Skin tints for dry skin

[esthergarcii]

Hi! I have pretty normal skin type but during the cold seasons my skin tends to be more dry or have dry patches. 
I’m looking for a skin tint that feels hydrating, like skincare, with sheer coverage (just to tone down the redness on my sensitive skin).

I used to use Nars pure radiant moisturizer but it felt heavy on my skin…
Do you have any suggestion?

Maybe Ilia, Saie, BareMinerals… 

[WinglessOne]

Hi @esthergarcii ! First I have to ask: do you amp up the hydration and moisturization in your skincare routine during cold seasons? That can help resolve your dry patch issues. 

Spoiler

I have mostly-dry combo skin and live in Chicago, so I'm used to frigid weather drying and chapping the heck out of my skin if I don't boost my hydration and moisturization game each winter. I also have surface redness, and my skin's quite reactive/inflammation-prone (on my whole body, not just my face). 

On subzero days, I apply a thin layer of petrolatum-based balm over my daily moisturizer to protect my skin from dryness and windburn. Sometimes I apply it to my whole face; other times, I apply it only where my skin tends to get dry patches (my nose and cheeks). My favorite products for this are Aquaphor Ointment and CeraVe Healing Ointment, but plain ol' petroleum jelly would also work. A thick dimethicone balm like Aveeno's could also work, though it won't be as occlusive (moisture loss preventing) as petrolatum. 

I also apply sunscreen on top of moisturizer + petrolatum balm. Sometimes a good moisturizing sunscreen is the only 2nd layer (atop my usual moisturizer) I need. 

To calm my usual surface redness, I use either a centella asiatica serum (COSRX Pure Fit Cica Serum), colloidal oat mask ( The INKEY List Oat Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm 5 oz/ 150 mL ), or a serum that contains mostly licorice root (It's Skin Power 10 Formula LI Effector) in the morning. Those 2 serums also contain humectants, so they're great hydrators as well as skin soothers. 

I haven't used a skin tint in a while, but I do occasionally use Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer as a sunscreen. It feels emollient on my skin thanks to the grape seed oil and argan oil it contains. If you already know those 2 oils feel too heavy or greasy on your skin (grape seed's fairly lightweight, but argan can feel heavier/thicker), then you might not like this product. But it works well for my skin, even when I apply the generous amount needed for adequate UV protection. (Sometimes I do apply it over a different sunscreen.) 

I wasn't a fan of the ILIA skin tint: it always pills on my skin and smells like old school poster paint on my face all day. Your experience may differ, of course; plenty of folks love that product. I've always had trouble finding a workable shade match of the NARS tinted moisturizer—plus, older formulations of that last one often irritated my skin. I remember the original version of bareMinerals Mini COMPLEXION RESCUE™ Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF 30 had a texture that felt weird on my skin, and something on the INCI list irritated my face. I haven't tried it since it first launched though, so bareMinerals might've tweaked/improved the formulation since then. Again, your experience may vary. 🙂 

I like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector but you might find it feels a bit heavy since you didn't like the NARS tinted moisturizer. (The LM Skin Perfector contains moisturizing shea butter.) I haven't tried Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Light Revealer Natural Skin Illuminator so I can't speak to that one. But since it's just SPF 25, I recommend you don't rely on it for UV protection; always apply a separate sunscreen beneath it. 

I hope you find something that works well for you! 

[esthergarcii]

OMG! Thank you so much for the time you took answering my questions, I would definitely try that trick on my cheeks, I have been using hydrating serums and moisturizers and my skin feels great at first but during the day it’s start to dry a lot… I’m gonna try those products and maybe I should add some mist too. Again, thank you so much 

[itsfi]

Hi @esthergarcii! ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation Bom Bom ST5 has a lovely formulation that might be just what you are looking for - the serum feels hydrating and moisturizing on the skin, and I’ve found the product to do a nice job of evening out skin tone (I have some redness on my cheeks).

[esthergarcii]

Thank you!! I’m definitely trying this product and Saie’s skin tint too!!