‘Perfect for no makeup makeup days’: The best tinted moisturisers for mature skin

From its Orgasm Blush to its Light Reflecting Foundation, NARS isn’t short on hero makeup products, and its Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser belongs in that bracket. A couple of squeezes provide a light, sheer layer of coverage that’s also buildable if you want a little extra.

The formula is oil-free, so you won’t look extra shiny on those hot commutes. Instead, it leaves behind a radiant glow, thanks to its light-reflecting particles. As well as SPF 30, it also contains brightening vitamin C, which helps to even out and brighten complexions. French Polynesian Kopara works to hydrate and smooth the skin, too, so it’s good for those with dry patches.

Subtle yet effective, this tinted moisturiser from Nivea is a little more skincare than makeup product, but the added pigment and light reflectors do add a noticeable level of complexion-evening coverage.

The brand claims that it offers up to 24 hours of hydration, thanks to the inclusion of powerhouse ingredient, vitamin E; an humectant and emollient, it draws moisture into the skin, and then seals it in by strengthening the skin barrier. It’s used across the brand’s skincare range, including in the classic tubs of all-purpose moisturiser that have sat on many of our shelves. At under £5, this is an absolute skincare steal.

Bobbi Brown (and Jones Road founder) has always taken the stance that ‘less is more’ when it comes to makeup. It's why the brand's latest tinted moisturiser gives Just Enough coverage. The light veil of tint evens out skin tone and reduces redness, all while hydrating, thanks to the added hyaluronic acid. This protects the skin barrier from water loss too, resulting in long-lasting moisture. Simply apply as you would a moisturiser for a fresh complexion throughout the day.

Lynne, our beauty director, says it makes her skin look “healthy from within rather than just sitting on top like foundation,” – perfect for her complexion, which can be susceptible to dryness. Read more about why it’s now one of her firm favourites in her Jones Road tinted moisturiser review.

This tinted moisturiser does exactly what it says on the tin (well, tube); simply apply a couple of pumps of the lightweight formula, and off you glow. It provides enough coverage without being too weighty. Instead, it delivers a dewy finish, without sinking into pores or fine lines.

There’s a roster of skin-friendly ingredients, too. As well as protective SPF30, it’s also enriched with the hydrating antioxidant, niacinamide, which helps protect the skin from environmental aggressors like pollution. It also works to stimulate the production of collagen, a key protein for keeping skin plump and bouncy. Carrot root extract shields from blue light, making it a good choice for Monday to Friday spent behind the screen (gulp).

As with all Sculpted By Aimee products, the packaging is very pretty and adds a pop of powder pink to the dressing table.

If you know anything about Trinny London’s brand founder, Trinny Woodall, you’ll know that she’s all about enhancing and embracing natural skin, rather than covering it with heavy makeup. And this complexion-evening and brightening tinted moisturiser stays true to that founding belief.

As the name suggests, the Skin Perfector is about to be your new best friend. It offers a bespoke level of coverage, thanks to its clever formula. When first pumped, it looks like your standard moisturiser, but as you rub it into the skin, the microcapsules break and release pigments that magically match your natural skin tone and reduce the appearance of redness. Unsurprisingly, one of these tubes sells every 30 seconds.

You can apply the SPF moisturiser as a base under foundation or wear it alone for light coverage.

This tinted moisturiser is packed full of skin-boosting ingredients – according to the brand, the formula is 88% skincare-based. It contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, which provides long-lasting moisture to the skin, alongside a probiotic complex, which helps to strengthen the skin barrier to keep all that hydration locked in all day.

An unlikely inclusion is the upcycled Black Grape Pomace, which is a fancy name for the pulp leftover from making red wine. Don’t be alarmed, as when used it’s used in skincare, it works to soften and reduce the appearance of fine lines, thanks to the abundance of antioxidants present. A great way to counter the effects of a few red wines, we suppose?

Charlotte Tilbury preps and paints all the celeb faces for the red carpet, and the brand is generally best known for its high-coverage, full-glam products (shout out to the Airbrush Flawless Foundation). But, for the days when you want to opt for a more au-naturel look, it has created this tinted moisturiser instead.

It blends seamlessly into the skin and the bronzing pigments give a lovely sun-kissed effect. Be prepared to share though (or hide it away?) as it’s marketed as unisex.

Aloe water and hyaluronic acid are the hydrating heroes in Moisture Surge. According to Clarins, this hydrating duo will quench your skin for up to 12 hours. The extremely sheer coverage and dewy finish also promise to leave skin looking its bouncy best. It's the perfect option for when your skin needs a little boost.

If you want to boost this further, we also recommend applying the brand’s Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum beforehand. It’s full of brightening vitamin C and exfoliating lactic acid. Read our beauty director’s Clinique Serum Instant Radiance review to find out why she loves its glowy results.

Smooth, hydrate and enhance your natural complexion with this lightweight tint from Hourglass. Alongside super-hydrator, hyaluronic acid, you’ll find other nourishing ingredients such as squalane, which helps to retain moisture, and meadowfoam seed oil, which is full of rich fatty acids to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.

The light level of coverage here is great for that no-makeup-makeup look. The brand recommends you apply a dime-sized amount onto your fingertips and press into the skin, with the option of adding some extra dabs of concealer in places where you want extra coverage.

If you have dry, dull or blemished skin, bareMinerals’ tinted gel cream is here to help. It’s part of the brand’s wider mineral makeup range, so it’s free from fragrance and nasties such as parabens or SLS. The non-comedogenic formula also makes it a great choice for those with sensitive skin.

The added hyaluronic acid adds hydration and freshness to your face, while the pigments take care of any discolouration or blemishes you may want to cover.

Nourish, protect and enhance your skin tone with Beauty Balm from No.7. It’s formulated with the brand’s mineral and multivitamin blend: Vitamins E and C to help reduce inflammation, protect against environmental aggregators and brighten skin. There’s also moisturising rosehip oil, full of fatty acids to support the skin barrier and lock all that moisture in.

This one is lightweight in texture and coverage but still leaves skin looking more even – you but better. At under £10, it’s one of the more affordable options too.