There will always be a place for full-coverage foundation, but lighter-weight and more buildable bases, like skin tints, have become more popular lately because they prioritize skin health along with color payoff.
“Skin tints are one of the most important things in my kit, especially for older skin,” says celebrity makeup artist Romy Soleimani, whose clients include Julianne Moore, Angelina Jolie, Tracee Ellis Ross, and more. “I love that skin tints are light, sheer, and full of hydrating skin care.” Some foundation formulas can feel heavy or cakey, but the best ones from brands like Estée Lauder and Victoria Beckham Beauty are more breathable, feel good on the skin, and are comfortable enough to wear every day.
This article has:
- Best Overall: Estée Lauder Futurist Skin Tint Serum Foundation SPF 20 at Boots for £49
- Check out the review
- The Foundation Falls
- Best Drops
- Beauty by Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops cost £104 at Space NK.
- Read the review for Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40.
- Best with SPF: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 for £42 at Sephora
- Read the review of Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30.
- Best for a Shiny Finish
- NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30 costs £40 at Boots.
- Read the review for Slip Tint, the best tinted moisturizer.
- £30 at Cult Beauty for Saie Slip Tint
- Check out the review
- Show more
These sheer and more flexible options give a more radiant finish without settling into fine lines. Also, a lot of tints have ingredients that plump and hydrate the skin, like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalane. These ingredients work with the skin instead of against it, making it look more radiant and strong at the same time. Soleimani says, “Mature skin needs that extra boost of hydration, so look for finishes that are more natural and radiant.”
The right barely-there tint can give you a polished look in seconds, whether you want to even out your tone, boost your glow, or just look more awake. Find out which skin tints for older skin are the best, according to makeup artists and editors.
Best Overall: Estée Lauder Futurist Skin Tint Serum Foundation SPF 20
Estée Lauder Futurist Skin Tint Serum Foundation SPF 20 at Boots for £49.
It has SPF 20, but you should still wear more sunscreen.
Pro
- Resistant to sweat and humidity
- Great for a shiny finish.
Con
- Not the best choice for skin that is oily
Soleimani says that Estée Lauder’s Futurist Skin Tint Serum Foundation is one of the best because it lasts a long time. It also has SPF 20, which is another plus. “I love this skin tint because it lasts a long time.” The artist says, “Its formula lets air through to the skin and is even resistant to sweat and humidity.” Futurist Skin’s serum-like texture blends in perfectly, giving you sheer, glowing coverage that still lets your natural skin shine through.
Soft clay cocoons and botanical oil are two important ingredients.
Colors: 17
The Best Drops from the Foundation
Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops £104 at Space NK
Pros:
- Very light weight
- Good for a natural look
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Costs more than $100.
Along with Soleimani, other people in the fashion industry, like Marissa Galante-Frank, the fashion director at Bloomingdale’s, are raving about Victoria Beckham Beauty’s popular Foundation Drops. The artist says, “These drops are full of skin-care benefits and are easy to use.” This formula has TFC8, which helps skin cells renew themselves, and it also gives you sheer, glowing coverage. The very thin texture mixes easily with fingers, making it perfect for quick, natural-looking application.
Echinacea purpurea extract, spilanthes acmella flower extract, and olive leaf extract are the main ingredients.
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Extensive shade range
Cons
- May not suit those wanting a matte finish
“For mature skin that’s more sensitive and even acne-prone, I love Ilia Super Serum Skin,” says Soleimani. This product may not be the best choice for people who want a more natural or matte finish. Soleimani says, “Its formula doesn’t clog pores, doesn’t have a scent, and has a mineral SPF 40 for extra protection.” The cult-favorite tint also has calming and nourishing ingredients that will make your skin feel better and look fuller over time.
Squalane from plants, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid are the main ingredients.
Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30
Best for a Shiny Finish
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30 is £40 at Boots.
Pros
- Great for making things brighter
- Great for skin that is dry
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not the best choice for people who want a more natural look
Nars’s Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser has been a favorite of makeup artists and beauty writers (including this one) for a long time. It always gives skin a glow and keeps it hydrated. People always tell me how glowy my skin looks when I wear it. The vitamin C formula in the moisturizer brightens skin and lasts a long time.
16 shades and vitamin C and French Polynesian kopara are the main ingredients.
Slip Tint: The Best Tinted Moisturizer
Saie Slip Tint Costs £30 at Cult Beauty.
Pros
- It has SPF 35.
- Good for skin that is dry
- Not comedogenic
Cons
- Not the best choice for people who want a natural finish
This clean formula protects and perfects at the same time. It has zinc, a mineral that protects against UV rays, and other hydrating ingredients. It also has hyaluronic acid in it to help plump up skin, and zinc oxide protects against UV damage.
Mineral zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, and licorice root extract are the main ingredients.
14 shades
Just Enough Tinted Moisturizer
Best for a natural look
Jones Road Just Enough Tinted Moisturiser £44 at Liberty London
Pros
- Easy to use
- Buildable coverage
Cons
- Not the best choice for people who want a glowing finish
This formula does exactly what its name says it will do, thanks to make-up legend Bobbi Brown. The skin tint smooths out the color of your skin and gives it a natural, skin-like finish that works well for a five-minute face.
Sodium hyaluronate is one of the main ingredients.
Colors: 16
Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint Foundation
Best for Making Things Bigger
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint Foundation costs £42 at Sephora and Cult Beauty.
Pros
- Good for skin that is dry
- No scent
- Helps keep the skin barrier safe
Cons
- Not the best choice for people who want a natural look
Celebrity artist Danessa Myricks has come up with a new formula that uses peptides and ceramides to make skin smoother and more elastic. It also leaves a glowing finish that makes skin look younger and helps the skin’s lipid barrier.
Vegan collagen peptides, ceramides, and cactus extract are some of the most important ingredients.
Colors: 20
Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation
Best for dry skin
Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation is £49 at Space NK.
Pros
- Lasts a long time
- Buildable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not the best choice for oily skin
This super-hydrating Hourglass formula makes skin much more moist, which is great for dry and mature skin. It gives skin a glowing finish without looking too greasy, and it covers skin lightly while keeping it from losing moisture.
Meadowfoam seed oil, hyaluronic acid, and plant-based squalane are the main ingredients.
18 shades
Meet the Pros:
Romy Soleimani is a famous makeup artist who has worked with stars like Angelina Jolie, Julianne Moore, Tracee Ellis Ross, and others.
What should older women look for in skin tints?
Soleimani says that skin tints with skin benefits are the best kind to look for. She also talks about some of the best key ingredients, such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalane, vitamin E, and zinc oxide.
She says, “Mature skin needs that extra boost of hydration, so look for finishes that are more natural and radiant.” “You can always use powder to make some areas less shiny.”
What are the best ways to apply skin tints to make them look their best on older skin?
The key to a good makeup look on mature skin is all in the prep. The expert says, “Even though skin tints have skin-care ingredients in them, it’s always important to start with skin care and even a massage to wake up the skin.” “I like to use my fingers to press into the skin and warm up the product when I put on skin tints.” Using your fingers gives the skin a more sheer, skin-like finish and makes it look more alive. You can go back in with a damp sponge or fluffy brush to add more coverage where you need it if you want more coverage in certain areas.
