Is Tinted Moisturizer Bad For Your Skin?

If you don’t already use tinted moisturizer, then this may be something that you have avoided using because of the bad rap that it gets in some social media reviews. But just like anything else in this world, not all tinted moisturizers are made the same.

So, what’s the real deal?

There’s no doubt that there is a great debate about whether or not tinted moisturizer is bad for your skin, but everyone’s skin is different!

Is tinted moisturizer bad for your skin? It depends on your skin health. If your skin is in good shape, you’re probably fine to use tinted moisturizer. But if you’re suffering from acne or have sensitive skin, tinted moisturizers may make things worse.

We’ll explain in detail below.

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Is Tinted Moisturizer Bad For Your Skin?

Okay, here’s the first thing that you need to know: there is a beauty myth going around that if you use tinted moisturizer, then doing so will give you flawless skin.

However, like all beauty myths, this is only partly true, and it all depends on how healthy your skin is in the first place.

There is a beauty myth going around that if you use tinted moisturizer, then doing so will give you flawless skin.

If you have skin that is sensitive, has visible acne or scars, or needs full-coverage sunscreen protection, then using a tinted moisturizer is probably not the best thing for you to try.

This is because a tinted moisturizer isn’t the same as a BB cream or liquid foundation.

It is a moisturizer with a slight color to it, which means that it will only work to hydrate your skin while providing a slight tint to it. Therefore, using a tinted moisturizer will simply help even out the complexion and make it appear more toned.

And that’s why those who have healthy and flawless skin will only benefit from using tinted moisturizer. But even then, this will only be an option if your skin can tolerate the chemical formulations.

So, depending on the texture and health of your skin, tinted moisturizer may or may not work.

But let’s take a look at some other pros and cons of this controversial product…

The Pros of Tinted Moisturizer

1. Using a tinted moisturizer can help you to even out the complexion of your skin, as well as provide it with SPF protection all in one product, making you look more radiant as you go about your day.

2. The best tinted moisturizers on the market have thin, lightweight, and easy-to-apply formulations that provide a slight coverage. This creates a more fresh-faced, dewy, and natural appearance that many people prefer to a full-coverage foundation look.

3. By using a tinted moisturizer, your skin will benefit from being hydrated all day, and it will be easy to match your skin because they come in a wide range of colors. So, on days when you don’t want to wear full-coverage foundation and makeup, this could be an option for you to try.

The Cons of Tinted Moisturizer

1. If you’re like most people, if you see it on the shelves of Sephora, then you think that whatever’s being sold is safe to use on your skin. But unfortunately, this isn’t always the case! Some of the chemicals that are found in many tinted moisturizers can be bad for your skin.

2. Many users have found that tinted moisturizers have the ability to clog the pores. This will result in bacteria to build up and acne. So if you have sensitive, oily, or acne-prone skin already, using a tinted moisturizer is probably something that you’ll want to avoid.

Many users have found that tinted moisturizers have the ability to clog the pores. This will result in bacteria to build up and acne. So if you have sensitive, oily, or acne-prone skin already, using a tinted moisturizer is probably something that you’ll want to avoid.

3. Tinted moisturizers also provide very little SPF protection when compared to something like a BB cream, and they don’t contain any anti-aging properties, so will only work best for those who are younger, like in their teens and 20s.

This all means that your skin would be better off with you using your regular moisturizer, foundation, and sunscreen.

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Choosing The Right Tinted Moisturizer

If you still want to try tinted moisturizer after reading all of this, then you need to know that not all formulations are the same. You’ll want to choose a product that will do its best at treating your skin well to keep it as healthy as possible.

Laura Mercier’s Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer 

A celeb favorite is Laura Mercier’s Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer, which offers minimal coverage that is great at making your skin tone more even. And it comes in more than 20 shades, so you’re bound to find one that matches you perfectly.

As mentioned above, although the coverage is minimal, it doesn’t leave a chalky film, and blends in smoothly with your skin. This means, for instance, that if you have freckles, they will be seen but will appear brightened and your skin more dewy and vibrant overall.

Containing vitamins D and E, the formulation of this popular tinted moisturizer also includes ingredients like macadamia and kukui seed oils, as well as tamarind seed extract, which works to lock in hydration, as well as offer antioxidant protection.

Tinted Moisturizer Alternative

If using a tinted moisturizer isn’t right for you because you have oily and/or sensitive skin that is prone to breakouts, then luckily there’s something else that you can try to provide your skin with hydration, sun protection and a bit of coverage all in one product.

EltaMD UV Elements 

EltaMD UV Elementsvcontains a broad spectrum SPF-44 and is basically a sunscreen that also offers your skin a tinted moisturizing base. This water-resistant sunscreen includes hyaluronic acid as an ingredient, which works to boost the hydration of dry skin and is a great acne-fighter.

UV Elements also has a fragrance-free and paraben-free formula, and it is suitable for use by those who have irritated skin, because it won’t block your pores.

For more, check out our review of the DRMTLGY Universal Tinted Moisturizer.

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Final Thoughts

A tinted moisturizer isn’t for everyone, especially if you already suffer from skin that’s prone to sensitivity. However, if you are blessed with healthy and clear skin, then it is safe for you to use a tinted moisturizer on those days when you don’t want to wear a full-coverage foundation.