Skin tint formulas just entered their most wearable era yet

Layering multiple products so as to end up with a better complexion can overwhelm the skin, particularly in warm and humid climates. For those seeking evenness without the heaviness, a skin tint offers a calibrated alternative. It merges the moisturising quality of a cream with the soft coverage that foundation provides. “A skin tint is a very sheer and breathable product that’s meant to enhance the skin’s natural tone,” explains celebrity make-up artist Bianca Louzado. “It evens out the complexion without hiding texture.” 

Is a skin tint meant for all skin types?

But, a skin tint may not serve every skin type equally. “Skin tints work beautifully on normal to dry, and combination skin; the lightweight texture blends effortlessly and gives you a healthy, hydrated finish. They’re also great for mature skin because they don’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles,” shares Louzado. “However, they aren’t the most ideal choice for oily or acne-prone skin as the textures on these skin types could look more pronounced.” She informs that a skin tint may not even work for someone looking at a heavier coverage from their base make-up products. 

The dos and don’ts of using a skin tint

“Prep the skin well—hydration is always of prime importance. Skin tints can be applied with fingers or a damp sponge for a soft, natural finish. Only set areas that tend to get oily on the face with a light dust of powder,” recommends Louzado. “Don’t over-apply—it defeats the whole purpose of wearing a skin tint. Avoid layering it on top of heavy primers as it can separate and the face can look oily and patchy. Lastly, do not expect full coverage; a skin tint is meant to look lived-in and sheer.”

Modern skin tint formulations don’t sit like a cakey layer on the skin; instead, they blend out like a thin, barely-there veil of coverage with skincare properties due to commonly-found ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, niacinamide, and peptides. Scroll down to explore the best skin tint options across budgets and skin types.

Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch, Chanel: Best luxury skin tint

This lightweight gel-water formulation delivers hydration and a second-skin finish. With 60 per cent water, jasmine extract, sodium hyaluronate, and tamarind seed extract, it settles into a plump, radiant skin without emphasising texture. 

Priced at ₹6,550

Available at Chanel.com/in

FACE CARD Super Serum Skin Tint Foundation, FAE Beauty: Best Indian skin tint

Skincare meets make-up in this skin tint, enriched with kakadu plum extract, niacinamide, amino acids, liquorice acids, moringa oil, and SPF 15. The watery hybrid formulation spreads like butter, and leaves a natural velvety matte finish that lasts all day. The highlight of this product, however, is the assortment of shades: 30 colours created for all kinds of Indian skin tones.
Priced at ₹1,050

Available at Faebeauty.in  

Halo Glow Skin Tint SPF 50, e.l.f. Cosmetics: Best skin tint with SPF 

This skin tint combines the radiance of the viral Halo Glow illuminator from e.l.f. Cosmetics with coverage that feels lightweight and looks natural. It comes with added SPF 50, making it the ideal do-it-all product for busy mornings or long working days. Ingredients like allantoin, Bisabolol, and niacinamide enhance its hydrating and soothing properties.

Priced at ₹2,200

Available at Nykaa.com

NU Bare Look Tint Skin Tint Foundation, YSL Beauty: Best skin tint for dry skin

Hydrating, dewy, lightweight—this skin tint foundation can go from a day at work to a night at a party, thanks to its formulation. Packed with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, this make-up-moisturiser hybrid applies as seamlessly as a face cream, leaving behind a soft yet sufficient coverage. 

Priced approximately at ₹4,300

Available at yslbeauty.com

Face Anything Luminous Skin Tint, House of Makeup: Best non-comedogenic skin tint 

This skin tint’s unique formulation blurs the appearance of pores and smooths lines while boosting dewiness. Pumped with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, Goji berry extract, and stearic acid, this high-coverage skin tint is vegan and free of sulphates and parabens.

Priced at ₹799

Available at Houseofmakeup.com  

Super Boost Skin Tint, Make Up For Ever: Best skin tint for dry skin

Flexing the most universally-flattering formulation is this skin tint; lightweight, quick-setting and sheer enough for every skin type, everyday wear. Combining the dual plumping forces of polyglutamic acid and hyaluronic acid along with grapefruit extract, vitamin E, and squalane, it renders the softest and most natural finish. 

Priced at ₹3,300

Available at Sephora.in

Be Beautiful Skin Tint, Thank You Farmer: Best skin tint for oily skin

For those who detest a multi-step skincare routine in the mornings, this 3-in-1 skin tint formulation eliminates the need for a separate sunscreen, primer, and BB cream. Besides a solid SPF50 PA ++++, this skin tint also features a mattifying, priming effect, making it perfect for oily skin types.

Priced at ₹2,499

Available at Tirabeauty.com

Hue Drops Sheer Skin Tint, Thou Beauty: Best skin tint for daily wear

This homegrown product is a high ranker among the most moisturising skin tints. Supercharged with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalane, green tea and rose extracts, jojoba oil, shea butter, and panthenol, this watery skin tint blends effortlessly, offering a sheer veil of coverage—perfect for everyday wear. 

Priced at ₹1,550

Available at Thoubeauty.com

Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer, Chantecaille: Best skin tint for combination skin 

If a high-coverage, glowy finish is the ultimate make-up goal, turn to this luxurious skin tint. It features a thicker, cream-meets-powder formulation to deliver a smooth, radiant yet non-greasy complexion. Vitamin E, glycerin, stearic acid, and a complex of botanical extracts keep the skin hydrated and supple.

Priced at ₹6,750

Available at Tirabeauty.com

Strobe Dewy Skin Tint, M.A.C Cosmetics: Best skin tint for mature skin

A power-packed strobe cream spiked with a dash of coverage is what this dewy skin tint feels like on the skin. With over 78 per cent of natural ingredients, including shea butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and squalane, the formulation visibly improves lacklustre skin. 

Priced at ₹3,300

Available at Maccosmetics.in