
How to Apply Tinted Moisturizer
Your makeup needs to change from day to day, depending on the weather, your plans, and how you’re feeling.
For those days where light coverage is your goal, a tinted moisturizer should be the go-to, as long as you know how you wear it right.
How do you apply tinted moisturizer?
A tinted moisturizer is designed to offer a light and translucent level of cover compared to a moisturizer and can be easily applied using your fingertips and blending it onto your face and neck.
Some people also apply sunscreen or concealer underneath, depending on their goals for that day.
A tinted moisturizer is the perfect in-between of a heavier foundation and no coverage moisturizer, but it’s often confused with other cosmetics like BB creams.
If you want to learn how to apply tinted moisturizer and what this beauty product is all about, read on for the ultimate guide.
What Is A Tinted Moisturizer?

Tinted moisturizer combines the best of both beauty worlds, giving you a cosmetic and skincare product in one.
The cosmetic side of a tinted moisturizer is that it provides you with a light, translucent color coverage on your skin to help even out the tone and hide imperfections, while it’s moisturizing and hydrating underneath.
The biggest difference between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation is in its ingredients list, namely how much titanium oxide it has.
Titanium oxide is what gives these products their color, with a tinted moisturizer having about 3% and a foundation 15%, so you can see where the difference is in terms of color coverage.
As tinted moisturizer is the lighter option of the two, people report fewer issues like drying skin or clogged pores after using it.
As a lightweight alternative, you’ll still get an even complexion but without the heavy or greasy feeling that some foundations have, and get other benefits like defense against the sun with SPF protection, anti-aging ingredients, and deeper moisturization.
To get the best-tinted moisturizer for your skin, shop for your type, and look for products that are gentle but hydrating.
Spend some time matching tinted moisturizers to your skin tone so that it blends in even more seamlessly, and consider adding a concealer that’s one shade lighter to cover up the problem areas.
The Pros and Cons of Tinted Moisturizer

Tinted moisturizer offers an in-between of moisturizer and foundation, but it might not be the right choice for everyone.
If you’re thinking about adding this product to your beauty lineup, consider the good and the bad that will determine if it’s a good fit.
The Pros
- Two products in one: You save time and money by combining two products in one, with a lightweight coverage and moisturizer in a single package. Those who want to keep things straightforward with their makeup and skincare routine will find this a huge plus, and you can choose formulas with extras like SPF protection and anti-aging ingredients if you want.
- Natural look: If you like a natural makeup look that’s not completely bare, tinted moisturizer is the way to go. It’s a little more than having nothing on and will make you feel more confident while still looking fresh-faced.
- Lightweight feel: Rather than heavier foundations, the overall feeling of a tinted moisturizer is light and barely there. Even in the heat of summer, it’s a comfortable option for coverage on your face.
- Easy to apply: Even absolute beginners in the world of makeup will find it a cinch to apply tinted moisturizer. You don’t need a special brush and can use your fingertips, or if you prefer a more professional finish, a simple wedge will do it. it goes on alone or with a concealer and primer, depending on the look you want.
The Cons
- Coverage is very light: A tinted moisturizer only provides a sheer level of coverage which might not be enough for some. It’s more of an everyday product and not for when you have anything to do, so you might not find it effective enough.
- Excess oil: People with oily skin will want to steer clear of tinted moisturizers unless you can find one specially formulated for your needs. Due to the moisturizing ingredients, you might find that these tinted products create excess oil and lead to further breakouts if you already have an issue.
- Can’t be combined: If you have a trustworthy daily moisturizer that you’re loyal to, you’ll need to give it up to use a tinted moisturizer. It’s not advisable to combine these two together otherwise it’ll feel greasy on your face and you won’t get as much coverage.
How to Apply Tinted Moisturizer

A tinted moisturizer makes any beauty routine simple as it combines at least two different products in one.
However, you still need to apply it just as carefully as you would with a foundation or other type of coverage, so follow these steps to ensure you get it right.
- Use a primer to cover your face and neck first, ensuring that the tinted moisturizer stays on and does not dry out the skin. Give this a few minutes to set before moving on.
- If you want additional coverage, use a concealer and dot it underneath the eyes and other areas that need it. Allow this to dry before starting with the moisturizer.
- Squeeze a small amount of tinted moisturizer onto your index finger and start in the center of your forehead, blending it up and out, then spreading it down the bridge of your nose and out towards the cheeks.
- Use another small amount for your chin, and spread this across and then down to the neck and jawline. Spend some time blending it to ensure there are no obvious lines or streaks.
Removing the Product

Although lightweight, tinted moisturizer needs to be removed just as vigilantly as you do with any other makeup product, and many of them are designed to be long-lasting on the skin which means they require some effort to come off.
Whether you’ve been wearing anything on your face or not, it should still be cleaned each night, and it’s even more crucial with makeup on it.
- Start with a gentle makeup remover like micellar water or an oil-based cleanser and soak a face pad with it, wiping your face and neck to remove any traces of makeup and products.
- Step into the shower and use your regular facial cleanser to wash away the remaining makeup, oil, and debris from the face. A water-based cleanser for the second step can ensure you’re removing it all.
- Pat your face dry with a clean towel and continue with your usual skincare process. For best results, follow up immediately with a moisturizer and any other products you use as part of your night time routine.
Just the Coverage You Need
If full coverage makeup feels too heavy but you still want to add a little oomph to your complexion, a tinted moisturizer is just the ticket.
With a basic tinted product and our easy-to-follow steps, you’ll have a natural makeup look that can help you take on the day, without feeling smothered.
Related Questions
Tinted moisturizer is just one of many beauty products that people rely on to give their skin a boost, but it gets easily mixed up among the rest of the contenders.
If you want to find out more about the basics of creating a natural makeup look, we’ve answered some commonly asked questions to help.
What Does BB Cream Do?
BB cream stands for blemish balm or beauty balm, and it can be used as either a daily moisturizer, makeup primer, everyday foundation, or all three.
This multifunctional beauty product is a hybrid between makeup and skincare because it offers benefits in both categories, giving the user the freedom to apply it how they wish and build on the coverage they want.
What Is Clear Mascara Used For?

Clear mascara can be used on the eyelashes and the eyebrows, as it separates the hairs and adds volume to them.
Some clear mascara products contain moisturizing properties that improve the health and appearance of the eyelashes, so it’s not just useful as a beauty product.
Is Lip Balm Bad for Your Lips?
Although most lip balms are formulated to provide moisturization to the lips and protect them, they can end up doing the opposite.
Applying lip balm too often can have a drying effect on your lips which results in needing even more, and it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle where the balm does more harm than good.
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