What Does Tinted Serum Do and Do You Need One?

If you’re on a quest to find the best products to streamline your makeup routine, then tinted serum may be adding to your regimen. These hybrid products deliver skincare benefits while offering sheer, buildable coverage, for a your-skin-but-better effect. Plus, they’re super easy to use—unlike traditional base makeup products like foundation, they don’t require any tools to apply other than your hands. 

If you’re interested in learning more about tinted face serums, what they do, and who they’re good for, keep reading. Ahead, we’re sharing all of the details and offering a look at our favorite tinted skin serum worth adding to your morning lineup. 

What Is Tinted Serum? 

A tinted serum is exactly what it sounds like—a pigmented facial serum that offers coverage like a base makeup product. Like traditional facial serums, tinted serums typically contain good-for-your-skin ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or squalene. They’re designed to hydrate the skin and help address skin concerns—such as dullness or unevenness—while providing a sheer wash of color to help even out your complexion. 

What Are theBenefits of Using a Tinted Serum? 

Tinted serums are hybrid products, and as such, offer both skincare and beauty benefits. Here are a few reasons tinted serums can make a great addition to your morning routine.

Helps target skin concerns

Just like a regular skincare serum would, tinted face serums can help address skin concerns such as dryness or dullness. They’re typically suitable for all skin types but especially beneficial for those with drier skin who’d like to add a bit of extra hydration to their skincare (or makeup) routine. 

Keep in mind that while serum tints may offer skincare benefits, they shouldn’t replace your other skincare products. To help keep your skin looking and feeling its best, you’ll still want to cleanse, moisturize, and apply SPF (every day!) before layering on your tinted facial serum.

Offers natural-looking coverage

If you’re someone who favors natural-looking makeup, tinted serums can be a great product to add to your routine. They tend to offer sheer or light coverage to subtly even out your complexion without making it appear as if you’re wearing makeup. Many tinted serums also boast a radiant or natural finish, which is ideal for a fresh-faced no-makeup makeup look. 

Plus, you don’t need a foundation brush or even a makeup sponge to achieve an even application. Just dispense a few drops onto your face then use your hands to blend the product the way you would with any other face serum. If needed, you can use a lightweight concealer to camouflage any lingering discolorations, such as dark under-eye circles or dark spots.

Pulls double-duty 

Opting for multi-purpose products like tinted serums isn’t just a great way to cut down on the clutter in your makeup bag—it can also help streamline your morning makeup routine. Whether you’re someone who prefers a minimalistic approach to beauty or simply need a reliable product that can help hydrate your skin and get you out the door quickly on busy mornings, serum tints can deliver. They’re easy to use, versatile, and apply easily—making them perfect for those who don’t want to (or can’t) spend a ton of time in the morning perfecting a glam makeup look.

Our Best Tinted Serum To Add To Your Routine

If you’re interested in giving tinted serum a try, we suggest grabbing a bottle of the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. It’s made with one percent pure hyaluronic acid and provides a hydrating feel while helping to smooth the skin over time. The lightweight formula contains luminous mineral pigments that deliver sheer, natural-looking coverage with a gorgeous radiant finish. 

To use it, prep your skin with the makeup primer of your choice. Then, find your closest match from the collection’s 14 natural-looking shades (if you need help, test-drive your options with our Virtual Makeup Try-On Tool). 

Once you’re ready to apply your tinted serum, use the dropper to pick up some of the formula, brushing off any excess product inside the bottle. Dispense the serum directly onto your face (or fingertips) then rub it onto your skin for a light wash of sheer color. If you’d prefer, you can also blend out the color with a makeup sponge. 

Note that while this tinted serum is sheer, it can be built up for additional coverage. Just be sure to give each layer a moment or two to absorb before adding more product. If you find that you’d like additional coverage under your eyes or around your nose, use a radiant-finish concealer, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer, for a natural-looking finish. 

Tinted Serum vs. Serum Foundation: How Do They Differ? 

While many people use the terms tinted serum and serum foundation (or foundation serum) interchangeably, they’re not necessarily the same product. Tinted serums fall primarily under the skincare category. While they do offer coverage, it’s sheer—their primary purpose is typically to help hydrate your skin. Serum foundations, meanwhile, fall under the makeup category. While they, too, are lightweight, they tend to offer more coverage than a tinted serum. And while many serum foundations offer skincare benefits, that’s not their primary purpose—the skin benefits are second to the natural-looking coverage they provide. 

If you’re wondering whether a tinted serum can replace your go-to foundation altogether, the truth is that it depends. Many people find that tinted serums provide enough coverage for no-makeup makeup days, since they’re sheer and provide a natural, dewy finish. For special occasions, you might find a medium- to full-coverage foundation better suits your needs and desired end result. In short: Tinted serums can absolutely replace your foundation if you want them to, but a lot of people use both for different occasions.

Next Up: How To Do a Soft and Light Makeup Look for Day

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris