Editor’s Picks: The 20 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 formulas are ideal for anyone who wants to avoid the notorious white cast associated with mineral sunscreens. (Usually, it's caused by titanium dioxide, says Dr. Sharyn Laughlin.) With a tinted SPF, you have the flexibility to either wear it on its own or mix it with another sunscreen to reduce any whitening effect.

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

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

Keeping reading for my guide to the best tinted sunscreens, and why I chose them.

What to Look for in a Tinted Sunscreen

Before you buy a tinted sunscreen, decide where you plan to wear it. If you'll be layering it over a high-protection zinc oxide sunscreen, then you can probably get away with a lower concentration of active ingredients. 

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

Either way, I recommend choosing a mineral formula, which won't absorb into the 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 look for. (See my sunscreen ingredients tutorial for more details!)

• High in zinc oxide: To get a true broad-spectrum SPF 30, you have two options. Go for formulas containing at least 20 percent zinc oxide OR 15 to 20 percent zinc oxide with at least five percent titanium dioxide. In this guide, I've listed these options as "high-zinc." 
• Low in PUFAs: Oils high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are volatile and interact with UV 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: As 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 it's a matter of personal preference, I limit silicones because they form a film on the skin that can trigger breakouts and interfere with natural cell renewal. However, they are generally considered safe, so this guide includes both silicone-based and silicone-free options.

For each of the products below, I've listed these ingredients for quick reference, plus whether they are water-resistant, reef-safe and/or cruelty-free.

The Best Tinted Sunscreens of 2021

Supergoop! CC Screen 100% Mineral CC Cream SPF 50

✓High-zinc ✓PUFA-free ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-silicone ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Supergoop! CC Screen 100% Mineral CC Cream SPF 50 gives you sun protection plus lightweight luminous coverage in your choice of 15 buildable shades. All skin tones are represented, and you can even choose between warm, cool or neutral undertones. It's also packed with 20 percent zinc oxide and two percent titanium dioxide to shield skin from UV rays.

HAN Serum CC SPF 30+

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

HAN Serum CC SPF 30+ is an oil-based CC cream with a lightweight, liquid serum texture. There are seven shade options, ranging from porcelain to deep, with each offering buildable medium- to full-coverage. The 21 percent zinc oxide and six percent titanium dioxide ensure that your skin is fully protected, while the coconut oil, castor seed oil and shea butter deliver nourishment.

Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-silicone ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 has a sheer, warm tint that should work for medium to dark skin tones. (If you're fair to light, I'd stick with the brand's non-tinted Umbra Sheer instead.) The finish is dewy, with some fine shimmer running through it—although for what it's worth, I can never see it on my face! In terms of protection, you're getting 20 percent zinc oxide in here.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream SPF 30

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream SPF 30 is a super sheer CC cream, with only enough coverage to even out your skin tone. 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 consider finishing it off with translucent powder if you like to look more matte. There's a generous amount of zinc oxide in here, at 20 percent.

Juice Beauty SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Moisturizer

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Juice Beauty SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Moisturizer is a BB cream that is available in three tints as well as Sheer. (Since it only goes as dark as Tan, go for the brand's Stem Cellular CC Cream SPF 30 if you need a deeper tone.) This is a more moisturizing formula, delivering light coverage as well as 20 percent zinc oxide protection. 

W3ll People Bio Tint Multi-Action Moisturizer SPF 30

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Fragrance-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

W3ll People Bio Tint Multi-Action Moisturizer SPF 30 offers the texture, coverage and colour selection of a light foundation. It's available in four tints, from Fair to Medium/Dark, which I've found tend to run deeper and warmer compared to other brands. Just like a foundation, you do need to take some time blending this out, but it is buildable up to a medium level of coverage, and gives skin a glowy finish. It also protects well thanks to 20 percent zinc oxide.

Suntegrity 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-silicone ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Suntegrity 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30 is available in four shades, although it only goes as dark as Medium. (The brand's Impeccable Skin Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30 below has more options for deeper tones.) This product has the texture and light coverage of a BB cream, and dries down with a natural, semi-matte finish. It's also quite protective thanks to the 20 percent zinc oxide.

Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30

✓PUFA-free ✓Fragrance-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30 is akin to a light-to-medium coverage foundation, with options for all skin tones. There are six shades to choose from, ranging from Ivory to Bronze, and it leaves skin with a glowing, dewy finish. Since the zinc oxide content is slightly low (15 percent), it would work best layered over another sunscreen or on days when you're getting minimal exposure.

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

✓PUFA-free ✓Fragrance-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 offers the widest shade range—there are an impressive 18 tones to choose from! So whether you're a Rendezvous or a Roque, a match is virtually guaranteed. This formula gives you sheer and dewy coverage, and is boosted by two percent niacinamide and 0.5 percent hyaluronic acid for extra skincare benefits. But since the zinc oxide concentration is on the low side at 12 percent, this should definitely be worn on top of a more protective sunscreen.

Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 32

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 32 has a light pinky-beige tint that disappears on the skin—just enough to eliminate any potential white cast. Since it's designed for acne-prone skin, it dries down with a pore-blurring effect (even though there are no silicones) and a subtle glow. To protect your skin, it also has one of the higher concentrations of zinc oxide, 22.4 percent.

Pacifica Mineral Bronzing Face Shade Coconut Glow SPF 30

✓High-zinc ✓PUFA-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Water-resistant ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Pacifica Mineral Bronzing Face Shade Coconut Glow SPF 30 might look like a self-tanner, but it's actually a wash-off, bronze-tinted facial sunscreen with subtle shimmer. That makes it ideal for darker tones, or anyone seeking a sun-kissed glow. It contains 20 percent zinc oxide, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

✓Low-PUFA ✓Low-silicone ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 comes in six shades ranging from Fair to Deep, so everyone should be able to find their match. The texture is a cream-gel, and as per the name, the finish is dewy (although you could certainly layer powder on top). Since it has just 14 percent zinc oxide, this is only an SPF 20, so it's best to layer it over another sunscreen.

UnSun Mineral Tinted Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 30

✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

UnSun Mineral Tinted Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 30 was specifically developed with women of colour in mind, and comes in two shade options, Fair/Light and Medium/Dark. You're getting light coverage with a dewy finish, and no white or grey cast—but that's also because of the lower level of active ingredients. This formula contains just 6.5 percent zinc oxide and 5.5 percent titanium dioxide, so be sure to wear it over a more protective sunscreen if you plan to be outdoors.

Thinksport Everyday Face SPF 30+

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-silicone ✓Water-resistant ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Thinksport Everyday Face SPF 30+ is a non-greasy lotion that comes in one universal tint and leaves skin with a natural semi-matte finish. While the shade should blend seamlessly into fair to medium skin, I suspect it may be a little light for deep tones. In terms of protection, this has 20 percent zinc oxide, and is also water-resistant for 80 minutes.

Akt Therapy D-Luxe Daily Bronzer SPF 30

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Fragrance-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Akt Therapy D-Luxe Daily Bronzer SPF 30 has a sheer bronze tint that helps to disguise redness and uneven tone, and leaves your skin with a luminous finish. Meanwhile, it's fully protecting you with 25 percent zinc oxide in a base of olive oil, beeswax and vitamin E.

Naturally Serious Mineral Sun Defense Moisturizer SPF 30

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

Naturally Serious Mineral Sun Defense Moisturizer SPF 30 has a lotion texture and a light tint that blends with light to medium skin, but may not be suitable for deeper tones. Rather than absorbing in, this formula tends to work more like a sheer, skin-perfecting foundation. Best of all, it gives you an extremely high level of protection with 25 percent zinc oxide and four percent titanium dioxide. 

First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide SPF 30

✓PUFA-free ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-silicone ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide SPF 30 has a sheer tint and the texture of a lightweight, semi-matte foundation, which gives your skin a more perfected look. Just keep in mind that the colour is darker than depicted, so it may not work for fair tones. Since it only has 16.8 percent zinc oxide, I'd layer this over another sunscreen or wear it on days when you won't be outside for long.

CyberDerm Simply Zinc Ultra Tinted Transparent Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

✓High-zinc ✓Low-PUFA ✓Fragrance-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

CyberDerm Simply Zinc Ultra Tinted Transparent Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 has a sheer nude-beige tint and a thin, fluid texture, just like a dry-oil foundation. I find this one tends to stay on top of the skin more than other formulas, with a dewy finish—so it works well as a replacement for your usual skin makeup. The colour should suit most tones, but may be a little too deep for fair skin. (If so, try the brand's Simply Zinc Lite Untinted Transparent Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 instead.) With the maximum 25 percent zinc oxide, this is also an ultra protective sunscreen.

MDSolarSciences MD Crème Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50

✓PUFA-free ✓Fragrance-free ✓Water-resistant ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

MDSolarSciences MD Crème Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50 is a sheer, matte BB cream that comes in two shades: Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. Although there's not much coverage, it's infused with niacinamide, green tea and caffeine to calm and fight free radicals. The active ingredients are 17 percent zinc oxide and two percent titanium dioxide (an additional five percent of the latter would be ideal, but this is still giving decent protection). It's also a good option for outdoor activities since you're getting 80 minutes of water-resistance.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30

✓PUFA-free ✓Fragrance-free ✓Water-resistant ✓Reef-safe ✓Cruelty-free

MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 comes in a single matte tint to blend with most skin tones. It's sheer, so the brand suggests wearing it as a primer under foundation if you need more coverage. Just like the MD Crème Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50, it protects with 17 percent zinc oxide and two percent titanium dioxide, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. 

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