A Dermatologist Shared What Makes the Best Tinted Sunscreens: Here are Our Picks

A quick look at the best tinted sunscreens

Whether you’re staying in or going out, daily sun protection is essential. And a seamless way to work more SPF into your morning skin care routine is through tinted sunscreen.

Most tinted sunscreens include active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as well as iron oxide, which gives a tinted pigment to the sunscreen. These pigments reflect visible light in ways that other sunscreens can’t.

While there are foundations and moisturizers out there with SPF, usually they’re not as reliable or effective as dedicated sunscreens with a tint.

We sat with Paul Regan, MD, FAAD, to help guide us on what makes a tinted sunscreen the ‘best’. He shared his input, and we used his guidelines to choose these 8 as our top picks.

Our picks for the best tinted sunscreens

Medical Perspective

Does the minimum SPF in tinted sunscreen change by skin shade?

The minimum SPF recommended does not change by skin tone in order to achieve the same level of protection.

The minimum SPF should be 30 to ensure effective UV protection, though higher SPF ratings are encouraged given that people often apply less than the recommended amount to achieve that SPF rating.

— Paul A. Regan, MD, FAAD

Learn more about sun protection.

_{Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.}

Comparison of the best tinted sunscreens

How we chose the best tinted sunscreens

Every product that’s included in our roundups first have to pass our rigorous vetting process. From there, we narrowed down the list from 20+ sunscreens to these 8 with the following factors:

• Experts: We had an expert run through our choices and guide us on which brands would make sense to keep in our roundup, based on their expertise and these factors.
• Quality indicators: Sunscreens that were clinically tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists were prioritized for this roundup. Any products that had certifications were an added bonus.
• Ingredients: Tinted sunscreens are usually mineral-based and skincare-focused, so we ensured the ingredients were listed transparently. We also made sure each product had at least SPF 30.
• Shade ranges: Since tinted sunscreens can be blended and built upon, we focused on brands that had at least 3 different skin shades and were sheer enough to be a base layer for makeup.
• Price: There are more than 20 sunscreens out there. We tried to stick to options of $50 or under, recognizing that tinted sunscreens can be more expensive, but they can still be at a good price point.

Tips on what to look for in tinted sunscreens

Tinted sunscreens are versatile. They can be worn alone or act as a base layer under makeup. The best part is that it protects your skin from visible light, which is the light you see from the sun. Traditional sunscreen protects you from ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays.

Which SPF is best?

These rays are the invisible, stronger kind that cause sunburn, visible signs of aging, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and increase the risk of skin cancer. Try to use a sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher to help prevent these risks, and broad-spectrum sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

“Recent studies have shown that light in the visible wavelength spectrum has an impact on skin pigmentation,” Dr. Regan said, “particularly hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones and erythema in lighter skin tones.

“People with melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne, or other disorders of hyperpigmentation may want to consider using a tinted sunscreen if their goal is to lighten these areas, given the visible light protection tinted sunscreens offer.”

Medical Perspective

What is the recommended amount of sunscreen to apply to your face?

In general, people should apply about a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen to the face. Another way to remember this is: The amount of sunscreen needed should cover the length of your index and middle fingers.

(Also known as the “two-finger” rule.)

— Paul A. Regan, MD, FAAD

Want more info on sunscreen? Take a look at our ultimate sunscreen guide.

_{Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.}

What ingredients should tinted sunscreens have?

The ingredients in tinted sunscreens are the same as those in traditional sunscreens, both chemical and mineral.

“Chemical sunscreens use organic compounds like avobenzone, octocrylene, and homosalate,” Dr. Regan said. “These compounds absorb UV light.” Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the UV filter. These ingredients will sit on the surface of your skin to protect it from the UV rays.

Tinted sunscreens have the added power of iron oxide, the ingredient that gives them their tint, as well as enhanced protection against visible light.

The bottom line

Tinted sunscreens are just as good as “traditional” sunscreens at protecting you from UV rays. The added iron oxide in tinted sunscreens gives you an extra boost in protecting you from visible light in addition to UVA and UVB rays. Plus, it makes it easier to add to your daily routine.

The same guidelines apply to both: wear SPF 30 or higher daily, use the “two-finger” rule to apply the needed amount of sunscreen, and reapply every two hours.

Frequently asked questions about the best tinted sunscreens