These Are the 9 Best Foundations With SPF—And We've Tried So Many

Not all foundations are created equal. The fundamental formula differences are powder, liquids, creams, cushion compacts, fluids, and more. Then there's the coverage level. Are you going for a subtle tint to enhance your natural skin tone, or do you want full, perfected coverage? There's no shortage of different finishes, too, ranging from glowy to matte and everything in between. But when shopping for your ideal base, don't forget about built-in sun protection.

It's important to shield your skin from the sun, and finding foundations with SPF makes it easier to do so. Still, there's one big caveat: The majority of foundations with SPF don't go much higher than SPF 25, which is below the recommended SPF 30 for daily use. So, your best bet is to keep using a separate sunscreen and think of the protection you're getting from your foundation as an extra insurance policy. After all, the more SPF, the better.

To find the best foundations with SPF, we conducted extensive research, consulted with experts, and got our editor's recommendations. We evaluated each foundation based on its formula, application, wear, and shade range, and ahead, we're sharing our favorites with you.

Best Overall

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation

View on Sephora $46 at Amazon $46 at Sephora

The fact that this formula contains SPF 27 is just one of the things we love about it. In addition to providing sun protection, it features a lightweight, smooth formula that's easy to blend, provides excellent coverage while still looking natural, and wears all day with almost no visible fading or breaking up. The finish is a really natural radiant, meaning it works even for those with oily skin—Commerce Writer, Alyssa Kaplan says it looks almost perfect on her combination oily skin after a full day of wear. If you're looking for a foundation with SPF that can take you from work to a night out, this is the one for you.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 30 | Finish: Radiant natural | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Budget

Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin with SPF 15

$7 at Amazon $13 at Target $13 at Walmart

A long-wearing formula? Check. (We're talking about an awe-inspiring 24-hour wear time, by the way.) A matte finish that minimizes shine without looking chalky? Yep. A wide range of 44 shades? You bet. A very wallet-friendly price tag? Indeed. This drugstore staple meets all the exact requirements of its much pricier counterparts. It's a top pick for makeup artist and beauty expert Nick Stenson, who also lauds the buildable coverage.

Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 44 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Drugstore

L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24-Hour Fresh Wear Foundation

$11 at Amazon $17 at Ulta $14 at Target

Another great wallet-friendly pick, Stenson raves about the comfortable, breathable wear of this base, no small feat given its impressive staying power. To that point, it's not only waterproof but also transfer- and sweat-resistant, too. The coverage is on the medium to full side, though easily buildable, and no matter how long you wear it, the color always stays true and never changes.

Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 40 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Full-Coverage

Armani Beauty Power Fabric + Full Coverage Liquid Foundation with SPF 25

$70 at Sephora $70 at Nordstrom View on Giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

For days or occasions when you want a foundation that really packs on the coverage, this cult favorite can't be beaten. As a general rule, full coverage almost always means a heavier texture, but that's not the case with this base. Credit the saturated yet ultra-fine pigments, which deliver an intense dose of color without feeling thick. It's also why a little goes a long way (try applying it with a makeup sponge or brush for the best spreadability and most even coverage), so one bottle will last quite a while.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 27 | Finish: Natural velvet matte | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Sheer Coverage

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint With SPF 40

$48 at Amazon $48 at Sephora $48 at Nordstrom

Read Full Review: ILIA's Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Aced My 12-Hour Wear Test

When you don't want to wear a full face of foundation but still want a little something-something, look to the subtle coverage of this multi-tasker, a favorite among Byrdie editors. The aptly-named formula acts as a serum, infused with skin-loving ingredients such as squalane, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, and delivers a hefty dose of mineral-based SPF. And while the coverage is undoubtedly light and dewy, it's definitely more than other tinted sunscreens we've tried.

Coverage: Sheer | Shade Range: 30 | Finish: Luminous | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Powder

PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup

$32 at Amazon $32 at Ulta $30 at Target

"This is an amazing pressed, mineral powder with buildable coverage," says Stenson of another one of his recommendations. "Use it alone or to set your liquid foundation and give it a velvety smooth finish." Also nice: The SPF here is mineral-based, from titanium dioxide, an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin who may find chemical sunscreen ingredients irritating.

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 26 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.28 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Tinted Moisturizer

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

View On Sephora $46 at Sephora $46 at Ulta

Okay, so yes, technically not a foundation, but if you're anything like us, you likely often use a tinted moisturizer exactly like you would a foundation, so we thought this was worthy of an appearance on our list. Not only does it safeguard your skin with SPF 30, but it also contains antioxidant vitamin C, and it delivers, in our humble opinion, just the right amount of natural-looking coverage.

Coverage: Buildable | Shade Range: 16 | Finish: Radiant natural | Size: 1.9 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Stick

Blk/Opl True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15

View on Amazon $15 at Ulta $11 at Target

Stick foundations are crazy easy to apply and can also pull double (even triple) duty, acting as a concealer and contour color, too. This is one of the few sticks we've seen that includes SPF, as well as protective antioxidants. The pigment is long-wearing, it feels nice and smooth on the skin because it is a cream-based foundation. Plus, the range of shades includes lots of options for those with darker complexions.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 24 | Finish: Velvet | Size: 0.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best with SPF 50

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full-Coverage Moisturizer

View on Amazon $33 at Ulta $54 at Walmart

As we said, it's tricky to find a foundation with an SPF 30—so those with SPF 50 are true makeup unicorns. Byrdie Editor Holly Rhue loves this foundation unicorn, a creamy, full-coverage pick with other unique features besides just the high SPF. For one, it has a proprietary 3D Skin Flex Technology that ensures the color pigments "float" on top of the skin, rather than settling into lines or pores. It also contains diamond powder to leave skin looking radiant in the most natural way possible.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 12 | Finish: Radiant natural | Size: 1 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Dry Skin

Tarte SEA Water Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15

View on Sephora

The star of the show here is, you guessed it, water—20% water, to be exact, to help your skin hold on to its natural moisture. This also makes for a weightless texture that feels nearly undetectable. Vitamin E adds extra moisture, while antioxidant-rich marine plant extracts (in keeping with the water theme) make the perfect protection partner for its SPF 15. Oh, and we should also mention that this formula is vegan.

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 30 | Finish: Radiant | Size: 1 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Oily Skin

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15

$18 at Sephora $42 at Ulta View on Dermstore

Yep, the brand also has a superb option for oily skin. Stenson loves it because the namesake ingredient helps balance your complexion, and the matte, oil-absorbing formula doesn’t hurt either. He adds that it’s also long-wearing, super easy to apply, and is “cake-free.”

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 23 | Finish: Natural matte | Size: 1.7 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Overall

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation

$46 at Nordstrom View on Bloomingdales

Find us a more aptly named foundation—go ahead, we'll wait. The coverage is medium, buildable, and easily tailored to camouflage imperfections or simply to even out your skin tone. Speaking of, there are 21 shades available, all with varying undertones (it's no surprise that 88 percent of women agreed that it matches their skin tone). Add to that a perfectly demi-matte finish and SPF 15 for some serious makeup magic indeed.

Coverage: Buildable | Shade Range: 20 | Finish: Demi-matte | Size: 1 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Mature Skin

Lancôme Régenerie Lift Makeup Foundation SPF 27

$54 at Nordstrom $60 at Bloomingdales $63 at Macy's

For an instant youth boost, reach for this liquid formula. Think of its unique Micro-Lift technology like a bra for your face, where extra-fine waxes help instantly shape and lift. Since foundation settling into fine lines can also be a concern for those with mature skin, this contains microscopic bubbles that create air pockets, letting your skin breathe and preventing the makeup from creasing and settling into any imperfections, notes Stenson, who is a fan. And since sunscreen is of the utmost importance in any anti-aging arsenal, we're happy to report that this one touts SPF 27.

Price at time of publish: $59

Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 25 | Finish: Luminous | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation thanks to the lightweight formula, buildable coverage, natural-looking finish, long-wearing capability, and of course, SPF 27. But if you're looking for an affordable drugstore option, we recommend the Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin with SPF 15.

What to Look for in a Foundation With SPF

The Formula

"SPF foundations are offered in all different varieties, from powders to liquids to creams, meaning you can get the consistency and coverage you are looking for," says Stenson. "If you feel passionate about your coverage or consistency, start by narrowing your search there," he suggests.

The SPF Level

Again, there's no shortage of options. The SPF levels in the foundation can range from 10 to over 50+, so again, if you feel strongly about a particular SPF level, start your search there. Also worth noting: SPF may not always be in the name of the product, so make sure to check the ingredient label as well, says Stenson.

Available Shades

As with any foundation, an SPF foundation should match your skin tone. Look for a brand that comes in a wide range of shades for every skin tone and undertone. Some stores offer testers or color matching to help you make the best choice. The L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24-Hour Fresh Wear Foundation has an impressive shade range (especially for the drugstore), and if you have dark skin and are looking for a shade range that has many dark shades with varying undertones, the BLK/OPL True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15 is a great choice.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. A devoted sunscreen user, she loves layering on SPF at all steps of her makeup and skincare routine, makeup included.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15 percent of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any foundations with SPF from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.