides more pigment and hydration. Let’s explore the similarities and differences in more detail.
What is Skin Tint?
Skin tint, also sometimes called complexion tint, is a lightweight, sheer foundation that evens out skin tone while still allowing natural skin to show through. It provides minimal coverage, often without hiding freckles, acne, and other skin imperfections completely.
Skin tint has a thin, watery consistency almost like a serum. It contains lower levels of pigment than tinted moisturizer and is designed to blend seamlessly into skin for a barely-there, no makeup look. Some of the key benefits of skin tint include:
- Light, natural coverage
- Evens out skin tone gently
- Sheer, buildable formula
- Looks like bare skin
- Often contains skincare benefits
- Works on all skin types
Here is an example overview of some popular skin tint products:
| Brand | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Glossier | Perfecting Skin Tint | – Extremely sheer coverage – Dewy, luminous finish – Lightweight gel-cream formula |
| Ilia | Super Serum Skin Tint | – Light coverage with skincare benefits – SPF 40 protection – Natural serum-like formula |
| Kosas | Tinted Face Oil | – Hydrating, oil-based formula – Medium coverage – Natural skin finish |
| Milk Makeup | Sunshine Skin Tint | – Lightweight, water-based formula – SPF 30 – Buildable coverage |
As you can see, skin tints emphasize lightweight, sheer coverage with skincare benefits. They allow more of your natural skin to shine through.
What is Tinted Moisturizer?
Tinted moisturizer is a lightweight, hydrating foundation that offers more coverage than skin tint while still looking natural. It combines moisturizer with pigment to even out skin tone and texture.
The ingredients are similar to a facial moisturizer but with the addition of finely-milled pigments. The texture is creamier and thicker than a skin tint. Tinted moisturizer provides light to medium, buildable coverage that helps mask imperfections. Benefits include:
- Lightweight, breathable coverage
- Hydrates and nourishes skin
- Easy to apply and blend
- Sheer to medium coverage
- Smooths and evens skin texture
- Often contains SPF
Here are a few popular tinted moisturizer options:
| Brand | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| NARS | Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer | – Medium, buildable coverage – Broad spectrum SPF 30 – Oil-free |
| Laura Mercier | Tinted Moisturizer | – Natural, semi-matte finish – SPF 20 – 12 shades available |
| BareMinerals | Complexion Rescue | – Lightweight gel-cream formula – Hydrating and nourishing – SPF 30 protection |
| Supergoop! | Glowscreen SPF 40 | – Dewy finish – Blue light protection – Reef-safe formula |
In summary, tinted moisturizers offer more coverage than skin tint while still hydrating and nourishing the skin.
Skin Tint vs Tinted Moisturizer
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s directly compare skin tint and tinted moisturizer:
Coverage
The most noticeable difference is the level of coverage. Skin tint offers sheer, translucent coverage that allows skin to look like itself. Tinted moisturizer has lightweight pigment that evens tone while still looking natural.
Texture
Skin tint has an ultra-thin, serum-like consistency that blends in completely. Tinted moisturizer feels more like a moisturizing cream with a thicker, blendable texture.
Finish
Skin tint leaves a clean, matte-to-satin finish. Tinted moisturizer usually has more glow and dewiness. However, both create natural, non-cakey looks.
Ingredients
Skin tints focus on skin care with extracts, oils, and vitamins. Tinted moisturizers contain traditional moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid. Both offer skincare benefits.
SPF
Some skin tints and most tinted moisturizers contain sunscreen, typically at least SPF 15. SPF is more common and higher in tinted moisturizers.
Shades
Skin tints come in limited shade ranges since they blend into skin without masking undertones. Tinted moisturizers offer more shades to suit multiple skin tones.
How to Choose Between Them
So should you choose a skin tint or tinted moisturizer? Here are some guidelines:
- For a barely-there look, choose skin tint.
- For lightweight coverage and hydration, pick tinted moisturizer.
- Oily and acne-prone skin may prefer skin tint.
- Dry skin benefits from tinted moisturizer’s hydration.
- Limit discoloration with tinted moisturizer.
- Minimize pores optically with tinted moisturizer.
- Aging skin may appreciate tinted moisturizer’s glow.
You can also layer them – use skin tint first for an even canvas, then spot conceal with tinted moisturizer. Both work for all skin types and needs. Test them out to decide which finish and coverage level you prefer.
DIY Tinted Moisturizer
Want to make your own tinted moisturizer at home? Just mix together:
- Facial moisturizer (look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid)
- Liquid foundation or concealer 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone
- Optional: 1-2 drops of face oil for more glow
Start with a dollop of moisturizer and add foundation drops or concealer bit-by-bit until you achieve your desired coverage and color. Make sure to blend completely. Use sunscreen separately since DIY tinted moisturizer doesn’t contain SPF.
Pros and Cons
Let’s summarize the key pros and cons between skin tints and tinted moisturizers:
Skin Tint Pros
- Lightweight, barely-there look
- Allows skin’s natural texture and radiance to show through
- Versatile for all skin types
- Easy to apply and blend out
- Buildable coverage
- Often contains skincare ingredients
Skin Tint Cons
- Minimal coverage and shade range
- Can accentuate dry patches without hydration
- Usually no SPF, less environmental protection
Tinted Moisturizer Pros
- Light, breathable coverage
- Hydrates while evening skin tone
- Smooths texture and blurs pores
- More shades and undertone options
- SPF is common for sun protection
- Nourishes skin with moisturizing ingredients
Tinted Moisturizer Cons
- Heavier than skin tint
- Can look cakey if too much is applied
- Less skincare benefits than skin tint
- Can cling to dryness and accentuate flakes
Conclusion
In summary, skin tint and tinted moisturizer both offer light, natural coverage while evening and enhancing skin. Skin tint provides bare-minimum sheer coverage to let skin shine through, while tinted moisturizer has more pigment to even tone and smooth texture. Consider your own skin type, needs and preferred finish as you choose between these luminous foundations. Try layering them together to get the best of both worlds!