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Best of · sunscreen

Best Tinted Sunscreen

Tinted SPF gives coverage + protection in one step. Here are the 5 best picks for every skin tone.

· 5 min read

Our #1 pick

Premium Beauty
Under $50

The derm tinted standard

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The short answer
Best tinted sunscreens: EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46, Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted, ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint, and Supergoop CC Cream. Iron oxide tint blocks visible light, ideal for melasma.

Quick answer: tinted sunscreen

  • Best overall: EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46
  • Lowest price tier: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral SPF 50 (Under $50)
  • Splurge: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection (Under $100)

Tinted SPF contains iron oxides that block visible light (which triggers melasma). Also gives light coverage, reducing need for separate foundation. The one-product option for daily minimal makeup.

Best Tinted Sunscreen: the 5 picks at a glance
# ProductPrice tier Why it made the list
1 EltaMDUV Clear Tinted SPF 46 Under $50 The derm tinted standard
2 ColorescienceSunforgettable Total Protection Under $100 Powder format tinted SPF
3 La Roche-PosayAnthelios Tinted Mineral SPF 50 Under $50 French pharmacy tinted mineral
4 ILIASuper Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Under $50 Skin tint + SPF combo
5 Supergoop! CC Cream SPF 35 Under $50 CC coverage with SPF

Our top 5 picks

2

Colorescience

Premium

Sunforgettable Total Protection

Powder format tinted SPF

Under $100 Buy →
3

La Roche-Posay

Anthelios Tinted Mineral SPF 50

French pharmacy tinted mineral

Under $50 Buy →
4

ILIA

Premium

Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

Skin tint + SPF combo

Under $50 Buy →
5

Supergoop!

Premium

CC Cream SPF 35

CC coverage with SPF

Under $50

More on tinted sunscreen

Frequently asked

What is the best tinted SPF? +

EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 is our top pick: it is the derm tinted standard. If you want a powder, Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection is the pick, and La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral SPF 50 is the mineral option.

Why choose a tinted sunscreen over a regular one? +

The tint comes from iron oxides, which block visible light as well as UV. That matters if you manage melasma or dark spots, and it gives light coverage so you can skip a separate foundation on easy days.

Does tinted SPF replace foundation? +

For natural no-makeup looks, yes. For full coverage, layer under foundation.

What is the best tinted sunscreen? +

Our top pick for tinted sunscreen is EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46. The derm tinted standard. The runner-up is Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection.

How much should I spend on tinted sunscreen? +

The 5 picks here run from the Under $50 tier (La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral SPF 50) up to the Under $100 tier (Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection). La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral SPF 50 is the lowest-cost way in, and Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection is the splurge.