10 Best Tinted Moisturisers for Dry Skin 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed
If you have dry skin, wearing foundation may not always be the best option as you run the risk of your makeup starting to look flakey after a few hours. For those who dislike the feeling of heavy, full coverage foundation caking on their face, tinted moisturisers are the perfect alternative.
As more people are switching to natural makeup looks, tinted moisturisers have gained popularity over the past couple of years. An excellent choice for dry skin, they provide hydration for a healthy glow and dewy complexion. From coverage to SPF protection, this article will provide tips on what to look for when choosing the best tinted moisturiser for dry skin. We've even ranked the 10 best in the UK from top brands including L'Oreal, bareMinerals and Laura Mercier on John Lewis, Boots and Amazon!
Quick List - Top Tinted Moisturisers for Dry Skin
As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
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Table of Contents
- With Specialist Advice From Makeup Artist Marie Dancer
- 10 Best Tinted Moisturisers for Dry Skin in the UK
- No. 1Laura Mercier | Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector
- No. 2Hourglass | Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint
- No. 3bareMinerals | Complexion Rescue
- No. 4Estée Lauder | Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturising Makeup
- No. 5Origins | GinZing™ Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer
- 5 more products
- What Is a Tinted Moisturiser?
- Tinted Moisturiser Application Tips With Marie Dancer
- Help to Combat Dry Skin
- Summary
With Specialist Advice From Makeup Artist Marie Dancer
As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.
How to Choose a Tinted Moisturiser for Dry Skin in the UK ― Buying Guide
Keeping your skin well hydrated throughout the day is essential if you have dry skin. Locking in moisture is what will keep you looking fresh throughout the day. Tinted moisturisers can help you to enhance your complexion, protect you from UV exposure and give you a healthy glow. Keep reading to find out more about what you should be looking for when selecting the product to suit your needs best.
Tinted Moisturisers Can Provide Many Other Benefits Aside From Moisturisation
Tinted moisturisers can offer a lot more than just moisturisation and light coverage. Many of these products have been developed specifically to provide your skin with a complete skincare routine. Some of these benefits include UV protection, reducing the appearance of fine lines and plumping up the top layer of the skin to create a more refreshed look. Read on to find out which ingredients to look for!
For Dehydrated Skin, Try Products With Hyaluronic Acid
Dry skin is particularly prone to dehydration. Luckily there is a remedy that can provide a quick solution to this issue. Hyaluronic acid was initially used by plastic surgeons in cosmetic regeneration procedures, but in recent years it has been hailed as "the fountain of youth" by skincare enthusiasts.
Before you worry about putting acid on your face, remember that not all acids are astringent. In fact, hyaluronic acid is a substance that is already present in our connective tissues, skin and eyes. As we age, the levels hyaluronic acid in our tissues decrease, leading to a rougher, drier skin. By applying a tinted moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid, you can plump up the top layer of the skin and retain water molecules.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that can hold its own weight in water up to 1000 times - it's quite literally a drink of water for your skin. Dehydrated skin is particularly vulnerable to environmental damage so a tinted moisturiser that contains HA acts as a barrier to protect your skin whilst giving you a light coverage.
It's important to note that in drier climates where natural moisture levels are low, hyaluronic acid can result in pulling moisture from the lower levels of the skin unless proper skincare is applied underneath.
For Skin Inflammation, Look for Vitamins and Squalane
Dry skin is often prone to inflammation. Luckily, many tinted moisturisers on the market today include vitamins E, and C in their formulas. Vitamin E (also known as Tocopherol) promotes faster healing, whereas Vitamin C is an antioxidant which can help to minimise fine lines, promote collagen production and protect skin cells from damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure.
Other beneficial ingredients such as Squalane will help to reduce the signs of ageing and inflammation, which is particularly helpful if your dry skin is susceptible to eczema, acne or rosacea. Although other ingredients such as aloe vera and cucumber extracts can also help to significantly reduce skin inflammation.
If you suffer from redness a tinted moisturiser will help to gently even out the colour of the skin whilst working below the surface to soothe and repair the damage. Look for products containing vitamin C listed as L-ascorbic acid: this is the purest, most effective form and when paired with vitamin E it creates a natural sun protector.
As squalane is naturally found in the sebum skin, it's suitable for all skin types from dry to oily. Most squalane is derived from plants making it vegan but each brand can vary so check their ingredients lists.
UV Protection Is Important All Year Round
Let's face it; when living in the UK where sunshine is rare during winter and autumn, applying sunscreen is not the first thought that crosses your mind when doing your make up in the morning. However, applying UV protection is the surest way to slow down ageing and skin damage.
Many tinted moisturisers already come with UV protection making it easier for you to simplify your skin routine as you won't need to have as many products in your make up bag. Most tinted moisturisers provide a minimum of SPF 15.
Generally speaking, this is more than sufficient for the UK climate during autumn and winter. However, in the summer months, you may want to consider boosting your UV protection by wearing an additional layer of sunscreen with a higher SPF underneath your tinted moisturiser.
You'll want to look for a tinted moisturiser that offers both UVA and UVB protection. UVA protects against long-term, low-level skin damage and UVB protects against surface-level burning. Even on a cloudy day, the rays that are penetrating the skin can be causing invisible damage! A tinted moisturiser with a full SPF offers a quick application, all-in-one product that will give you flawless looking skin inside and out.
Think About Which Texture Would Suit You Best
Tinted moisturisers come in a range of textures, most commonly gel, liquid and cream. Cream-textured tinted moisturisers are usually the richest in terms of consistency, making them great for applying to dry skin. Although, gel and liquid tinted moisturisers are better if you don't want your skin to feel heavy and greasy throughout the day.
This doesn't necessarily mean that all creams will be heavy. In fact, they are likely to be particularly nourishing and protective against cold weather. That's why it's important to highlight that choosing the right texture for a tinted moisturiser is largely a matter of personal preference, and the best way to determine which one suits you best is by trying different ones!
The texture of a tinted moisturiser can also determine the level of coverage - often a thicker cream will give a little bit more cover than a thin, serum-like tint.
If you have a targeted skincare routine or a primer that you will apply underneath, I would go for a liquid formula so you don't have too many emollient products built up on the skin. If you are wearing just the tinted moisturiser with no skin prep a thicker consistency would stick better to the skin and give added hydration.
Consider Brands That Offer a Wide Variety of Shades
Tinted moisturisers are designed to provide light coverage, so unlike foundation, it's a lot less problematic if the moisturiser doesn't match your skin tone exactly. The aim is to offer mild colour-correction and skin blurring, rather than full coverage.
However, it is still essential to choose a shade that roughly matches your skin tone. For example, if you are fair-skinned, avoid picking a tinted moisturiser which has yellow undertones as it is likely to make you look ill. Instead, pick a shade that will provide you with a healthy glow.
Several years ago, the choice of tinted moisturiser shades on the market was limited to only 'light' and 'medium'. Thankfully this has changed in recent years with many brands offering upwards of ten different shades. We have done our best to select as many brands as possible that offer a wide range of shades, so make sure to choose the one that suits you best!
Depending on the time of year you may want to adjust your tinted moisturiser using bronzing drops or mixing two different shades together.
To even out redness, opt for a neutral based tint; if you go for a colour too yellow on a cooler skin tone it can look out of place and unnatural. For discolouration or uneven skin tone, try matching your shade closer to the darkest part of your skin. It's easier to warm up the skin as opposed to brightening any blemishes which will create a grey cast that's hard to conceal.
10 Best Tinted Moisturisers for Dry Skin in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector | | A Multitasking Blend of Skincare and Makeup | |
2 | Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint | | A Luxurious, Skin-Perfecting Finish | |
3 | bareMinerals Complexion Rescue | | Refreshing and Plumping Elixir | |
4 | Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturising Makeup | | Instant Hydration and Fuller Coverage | |
5 | Origins GinZing™ Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer | | Fights Dullness and Dryness | |
6 | Clinique Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator | | An Adaptable Cream That's Easily Absorbed | |
7 | L'Oreal Paris Glow Cherie Natural Glow Enhancer Lotion | | Rejuvenating Watermelon Infused Hydration | |
8 | Olay Complete Tinted Moisturiser BB Cream | | Soft Supple Skin at a Purse-Friendly Price | |
9 | NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil | | Weightless Formula for Glowing Complexion | |
10 | Nivea Light Tinted Day Cream | | Budget Friendly and Suitable for Everyday Wear |
Laura MercierTinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector
A Multitasking Blend of Skincare and Makeup
This award-winning, cult product is for those who want to achieve that effortless French chic. This tinted moisturiser not only offers a wide range of shades to choose from, but a unique hydrating complex made up of kukui and macadamia nut oils - both of which are phenomenal at reducing skin dryness.
Although the formula is lightweight, it contains tamarind seed extract which prevents water evaporation from the surface of the skin. A powerful blend of vitamins C and E, plus SPF 30 UV protection will also help to protect your skin from environmental damage. What more could you want?
A Luxurious, Skin-Perfecting Finish
Although this product is on the pricier side, the results make it a worthwhile investment in your skincare routine. Its whipped cream texture makes it particularly easy to apply, and a pleasure to use.
The formula uses an advanced form of hyaluronic acid which promotes a more youthful-looking and firmer skin texture. On top of providing SPF 15 UV protection, this tinted moisturiser also uses a pearlescent pigment complex, which will infuse your complexion with a luminous glow.
Refreshing and Plumping Elixir
This lightweight tinted moisturiser is perfect for a natural no-make-up make up look. Available in 20 shades, this product can be easily matched to your skin tone with buildable pigment to help you achieve your desired coverage without the heaviness of foundation.
The formula contains hyaluronic acid which helps to plump up the top layer of the skin to give you that dewy, youthful look. Squalane derived from olive oil will minimise the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and it offers SPF 30 protection!
Estée LauderFuturist Hydra Rescue Moisturising Makeup
Instant Hydration and Fuller Coverage
This miraculous, good-for-skin tinted moisturiser offers a 12-hour radiant glow and breathable coverage. Its intensely moisturising properties are enhanced by chia-seed extract, to leave your skin feeling smooth and well cared for.
This lightweight moisturiser can be built up to provide fuller coverage, and the probiotic complex within the formula will balance out your skin's PH and help to combat irritation. As a pleasant bonus, it also has SPF 45 UV protection, making it suitable for wear all year round!
Fights Dullness and Dryness
This lightweight cream from Origins combines ancient Chinese medicine and modern scientific knowledge. The cream is a true multi-tasker as it hydrates thirsty skin, as well as evening out skin tone with a sheer tint.
The formula contains Ginseng Panax, a highly revered botanical known for its anti-fatigue and healing properties. It also contains caffeine which is a powerful anti-irritant that helps skin appear refreshed and healthy. Finally, creatine helps prevent signs of ageing, boosts collagen production and allows you to better achieve a dewy, youthful complexion.
An Adaptable Cream That's Easily Absorbed
When it comes to creating products that are suitable for sensitive skin, Clinique has always been one of the pioneers. This particular tinted moisturiser is no exception! It's designed to deeply hydrate your skin for up to 12 hours with the help of hyaluronic acid and activated aloe water.
The light cream consistency ensures that it absorbs quickly into the skin, providing a light, yet buildable coverage. Although this product only has five shades available in the range, it uses Mimetic-Shade Technology, which means that each shade can adapt to a wide range of skin tones.
L'Oreal ParisGlow Cherie Natural Glow Enhancer Lotion
Rejuvenating Watermelon Infused Hydration
Get your glow on with this easy to apply beautifying lotion infused with watermelon extract! Inspired by Korean cosmetic trends, this tinted moisturiser contains pearlescent pigment that will instantly add a healthier glow to your skin and cover up any blemishes.
Its lightweight formula is perfect for achieving that effortless glow thanks to moisturising shea butter and glycerin. Although this product does not contain any UV protection, because of its light texture, it can be easily applied on top of sunscreen even during the hot summer months.
Soft Supple Skin at a Purse-Friendly Price
Don't let the word 'BB Cream' in the title confuse you! This product's light texture and intense hydration could make for a fantastic addition to your daily skincare routine. The main benefit of this formula is that it penetrates deeply into the skin, delivering a boost of essential vitamins B3, B5 and E to the epidermis.
Although this cream is only available in two shades, Fair and Medium, the sheer coverage is enough to hide minor imperfections and create an evened-out skin tone.
Weightless Formula for Glowing Complexion
This weightless formula from NYX cosmetics is a great way to achieve natural-looking coverage with moisture that lasts up to 8 hours. Plus, this product is available in twelve different shades so you should be able to find one that suits you best.
Although this particular tinted moisturiser doesn't contain any UV protection, it does provide a nice smoothing effect thanks to the infusion of cucumber and aloe vera. Both of these ingredients are famous for their healing and soothing properties, which is ideal for dry skin.
Budget Friendly and Suitable for Everyday Wear
Nivea is always a good starting point for affordable personal care products. This tinted moisturiser has a basic, no-frills formula that provides long-lasting 24-hour moisturisation and a natural-looking tint.
The Vitamin E in the formula is great for healing blemishes, pigmentation and boosting elasticity. This particular cream also contains a special blend of pigment which can help decrease the appearance of fine lines. However, the biggest drawback of this product is that it is only available in one shade.
What Is a Tinted Moisturiser?
A tinted moisturiser is a cosmetic product that's similar to a BB cream (beauty balm) but lighter in texture and coverage. It's designed to provide hydration just like a moisturiser would, as well as light coverage. This type of coverage won't mask major blemishes such as spots and pigmentation. However, it does help to blur out imperfections, similar to a real-life Instagram filter!
Tinted moisturisers are generally easier to wear and apply than foundation or BB creams. They can be applied with your fingers rather than a beauty blender or a brush as part of your daily skincare routine, and they tend to be dewier and better adjusted to the texture of your skin.
As dry skin is prone to flakiness, tinted moisturisers are an excellent choice as they are more nourishing and smoothing. This eliminates the risk of the product looking cakey after a few hours of wear.
Tinted Moisturiser Application Tips With Marie Dancer
"Tinted moisturisers are best applied with fingertips to warm up the product and really work it into the skin. You can gently build the coverage where you need it by tapping your fingers over the area or going in with a damp make-up sponge. Avoid using brushes as the product would get stuck in hairs and leave streaks all over the skin."
"I always recommend a water-based primer under a tinted moisturiser to create a barrier on the skin which will elongate the wear by preventing the skin from absorbing the make-up."
Help to Combat Dry Skin
Dry skin at its worse can be flaky, itchy, dull and downright uncomfortable to live with! Luckily, with the right skincare you'll be able to ease some of the aggravation. If this article has got you interested in how to treat dry skin, we've ranked some more of the best products to help you care for your complexion.
Summary
Tinted moisturisers are a fantastic way to simplify your skincare routine and minimise the number of products you have to carry in your make up bag. We hope you have enjoyed reading all about our most loved tinted moisturisers, and have perhaps even found the perfect one to suit your skin!
Author: Maria C
Buying Guide Reviewed by Marie Dancer
Top 5 Tinted Moisturisers for Dry Skin
No. 1: Laura Mercier｜Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector
No. 2: Hourglass｜Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint
No. 3: bareMinerals｜Complexion Rescue
No. 4: Estée Lauder｜Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturising Makeup
No. 5: Origins｜GinZing™ Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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