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Sun protection is having a better year than most. We’ve seen a surplus of SPF pop up in body lotions, lip balms, and even added a few tinted versions to our beauty arsenal. That brings us to the next stop on sunscreen's beauty tour: makeup. If you're a fan of tinted sunscreens, which offer broad spectrum protection with sheer coverage to avoid white casts, the best foundations with sunscreens may be your next best purchase.
“Nowadays, most foundations have sunscreen, and for good reason. The best way to find the right foundation is to color match for the right shade,” explains celebrity makeup artist Brielle Pollara. Foundations that contain SPF add an extra layer of sun protection, although the SPF in foundations don’t provide enough sun protection (two-finger rule, people!). “If your favorite foundation doesn’t have SPF, you can apply SPF first, then follow up with your favorite foundation,” Pollara adds.
Shopping for foundation is already a battle in itself. Add sunscreen to the mix, and now there are additional things to consider, from the SPF number to the added skin care ingredients. Here at ELLE.com, we’re no chemists, but we are experts at sourcing top-notch suncare products. We consulted a celebrity makeup artist, perused ELLE editors’ foundation collections, and pored over dozens of online reviews to bring you the 14 best foundations with sunscreen money can buy.
Pros
Full-coverage
Cons
Can feel greasy for some
For seamless full coverage that’ll rival your favorite regular foundation, Tower28’s tinted sunscreen foundation takes the cake. The texture is lightweight with enough weight to cover blemishes and dark marks, leaving the skin protected, even-toned, and sun-ready.
SPF: 30
Size: 1 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’m normally not a big fan of foundation because I find that they cover my freckles, but I love that Tower 28’s SunnyDays is lighter coverage and has a glowy finish. It does a great job of evening out my skin tone. The SPF is a major bonus, especially when I’m planning on being in the sun a lot—I’ll layer it on top of my usual SPF for an extra boost.”—Katie Berohn, beauty editor
Pros
Crease-free formula
Cons
Can feel heavy for some
Coupling foundation with sunscreen can sound like a big, gloopy mess. However, Shiseido cracked the code with its Synchro Skin foundation. Hidden in its luminosity is a moisture-rich formula that keeps your makeup crease- and transfer-free.
SPF: 30
Size: 1.2 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Even when my skin was at its worst—in other words, peppered with breakouts and dry spots—this formula would smooth over it and hide pretty much everything. The finish is glowy but not shiny, and it’s one of those wonderful foundations that has fantastic coverage yet keeps your skin looking like skin. Plus, the shade match is spot on for me. Always love when that happens.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty commerce writer
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Pros
Easily blendable
Cons
Thick formula
Here’s a powerhouse formula that touches on every concern in just a few pumps. The IT Cosmetics sunscreen foundation color corrects, provides full coverage, and protects against harmful sun rays with SPF 50. Hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide, and more skin-loving ingredients are packed in this tube to ensure your skin is getting the proper treatment it deserves underneath makeup. “One of my favorite foundations that contain sunscreen is IT Cosmetics CC + Full Coverage Foundation with 50+ SPF. The formula is creamy and buildable and is full coverage! This is a great foundation for everyday use or a full glam moment,” says celebrity makeup artist Brielle Pollara.
SPF: 50
Size: 1.08 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This foundation was my introduction to It Cosmetics. Thanks to a constellation of post-inflammatory marks on my face that have yet to fade, I never looked at a foundation sunscreen because I knew it wouldn’t provide an adequate amount of coverage to hide my marks. Little did I know It Cosmetics would change my mind. The formula is thick enough to conceal everything but still breathable and doesn’t make me look like a caked-up mess.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Pros
Reduces redness and irritation
Cons
May not be best for oily skin
A makeup product that reduces irritation and protects the skin as it hydrates sounds too good to be true, but it’s all made possible thanks to Estee Lauder’s fan-favorite foundation sunscreen. Formulated with SPF 45, chia seed extract, and probiotics, this foundation is basically a life vest for your skin that also makes you look photo-ready.
SPF: 45
Size: 1.2 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “So in love with this makeup! I have eczema, so I have super dry skin and also have acne scars; let me tell you, this makeup covers all my scars up and moisturizes my skin at the same time! I’m so in love! I was so scared this would just end up looking oily and greasy on my face but it doesn’t do either! Definitely found my new foundation! Oh and it has SPF 45!?! What’s there not to love! A must buy!”
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Pros
Light, breathable coverage
Cons
Not long-lasting
Ease into the foundation-sunscreen one-two punch with this beginner-friendly formula from Ilia. Coverage is minimal, and enough pigment evens out your skin tone on days you just want to look like the Paris filter-like version of yourself. This tint features the hydration big three—hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalane—to restore moisture and plumpness to the skin.
SPF: 40
Size: 1 fl oz
Sephora rating: 3.7/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “I’m obsessed with this product. I’m on my fourth bottle. It plumps the skin and leaves a beautiful, glowy finish. It can be layered for extra coverage if needed, but it leaves skin looking flawless. The smell lasts for maybe 2 minutes. Would recommend using a small drying fan to expedite dry time.”
Pros
Affordable
Cons
Could use a better shade range
For under $15, you can have a brighter, even complexion. Nestled in your drugstore aisle is this handy foundation, which features SPF 25 and thin but medium to buildable coverage that looks fresh for hours on end.
SPF: 25
Size: 1 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “This is the best foundation I’ve ever used. It is so lightweight, yet it still gives me coverage. This lasts me a while, and I wear makeup almost every day. I recommend this for individuals who are looking for some coverage but not hefty on their face. Please get it if you are considering it!”
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Pros
Lasts for hours
Cons
Heavily scented
If you’re after a gorgeous photoshoot visage, YSL’s All Hours foundation is exactly what you need. The matte finish feels almost invisible and contains hyaluronic acid to ensure your skin is moisturized and prepped for the next makeup step.
SPF: 30
Size: 0.85 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4,4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “When I wear this foundation, I want to take all the photos—someone call the paparazzi! It’s longwearing without being drying. My face only had a little shine at the end of the day—and after 10 hours, that’s pretty good.” —Danielle James, digital beauty director
Pros
Oil-control
Cons
Could use a better shade range
When your days call for something more easy-going and effortless, reach for this blurring foundation. Unlike other matte formulas that feel stiff and drying, Chanel’s iteration has an airy texture complete with transparent powders that provide a soft blurring effect.
SPF: 15
Size: 1 fl oz
Macy’s rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Macy’s reviewer said: “It doesn’t smear .. it’s amazing! Nice and soft ... LOVE it!”
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Pros
Easily blendable
Cons
Low SPF
As the name suggests, this product enhances your skin with hyaluronic acid, peptides, caffeine, and niacinamide. These ingredients work to plump, refresh, and smooth skin throughout the day.
SPF: 25
Size: 1 fl oz
Sephora rating: 3.7/5 stars
Our expert says: “Another one of my favorites that I use daily is the Kosas Skin Improving Foundation with SPF 25. This has light to medium coverage and is a great everyday foundation. It covers but is light and natural and also helps improve your skin!”—Brielle Pollara
Pros
Natural, radiant finish
Cons
Could use a better shade range
Calming and moisturizing, this tint is as lightweight as your favorite serum with a light-to-buildable coverage that makes you forget you’re wearing anything at all.
SPF: 50
Size: 1.28 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “I absolutely love this! I have combination skin and at the end of the day my skin still looks flawless. I’m over 50 and it doesn’t accentuate any wrinkles. I’ve tried so many and have been looking for a long time.”
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Pros
Subtle radiant finish
Cons
Low SPF
This foundation marries the longwear of a matte formula with a subtle, dewy radiance. With just a few pumps, pores appear smaller and skin looks brighter and refreshed.
SPF: 20
Size: 1.1 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “I am nearly 70 years old. I am constantly complimented on how beautiful my skin is. Although I have used good face care for years, this is the foundation I use and I know it is responsible for the very kind words I receive on almost a daily basis on the appearance of my skin.”
Pros
Controls shine
Cons
Can look a little cakey
No one likes to look at their makeup after a few hours and see all their hard work ruined by a poor-performing formula. It’s a good thing Armani Beauty’s Power Fabric foundation doesn’t deliver disappointing results. The matte finish sops up any excess oil and eliminates shine so that you can look flawless for longer.
SPF: 25
Size: 1 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “I have very oily skin, especially during the summer, and I have tried countless foundations. This one hands down does the job and kept my face flawless for my wedding. The only issue I had was I chose the wrong color, but that was my fault - I still wore it and loved it!”
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Pros
Talc-free
Cons
Super sheer coverage
You can’t talk about OG foundations without mentioning this Bare Minerals staple. Beyond its impressive shade range, this foundation is talc-free, full of minerals for a healthy base, and has a silky, luminous formula for radiant skin.
SPF: 15
Size: 0.28 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “My mother wasn’t a huge makeup-wearer, but this Bare Minerals foundation never left her stash, and was likely the first foundation I ever put on my face. I love how it doesn’t completely alter how I look. Instead, it makes me look like a more enhanced, luminous version of myself. Just a few dots of concealer and this power foundation makes all the difference.” —Nerisha Penrose
Pros
Radiant finish
Cons
Low SPF
Hyaluronic acid is the leading player in this composition, providing hydration, along with mandelic acid, to give your skin a smooth base for makeup application. The breathable texture can be built up to your desired coverage without looking too thick.
SPF: 27
Size: 1 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “I am so amazed by this foundation, it is easy to apply and the look is flawless on my face. Since it does have hyaluronic acid in the formula, skin feels perfectly hydrated, and skin looks smooth and radiant. The glow is just perfect and the coverage is light to medium in my eyes. I am a loyal Lancome customer, been using their skincare and make up for over 25 years. This foundation is a definite MUST in my makeup routine. Thank you Lancome!!”
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Is makeup application different with this formula versus foundation without SPF?
“Sometimes foundations that contain SPF can be a little thicker but ultimately aren’t much different. The same application you use for your foundations without SPF can be used for the foundations that do contain sunscreen,” says celebrity makeup artist Brielle Pollara.
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Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose consulted a makeup artist to find the best foundations with SPF on the market.
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Shop More ELLE Beauty Essentials
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The Best Concealers to Erase Dark Circles