Finding the best foundation for your skin type is difficult enough, but add face sunscreen and you’re suddenly cosplaying a cosmetic chemist, peering at ingredient lists and hoping for a perfect finish. Foundation with SPF is a multitasking hero that serves as both sun-protective skin care and a nice touch to any cosmetic regimen, but not all formulas are the same. Some promise protection but fall off before lunch, while others blend onto your skin so well you forget you’re wearing it. “Foundation with SPF is beneficial, but it works best as part of a comprehensive sun protection strategy, rather than as your primary defense,” explains Pooja Rambhia, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York. In other words, SPF in your foundation is a plus, not a replacement.
That’s why we looked at the most popular foundations with SPF. With the assistance of our testers with varied skin types, we chose 15 top-rated SPF foundations and evaluated them based on coverage, texture, finish, and transfer resistance. With physicians and expert makeup artists on board, we were particularly critical of which foundation formulas stood up to scrutiny. What was the result? A list of ten of the best foundations with SPF that not only make your skin seem beautiful but also protect it from sun damage. Nothing is more vital than safeguarding your skin.
Why We Love It: If you want to get that “my skin but glowier” look, this Nars tinted moisturizer is like your complexion’s cool older sister—effortless, radiant, and always wearing sunscreen. This product is lightweight and buildable, providing sheer, natural coverage that evens out your skin tone without hiding its natural texture. It also contains vitamin C, which helps to brighten skin over time, and French Polynesian Kopara, which provides hydration and produces a softer, smoother complexion. Our tester discovered that the formula’s natural and lightweight feel makes it ideal for incorporating into a summer makeup routine because it cares for the skin while providing oil-free coverage.
Who This Is For: This tinted moisturizer is ideal for folks with regular to dry skin (or anyone who prefers their makeup to seem dewy rather than done up). It’s excellent for low-maintenance beauty enthusiasts, summer skin minimalists, or anybody looking for a natural glow. Furthermore, the SPF 30 ensures that your skin remains protected even if you appear to be completely sunburned.
Chelsea, a tester with dry skin, says, “Because this is a tinted moisturizer, I’d say it has sheer to medium coverage. It applies very lightly and naturally. For me, I don’t have acne, thus this simply evened out my skin tone. “I think it’s the perfect coverage for the summer when you don’t want to wear much makeup.”
Why We Love It: Do you appreciate the notion of a full-coverage foundation but dislike the experience of wearing one? The Bobbi Brown liquid foundation with SPF is set to become your go-to. This oil-free formula, available in an astonishing 53 colors, lives true to its name—it’s breathable, silky-smooth, and feels lightweight on the face, while yet providing considerable coverage that lasts up to 16 hours (even with heat, humidity, and a packed schedule). The smooth matte finish regulates shine without dulling your glow, achieving the ideal blend of polished and natural.
Who It’s For: The InStyle crew enjoys the variety of hue options available in this liquid foundation. While our tester discovered that the product did not hide flaws in one layer, it may be built up to do so with another layer. This non-caking, crease-resistant, and fade-resistant solution is suitable for all skin types and provides additional protection with SPF 15, as well as all-day oil control. It also contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and honey extract for long-term hydration.
Wasimah, a tester with combination complexion, stated, “The shade match was perfect and looked very even on my skin.” I adored the smooth finish, which was a combination of dazzling and soft matte. It didn’t cover all of my darker flaws in the first layer, but it’s buildable and will most likely do so if I add another layer.
Why We Love It: Armani Beauty’s Power Fabric + Longwear Cover Foundation is exactly what it sounds like: a foundation with considerable staying power. This medium to full coverage product comes in 30 hues and means business. It effectively covers everything from hyperpigmentation to dark spots in just a few pumps, while remaining surprisingly lightweight on the skin. What happens at the end? A smooth matte that appears polished and refined but still allows your natural skin to show through. Our tester appreciated that, while it disguised her flaws and evened out her complexion, it did not totally conceal her freckles, demonstrating that full coverage does not have to mean hiding everything.
Who This Is For: This foundation, made with unique technology that allows pigment to lay flat with a smooth mix, is ideal for long days, huge occasions, or any time you want your makeup to last through everything life throws at you. This Armani foundation is best suited for combination to oily skin types, as it controls oil without drying out or sinking into fine wrinkles. Additionally, the built-in SPF 25 provides an extra layer of sun protection. Consider it a small insurance policy for your perfect complexion.
Samantha, a tester with mixed skin, says, “I love how it seems like an everyday SPF tint with the opportunity to build. Running around all day or getting dressed quickly, this was really easy to blend in for a morning on the go with that extra protection; yet, if I was going out at night, I’d be able to add a little more with the addition of a powder, contour, and blush for the entire package. Overall, it is incredibly multifaceted.
