Editor’s Picks: 17 of the Best Tinted Sunscreens for Every Skin Tone

It wasn't that long ago that a good mineral sunscreen was hard to find—let alone one that would give your skin some colour and coverage. But if you've been searching for your perfect tinted sunscreen, you'll be happy to know that you've got more options than ever.

Tinted sunscreen is ideal for anyone who wants to avoid the notorious white or grey cast associated with mineral sunscreen. With a tinted formula, you can either wear it on its own or mix it with another mineral sunscreen to reduce any whitening effect.

You can also use tinted sunscreen the same way you'd wear a foundation, tinted moisturizer, BB cream or CC cream. Many formulas now come in an array of shades to match every skin tone, and give you sheer, medium or even full coverage that camouflages imperfections.

And the best part? There's no need to sacrifice on sun protection, because most tinted SPFs are made with high concentrations of active ingredients, just like the best mineral sunscreens.

Below, find out exactly what I look for in a tinted sunscreen, and my top product picks.

What to Look for in a Tinted Sunscreen

Before you invest in a tinted sunscreen, decide how you plan to use it. If you'll be treating it like makeup, and layering it over a high-protection mineral sunscreen, then you can get away with a lower concentration of active ingredients. 

But if a tinted sunscreen is going to be your only facial sunscreen, then you definitely want a product that protects to the fullest against sun damage, skin aging and skin cancer.

Either way, I recommend choosing a mineral formula, since zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are insoluble filters that won't absorb into your bloodstream or cause hormonal disruption. Furthermore, zinc oxide is the only active sunscreen ingredient in North America that offers extensive filtering of both UVA and UVB rays.

With that in mind, here's what I recommend:

• High in zinc oxide: If you'll be wearing tinted sunscreen as your main sunscreen (not just as makeup), you have two options. Look for formulas containing at least 20% zinc oxide OR 15-20% zinc oxide with at least 5% titanium dioxide. These levels of active ingredients will ensure that your skin is fully protected.
• Low in PUFAs: Oils high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are volatile and interact with heat and light to cause cellular damage. They shouldn't be present in large concentrations, so I avoid products that contain them in the first five ingredients.
• Low in fragrance: Since fragrance is the main trigger for skin irritations, it's best to limit or avoid it, especially if you have sensitive skin. 
• Low in silicones: Although they are generally considered safe, I limit silicones because they form a film on the skin that can trap acne-causing debris and interfere with natural cell renewal. 
• Reef-safe: As minerals, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide will not harm coral reefs.
• Water-resistant (optional): Consider a water-resistant formula if you plan to be swimming or sweating a lot while outdoors.

The Best Tinted Sunscreens of 2021

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

• Details: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is a tinted serum that comes in a huge range of shades—there are 30!—so whether you're a Rendezvous or a Roque, a match is virtually guaranteed. This formula gives you light, dewy coverage, and is both silicone-free and fragrance-free. It's boosted by niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for extra skincare benefits, but since the zinc oxide concentration is on the lower side, it should definitely be worn over a more protective sunscreen.
• Active ingredient: 12% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: 6% squalane, 2% niacinamide, 0.5% hyaluronic acid, lethicin, silica, aloe, allantoin.
• Shade range: 30 light-coverage shades.

Supergoop! CC Screen 100% Mineral CC Cream SPF 50

• Details: Supergoop! CC Screen 100% Mineral CC Cream SPF 50 is a luminous CC cream that doubles as a high-protection mineral sunscreen. As it shields your skin from UV rays, it also gives you buildable medium coverage in an array of shades. (You can even choose between warm, cool and neutral undertones.) It's also oil-free, fragrance-free and low in silicones. 
• Active ingredients: 20% zinc oxide, 2% titanium dioxide.
• Other ingredients: Propanediol, glycerin, apple extract, silica, mica, seaweed extract, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E.
• Shade range: 15 medium-coverage shades.

HAN Serum CC SPF 30+

• Details: HAN Serum CC SPF 30+ is a waterless CC cream with a liquid serum texture. Despite being oil-based, it is lightweight, non-greasy and suitable for all skin types. The formula boasts a high concentration of both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to ensure that your skin is fully protected, while the various oils (and no silicones) deliver nourishment and a dewy glow. All the shades are buildable, giving you natural-looking medium-to-full coverage.
• Active ingredient: 21% zinc oxide, 6% titanium dioxide.
• Other ingredients: Coconut alkanes, coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil, aloe, castor seed oil, glycerin, silica, vitamin E.
• Shade range: Seven medium-to-full-coverage shades.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream SPF 30

• Details: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream SPF 30 is a multitasking CC cream and sunscreen packed with natural ingredients (and no silicones). It offers just enough coverage to even out your skin tone, and with seven shades—from Natural Glow to Deep Glow—there's an option for everyone. I find this is one of the dewiest formulas, so top it off with translucent powder if you prefer a matte finish.
• Active ingredient: 20% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: Aloe, coconut oil, apple juice, grape juice, fractionated coconut oil, castor seed oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid
• Shade range: Seven sheer-coverage shades.

Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30

• Details: Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 is a tinted sunscreen with a cream texture and a sheer, medium-toned tint. It'll work best for medium to deep skin; if you're fair to light, I'd stick with the brand's non-tinted Umbra Sheer instead. The coverage level is sheer, and the finish is dewy with some fine shimmer running through it (although for what it's worth, I can never detect the shimmer on my skin). This one also gives excellent UVA and UVB protection, and is free of fragrance and essential oils and low in silicone.
• Active ingredient: 20% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: Fractionated coconut oil, glycerin, pentylene glycol, fatty alcohol, silica, marula oil, aloe, seaweed extract, algae extract, sunflower sprout extract.
• Shade range: One sheer-coverage shade (best for medium to deep tones).

W3ll People Bio Tint Multi-Action Moisturizer SPF 30

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• Details: W3ll People Bio Tint Multi-Action Moisturizer SPF 30 is a tinted moisturizer that delivers the texture, colour and coverage of a light foundation in addition to sun protection. There are four buildable shades—from Fair to Medium/Dark—which tend to run deeper and warmer compared to other brands. (So fair skin may find the lightest tone too dark.) The finish is semi-matte, and just like a foundation, you do need to take some time blending it out. This formula is also silicone-free and fragrance-free.
• Active ingredient: 20% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: Fractionated coconut oil, silica, castor seed oil, glycerin, broccoli seed oil, lethicin, gluconolactone, vitamin E.
• Shade range: Four light-coverage shades.

Suntegrity 5-in-1 Tinted Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30

• Details: Suntegrity 5-in-1 Tinted Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 is a sunscreen, foundation, moisturizer, primer and skin treatment in one. It was one of the first-ever tinted mineral SPFs, and it's still one of the best and most protective. It's fragrance-free, low in silicone, and has the texture and sheer coverage of a BB cream (drying down with a dewy finish). Unfortunately, the shades only go as dark as Medium, so deeper tones should try the brand's Impeccable Skin Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30 instead.
• Active ingredient: 20% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: Aloe, fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, Epsom salt, sunflower seed oil, cucumber extract, hyaluronic acid.
• Shade range: Four sheer-coverage shades (best for light to medium tones).

Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30

• Details: Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30 is a cross between a sunscreen and a medium-coverage foundation. With shades ranging from Ivory to Bronze, there are options for all skin tones, imparting a glowing, satiny finish. This formula is also silicone-free and fragrance-free. But since the zinc oxide content is slightly low, it would work best layered over another sunscreen or on days when you're getting minimal sun exposure.
• Active ingredient: 15% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: Aloe, fractionated coconut oil, glycerin, vitamin C (THD ascorbate), vitamin E, hyaluronic acid.
• Shade range: Six medium-coverage shades.

Naturally Serious Mineral Sun Defense Moisturizer SPF 30

• Details: Naturally Serious Mineral Sun Defense Moisturizer SPF 30 is a tinted sunscreen and moisturizer with one of the highest concentrations of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. As such, it's incredibly protective, while also acting as a sheer, skin-perfecting foundation. It has a lotion texture and light tint that will blend best with light to medium skin, but may not be suitable for deeper tones. This formula is also silicone-free, with less than 1% synthetic fragrance.
• Active ingredients: 25% zinc oxide, 4% titanium dioxide.
• Other ingredients: Fractionated coconut oil, glycerin, pentylene glycol, fatty alcohol, argan oil, vitamin E.
• Shade range: One sheer-coverage shade (best for light to medium tones).

Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

• Details: Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 is a tinted moisturizer that helps to brighten and perfect your skin while giving you a little extra sun protection. Formulated from the brand's list of non-toxic ingredients, it is low in silicone and has a cream-gel texture. The shades range from Fair to Deep, and give your skin a dewy, natural-looking finish. Since it's a bit low in zinc oxide and only an SPF 20, it's best to layer this over another sunscreen.
• Active ingredient: 14% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: Fractionated coconut oil, Epsom salt, beeswax, gluconolactone, hyaluronic acid, lethicin, black currant seed oil, glycerin, vitamin C (THD ascorbate).
• Shade range: Six sheer-coverage shades.

EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

• Details: EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 is a tinted sunscreen featuring the brand's highest concentration of mineral active ingredients. (It's just slightly low in titanium dioxide, but very close to meeting my criteria!) This dermatologist-approved formula also happens to be oil-free, fragrance-free and low in silicone. There's just one sheer tint, which has a warm tone that will suit medium complexions best.
• Active ingredients: 15% zinc oxide, 2% titanium dioxide.
• Other ingredients: Fractionated coconut oil, silica, glycerin, squalane, vitamin E, vitamin C (THD ascorbate).
• Shade range: One sheer-coverage shade (best for medium tones).

Akt Therapy D-Luxe Daily Bronzer SPF 30

• Details: Akt Therapy D-Luxe Daily Bronzer SPF 30 is both a bronzer and a sunscreen, made with only a few all-natural ingredients. It has a sheer bronze tint that helps to disguise redness and uneven tone, and leaves your skin with a dewy finish. Meanwhile, it's fully protecting you with the highest possible percentage of zinc oxide. If you have medium to dark skin, you could wear this all over your face; lighter skin could use it as a cream bronzer. This product is also silicone-free and fragrance-free.
• Active ingredient: 25% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: Olive oil, beeswax, vitamin E, vitamin D3.
• Shade range: One sheer-coverage shade (best for medium to deep tones).

Think Everyday Face SPF 30+

• Details: Think Everyday Face SPF 30+ is a tinted sunscreen that not only offers a high level of protection, but is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. It has a non-greasy lotion texture, and is fragrance-free and low in silicone. There's just one sheer shade that gives your skin a semi-matte finish. While it blends seamlessly into fair to medium skin, it may be a little too light for deep tones. 
• Active ingredient: 20% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: Aloe, fractionated coconut oil, glycerin, castor seed oil, Epsom salt, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E.
• Shade range: One sheer-coverage shade (best for light to medium tones).

CyberDerm Simply Zinc Ultra Tinted Transparent Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

• Details: CyberDerm Simply Zinc Ultra Tinted Transparent Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is an ultra-protective sunscreen with a sheer nude-beige tint. Not only does it contain the maximum quantity of zinc oxide, it's also boosted by the brand's patent-pending Bio UVA Ultra, a certified organic material that increases the UVA protection by up to 60%. That makes it especially suitable for those with a history of skin cancer, hyperpigmentation or melasma. This formula is fragrance-free and silicone-free, and has a thin, fluid texture, similar to a dry-oil foundation. 
• Active ingredient: 25% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: Fractionated coconut oil, coconut alkanes, safflower oleosomes, Norwegian spruce extract.
• Shade range: One sheer-coverage shade (best for medium tones).

UnSun Mineral Tinted Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 30

• Details: UnSun Mineral Tinted Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 30 is a tinted sunscreen that was specifically developed with women of colour in mind. It comes in two sheer shades, Fair/Light and Medium/Dark, both promising a dewy finish without any ghostly white or grey cast. Just be aware that it is also non-whitening because the formula has a lower level of active ingredients—so it should be worn over a more protective sunscreen if you plan to be outdoors.
• Active ingredients: 6.5% zinc oxide, 5.5% titanium dioxide.
• Other ingredients: Glycerin, coconut alkanes, crambe abyssinica oil, aloe, shea butter, coconut oil, safflower seed oil, beeswax, olive oil, vitamin E.
• Shade range: Two sheer-coverage shades.

Obagi Medical Tinted Physical Defense SPF 50

• Details: Obagi Medical Tinted Physical Defense SPF 50 is an all-mineral sunscreen that helps to even out your skin tone with a sheer, warm tint. Besides giving good protection against UVA and UVB rays, this dermatologist-developed formula also defends your skin from high energy visible light (HEV), visible light (VIS) and infrared rays (IR). It's low in silicone and free of fragrance, too.
• Active ingredients: 14.4% zinc oxide, 5.8% titanium dioxide.
• Other ingredients: Fractionated coconut oil, glycerin, fatty alcohol, propanediol, aloe, broccoli extract, silica.
• Shade range: One sheer-coverage shade (best for medium tones).

Pacifica Mineral Bronzing Face Shade Coconut Glow SPF 30

• Details: Pacifica Mineral Bronzing Face Shade Coconut Glow SPF 30 might look like a self-tanner, but it's actually a tinted mineral sunscreen. It's silicone-free, and its bronze tint is especially ideal for deep skin tones or anyone seeking a sun-kissed glow. Besides protecting your skin from the sun, it is also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
• Active ingredient: 20% zinc oxide.
• Other ingredients: Aloe, shea butter, caffeine, fatty alcohols, coconut oil, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, cocoa butter, vitamin E.
• Shade range: One light-coverage shade (best for medium to deep tones).

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