Summer makeup is about skin, not coverage. Heat, humidity, and long days outside call for something lighter than foundation, which is exactly where summer skin tints earn their place in your routine. A good skin tint gives you that lit-from-within look without ever feeling heavy. Here are the four summer skin tints I keep coming back to this season.

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Live Tinted Hueguard Glotion

This is my pick for anyone who wants sunscreen and glow in one step. It’s a tinted mineral SPF 50 with a dewy finish and no white cast, which matters if you have deeper skin. Squalane keeps it hydrating rather than drying, so it wears well through a hot Virginia afternoon. I like it on days when I want protection first and coverage second.

Tarte CC Color-Correcting Tinted Serum

This one is a little different. It’s not a tinted moisturizer or a foundation, and it doesn’t contain SPF, so I always layer it over sunscreen. What makes it fun is the encapsulated pigment: it goes on sheer and adapts as you blend, landing close to your actual skin tone. The finish is soft and skin-like, never flat. It’s my go-to for low-key days when I still want my skin to look even.

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BloomEffects Tulip Dew Sunscreen Serum

A mineral SPF 50 with a sheer tint, built around niacinamide and a proprietary tulip complex for hydration and brightening. It comes in two shades, Glow and Bronze, so you can lean neutral or warm depending on your coloring. The finish is dewy without being slick, and it plays nicely under blush if you want a little more definition on top. I also really love their Sunstick!

Naked Sundays BeautyScreen Peptide Foundation Tint

If you want more coverage than a tint but still want it to feel like skincare, this is the one. It’s a peptide-infused mineral SPF 50 with buildable coverage across a wide shade range, and the finish sits semi-matte rather than dewy. It’s a good option for oilier skin types who still want SPF protection without extra shine by midday.

Things to Remember About Summer Skin Tints

• Tinted formulas with SPF replace your sunscreen step; formulas without SPF (like the Tarte serum) still need one underneath.
• Dewy finishes suit dry to normal skin; semi-matte finishes suit oilier skin types in summer heat.
• Reapply SPF tints every two hours if you’re outside for a wedding, a shoot, or just a long day out.

I’ll always pick a summer skin tint over a full foundation this time of year. Your skin already looks good — these just protect it and let it shine through.