Tinted moisturizers, BB creams, CC creams… Call them what you like, but they’re (typically) pretty interchangeable in terms of formula and are a great product alternative if you’re A) looking to give your skin a break from heavier foundations at the moment or B) just happen to prefer lighter, skincare-enhanced formulas. Another perk? The drugstore is secretly overflowing with top-rated formulas that perform just as (or sometimes better!) than some of the pricey, wider-known formulas. We’re all about getting the most bang for your buck without having to sacrifice the finish, durability, or end result of our makeup application. So we took to beauty retailers like Amazon and Ulta, which feature a wide range of both high-end makeup brands and more affordable drugstore labels. Then, we searched for the top-rated, drugstore-priced tinted moisturizer formulas that had similar (if not nearly identical) ingredient recipes as more expensive names. Spoiler: We found quite a few! Below, we’re sharing nine of the best drugstore tinted moisturizers to try if you’re looking for an expensive-looking finish sans sticker shock. Keep scrolling!
Average rating: 4/5 stars
Average rating: 4.3/5 stars. I’ll be the first to admit that Laura Mercier is one of my favorite prestige beauty brands, and it also happens to make the most iconic tinted moisturizers in the industry. That said, its matte, oil-free version comes up short compared to Covergirl’s drugstore formula on Ulta’s website. It boasts a new clean formula, applies and dries to a flattering matte finish, and is $38 less expensive.
Average rating: 3.7/5 stars
Average rating: 4.2/5 stars. Despite the fact that both of these have great ingredients (like ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid), ColourPop’s lesser-known-but-still-fabulous alternative is $33 cheaper and has a 4.2-star average rating on Ulta’s website compared to Ilia’s 3.7.
Average rating: 4.1/5 stars
Average rating: 4.3/5 stars. If you opt for Burt’s Bees fan-favorite drugstore tinted moisturizer instead of Origins’ iconic zingy formula, you’ll still nab a clean, nontoxic formula, a boost of glow, and lots of antioxidants, but you’ll walk away with $33 more dollars in your pocket.
Average rating: 4.2/5 stars
Average rating: 4.2/5 stars. Both of these serum-like tinted moisturizers offer glow-inducing ingredients for a lightweight dewy finish. The former, however, actually wins out with a significantly smaller price tag.
Average rating: 3.7/5 stars
Average rating: 4.4/5 stars. So there are a few differences between these two tinted moisturizers. Nyx’s drugstore formula isn’t as clean as Juice Beauty’s, and it also lacks SPF and the brand’s plant stem cell technology. That said, it’s vegan, PETA-certified, noncomedogenic, boosted with aloe and cucumber extracts, less expensive, and absolutely teeming with glowing reviews. Plus, it promises an impressive eight hours of hydration and lightweight coverage.
Average rating: 4/5 stars
Average rating: 4.3/5 stars. This drugstore tinted moisturizer from Wet n Wild is a bit more matte than Saie’s dewy formula, but it’s still chock-full of hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane that help keep skin moisturized throughout the day. It’s also incredibly budget-friendly at just $5 and has a slightly higher rating than Saie’s.
Average rating: 4.4/5 stars
Average rating: 4.4/5 stars. The main selling point of both of these tinted moisturizers is their stellar anti-aging properties. Both are highly rated (though Neutrogena’s actually has more ratings on Amazon, which bumps up its street cred). However, Neutrogena’s drugstore-priced formula is especially cool thanks to the fact that it contains holy-grail ingredient retinol alongside SPF, vitamins, and other antioxidants. In other words, it’s a powerhouse tinted moisturizer if you have fine lines or wrinkles.
Average rating: 4.4/5 stars
Average rating: 4/5 stars. This multitasking tinted moisturizer–BB cream hybrid from loved drugstore brand Maybelline truly does it all. It blurs imperfections, evens out skin tone, brightens, smooths, hydrates, protects with SPF, and won’t clog pores thanks to the oil-free, noncomedogenic formula. Dr. Jart’s formula touts many of the same benefits, but it will cost you an extra $35.
Average rating: 4.3/5 stars
Average rating: 4.6/5 stars. Fun fact: Garnier actually makes two different versions of this drugstore tinted moisture—this one, which is geared toward oily or combination skin types and another specifically targeted for anti-aging. Edging out Lancôme’s comparable formula ratings-wise, Garnier’s helps cover up any imperfections you’re looking to camouflage; delivers oil-free, long-lasting moisture; and has a helpful dose of skin-protecting SPF.
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