If you aren’t sure you need all of the coverage a foundation gives, you might want to look into a tinted moisturizer. Tinted moisturizers give a small amount of coverage and are more moisturizing than foundations. Usually, they have other benefits such as SPF, more skin-loving ingredients, and other skincare benefits.
This cream has unique water-encapsulations that give skin an instant burst of hydration upon application with a light, cooling sensation.
A popular tinted moisturizer is the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream. However, it is on the pricier side and many people just can’t justify spending a great deal of cash on a single makeup product. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best budget-friendly dupes that work just as well. Our favorite is the ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer!
The Best Dupes For bareMinerals Complexion Rescue
ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer
Our Pick
This product is a hydrating, oil-free tinted moisturizer with lightweight coverage that evens skintone and leaves your skin looking fresh and healthy.
ColourPop started off their company by only really being known for their lip products. But now, all of their products are getting the love they deserve. Their recent “Pretty Fresh” collection of products was an instant fan favorite in the beauty community.
This is a hydrating, oil-free tinted moisturizer that works for all skin types. Even though it only gives light coverage, as all tinted moisturizers do, it flawlessly evens out the skin’s complexion. Hence the name, it is formulated with hyaluronic acid. This ingredient is perfect for adding that extra boost of hydrating in the skin without looking or feeling oily. One of the highlights of this product is that it comes in a wide range of shades. So no matter your skin tone, you’re destined to find a shade that works for you. Not to mention, ColourPop is cruelty-free, almost 100% vegan, and very affordable!
One of the only complaints about this product is the finish. After applying it to the face, it never really dries down completely. You definitely need to go over this with a translucent powder to set it in place.
Pros:
- Works for all skin types
- Very hydrating
- Oil-free
- Wide range of shades
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
Cons:
- Doesn’t dry down all the way
Where to buy it: Ulta
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
This oil-free moisturizer has a hint of shimmer that provides flawless coverage all day.
Neutrogena is known for creating bestselling skincare products. But did you know that they also make cosmetics products? Their Healthy Skin Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is a great dupe for the one by bareMinerals.
Since it is made by Neutrogena, it isn’t surprising that this tinted moisturizer is packed with skin-loving ingredients. For one, it has SPF 30 in it which helps protect the skin from sun damage. Also, it has vitamins A, C, and E in it which all have numerous benefits for the skin. This formula is oil-free and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. It feels very lightweight and comfortable on the skin for all-day wear. Plus, it is budget-friendly.
One major downfall of this product is that there isn’t a lot of shades to choose from. With only 3 shades available, it is hard for a lot of people to find their shade match. Also, Neutrogena is not cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Has SPF 30 in it
- Formulated with vitamins A, C, and E
- Oil-free
- Suitable for all skin types
- Feels lightweight and comfortable on the skin
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not a lot of shades to choose from
- Not cruelty-free
Where to buy it: Amazon
NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil
This moisturizer has a seamless, satiny finish to help you achieve the ultimate fresh faced no makeup makeup look.
NYX Cosmetics is one of the most popular makeup brands at the drugstore, and it isn’t hard to see why. Their products are of great quality for a low price. Who doesn’t love that? Their Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil is one of their bestsellers.
The NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil is a tinted moisturizer that comes in a wide variety of shades. So you’ll likely be able to find a shade that works for your unique skin tone and undertone. It feels lightweight on the skin, so it’s great for people new to makeup. It is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores. This makes it great for people with sensitive skin. With aloe and cucumber extracts, it is very hydrating. Also, it is cruelty-free, vegan, and affordable.
Even though this is marketed as a tinted moisturizer, reviewers still don’t think it has enough coverage. This might only be good for those looking for the slightest bit of coverage.
Pros:
- Wide variety of shades to choose from
- Feels lightweight on the skin
- Non-comedogenic
- Very hydrating
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Affordable
Cons:
- Very light coverage
Where to buy it: Amazon
Sephora Collection Matte Perfection Tinted Moisturizer
This lightweight, soft-matte finish tinted moisturizer gives sheer, coverage that is just enough to dull the look of redness and even out skin tone.
You’d usually go to Sephora to find the best and most popular high-end makeup products. But Sephora also has their own makeup line. Their Matte Perfection Tinted Moisturizer is an excellent dupe for the bareMinerals one.
This tinted moisturizer is a lightweight formula that has a soft-matte finish. It looks very natural and flawless on the skin for those who don’t want something too unnatural or full coverage. It comes in a wide range of shades, so you’re bound to find a shade that works for you. It is fragrance-free, so it is good for sensitive skin. Also, the brand is cruelty-free and relatively affordable.
One thing to note about this product is that it has a hard time setting completely and drying all the way down. Because of this, you’ll most likely need to use a translucent powder over the top of it. Also, even though it is technically labeled as being fragrance-free, it doesn’t have an off-putting scent to it.
Pros:
- Feels lightweight on the skin
- Looks very natural
- Wide range of shades to choose from
- Fragrance-free
- Good for sensitive skin
- Cruelty-free
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Doesn’t dry down completely
- Has an off-putting scent
Where to buy it: Sephora
Ulta Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
This balm-like tinted moisturizer eliminates dullness, evens complexion and leaves your skin feeling hydrated.
Like Sephora,
This tinted moisturizer evens out the complexion while still being relatively light coverage. Hence the name, it has SPF 30 in it which helps protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays. It has other ingredients that are good for your skin such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Punarnava Flower Extract. These ingredients are commonly found in skincare products, so they are beneficial to your skin health. It is oil-free and suitable for all skin types. Also,
One thing to note about this product is the shade selection. There aren’t a whole lot of shades to choose from which is something a lot of brands fail to do. Also, it doesn’t feel as lightweight as some other popular tinted moisturizers.
Pros:
- Has SPF 30 in it
- Has Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Punarnava Flower Extract
- Oil-free
- Suitable for all skin types
- Cruelty-free
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not available in a wide range of shades
- Doesn’t feel as lightweight as other options
Where to buy it: Ulta
Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Tinted Moisturizer
This new tinted moisturizer is rich in antioxidants and offers more than flawless coverage in a Buff shade.
Finally, we have the Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Tinted Moisturizer. This product is very accessible, affordable, and a great dupe for the bareMinerals tinted moisturizer.
The Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Tinted Moisturizer has a very natural-looking finish that is great for everyday wear. It has vitamins and antioxidants in it that are beneficial to the skin and keep it looking and feeling fresh. It’s lightweight, non-greasy formula is suitable for all skin types. It is dermatologist-tested, so it is likely going to be okay to use on sensitive skin. Also, Burt’s Bees is certified as being cruelty-free. Not to mention, they are pretty affordable.
One of the major cons of this product is, again, the shade selection. It only comes in three shades which is just not cutting it for us. Another thing to note is that the scent can be too overpowering for some users.
Pros:
- Natural-looking finish
- Has vitamins and antioxidants in it
- Feels lightweight and non-greasy
- Suitable for all skin types
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not available in a wide range of shades to choose from
- Scent can be too overpowering
Where to buy it: Ulta
Final Thoughts
If you have some extra cash to spend, the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream could be a great option for you. But if it is too expensive, take a look at some of our favorite dupes that work just as well. Our favorite is the ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between foundation and a tinted moisturizer?
The main difference between a foundation and a tinted moisturizer is the coverage. Foundations tend to have a lot more coverage than a tinted moisturizer. On the other hand, tinted moisturizers are often much better for your skin and have more skin benefits to them. One is not better than the other – it all comes down to personal preference.
Who can benefit from a tinted moisturizer?
Anyone can benefit from a tinted moisturizer. Specifically, people who don’t want a lot of coverage on their face might like it a bit more. If you’re someone who has a lot of problem areas you want to cover up, a foundation might be better for you.
What is the best way to apply a tinted moisturizer?
You can apply a tinted moisturizer the same way you would with a foundation. A damp sponge or foundation brush works amazingly. With a tinted moisturizer, you can get away with using your fingers for only using a light layer. However, if you want that flawless finish, we still recommend using a damp sponge or foundation brush. Set it with a translucent powder afterward and you’re good to go!