What Is a Tinted Face Balm and How Do You Use It?

Long gone are the days when foundation was your only option for evening out your complexion. These days, there are countless base makeup products to choose from, from sheer skin tints and tinted serums to BB creams and more.

Among our favorite options for achieving natural-looking coverage are tinted face balms. These creamy formulas apply like a foundation, but with the hydration and comfortable feel of a lightweight facial moisturizer. And many provide skin benefits—like brightening or anti-aging—to boot. Ahead, we’ll explain what, exactly, makes balm foundations unique, how to use a tinted face balm in your routine, and why the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Foundation deserves a spot in your makeup bag ASAP.

What Is a Tinted Face Balm?

A tinted face balm is a skincare-makeup hybrid used to even out the skin tone or add natural-looking color to the skin. These formulas typically have a rich, balm-like texture that melts into the skin, similar to a nourishing facial cream or moisturizer. They’re often formulated with hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, and can help improve the look of skin concerns like dullness both immediately and over time.

Balm foundations, such as the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Foundation (pictured below), are among the most popular forms of tinted face balms. These formulas work similarly to a tinted moisturizer or skin tint, delivering natural-looking coverage to help even out the complexion.

You can also find tinted blush balms (the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Embellisher is one such example). These formulas work similarly to a sheer cream blush, but with added skin benefits to help support a healthy-looking complexion.

Key Benefits of a Tinted Face Balm

Tinted face balms can be an excellent option for those who like to keep their makeup minimal or want a hint of coverage without the heavy feel associated with a full face of makeup. Some of the most notable benefits of using a tinted balm include:

• They provide natural-looking coverage: Tinted balm foundations can help camouflage minor imperfections—like redness or unevenness—while still letting your natural skin shine through.
• They feel hydrating on the skin: If you don’t like the feel of heavy makeup or matte products, a tinted balm may be up your alley. They usually feel lightweight and breathable on the skin, similar to a nourishing face cream or moisturizer.
• They provide skin benefits: Many tinted balms contain skincare ingredients to help address skin concerns such as dryness, dullness, or even fine lines and wrinkles.
• They’re easy to apply: Tinted face balms typically come in a compact with an included applicator for a simple, fuss-free application. This makes them both portable and far easier to use on the go than traditional liquid or cream makeup.

Tinted Balm Foundation vs. Other Base Makeup Products

Tinted balm foundations provide many of the same benefits as other base makeup products, such as tinted moisturizers and skin tints. That said, each product boasts distinct benefits. Ahead, we’ll share how tinted face balms stack up against other popular base products to help you make the best choice for your routine.

Tinted face balm vs. tinted serum

If you’re someone who likes the ease of no-makeup makeup, you’ve likely considered using a tinted serum in your routine (or maybe, you already do). Like tinted face balms, these hybrid formulas contain skin-loving ingredients and help even out the complexion for a your-skin-but-better look. The main difference between tinted balms and tinted serums comes down to texture: Balms are rich and creamy, while serums are fluid and watery. Additionally, balms are buildable and provide slightly more customizable coverage—tinted serums tend to be very sheer and best suited for minimalist makeup routines.

Tinted face balm vs. tinted moisturizer

Tinted moisturizers and tinted balms are similar in many ways—they both hydrate the skin while providing light coverage to even out the complexion. As is the case with tinted serums, the main difference between tinted balms and tinted moisturizer is texture. Tinted balms, as we’ve established, are more solid and emollient, with a melting texture similar to a lip balm or body butter. Tinted moisturizers tend to be lighter and more fluid, like a lightweight face lotion. You can use them alone for a subtle wash of color or layer them beneath a classic liquid foundation for more complete coverage.

Tinted face balm vs. BB or CC cream

BB creams and CC creams are often lumped into the same category as foundation, but they’re not quite the same thing. BB creams (or “beauty balms”) are multi-use products designed to help hydrate the skin, smooth out texture, even tone, and provide light-to-medium coverage. Some even contain SPF to help shield your skin from the sun. The primary difference between these formulas and tinted balms is intention: BB creams are more of a do-it-all product, while tinted balms are designed specifically for sheer, breathable coverage that leaves your skin looking fresh.

CC creams, or color-correcting creams, are mainly used to help neutralize discoloration, such as ruddiness or sallowness. They can be used alone, but are commonly layered underneath a product that provides more intentional coverage, like foundation. Tinted balms aren’t designed for color correction like CC creams—they’ll even out your skin tone, but won’t correct obvious redness or discolorations.

Tinted face balm vs. foundation

Foundation comes in many different forms—creams, liquids, powders, and cushions, to name a few. Balm foundations are just one subcategory. Unlike full-coverage foundations, which are strictly makeup products, tinted face balms combine the benefits of skincare and makeup into one easy-to-use formula. They tend to be lightweight and on the sheerer side, though many (including the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Foundation) can be built up for more robust coverage. Note that if you’re someone who prefers a matte base, foundation may be more your speed—while balm foundations are buildable, they almost always have a dewy or radiant finish.

The Best L’Oréal Paris Tinted Face Balms To Add To Your Routine

If you’re interested in swapping your usual products for skin-loving balm formulas, keep scrolling—ahead, we’re sharing details on our top two tinted balms to try ASAP.

L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Foundation

When a traditional foundation feels like too much—or you simply want to give your skin some TLC while helping it look its best—reach for this tinted balm foundation. It’s formulated with 80% skincare ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, and delivers light but buildable coverage with a dewy yet non-greasy finish. The blendable formula instantly hydrates the skin and minimizes the look of imperfections, while regular use helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles for more youthful-looking skin.

L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Embellisher

There’s something incredibly flattering about a natural-looking flush, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with this balmy, blush-meets-highlighter formula. Like the aforementioned balm foundation, it’s made with 80% skincare ingredients and helps hydrate and nourish skin. Each of the four shades provides a soft wash of glowy color to help illuminate the skin for a long-lasting, natural-looking glow. Plus, it’s buildable, so if you prefer bolder blush looks, all you need to do is apply a second (or third) layer of product.

How To Apply Tinted Face Balm for Natural-Looking Coverage

Whether you’re a makeup newbie or a seasoned pro, applying tinted face balm is super straightforward. Ahead, learn the four steps you’ll need to follow for a flawless-looking application every time.

Step 1: Prep your skin

Skin prep is a non-negotiable step when you’re wearing makeup (yes, even skincare-makeup hybrids). Start by cleansing your face to remove dirt, excess oil, and other impurities, then smooth on your favorite facial serum and moisturizer. If it’s daytime, you’ll also need to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to help shield your skin from the sun. We like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer with SPF 30, which smooths, firms, brightens, and protects the skin in one simple step. If you want to use a face primer to help extend the lifespan of your makeup, apply it as the final step in your skincare routine.

Step 2: Pat balm onto skin

After allowing your skincare products a few minutes to absorb, you can begin applying your face balm. Use the antimicrobial teardrop-shaped applicator included with the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Foundation to pick up some product, then begin patting it onto your skin, starting at the center of your face and working out. If you prefer to use your fingers to apply the balm, you can—just make sure to wash your hands well first to avoid transferring any bacteria from your fingers onto the balm. Repeat the process until you’ve reached your desired level of coverage.

Step 3: Add color for dimension

Next, select your favorite shade of the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluron Tinted Balm Embellisher. Use the included applicator to pick up a small amount of product, then begin dabbing the pigment anywhere you’d like a bit of color (we recommend the cheekbones for a natural-looking, radiant flush). Blend well to eliminate any harsh lines and ensure a smooth, flawless-looking finish.

Step 4: Set your base

It’s always a good idea to set your makeup to help prevent fading and transferring throughout the day. Once you’re finished with your base, hold the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Makeup Setting Spray about 10 inches from your face and spray on in a circular motion. The ultra-light formula helps lock in your makeup for up to 36 hours, ensuring your look holds up well no matter what the day throws at you.

Next Up: What Order Should You Apply Your Makeup Products In?

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris