Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

9 best tinted moisturisers for Asian skin

Find a multi-tasking product that really matches your complexion

Thursday 14 June 2018 10:21 BST

Rather than looking made-up, tinted moisturisers are about making you look like you, but on a good day. They’re a great way of getting the radiant, I’ve-just-got-married-to-a-prince look of Meghan Markle, even if you don’t have a prince to hand.

A good product will make you look like you have had eight hours sleep when you have only had four and a really great one will make you look like you’ve just come back from a week-long yoga retreat and Tom Hiddleston, incidentally, asked for your phone number on the way home.

“The combination of cold weather and heated offices can leave your skin looking grey and dull, which is instantly ageing,” says celebrity make-up artist Julia Biddlecombe, whose past clients include Kate Beckinsale and Liz Hurley. “Tinted moisturisers add a warmth and radiance that can make you look instantly fresh faced without much effort and have added skin-treating ingredients such as serums, so you are protecting your skin from the elements.”

Tinted moisturisers are a halfway point between a foundation and... well, a moisturiser, which is why you are just as likely to find good products in the skincare range as the cosmetics counter, so you know you are looking after your skin while looking good.

My skin is fair, with strong yellow/olive undertones typical of Asian skin, which can look dull. While choosing the best tinted moisturisers, I considered coverage, skin-boosting extras and radiance. And while not every product on our list may be called a tinted moisturiser, you can use them all for the same purpose.

Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream SPF 25: £30, Debenhams

A relatively new kid on the block, but already making waves on the beauty scene, this cream gives a heavier coverage than some of the others I have reviewed, which is handy if you want a more made-up look – though the detox version for oily skin may be too pinky for Asian skin – and you can even get away with using it in place of your foundation on a night out. Its skin-boosting ingredients include kiwi, so even if you are not having your five-a-day, at least your skin is halfway there.

My ideal shade: Medium

Dermalogica Sheer Tint, SPF 20: £39, Dermalogica

This American brand is a favourite among beauty salons and if the tinted moisturiser is anything to go by, it is not without good reason. This tinted moisturiser gives a very light, sheer coverage, but still manages to tone down dark circles and other post-party imperfections. Although the number of shades are limited, the translucent texture of the product will work with your complexion rather than conceal it, so it will suit most skin tones. As you would expect from a skincare brand, this product has lots of yummy skincare ingredients including walnut extract, leaving your face feeling super soft afterwards.

My ideal shade: Fair

Laura Mercier Illuminated Tinted Moisturiser: £34, John Lewis

This light, hydrating moisturiser comes in 13 different shades, catering for both cooler and warmer undertones, creating a natural look on Asian skin that can be prone to uneven skin tones. With skin-enhancing vitamins C and E to give your skin a boost, it is easy to blend in and contains pearlescent pigments to give you a dewy, post-gym workout glow, without the sweatiness.

My ideal shade: Bisque

Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturiser, SPF 15: £29.50, Bobbi Brown

This lightweight formula smoothens and moisturises your skin while reducing redness and creating even skin tones. If you want to brighten your complexion, but don’t like the dewy look normally associated with products that promise radiance in a bottle, this is a good alternative. It comes in a generous nine shades so you can love the skin you are in. If your skin is on the dry side or you want heavier coverage, Bobbi Brown’s Tinted Moisturising Balm (£40) is a good, albeit pricier, alternative.

My ideal shade: Nude

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser, SPF 30: £30, Space NK

This light, oil-free formula is hydrating and gives a touch of colour, which is enough to even out skin tones, without giving a mask like effect, and caters well for olive skin tones associated with Asian skin. The moisturiser contains skin-renewing ingredients such as saffron. With 12 colours named after exotic locations, it gives you a summer holiday complexion, even if it is barely above freezing outside.

My ideal shade: St Moritz

Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint: £20, Glossier

A cult favourite among beauty buffs, Glossier is famed for its “skin first, makeup second” philosophy so if you’re after something with very light, sheer coverage this is it. An ultra-thin formula, this tint feels breathable on the skin while simultaneously working to even out discolouration. The number of shades are limited with just five on offer but because it’s so lightweight it blends well into most skin tones. It even includes ingredients like Diamond Powder which give your complexion a brightening and blurring effect.

My ideal shade: Dark

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream: £21.80, Feel Unique

With 16 different shades, Bareminerals has the widest range of colours of all the products tested. It has a pleasant texture on application and evens out skin tones to create a plump, dewy complexion, which is not too shiny. Despite its gel-like texture, which you would normally associate with products for oily skin, this was the best one for dry skin. Now for the science bit – it contains extracts of coconut and marine botanicals, which stop your skin from feeling dehydrated (after all, have you ever seen a fish with hydration issues?)

My ideal shade: Warm Natural

Garnier BB Cream Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20: £9.99, Superdrug

As you may know, IndyBest loves a bargain, and if you are on a tight budget, this gem from Garnier more than holds its own against the luxury brands. It’s long-lasting and has stronger coverage than some of the more sheer options, which is handy if your skin is not at its best. Although there are only three shades, it’s not too pink and the range gravitates towards the cooler spectrum, making it ideal for Asian skin, especially if you have a fairer complexion. Although it doesn’t have as many of the skin-boosting extras of the luxury brands, it’s still worth it – after all, that’s why we have nighttime moisturisers.

My ideal shade: Light

Benefit Big Easy, SPF 35: £20.80, Benefit

With a funky film noir-inspired name like Big Easy, this product had to be good. It has a liquid to powder formula so it is easy to blend and gives a feathery, matte, but bright finish, which works well on oily and combination skin. You can build up coverage without feeling like you are piling it on and your skin still feels like it can breathe. This had the highest SPF so would be a great one if you are off to sunnier climes.

My ideal shade: 3 Light/Medium

The Verdict: Tinted moisturisers for Asian skin

Tinted moisturisers have come a long way since the old days when you mixed your foundation with a blob of Oil of Olay and hoped for the best. My personal favourite was the product from Clarins, simply because we prefer a heavier coverage and more made-up look. If you are comfortable with a sheerer finish, then I can’t fault Dermalogica as it gave us a natural, fresh look, and our skin felt peachy soft when we washed it off that night. For a shimmery look, Laura Mercier is your best bet.