The 13 Best Foundations with SPF for an Extra Layer of Protection

• Full-coverage

• 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

• Crease-free formula

• 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

• Easily blendable

• 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

• Reduces redness and irritation

• 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!”

• Light, breathable coverage

• 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.”

• Affordable

• 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!”

• Lasts for hours

• 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

• Oil-control

• 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!”

• Easily blendable

• 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

• Subtle radiant finish

• 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.”

• Controls shine

• 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!”

• Talc-free

• 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

• Radiant finish

• 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!!”

“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.

Brielle Pollara is an NYC-based celebrity makeup artist.

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.