You probably don’t need us to tell you that wearing sunscreen every day is among the best things you can do for your skin. If you’re someone who wears makeup every day, swapping your usual foundation for a formula with sunscreen can be a great way to level up your routine. While even the best foundation with SPF can’t replace sunscreen entirely, it can be a helpful way to give your skin an extra layer of protection. Ahead, we’ll explain how to use SPF foundation properly, share tips on picking the best formula for your skin type and needs, and offer up a look at 15 of our favorite foundations with SPF to use all spring and summer long.Why Use a Foundation With SPF? Using a foundation with sunscreen effectively kills two birds with one stone. On the one hand, these SPF-infused formulas can help protect against harmful UV rays that can cause burns and sun damage. At the same time, they work as makeup, evening out your skin tone to help create a smooth, uniform base for the rest of your products. SPF foundations can be especially useful for those who tend to find that traditional sunscreens leave behind a white or chalky cast. The pigments in these formulas can help offset any chalkiness and ensure your skin looks fresh, not flat. Keep in mind, however, that SPF foundation shouldn’t be your sole source of sun protection. As the Skin Cancer Foundation notes, to obtain adequate protection from your chosen sunscreen, you should be using about an ounce for your entire body (or a nickel-sized dollop for your face alone). You also need to reapply your sunscreen at least every two hours to keep your skin protected. People don’t generally apply that much foundation, so it’s always best to layer your SPF foundation over a traditional sunscreen to ensure you’re keeping your skin protected. For tips on how to reapply SPF without messing up your makeup, check out our article Asked On Reddit: How To Reapply Sunscreen When Wearing Makeup.How To Choose the Right Foundation With SPF The best foundation with SPF is subjective and depends largely on your skin type and concerns. A mattifying, oil-free SPF foundation is likely your best bet if you have oily or blemish-prone skin. Those with dry skin, meanwhile, tend to fare better with hydrating formulas that boast a dewy or radiant finish. If you have both dry and oily areas—in other words, combination skin—look for a lightweight formula with a natural finish (you can keep an SPF powder foundation on hand, if needed, to help control shine throughout the day). You’ll also want to think about how much coverage you want. Skin tints and serum foundations are great options for no-makeup makeup days, while fuller-coverage formulas are ideal for glam makeup looks. If you want something in between, opt for a foundation with buildable coverage—these are versatile and can be sheered out or built up, depending on your desired result.15 of the Best Foundations with SPF To Try This Year1. L’Oréal Paris Infallible 32-Hour Fresh Wear Foundation If you’re looking for a budget-friendly foundation to add to your everyday routine, this drugstore option is hard to beat. The buildable-coverage formula comes in 40 shades and boasts an ultra-thin formula that feels weightless on the skin. It’s also a total powerhouse in the longevity department, offering up to 32 hours of transfer-resistant wear.2. Lancôme Rénergie Lift Makeup Foundation SPF 27 Anyone on the hunt for an SPF foundation with skin benefits would do well to check out this luxe formula. It contains caffeine, vitamin E, and linseed extract and helps camouflage imperfections while leaving the skin feeling smooth and hydrated for up to 12 hours. The gorgeous, luminous finish it leaves behind is just the proverbial cherry on top.3. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full-Coverage Foundation with SPF 50+ For something with a bit more coverage, try the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full-Coverage Foundation with SPF 50+. It’s the top SPF foundation in the United States, according to the brand, and it’s easy to see why. In addition to its impressive coverage, the CC cream is packed with skin-loving hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, along with broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen for thorough protection against UV rays.4. YSL Beauty All Hours Foundation Finding a matte foundation that doesn’t leave your skin looking dry or flat can sometimes be tricky. This SPF foundation, however, is well up for the challenge. The full-coverage formula helps visibly blur the skin, providing a smooth, natural-looking matte finish that lasts for up to 24 hours. Plus, it boasts skincare benefits: Use the SPF 30 formula every day, and you’ll notice your skin feels softer and smoother within just two weeks.5. NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Glaze Soft Glow Skin Tint SPF 30 Skin tints are ideal for anyone who prefers a less-is-more approach to makeup—and this affordable buy is among our favorites for all skin types. The ultra-lightweight tint features a 93% skincare formula and leaves the skin looking glowy and hydrated for up to 12 hours. Choose from 10 flexible shades and apply it with your fingers to help even out your complexion without making it appear as if you’re wearing makeup.6. Valentino Beauty Very Valentino 24 Hour Wear Liquid Foundation No matter your skin tone or undertone, you’re sure to find your perfect match in Valentino’s luxe SPF foundation. The lineup includes an impressive 40 shades, all developed in partnership with research on 5,000 women across every continent. Find your match, then apply the lightweight foundation with your fingertips or a brush for natural-looking matte coverage that stays put for up to 24 hours.7. Maybelline New York Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation Makeup Finding an excellent foundation with sunscreen doesn’t have to break the bank, as this under-$15 pick makes abundantly clear. The drugstore favorite hydrates and smooths while providing lightweight coverage for a your-skin-but-better finish. Broad-spectrum SPF 18 sunscreen sweetens the deal, making this a wallet-friendly pick well worth seeking out on your next trip to the drugstore.8. L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF 50 This serum-infused foundation is among our top picks for those with dull or dry mature skin. It’s formulated with vitamin B3, glycerin, and niacinamide and provides radiant, natural-looking coverage that won’t settle into fine lines. Broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen, meanwhile, helps keep the skin protected from damaging UV rays.9. IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40 If you love IT Cosmetics’ classic CC+ cream but prefer a glowier finish, reach for this lightweight foundation. The fluid formula feels like a skint tint and provides buildable coverage that’s perfect for no-makeup makeup days. Use the niacinamide and hyaluronic-acid infused formula every day to reveal visibly brighter, more even-looking bare skin over time.10. Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation The best foundations with SPF are those that feel breathable and comfortable on your skin, and this luxe pick delivers on both counts. It exists somewhere between a skin tint and a classic foundation, offering adjustable coverage with a hydrating, lightweight feel. You can apply it with your fingers for a barely-there look or press it into your skin using a dampened makeup sponge for a radiant, full-coverage finish.11. Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25 Level up your makeup routine with this multi-tasking pick from Kosas. According to the brand, it plumps, smooths, and brightens the skin while helping to protect it from sun damage with broad-spectrum SPF 25 sunscreen. The medium-coverage formula lasts all day and leaves the skin looking smooth, blurred, and healthy.12. Tower28 Sunny Days Tinted SPF 30 Tinted sunscreens are great for everyday wear, and Tower28’s iconic sunscreen with foundation is among our favorites in the category. According to the brand, the liquid formula helps protect the skin from UV rays while visibly reducing redness to promote a healthy-looking complexion. Plus, the mineral formula is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.13. Naked Sundays BeautyScreen Peptide Foundation Tint SPF 50 UV rays aren’t the only form of light that can damage your skin—blue light (like the kind emitted by your phone or laptop screen) can, too. Protect your skin from both with this multi-purpose SPF foundation, which, per the brand, provides buildable, blendable coverage for a second-skin finish.14. Saie Slip Tint Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 35 If you’re looking for the best lightweight foundation with SPF, this cult favorite option—technically a tinted moisturizer—deserves to be on your list. According to the brand, the hyaluronic acid-infused formula helps hydrate and brighten your skin while simultaneously providing dewy, sheer coverage for a bare-skin look (and feel).15. RMS Beauty Sun Coverup Super Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen This skincare-makeup hybrid does it all: protects, hydrates, and evens the skin with a naturally radiant finish. Per the brand, it’s formulated with a potent blend of adaptogens and helps balance the skin while defending it against damaging UV rays and blue light. Choose from 13 flexible shades and apply an even layer to your skin as the final step in your skincare routine. Next Up: Should You Apply Foundation With a Brush or Sponge?
