The 8 Best Foundations With SPF That Perfect And Protect (2024)

Sunscreen is a nonnegotiable step in any good skincare routine, and makeup with SPF makes it easy to boost your sun protection. Many dermatologists agree that it’s not sufficient on its own to protect against UV rays, since makeup is generally not applied as generously or as frequently as sunscreen should be. However, it doesn’t hurt to have a high-performing foundation that features added sun protection. Our pick for the best foundation with SPF overall, Shiseido’s Synchro Skin-Refreshing Foundation, maintains a fresh finish all day and helps shields skin against the sun’s rays.

Sun protection aside, a great foundation should tick a lot of boxes—shade, coverage, finish, formula and price. We rounded up the best foundations with SPF that meet these needs and more. From luxury brands like Armani and Yves Saint Laurent to drugstore staples from L’Oréal and IT Cosmetics, this list has something for everyone.

Best Foundation With SPF Overall

An Adaptive Formula That Holds Up Through The Day

Shades: 26 | SPF: 30 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

What’s notable: The longwear formula holds up despite oil, sweat and facial movements, so you don’t have to reapply your makeup.

What could be better: Some reviewers note that the color selection is lacking.

This innovative foundation features technology that’s designed to adapt to skin’s tone and texture for an accurate color match while resisting sebum production, facial movements and humidity throughout the day. Reviewers say the liquid formula goes on light and builds well without becoming cakey. Plus, the SPF 30 is a notch higher than the level of sun protection in many comparable formulas. It’s also free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, talc, oil, salicylic acid and fragrance.

Best Budget Foundation With SPF

A Drugstore Staple That's Lightweight And Buildable

L'Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation

Shades: 40 | SPF: 25 | Coverage: Medium to full | Finish: Natural

What’s notable: It’s formulated with oil absorbers so your skin can maintain a matte finish all day long.

What could be better: Those with dry skin may prefer a dewier formula.

This long-wearing foundation has a lightweight, buildable texture and gives medium to full coverage that lasts up to 24 hours. It’s non-comedogenic and formulated with three key oil absorbers that help protect against water and sweat so your makeup is less likely to transfer or smudge. It also comes in an expansive selection of shades to suit a variety of skin tones.

Best Luxury Foundation With SPF

A Weightless Formula That Blends Well

Armani Power Fabric Foundation

Shades: 30 | SPF: 25 | Coverage: Medium to full | Finish: Matte

What’s notable: This lightweight, long-wearing formula blends exceptionally well, giving medium to full coverage with a barely-there feel.

What could be better: Price may be expensive for those on a budget.

This buildable oil-to-powder foundation has a matte, non-drying finish and comes in 30 shades. It creates a blurring effect thanks to the brand’s patented technology that helps the formula blend more seamlessly with your skin. It’s also formulated to go on on comfortably over your skincare products and sunscreen without pilling.

Best Lightweight Foundation With SPF

A Gentle Option That's Geared Toward All Skin Types

Shades: 17 | SPF: 30 | Coverage: Light to medium | Finish: Natural

What’s notable: Skin-soothing ingredients make it a great option for sensitive skin.

What could be better: The 17 options in its shade range can be limiting.

Non-nano zinc oxide forms the base for this SPF 30-enhanced foundation that’s ideal for sensitive skin types. It’s a lightweight formula with buildable coverage that evens out redness but won’t mask your freckles. Ingredients like aloe vera and prickly pear extract round out this soothing, gentle product that’s also earned a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association.

Best Full-Coverage Foundation With SPF

A Breathable Liquid Foundation With A Flawless Finish

Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Foundation

Shades: 40 | SPF: 30 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

What’s notable: This foundation comes in a wide range of shades and includes ingredients that soften and smooth the skin.

What could be better: The thicker consistency and added fragrance may not appeal to everyone.

This blendable foundation delivers long-lasting full coverage that’s hydrating and lightweight so you won’t feel like you’re wearing a full face of makeup. The expansive shade range makes it easy to match your skin tone, and the hyaluronic acid-boosted formula nourishes skin for added comfort. It’s also formulated to suit a range of skin types without smudging or transferring.

Best Powder Foundation With SPF

A Skin-Enhancing Mineral Foundation

BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation

Shades: 30 | SPF: 15 | Coverage: Sheer to full | Finish: Natural

What’s notable: This powder foundation has a short list of ingredients that enhance radiance, and it layers well depending on the coverage you need.

What could be better: The SPF 15 is pretty minimal.

BareMinerals is a cult classic in the powder foundation category for a reason. The highly blendable loose powder can be applied for sheer to full coverage, leaving skin looking naturally radiant. And there are only five mineral ingredients in this product (not including talc), which contribute to its weightless texture and breathability. The titanium and zinc oxide in the formula make this a nice mineral-based option, but at just SPF 15, you’ll definitely want to pair this with a separate sunscreen.

Best Tinted Moisturizer With SPF

A Tinted Serum Featuring Complexion-Boosting Actives

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Shades: 30 | SPF: 40 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Radiant

What’s notable: It has a high SPF and skin-boosting actives that help protect, hydrate and refine the skin.

What could be better: The radiant finish of this foundation may veer too shiny for some.

Ilia’s Super Serum feels more like a tinted moisturizer with SPF (in fact it’s our best overall pick in this category) that combines skincare, sun protection and makeup into a single product. The ultra-lightweight formula includes potent actives like moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid, smoothing niacinamide and hydrating plant-based squalane. Those who prefer mineral sunscreens will appreciate the zinc oxide-based SPF in this product. It also comes in 30 different shades.

Best CC Cream With SPF

A Full-Coverage Foundation And Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen In One

MOST POPULAR

IT Cosmetics CC+ Natural Matte

Shades: 30 | SPF: 40 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural matte

What’s notable: This foundation reduces shine for up to 16 hours and offers high SPF 40 broad-spectrum coverage.

What could be better: The oil-absorbing formula may be too drying for some.

Here’s another texture-enhancing foundation that relies on ingredients like hyaluronic acid for added moisture and aerated silica to soak up excess sebum. The creamy, balanced CC cream blurs imperfections and evens skin tone, giving a natural matte finish for a lit-from-within glow. It’s also sweat-proof and long-lasting, so it stays put once it’s on.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

At Forbes Vetted, our editors and contributors have published a number of expertly researched beauty and grooming articles. That includes multiple roundups of foundations, including lightweight and dewy options and those for combination and dry skin.

  • Jessica Timmons, the author of this article, is a regular contributor with more than a decade of experience covering beauty and lifestyle topics.
  • Deputy beauty editor Jane Sung, who has been covering beauty and grooming topics for over 15 years, assigned and edited this article and approved all of the picks featured.
  • We also consulted with several skincare and makeup experts for their insights into foundations with SPF. Director of dermatology at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC Dr. Jody A. Levine, Florida-based aesthetician Alexis Pfropper and celebrity makeup artist Tamara Delbridge all offered helpful guidance.

How We Chose The Best Foundations With SPF

To find the best foundations with SPF, we researched top-rated products from our favorite brands. We also consulted our team of editors and contributors and asked skincare and makeup experts for recommendations.

  • We referenced Forbes Vetted’s database of foundation stories to find top contenders in relevant categories.
  • We considered SPF number and type, shade range, coverage and finish to find a variety of foundations that suit different skin needs.
  • Since your budget may vary, we also made a point of including products that span a range of price points.
  • We also checked customer reviews for direct feedback on product testing and evaluation.
The 8 Best Foundations With SPF That Perfect And Protect (2024)

FAQs

What is the best foundation for the sun? ›

Our pick for the best foundation with SPF overall, Shiseido's Synchro Skin-Refreshing Foundation, maintains a fresh finish all day and helps shields skin against the sun's rays. Sun protection aside, a great foundation should tick a lot of boxes—shade, coverage, finish, formula and price.

What is the absolute best foundation for aging skin? ›

  • Best Drugstore. L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Serum Foundation. PHOTO: ...
  • Best Light Coverage. Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation. ...
  • Best With SPF. BareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Foundation. ...
  • Best for Over 40. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation. ...
  • Best for Over 50. Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation.
May 6, 2024

Are foundations with SPF effective? ›

Unfortunately, the SPF in makeup probably isn't enough to limit the harmful effects of the sun's skin-burning ultraviolet (UV) rays, says Dr. Kassouf. In fact, at best you're probably getting about half the protection you think.

Why is SPF in foundation not enough? ›

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) in foundation may not be as effective as standalone sunscreen for several reasons: Insufficient Application: To achieve the stated SPF level on the product, you need to apply a generous amount of foundation, typically around 1/4 teaspoon for the face alone.

Which foundation is best in summer? ›

Our favourite sweat-proof foundations for summer
  • Hourglass. Veil hydrating skin tint foundation. ...
  • Fenty Beauty. Pro filt'r soft matte longwear foundation. ...
  • Sisley Paris. Phyto-teint ultra éclat radiance boosting foundation. ...
  • Pat Mcgrath Labs. ...
  • Giorgio Armani. ...
  • Tom Ford Beauty. ...
  • Chanel Beauty. ...
  • Charlotte Tilbury.
May 20, 2024

What makeup should I wear in the sun? ›

Under a blazing sun, a full face of makeup can feel heavy and even turn runny. Instead of a full beat, keep your makeup light. Start with sunscreen, then follow up with a tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or face powder. Alternatively, keep your skin bare and spot-correct with your favorite concealer.

Can foundation protect your face from the sun? ›

Unfortunately, it's not enough to count on your makeup for sun protection. The reason? It's unlikely you're applying enough foundation to get the full benefits of its SPF (sun protection factor).

What foundation does not sit in wrinkles? ›

Make Up For Ever Reboot Active Care Foundation

Just one layer of foundation helps reduce the look of redness and evens out the complexion. It blends well with other makeup formulas and never creases or settles into wrinkles.

What foundation do older celebrities use? ›

Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation, $69. Budget-Friendly Pick: e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation, $6. Top-Rated on Amazon: Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation, $19.99 $14.73. Drugstore Pick: L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation, $17.99 $14.17.

What brand of makeup is best for older skin? ›

Finding The Best Foundation For Mature Skin
  • Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick.
  • NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation.
  • Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder.
  • Bareminerals Complexion Rescue.
  • Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation.
  • Kevyn Aucoin Etherealist.
  • L'Oreal Age Perfect BB Cover.
  • Max Factor Healthy Skin Harmony Foundation.
5 days ago

Which is No 1 foundation? ›

Foundation Price List
FoundationPrice
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte+Poreless Liquid Foundation 16H Oil Control SPF22₹389
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte+Poreless Liquid Foundation Tube₹214
Maybelline New York Super Stay Lumi-Matte Liquid Foundation₹799
M.A.C Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation₹3600
2 more rows

What foundation do most makeup artists use? ›

RCMA Makeup Foundation

RCMA's foundations are a favorite among Hollywood makeup artists for its medium to full coverage, including Jennifer Daranyi.

Should you wear SPF under foundation? ›

“For maximum protection, sunscreen should be applied directly onto skin, underneath any makeup, other moisturizers or skin-care products. You can put sunscreen on over your foundation, but ideally you would wash it all off and reapply — although we know most women won't really do that,” says Dr.

What is the SPF factor in foundation? ›

What Does the SPF Number Mean? The SPF number tells you how long the sun's UV radiation would take to redden your skin when using the product exactly as directed versus the amount of time without any sunscreen. So ideally, with SPF 30 it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren't wearing sunscreen.

What is the highest functional SPF? ›

The SPF label means that a product blocks and absorbs UVB rays which are the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun's UVB rays. The highest SPF is 100 and blocks out 99% of UVB rays.

What is the best foundation to stay on all day? ›

The 6 best full coverage foundations 2024 (tried and tested)
  • Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation. ...
  • Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation. ...
  • Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup. ...
  • Fenty Beauty PRO FILT'R Soft Matte Longwear Foundation. ...
  • VICHY Dermablend Concealing Foundation with SPF 35.
Mar 20, 2024

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