There is a time and place for full-coverage foundations, but if you're looking for something that's easier to wear on a daily basis or simply prefer something more low-key, do consider swapping in a tinted moisturiser in between the days where you reach for a foundation for mature complexions.
Modern skin tints are powered by hydrating ingredients such as squalane and hyaluronic acid to tackle any dryness, and come in a wide shade range to suit all skin tones. Some tinted moisturisers can also be built-up to create coverage that still looks like skin, creating a clean canvas for bronzers and pretty blushers.
The best tinted moisturisers for mature complexions at a glance
Best for skincare ingredients
Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
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Best for summer
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Dewy SPF 30
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Best for very dry skin
U Beauty The Super Tinted Hydrator
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Best for sensitive skin
Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser
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Best for travel
Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint
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best for pharmacy buy
Maybelline Super Stay 24H Skin Tint
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How to find the right tinted moisturiser for a mature skin
While most tinted moisturisers will - as the name suggests - deliver moisture, mature complexions will fare well with formulas that contain nourishing, skin-caring ingredients. "Anything too matte can make the skin appear drying and accentuate any texture including fine lines," says Alex McCormick, Hourglass director of global artistry development.
For mature skin types that are more prone to oiliness, look for a velvety finish with lightweight hydrators instead of heavy oils in the ingredients list.
How to apply a tinted moisturiser
As with everything else make-up related, prep is essential for a perfect finish. Make sure the skin is clean and hydrated with either a good moisturiser or SPF to keep dryness at bay. "Avoid prepping the skin with any products that are too oily or slippery as this can affect the longevity and finish of your make-up," shares McCormick.
McCormick suggests starting small. "Apply a little tinted moisturiser at a time and blend into the skin well before adding more. Too much product can sit in lines," she says, recommending the Hourglass Soft Glow Foundation brush as the vegan fibres promise seamless blending.
A denser face brush such as Real Techniques Expert Face Brush is also useful for easy application. Alternatively, you can also apply with fingertips as most tinted moisturiser formulas are more silky in texture than foundation. Try dispensing the product on the back of your hand, massaging onto the complexion with fingertips and cleaning up any uneven patches with a brush.
If you're concerned about redness and pigmentation, McCormick recommends using a tiny amount of the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer as it "contains microspherical powders to blur and brighten while minimising the appearances of pores and blemishes". If you're prone to rosacea or flushing, layer a corrector such as Rosalique's soothing Anti-Redness Miracle Formula before your base to help tackle the issue with its gentle green tint.
How to set your tinted moisturiser
Tinted moisturisers are known for creating a radiant, healthy glow. But if your skin's looking a little too shiny, targeted application of fine face powder will leave a more elegant finish. Use a small tapered brush and dust only in the areas where you tend to look the shiniest (often on the T-zone, the sides of your nose and on the lower half of the cheeks).
The best tinted moisturisers for mature skin
From industry legend Lisa Eldridge comes this featherlight base which wears like second skin. The coverage is minimal yet it somehow manages to make your complexion appear just a little healthier, fresher and more polished. It contains prickly pear oil and sunflower seed oil to plump up the skin while glycerin delivers hydration without feeling heavy on oily and combination skin types.
- Coverage: Sheer
- Finish: Natural
- Shades: 20
This moisturising base has a creamier consistency than most and is packed with nourishing skincare ingredients such as squalane, hyaluronic acid and meadowfoam seed oil to leave the skin looking plush and soft. It delivers enough pigment and coverage to blur out pigmentation and redness. The considered colour-range will suit a huge range of undertones, too.
- Coverage: Light to medium
- Finish: Glow
- Shades: 18
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For its latest launch, Laura Mercier elevates its iconic tinted moisturiser formula with long-wear properties and skin-kind ingredients such as a prebiotic complex to soothe sensitive complexions and hydrating raspberry leaf extracts. While we'll always recommend using an SPF cream daily, the addition of SPF30 here doesn't hurt - especially during the summer months.
- Coverage: Sheer
- Finish: Dewy
- Shades: 20
clinique Clinique Moisture Surge SPF25 Sheertint Hydrator
The shade range is arguably limited, but Clinique's tinted moisturiser emphasises the "sheer" in "Sheertint". The creamy texture melts into skin just like your day cream, and delivers the barest hint of pigment to simply minimise any redness and dullness. The oil-free formula is kind on combination skin types, and makes for a great option for holidays or the gym (should you wish to wear make-up for your workout). We hear Bella Hadid is a fan, too.
- Coverage: Sheer
- Finish: Natural
- Shades: 5
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U Beauty prides itself on its forward-thinking ingredient delivery system, which penetrates deep into the skin to plump fine lines and improve overall skin health. This tinted moisturiser is no exception. It uses the brand's patent-pending Siren technology to bring the benefits of peptides, hyaluronic acid and squalane to where the skin needs it most, and promises lasting hydration so you're not left with any flakiness at the end of the day.
- Coverage: Light
- Finish: Dewy but natural
- Shades: 11
For fragile, sensitivity-prone complexions, look to this luxury option. It uses rosewater and tea extracts to keep the skin calm and happy, and foregoes fragrance in its formula. The finish is as elegant as you'd expect, leaving the complexion looking polished and with a healthy, soft glow.
- Coverage: Light
- Finish: Soft glow
- Shades: 12
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Best for oily skin
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Yes, mature complexions can be oily, too. If other tinted moisturisers prove to be a little too cocooning, Fenty's ultra lightweight skin tint is worth considering for its soft matte finish. It cancels redness and blurs blemishes, all while ensuring oily skin types feel fresh and comfortable throughout the day. Plus, it promises to be transfer, sweat and humidity resistant; perfect for balmy summer evenings.
- Coverage: Light to medium
- Finish: Natural matte
- Shade: 25
This solid skin tint melts into the complexion like butter, making it fool-proof to apply. Swipe on, and simply smooth out with your fingertips. The addition of shea butter, jojoba seed and marula oil feels nourishing on very dry skin, delivers a sheer veil of pigment and leaves the skin looking extra radiant.
- Coverage: Sheer
- Finish: Glowy
- Shades: 16
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This pharmacy find is worth its weight in gold. The silky liquid texture glides seamlessly onto skin to blur out pigmentation and uneven patches while imbuing it with a soft, natural glow. It's easy to wear, and feels completely invisible on dry to combination skin types.
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
- Finish: Natural glow
- Shades: 19
