When performing activities in direct sunlight, we may feel safe by applying tinted sunscreens to protect our skin. This is because using tinted sunscreen with a high SPF rating will sufficiently protect your skin from unwanted, harmful pollutants.

The UVA and UVB rays from the sun can cause damage to the skin and premature ageing. This 2-in-1 product is also usually full of beneficial ingredients for your skin, it helps fight and shield the skin against harmful airborne particles, and it also provides tinted coverage for your skin too!

Take advantage of Malaysia’s best-tinted sunscreens! Beauty Insider has some suggestions to get you started.

What Is Tinted Sunscreen?

Tinted sunscreen is available in a variety of shades to match any skin tone. The formulations of most tinted sunscreens feature SPF-active agents, notably zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as well as coloured pigments. Compared to normal sunscreens, they are unable to reflect light waves, unlike tinted sunscreens.

What Are The Benefits Of Tinted Sunscreen?

Gives Ample Coverage

Tinted sunscreens are easy to apply while providing good blemish and dark spot coverage. Wearing this sunscreen will give you the look of even skin tone for the whole day. Easy to put, tinted sunscreen can be applied as a light foundation for an airbrushed effect, or as a primer!

No White Cast

More to love about tinted sunscreen is having the added benefit of not causing a white cast on your skin. This lightweight sunscreen formula absorbs quickly into your skin, leaving you with a gorgeous matte finish.

Light Tint

Tinted sunscreens are formulated to be lightweight and favourable for individuals that seek products for on-the-go beauty looks. They protect your skin from harsh UV rays and provide a light tint to any skin tone, which aids in enhancing your natural complexion. Tinted sunscreens often contain iron oxides to provide a “tint on skin” while enhancing UVA and visible light protection.

Which Is Better: Tinted Vs. Untinted Sunscreen?

There is no clear solution to this, although it depends on your tastes. Are tinted sunscreens as effective as untinted sunscreens? Most likely, yeah.

Untinted sunscreens (traditional sunscreens) contain UVA and UVB filters, but are not formulated to block out visible light. To block visible light, sunscreen must be seen on the skin.   

To help reduce the white cast of sunscreen, many but primarily untinted sunscreen particles are “nanosized” (made smaller). Thus, while non-tinted sunscreens are designed to be invisible on the skin, as previously stated, they cannot hide visible light.

Tinted sunscreens are formed by wide-range UV filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide with pigments like pigmentary titanium dioxides and iron oxides to create a skin-tone tint that can reflect visible light.

Furthermore, tinted sunscreens’ coloured bases are a mix of varying ratios of black, red, and yellow iron oxides with pigmentary titanium dioxide, resulting in a tinted sunscreen that can be adapted and versatile upon application on the skin.

The Best Tinted Sunscreens In Malaysia

1. Skin Aqua’s Sarafit UV Tinted Base

Sarafit UV Tinted Base with SPF50+ from Skin Aqua effectively protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays! The recipe of this beneficial formula has a natural light tint that even out complexions while brightening the skin. This tinted sunscreen contained hydrolyzed microbeads, which promote the adhesion of makeup to the skin.

Why we love it:

  • SPF 50
  • Natural light tint 
  • Improve skin complexions 
  • Brightening effect

Price: RM40.90

Where to buy: Shopee

2. Cerave Hydrating Sunscreen

Cerave Hydrating Sunscreen is one of the best-tinted sunscreens in Malaysia due to its restorative components and versatility. It is a sunscreen that has been specially formulated with a universal tint colour for all shades to give your face an instantaneous healthy shine. This physical sunscreen contains three vital ceramides (1, 3, and 6-II) and niacinamide, which help your skin restore its natural barrier and retain moisture. You can apply it on its own or as a tinted primer with SPF 30.

Why we love it:

  • Free of parabens, fragrance, and harsh chemicals
  • Versatile to all skin tones
  • Retains moisture
  • Formulated with three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II), and niacinamide

Price: RM49.90

Where to buy: Lazada

3. Uriage Bariesun Fair Tinted Cream

Uriage Bariésun Tinted Cream SPF50+ Golden Tint 50ml defends against UV rays and helps balance out skin tone, giving it a beautiful glowing finish. It is formulated to be a high-performance filtering layer that guards the skin against sun damage. By providing mild natural coverage to the skin of the face, this facial sunscreen creates a more even complexion. As a result, leaving a dazzling finish on the skin. This product also has a unique complex made up of next-generation filters that effectively protect the skin. It’s also ultralight, non-greasy, and water-resistant. Additionally, it swiftly penetrates the skin without leaving it feeling heavy and thick.

Why we love it:

  • Lightweight, and non-sticky
  • SPF50
  • Strong protection from UV rays

Price: RM76.87

Where to buy: Care To Beauty 

4. LA ROCHE POSAY Anthelios Invisible SPF50

La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Tinted Sunscreen with SPF50+ may be the best-tinted sunscreen in Malaysia for its broad-spectrum protection that shields the skin from UVA and UVB rays, allowing you to protect your sensitive skin from pollution.

This sunscreen is perfect for people with melasma, blemishes, tanning, or painful sunburns thanks to its ultra-long UVA protection, which will give you the comfort you need. Furthermore, an ultra-resistant solution explicitly formulated for sensitive skin. Extremely high, ultra-resistant protection: water-resistant, sand-resistant. This product is dermatologist-approved and hypoallergenic.

Why we love it:

  • Dermatologist-approved and hypoallergenic
  • Ulta-resistant protection: water, and sand resistant
  • Ultra-long UVA protection

Price: RM126.26

Where to buy: Shopee

5. BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

best tinted sunscreen in Malaysia

The BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 is a strong contender, having been rated one of the best-tinted sunscreens in Malaysia thanks to its wide range of shades offered (20 to choose from!) and beneficial recipe. When you’re using these lightweight sunscreens, you’ll forget you’re wearing them! This is already a deciding factor for us, making the investment worthwhile. Its dew-boosting formula is also excellent; it features hyaluronic acid, which promotes bouncy and radiant skin. It is also known for its ability to retain moisture, which is one of the many factors in decreasing and minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Why we love it:

  • Nourishing and hydrating
  • 20-shades to choose from
  • Offer Sheer coverage, and leave your skin radiance

Price: RM199.00

Where to buy: Shopee

6. EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 44

best tinted sunscreen in Malaysia

EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 is no exception to being one of the best-tinted sunscreens in Malaysia. It features one of the most effective nourishing formulas on the market, thanks to the presence of hyaluronic acid, which improves skin hydration for a smoother, healthy glow. 

This facial sunscreen is oil-free and has a tinted, hydrating foundation. It contains  zinc oxide and titanium dioxide giving mineral-based sun protection in a moisturising and water-resistant emulsion with a naturally tone-evening tint and weightless feeling on the skin that is so enjoyable to wear. In addition, you’re also experiencing the advantages of water-resistant, antioxidant-rich mineral sunscreen too!

Why we love it:

  • Improves skin hydration and complexions
  • Oil-free and weightless
  • Water-resistant and antioxidant

Price: RM88.00

Where to buy: Lazada

7. La Mer The Radiant SkinTint Broad Spectrum SPF 30

best tinted sunscreen in Malaysia

This revitalising colour veil gives you instant luminosity and healthy-looking skin. This nourishing product will make your skin look more radiant, plump, and hydrated. Moreover, getting rid of the fine, dry wrinkles, and fatigue is substantially alleviated. 

La Mer’s tinted sunscreen comes in seven radiance-boosting tints for you to choose from and it’s as exquisite as you’d expect. The Radiant SkinTint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 moisturises the skin while also waking it up and prepping it for any sun exposure that may come its way. Apply it on its own or you can use it as a primer for your makeup routine.

Why we love it:

  • Can be used as a primer
  • Eliminates dryness and fine wrinkles
  • Nourishing and softening skins

Price: From RM500.00 (contact La Mer for exact price below)

Where to buy: La Mer

8. Vichy Capital Soleil Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 60

best tinted sunscreen in Malaysia

Vichy Capital Soleil Tinted Mineral Sunscreen is one of the best-tinted sunscreens in Malaysia, but it is also costly. But, as previously stated, it will be worth every ringgit you spend because it has an amazing SPF 60. 

It offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, protecting your skin from harmful contaminants in the environment. This dermatologist-tested product is hypoallergenic and suited for sensitive skin. Vichy Capital Soleil Tinted Mineral Sunscreen is a 100% face-tinted sunscreen with titanium dioxide for a weightless emulsion facial sunscreen, as well as a travel size that allows you to retouch whenever and wherever you want.

Why we love it:

  • SPF 60
  • UVA/UVB protection
  • Dermatologist-tested, and hypoallergenic

Price: RM214.00

Where to buy: Shopee

9. Paula’s Choice Super Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF30

best tinted sunscreen in Malaysia

Paula’s Choice is known for providing some of the best skincare on the market and their tinted sunscreen is no exception. True to its name, the Super Light Daily Wrinkle Defense with SPF30 has a tinted matte finish that feels weightless on the skin. Packed with mineral-based SPF, this sunscreen also prevents premature ageing of the skin, getting rid of every fine, pesky wrinkle. The Super Light Daily Wrinkle Defense from Paula’s Choice is suitable for all skin types, particularly for the girlies with oily and combination skin.

Why we love it:

  • Anti-ageing properties
  • Gets rid of oily shine
  • Matte finish

Price: RM157.91

Where to buy: Shopee

10. Carya Cosmetics Tinted Sunscreen SPF50++++

Malaysian ladies are intimately familiar with how difficult it is to purchase base makeup that matches our skin tone. Enter Carya Cosmetics, a local beauty brand geared towards Asian skin. Their Tinted Sunscreen comes in four shades, from Extra Fair to Tan, providing natural and lightweight coverage for every Malaysian woman. This SPF50 sunscreen is also nourished with Vitamin C and E, as well as hyaluronic acid to protect and moisturise the skin. Not only will your skin be protected from UVA and UVB rays, but it will also enjoy the benefits usually obtained through skincare!

Why we love it:

  • Available in four shades
  • Adds moisture to skin
  • A local brand

Price: RM80.00

Where to buy: Carya Cosmetics

11. Eau Thermale Avène Day Protector Tinted UV SPF30

When your skin suffers from eczema and oversensitivity, searching for a suitable tinted sunscreen can be an uphill battle. You might have a better chance with Eau Thermale Avène’s Day Protector Tinted UV SPF30. Specially made for people with sensitive skin, this tinted sunscreen contains Avène’s Thermal Spring Water that has soothing and anti-irritating properties. When worn daily, you can rest easy knowing that your skin has total photoprotection from molecular damage caused by sunlight. The sunscreen’s nude shade also helps to even out the complexion.

Why we love it:

  • Helps to soothe the skin
  • Fragrance-free
  • Provides photoprotective care

Price: RM86.70

Where to buy: Shopee

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