Award-winning Tinted Moisturisers

As usual, in the run-up to summer, we've been trialling everything under the sun, product-wise, with each product put through their paces by 10-women tester panels to see which really delivers the goods. We thought we'd start with tinted moisturisers - the perfect downshift from full-on foundation, now that it's sunnier out there.  But which to choose...?  Our testers rated these most highly.  

Aveda Inner Light Sheer Mineral Tinted Moisture SPF15

Oil-free, non-acnegeic blend with mineral-derived sunscreen (titanium dioxide) plus hydrating coconut and jojoba seed, anti-pollutant resveratrol and Aveda’s signature tourmaline for radiance.

Comments:  ‘Ticks all the boxes: didn't need moisturiser underneath, blends easily, and I love that it looks so natural’ • ‘the best tinted moisturiser I have used; people keep saying how well and rested I look’ • 'doesn't settle into fine lines - in fact lines around my lips looked much softer - and does hide open pores, though not blemishes or pigmentation’ • 'love the smooth, even, satiny, dewy finish'.

Aveda Inner Light Sheer Mineral Tinted Moisture SPF15 in six shades/£24 for 50ml - buy here 

Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF15

This gel/cream, which you can apply with a foundation brush - or fingers, promises stay-true colour for up to 12 hours. With aloe to give an immediate boost of moisture, it gives a veil of colour plus a little coverage. For all skin types.

Comments: ‘Fantastic product; gave an even dewy finish – even looked a bit plumped’ • ‘loved the effect over my regular moisturiser (I have dry skin), gave a slight radiance; I felt good and was complimented!’ • 'easy to apply moisturiser/foundation hybrid that’s perfect for summer’ • 'covered open pores well, and slightly camouflaged pigmentation and tread veins’.

Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF15 in six shades/£21 for 24ml - buy here

Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive Tint Broad Spectrum SPF30

Formulated for touchy skin (including recently resurfaced), this contains microcapsules with UV-activated vitamins C and E, to protect skin against UV and help minimise inflammation. With skin-soothing botanicals, it uses minerals to tint skin and provide a chemical-free sunscreen.

Comments: ‘Loved this product, which was very moisturising, covered evenly and covered small blemishes slightly’ • ‘gave a sort of candle-lit glow that looked as if I’d had a few days holiday: my boyfriend said I looked well' • ‘I still needed a little concealer but a colleague said my skin was glowing and I looked radiant!’ • ‘quick and easy to apply; perfect to protect my sensitive skin’.

Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive Tint Broad Spectrum SPF30/£39 for 50ml - buy here

Estee Lauder DayWear Anti-Oxidant BB Crème SPF35

Available in two shades, and designed for all skin types, this multi-benefit (BB stands for Beauty Benefit in this case) cream claims to protect, perfect and moisturise skin all at once. With eight-hour anti-ageing protection and shine control, it aims to brighten skin rather than tint it.

Comments: ‘My whole face glowed with a healthy polished radiance – a confidence booster in a tube!' • ‘didn't settle into lines as foundation tends to; felt it gave all day moisture. Several people said I looked really good' • 'skin appeared to glow and was even-looking. Gave light coverage, enough for daytime on a good skin’ • 'would definitely wear in summer for the light coverage and sun protection’.

Estee Lauder DayWear Anti-Oxidant BB Crème SPF35/£32 for 30ml - buy here

Soap & Glory Make Yourself Youthful CC Superfluid SPF 15

From all-round skin queen Marcia Kilgore, this CC (colour correct), tinted, very lightweight fluid boasts ‘Lightscrambling Superblur Micromesh’ to camouflage wrinkles, crows’ feet and enlarged pores plus a bevy of botanicals to lighten blemishes and give skin lots of TLC. Makes a great primer before foundation, too.

Comments: ‘Top marks: my husband said how lovely and healthy my skin looked, it even covered dark circles' • 'superlight, almost runny, fluid really helped toned down the redness and disguise fine lines’ • ‘skin felt hydrated and smoother; definitely made it looked more even toned and brighter without being shiny' • 'two layers gives me more coverage without looking cakey – love it!’

Soap & Glory Make Yourself Youthful CC Superfluid SPF 15/£14 for 30ml - buy here

Lulu loves…

'A quick hit of healthy, sunshine-y glow to my face always makes me look and feel better, no matter what the time of year. My “liquid sunshine” is Holiday In A Bottle from Time Bomb Cosmetics (which I co-founded in 2007). It contains micro-pigments that burst on contact and spread translucent colour evenly to warm and enhance your face colour.’ In two shades, Sun-kissed and Suntanned.

Time Bomb Cosmetics Holiday in a Bottle/£28 for 30ml - buy here