What Does Tinted Serum Do And Do You Need One?

On your quest to find the right products for your skin care and makeup routines, you've likely come across some hybrid products formulated to address your needs on both sides. We must admit, there are few things more satisfying than a multitasking product that targets skin care concerns while performing coverage miracles like our favorite makeup. So it’s no wonder that serum foundations like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Serum Foundation With SPF 50 have become go-tos. But for those who want similar benefits with less coverage, tinted serums are growing in popularity. You may be asking, what does tinted serum do? Or you might want to know how tinted serum differs from serum foundation. So we’re breaking down the facts on what is tinted serum, what tinted serum does, and our new favorite tinted serum to land on the market.

WHAT IS TINTED SERUM?

Tinted serum is exactly what it sounds like—a highly pigmented facial serum that offers some coverage like a base makeup product. Because it’s a serum, it’s still a skin care product and you can still expect it to perform the duties of a skin care product, such as offering hydration, boosting skin radiance, and improving skin texture. Tinted serums often contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalene, aloe vera, meadowfoam seed oil and other good-for-you skin care ingredients that you typically look for in a face serum. 

TINTED SERUM VS. SERUM FOUNDATION: HOW DO THEY DIFFER?

While many people will use the terms tinted serum and serum foundation (or foundation serum) interchangeably, they’re not necessarily the same thing. Tinted serums (also called skin tints) may offer natural coverage, but they typically don’t cover like a foundation. They are a true hybrid product with the main job to infuse your skin with essential ingredients, and offer coverage that’s minimal. Serum foundations, on the other hand, are makeup products formulated with ingredients that offer the skin care benefits of serum (they’re sometimes infused with a serum complex). They typically offer medium to full coverage that’s buildable and can be layered over a tinted serum.

OUR BEST TINTED SERUM

Whether you love a makeup product with skin care benefits, or a skin care product with makeup coverage, you’ll easily find yourself coming back to the new L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. The first tinted serum with one percent pure hyaluronic acid, it offers an intense dose of hydration with sheer, lightweight coverage. It instantly brightens the complexion and gives the skin a smoother feeling over time. For a subtle and skinimalism-embracing look, pair it with the True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer, 0.5% hyaluronic acid to give your dark under-eye circles the same brightening effects, plus hydration. The True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum comes in ten nude, radiant shades and will be available on lorealparis.com starting June 15, 2021.

Photo Courtesy of L’Oréal Paris

Next: Editors Try L’Oréal Paris Skin Paradise Tinted Moisturizer