What Is Tinted Moisturizer? Here’s the Necessary Information You Need

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A tinted moisturizer could be that one beauty product that’s missing from your beauty regime. As a beauty/makeup lover, there is a high probability of you coming across or hearing about tinted moisturizers. You may be wondering, what is a tinted moisturizer? 

A tinted moisturizer is a liquid moisturizer with a hint of color. That’s right—it is a moisturizing liquid makeup product. This makes it a great choice for you if you are looking to get minimal coverage while also keeping your skin hydrated.  

Are there times when the entire foundation looks too heavy, but without the foundation you feel too naked? On days when you want to create a natural look without makeup, you may need a tinted moisturizer to work up some magic.

Read ahead to find out more detailed information about a tinted moisturizer: what it is and how to use it flawlessly in your beauty regime. 

What Is Tinted Moisturizer?

Tinted Moisturizer is a moisturizer with high coverage and bright color. Some formulas include versatile colors that blend easily with most skin tones, while other tinted moisturizers come in a variety of shades from light to dark, so you can choose the one that works best for you. 

The shades of this natural makeup product are created with natural fruit pigments that mimic the finish of a natural foundation, giving you a glimpse into glowing summer skin. Think of it as a sheer silk veil that hides what you don’t want to see while revealing your best features. 

It is a moisturizer with light skin tones in combination with makeup pigments (like foundation or BB cream). This way you get the benefits of makeup and moisturizer in one product. Pretty cool, right? You can get these benefits without spending a lot of money.

What Is Tinted Moisturizer Used For?

The purpose of using it is to achieve makeup that doesn’t look like makeup (instead it looks like gorgeous, healthy glowing skin) with a tinted moisturizer. 

No matter your age, skin type, or skin tone, using it will help to smooth, even, and brighten your skin to clear out redness, pimples, dark spots, and dark circles. It also hydrates and often protects with sunscreen. 

It’s like using a regular moisturizer, but with light pigments that cover, hide, and even out skin tone. The base of the product is a slightly pigmented moisturizer designed for very light covers, although its main purpose is to moisturize the skin. 

It usually contains SPF so you can hydrate and cover your skin in one go, knowing that it’s protecting your skin. It also contains essential oils and natural ingredients that work overwork to rejuvenate and protect the skin. 

The right tinted moisturizer not only provides light coverage but also hydrates and soothes tired summer skin.

How to Use Tinted Moisturizer Flawlessly

To enjoy all the amazing beauty benefits of using a tinted moisturizer, you have to learn the proper way to start using it correctly in your beauty regime. Below are basic steps to follow: 

Choose the right one for your complexion

It is important to look for the right tinted moisturizer for your skin tone. When looking to purchase one, try matching it on your face or skin first to see how well it’ll blend. 

When you’re at the makeup counter, test a little on the sides of your face or apply a little on the skin on the back of your hand. If it blends and harmonizes well, the product will no longer be visible on your skin. You should take note of how your skin absorbs the product.

Asides from using daily sunscreen, you may want to look for a tinted moisturizer that has at least an SPF 30—for extra protection. The majority of all tinted moisturizers contain SPF protection to help block out UV rays from damaging your skin.

Note: the sun-protective feature in a tinted moisturizer wears off within a few hours of using it. You might still need to use your regular SPF 30 or higher with it to ensure maximum protection. 

Select the right applicator

Although you can apply the product on your face using your fingertips, it is best to use a brush or makeup sponge for the application. This will help to give you a well-blended makeup look.

Using a duo fiber brush is recommended as it gives you more control. If you are looking to achieve heavier coverage, your best bet is a beauty sponge.

Start by mixing your moisturizer and foundation primer

Dish a little amount of your regular moisturizer and a foundation primer on your palm. Take some out with your fingertips and rub your fingertips together to mix the two products properly. 

Apply the mix to your forehead, cheeks, and skin. Then gently rub it into your skin—covering your temples and under your eyes. Allow it to sit on your skin for a minute or two before moving to apply your tinted moisturizer.

Apply the tinted moisturizer to your skin

Squirt a pea-sized amount of tinted moisturizer into your palm. Use your fingertips to dab the product on your cheeks, forehead, under your eyes, and along your nose bridge. 

Grab your brush to blend the product into your skin. Do this by sweeping the brush on the product on your skin—to spread and blend into your skin. Apply in a small circular motion as you sweep the brush across your face. 

However, you do not necessarily have to use a brush to apply it. You can use your fingers to apply the product, as that will even help it penetrate your skin better. Having a brush at hand will help to finish up the application to achieve a uniform blend.

Blend in your lines

Ensure even coverage under your eyes, under your nose, and along your jawline, by using your brush to distribute the product. Blending the product on your jawline to your shin will help to prevent lines from being visible on your face.

Use your brush to blend and distribute the product right under your eyes, under your nose, and along your jawline. Use a small tiny brush instead of a large one to achieve this purpose. 

Apply a concealer 

Insert a round concealer brush into your concealer cream and apply the concealer below your brow to your lash line. Blend the concealer into the corners of your eyes. This will help to cover up blemishes around the eyes and other areas of the skin you’d like to cover. 

Ensure that the concealer you use matches that of your tinted moisturizer. This will help you achieve a uniform look.

Finish off using a setting powder

To keep your makeup in place for a longer time, set it by applying a light dusting of setting powder over it. Insert a powder brush into your powder and gently swipe it across your face in an upward and downward sweep. 

If you are hoping to achieve a natural, dewy glow, use a setting spray or face mist to finish the look, instead of setting powder.

How Much Tinted Moisturizer Should You Apply?

A pea-sized amount of tinted moisturizer is okay to achieve whatever you hope to achieve with your tinted moisturizer. 

You do not have to apply too much of it on your skin to achieve the natural dewy glow you want for your makeup look. Even if you are applying it without other skincare products, you will still achieve the “makeup without makeup” look without using too much of it.

Is Tinted Moisturizer Different From BB Cream?

Even though they have certain similarities, both products are different. A beauty/blemish balm cream, also known as a BB cream is a multifunctional liquid makeup product that helps in priming the skin and covering skin blemishes. 

Like a tinted moisturizer, BB cream also moisturizes the skin and may contain sunscreen to protect the skin from the sun. The main purpose of using a tinted moisturizer is to moisturize the skin while it also serves as a light foundation. 

The tinted moisturizer comes with a lighter formula compared to BB cream. BB cream is somewhere between a moisturizer and foundation when it comes to coverage in makeup.

Should You Use Tinted Moisturizer Instead of Foundation?

The right one to use out of the two products depends on the makeup look that you are trying to achieve. 

If you are trying to cover up blemishes and hyperpigmentation on your skin, you will need to use a foundation to achieve that kind of coverage. 

Tinted moisturizers, on the other hand, are a wise choice if you want to instantly moisturize your skin while adding a touch of pigment for moist, shiny skin. 

Your expected results should determine which one of them to use on your face. If you go for a tinted moisturizer, don’t expect full coverage of your tone.

Is Tinted Moisturizer Bad for Your Skin?

The truth is, it is not bad for your skin at all, but it can be misused. One of the biggest mistakes you can make with it is to replace the rest of your skincare routine with it. Think of tinted moisturizers as additional help with nutrients-not a replacement for your regular moisturizer. 

Things can go wrong if you don’t use the best one that works for your skin type. As with other makeup and skincare products, acne and excess oil can be a factor when using formulas that don’t match your skin tone. 

If you have oily skin, look for a tinted moisturizer that is oil-free. Using an oily product on your oily skin may cause your pores to get blocked. 

If your skin is dry, look for a formula that contains extra hydrating and nutritional ingredients. The key to the effective use of tinted moisturizers is to read your label to make sure it suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tinted moisturizer better than foundation?

The answer depends on your makeup/beauty needs. In cases where you need to achieve full coverage, using a foundation is best. This is because foundations contain much more pigment compared to tinted moisturizers. 

However, using a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation is a better choice if you are hoping to just achieve a moisturizer look with a little hint of color.

Can you apply tinted moisturizer using a sponge?

Yes, you can. You can apply your tinted moisturizer using a dry makeup sponge or beauty blender. 

Using a makeup sponge as your applicator will help to ensure the even distribution of the product on targeted areas of your face.

Is tinted moisturizer bad for acne-prone skin?

No, it isn’t. Using tinted moisturizer on acne-prone skin is totally good and safe. It only gets worse if you use one that does not work for your skin. 

It is important to consider your skin type when looking to purchase a tinted moisturizer, as this will help you opt for one that suits your skin. For acne-prone skin, it is important to avoid oily tinted moisturizers.

Conclusion

If you are someone that prefers a natural makeup look to a heavy one, substituting your foundation for a tinted moisturizer may be the best choice to make. This also goes for you if you have dry skin and would like to keep your skin moisturized even after wearing makeup. 

Tinted moisturizers give your skin minimal coverage, while also hydrating it. This product is ideal for every natural makeup look. Simply apply a pea-sized amount of it to give your makeup look a natural, dewy look.

Thanks for reading.

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