Tinted moisturiser? Help please!

[Blue1876]

I'm pretty useless with makeup and skincare and could really use some advice from you lovely people. I'm mid 30s, very much combination skin, (not-so) fine lines, enlarged pores and some patchy redness. I don't wear foundation (closest I've ever really come to that is pressed powder) but realise I really do need some light coverage at least. Can anybody recommend a good tinted moisturiser / BB / CC cream? Bonus points for SPF and cruelty free if possible. Also, how do you select the right shade?! Assume trying these things in store may still be tricky, might need to order online?! Thanks so much for your help!

Tropic is a bit of a MLM which I’m usually very wary of but I’ve tried a few bits and been impressed. I think this would fit the bill for you:

tropicskincare.com/products/beauty-booster-sheer-foundation?variant=19118805745737

Erborian dull correct! It's like a moisturiser and has spf. So lovely!

I love Trinny BFF.

Bobbi brown is always good
Laura Mercier was always the Best but I think they may have reduced the shades

Bobbie brown counters can be found in any big dept store so unless you live in the sticks you should be able to go test them - make up counter makeovers be open shortly.

It’s not a good thing to buy online...

I really love the Nars one

The NARS one is fantastic.

Laura Mercier or Trinny London BFF

Erborian BB cream has a lovely blurring effect on my fine lines and pores and evens out my skin tone. It has SPF in but I'm not sure if its cruelty free. You can buy travel sizes to test out. It has a little more coverage than a tinted moisturiser.

It cosmetics cc cream - gorgeous coverage without sitting in lines and pores. Not matte but not too dewy, lasts forever and a huge range of colours. Usually have a counter in the bigger boots stores so you can swatch.
I also love NYX, but you defo need to try them out because they can run quite yellow.

Just an aside you will never use enough cc/bb cream or foundation to reap the benefits of spf. It's fine if you're using that in addition to a stand alone spf but defo not a replacement for one.

Laura Mercier and no 7
Both good.

Do try tinted freziderm sunblock. I’m 57, still greasy (which, trust me, you will be very grateful for when you’re my age, I have hardly any wrinkles, woohoo ). Excellent Matt coverage that stays matt for at least 4 hours, in 30 degrees. Then, blot, whack a bit more on and you’re good to go for another four hours. It’s feels velvety and smells nice too. The coverage is equal to most foundations without the heaviness, which is a huge plus.

I’m really impressed by the Clinique B.B. moisturiser, it’s oil free and you can add one of the “shots” to it. I’m 57 so have chosen to add the “shot” for uneven skin. It really is very good and I use it daily instead of foundation. It’s a proper medium colour so I wouldn’t advise it if you were fair skinned.
Another good one is the Boots No7 “intelligent foundation” (I use medium) it adjusts to your skin tone and it’s more like a tinted moisturiser (no shine, though) than an actual foundation. You honestly can’t go wrong with it .... just slap it on and it seems to just adapt to your skin quite effortlessly.

Thank you all so so much for your brilliant, helpful suggestions! Really useful for someone a bit clueless about these things. Seems there are several products out there that would be great to try (I've not even heard of most the brands!!). Maybe I'll even try to pick up a couple of different ones that offer slightly different things and see how I get on with them. Thanks so much again!

Another vote for the bars one - I’ve tried them all and it’s just the best!

*NARS

I really like the new Fenty eaze drop. It’s sheer and light, since it’s more of a tint the shade match isn’t totally crucial as it’s quite flexible and really just smooths out imperfections (doesn’t cover them completely but it tones down my redness while still giving the appearance of my natural skin showing through). I ordered 2 shades and gave the other one to my sister as it was perfect for her, I find it best to apply with fingers in case you do go for it. Sponges and brushes tend to absorb a bit and when it’s such lightweight product you’d end up losing quite a lot overall.
Worth noting that Boots were offering returns on foundation at the moment while we can’t go into store and test them out so maybe get yourself on the website and choose a few. I haven’t used that option myself but I’ve read about it somewhere and seems like a very logical scheme!

Just to add to my recommendations above - Laura Mercier and Trinny London - you still do need a light moisturiser underneath, they’re not enough on their own. I treat them as light foundations rather than moisturisers.

DenisetheMenace after reading your post, and being the same age and with quite similar skin I ordered the Frezyderm tinted sunblock and it’s really good ..... goes on easily, matt (but not flat ) and good coverage.
OP ignore what I said and try this ! It’s really good

Smash box primer or chanel tinted moisturiser are both very good.

Trinny DeStress is lovely