Bare Minerals is well known for their natural, mineral-based makeup — who hasn’t seen the infomercial with ‘swirl, tap, and buff’?
But did you know that Bare Minerals also produces several collections of clean skin care products?
One of those products is the Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer, formally known as Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream.
It’s an oil-free face moisturizer that offers 100% mineral-based broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. Plus, this product comes in 20 different shades so that you can choose your perfect tint to even out your complexion, leaving you with dewy, natural-looking coverage.
But is Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer right for you? To help you decide, we’ll give you all the details on the key ingredients in this formula, as well as the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skin care.
We’ll also share some Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of this product.
Is Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer Right For You?
Before we get into the details, here’s the TL;DR if you just want to know whether or not Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer is right for you.
- Key ingredients? Titanium Dioxide, Humectants, Hyaluronic Acid, Emollients
- Skin type? All skin types
- Texture? Lightweight Gel Cream
- Fragrance? No
- Cruelty free? Yes
- Cost? $33 USD for 1.18 fl oz
- EWG Rating? 4
Who is Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer Best For?
Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer is suitable for all skin types, and it’s best for those looking for buildable, sheer-to-medium coverage with broad spectrum 100% mineral protection from UV rays. It’s non-comedogenic and oil-free, so those with oily/acne-prone skin can use this product without worrying about breakouts. It is also dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic.
What Are The Key Ingredients in Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer?
In order to determine how well Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer performs, we’ll have to evaluate the key ingredients in this formula. Let’s get started.
Titanium Dioxide
The active ingredient in Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer is 6.2% Titanium Dioxide, a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens work by using physical UV filters to block or deflect the sun’s UV rays.
Physical sunscreens tend to be tolerated well by most skin types because they are not absorbed into the skin. Thus, they are especially useful for those with heat sensitive skin (i.e. rosacea patients) as well as those with acne-prone skin as they are typically less pore-clogging.
The concentration of titanium dioxide in Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. According to the FDA, broad spectrum means that the sunscreen can protect you from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
You may be aware that physical sunscreens like titanium dioxide can leave that dreaded white cast after application. Fortunately, the iron oxides in Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer create a tint that allows the formula to seamlessly blend into your skin tone to offset any whitening effect of titanium dioxide.
Humectants and Hyaluronic Acid
Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer is also formulated with plenty of ingredients that will help to hydrate the skin. For instance, you’ll find several different humectants in this product, including trehalose and glycerin. Humectants have the ability to attract and retain the moisture in the air nearby via absorption, drawing the water vapor into the upper layers of skin.
The formula also includes sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, a type of glycosaminoglycan (sugar molecule) that also attracts moisture from the environment and draws that moisture into the skin’s upper layers.
Sodium hyaluronate not only improves skin hydration, it can also help to give you a more plump, youthful complexion because the extra moisture is extra volume.
Emollients
Caprylic/capric triglyceride, a type of emollient, is another ingredient in the Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer that will aid in maintaining skin hydration. It’s rapidly absorbed into skin and provides a lightweight and non-greasy barrier of lubrication that helps to increase moisture retention at the skin’s surface.
Another beneficial emollient in this formula is squalane. Squalane is super-light, non-greasy, and sinks into the skin fast, yet it helps the skin to instantly feel soft and moisturized. It helps to replenish the natural squalene (note the e) found in your skin, thus keeping it soft, supple, and moisturized.
Mineral Electrolytes
Finally, the Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer contains a blend of energizing mineral electrolytes. The ingredients calcium (as calcium chloride) and magnesium (as magnesium hydroxide and magnesium chloride) help to replenish the skin while potassium (as potassium chloride) helps promote skin’s moisture balance. Replenishing the skin’s electrolytes can prevent dehydrated skin.
What’s Not in Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer
Sometimes what’s not in a formulation is as important as what is in a formulation. The Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer is formulated without the following ingredients:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Fragrance
- Chemical sunscreens
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Mineral oil
- Triclosan
- Formaldehyde
- Talc
- Gluten
- Animal-derived ingredients
How to Use Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer?
Squeeze a pearl-size amount of Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer onto clean hands or the Bare Minerals Smoothing Face Brush and build to your desired level of coverage.
Where to Buy Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer?
Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer and other Bare Minerals skin care products are sold on the brand’s website (bareminerals.com), as well as several third party online retailers, such as Ulta, Sephora, Amazon, and more.
How Much is Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer?
Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer costs $33 USD for 1.18 fl oz.
What is The Bare Minerals Return Policy?
The Bare Minerals return policy states, “If for any reason you are unsatisfied with your purchase, returns will be accepted within 30 days of receipt. Only items purchased on bareMinerals.com will be accepted for return by mail. If your items were purchased in a bareMinerals Boutique or through an authorized retailer, please return it to the location where it was purchased.”
Is Bare Minerals Cruelty Free?
Yes, Bare Minerals is cruelty free.
Is Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer Vegan?
Yes, Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer is vegan.
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer is formulated well, and we would recommend this product if you’re looking for buildable, sheer-to-medium coverage with broad spectrum 100% mineral protection.
Pros
- Beneficial key ingredients (titanium dioxide, humectants, hyaluronic acid, emollients)
- Provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection
- Many positive Bare Minerals Tinted Moisturizer reviews
- Fragrance free
- Bare Minerals is cruelty free
Cons
- Some reviews mention that it made imperfections look worse
References:
FDA “Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun”
