I hate to break it to you, but wearing a foundation with SPF shouldn’t replace your regular sunscreen. I know using sunscreen can feel like such an extra step, but dermatologists can’t stress the importance of wearing it enough. If you are, however, interested in snagging some makeup that can boost your regular sunscreen, then you’ve come to the right place!
I asked a board-certified dermatologist to give us a bit more insight on the best foundations with SPF, and we’ve provided a few of our own picks in this particular category below. For all our recs, keep scrolling.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation SPF 50+ ($47)
Best Powder: Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation SPF 20/15 ($46)
Best Skin Tint: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation ($48)
Best Luxury: Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup SPF 15 ($55)
Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation SPF 25 ($14)
Best for Dry Skin: Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Makeup Foundation SPF 45 ($54)
Best for Oily Skin: BareMinerals BarePro 24HR Wear Skin-Perfecting Matte Liquid Foundation Mineral SPF 20 ($44)
Best for Combination Skin: Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25 ($42)
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Clinique Serum Foundation 24HR Wear Skin-Perfecting Matte Liquid Foundation Mineral SPF 20 ($44)
What Benefits Does a Foundation With SPF Provide for Your Skin?
Foundations with SPF add an extra layer of sun protection. Board-certified dermatologist Tiffany Libby, MD, explains a little further. “I call this SPF layering, and as long as you’ve applied your first proper layer of sunscreen to your head and neck, I am totally in favor of using foundation and concealers with SPF, as this will layer on more and help when you go to reapply,” she explains. “I still recommend applying your sunscreen as the last step of your a.m. skincare routine, and then you can apply your foundation with SPF next.”
Does Wearing Makeup With SPF Provide Enough Sun Protection?
Short answer: no. While wearing a foundation that contains some form of sun protection can be useful, you’re not applying enough foundation for it to be enough. Libby says, “The first application of sunscreen is the most important, as you are ensuring you are applying the adequate amount to your face and neck, which is two finger lengths, and you wouldn’t be applying that same amount in your foundation with SPF, so that is why it is extremely important to not rely solely on your foundation with SPF for adequate sun protection.”
To sum up, it’s great to have a foundation that contains SPF, but it’s still super key to use a layer of your regular sunscreen underneath your foundation to make sure you’re getting adequate protection. If you’ll be out in the sun and need to reapply throughout the day while wearing makeup, that’s when a setting spray with SPF can come in handy.
For all our favorite foundations that boost your level of sun protection, keep scrolling.
The Best Foundations With SPF
Best Overall: It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation SPF 50+
IT Cosmetics
CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation SPF 50+
This is Libby’s top pick for a foundation with SPF. “This is a fan favorite and has a cult following for a reason,” she says. “There are excellent shade ranges, and the foundation leaves a natural, breathable finish.”
Pros: Breathable finish, contains SPF 50+, great shade range
Cons: Expensive
Key Specs: SPF 50+, 1.08 oz, full coverage, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin E
Best Powder: Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation SPF 20/15
Jane Iredale
PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation SPF 20/15
If you prefer a powder SPF that can be touched up throughout the day, try Jane Iredale’s mineral formula with SPF 15 or 20 (depending on your shade). It provides buildable coverage and a second-skin finish. As a note, you have to buy the refillable compact separately.
Pros: Buildable coverage, semi-matte finish, provides SPF 15 or 20 sun protection, refillable compact
Cons: Powder formula may be too drying for some skin types
Key Specs: SPF 15 or 20, pomegranate extract, and pine bark extract
Best Skin Tint: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation
ILIA
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Skincare Foundation
Ilia’s Super Serum is labeled as both a skin tint and foundation because the coverage is that buildable. It’s formulated with SPF 40 and provides a radiant finish, but it’s also oil-free and less likely to cause breakouts for anyone who’s acne-prone.
Pros: Oil-free, provides dewy coverage, mineral SPF 40
Cons: Expensive
Key Specs: SPF 40, 1 oz, squalane, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
Best Luxury: Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup SPF 15
CHANEL
Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum Spf 15
This light- to medium-coverage foundation from Chanel gives the skin such a natural glow. You can thank the mineral powders and light-reflecting particles in it, which even out the complexion and leave it extra luminous.
Pros: Creates a natural-looking glow, light-to-medium coverage, SPF 15 sun protection
Cons: Expensive
Key Specs: SPF 15, 1 oz, medium coverage, hyaluronic acid
Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation SPF 25
L’Oréal Paris
L’oreal Paris Infallible 24hr Fresh Wear Foundation With SPF 25 – 460 Golden Beige – 1 Fl Oz
This drugstore formula is budget-friendly, provides SPF 25 sun protection, and can stay fresh for up to 24 hours.
Pros: Formulated to suit most skin types, noncomedogenic, lightweight, breathable coverage, SPF 25 sun protection, budget-friendly
Cons: Contains oil-absorbers that may not suit dry skin types
Key Specs: SPF 25, medium-to-full coverage, 1 oz
Best for Dry Skin: Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Makeup Foundation SPF 45
Estée Lauder
Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Makeup Foundation SPF 45
Soothing, plumping hydration makes this a great option for dry and mature skin types. It’s also breathable, provides medium-to-full coverage, and to top it off, has SPF 45.
Pros: Medium-to-full coverage, radiant finish, extra hydrating, smooths and plumps the skin, provides SPF 45 sun protection
Cons: Expensive
Key Specs: SPF 45, medium-to-full coverage, 1.2 oz, chia seed extract, ion-charged water
Best for Oily Skin: BareMinerals BarePro 24HR Wear Skin-Perfecting Matte Liquid Foundation Mineral SPF 20
BareMinerals
BarePro 24HR Wear Skin-Perfecting Matte Liquid Foundation Mineral SPF 20
Radiation oncologist Madhu Shetti, MD, recommends BareMinerals products with SPF. This foundation contains a mineral SPF 20, is oil-free and noncomedogenic, and provides a matte finish, making it a great option for oily skin.
Pros: Contains mineral SPF 20, noncomedogenic, oil-free, matte finish
Cons: Expensive
Key Specs: SPF 20, full coverage, 1.0 oz, pomegranate peel extract
Best for Combination Skin: Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
Kosas
Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
This foundation is a makeup-skincare hybrid at its finest. It contains superstar ingredients like niacinamide and caffeine to brighten the skin and even out tone while squalane, arnica, and provitamin B5 balance the skin’s oil and moisture levels.
Pros: Brightens, smooths, and evens skin tone; medium coverage; squalane and provitamin B5 balance skin’s oil levels
Cons: May not be suitable for highly sensitive skin
Key Specs: SPF 25, medium coverage, 1 oz, niacinamide, caffeine, squalane, peptides, hyaluronic acid
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF 25
CLINIQUE
Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF 25
Clinique’s full-coverage formula dries down to a matte finish and contains SPF 25. It also contains a bit of salicylic acid to help with breakouts and hyaluronic acid to soothe and hydrate.
Pros: Full-coverage formula, dries matte, contains SPF 25, salicylic acid helps with breakouts
Cons: Expensive
Key Specs: SPF 25, full coverage, 1 oz, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C
More Foundations With SPF We Love
MAC
Studio Fix Fluid 24hr Matte Foundation + Oil Control SPF 15
Bobbi Brown
Skin Long-Wear Weightless Liquid Foundation SPF 15
Colorscience
Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50
