Everybody’s foundation checklist is different. Some may prefer a powder formula, while others seek out products that are available in the supermarket, or strictly use foundations for dry skin. With no shortage of variations from the coverage to the finish, there’s a foundation formula for everyone.
But the one feature that’s always a bonus no matter your skin type? The inclusion of sun protection.
Now, you certainly still need to be applying sunscreen under your makeup. As we’ve learnt before, the SPF in your foundation isn’t enough unless you apply as much of it as you would a sunscreen (AKA too much makeup-wise). But there’s also no harm in layering your SPF, and when you find a foundation that looks good and protects your skin, it’s nothing but a win-win.
Here are some of our top picks for foundations with SPF to consider.
Ella Baché Suncover SPF50 Foundation
Ella Baché’s Suncover SPF50 Foundation has been enriched with skin-comforting green tea, antioxidants and jojoba to protect against UVA and UVB rays. Plus, it helps to moisturise and soften the appearance of fine lines while diffusing uneven skin tones.
“Love this product… I have used for many years. Its great for mature conversation aging skins types and for ladies that are sun conscious!! give great coverage with a Hydrated finish, helps softens lines and wrinkles.” – Wwoodward
$50 at Ella Bache
The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation
The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation provides a semi-matte finish on the surface, while infusing hydration into the skin with rose water and aloe vera. The SPF 15 formula comes in 16 natural shades for light, everyday protection.
$32 at The Body Shop
Max Factor Radiant Lift Foundation
As far as sheer coverage, hydrating and sun-protecting formulas go, the Max Factor Radiant Lift Foundation ticks every box. With hyaluronic acid, SPF 30 and skin-smoothing micro-pearls, you can cover existing dark spots while protecting your skin from developing new ones.
“It gives medium coverage and it does give you a hydrated luminous finish wich is great for dry skin. The packaging is very attractive and has a pump which is great. you can actually see the luminosity through the bottle.” – Mariesa22
$39.95 at Priceline
M.A.C Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation
Glide your morning face on with ease using M.A.C Studio’s Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation. The sheer formula offers buildable coverage to blur imperfections, while the addition of SPF helps to prevent sun damage and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
“It really does blur imperfections and give a nice dewy finish to the skin too. It has a pleasant sort of green scent but is also gentle. I like the flawless finish it provides and it’s impressive staying power.” – Princess Perfume
$58 at Myer
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 25
Bobbi Brown’s Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 25 comes with a lengthy list of supercharged ingredients along with a sun-shielding formula. This foundation-serum hybrid leaves the skin re-energised, silky and smooth, thanks to an innovative pigment that floats on the skin’s surface rather than settling in.
$103 at Adore Beauty
Main image credit: @whitneymadueke
Have you tried any of the above products? Do you use a foundation with SPF?
I had hoped that I was doing some good using a BBCream with SPF and that I was getting protection. This has me questioning what I do. Have had sun cancers so need to be wary. Will raise this with my dermatologist next time I am there.
Just keep on reapplying a tinted sunscreen, wear additional protection and avoid hours outside when the UV index is high.
I recently found that I am deficient in vitamin D which is lack of sun.
You can get supplements and injections if need be Elly!
I always use a sunscreen on my face, over moisturiser and under makeup (if I’m wearing any).
I use the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face and Body Dry Touch 50+ on my face.
I react badly to that unfortunately!
I use Nivea most of the time.
I like the spray trigger NIVEA sunscreen!
I usually buy a separate sunscreen and put it over the top of my moisturiser… That way I’m covered either way…
Same here Sootyblack. Love your username!
i would like to try the ultra violette
It’s supposed to be wonderfully effective and is an elegant formula by all reports!
I got tested for this too and am also deficient, taking a vit D tablet daily now
Most Aussies are and it’s even worse for those of us with darker skin as melanin inhibits vit D absorption!
Good to know as you can be fooled into thinking all is okay when you’re using a products with an SPF
Very informative article about SPF
I love Ultra Violette’s Queen Screen for this – pop it on under moisturiser – doesn’t feel heavy/oily at all and one of the few facial sunscreens that doesn’t break me out. As a bonus it has a slight shimmer to it, so really brightens and males my skin glow.
I have the Queen Screen and love it – I put it on underneath my moisturiser and it makes my skin glow, and doesn’t feel heavy/oily at all. It is one of the few facial sunscreens I have used that doesn’t break me out!
ooh thanks, I must try it, is that the one with a lighter texture?
Its the one in the dropper bottle – it applies like a serum 🙂
Lovely, souds very light, i must buy some
I have always wondered if I was getting enough protection, I usually blend a few items together in the morning to put on my face. The majority of them have SPF in it but I don’t pack them on so I might not be getting enough SPF coverage..
Me too, I just love it but haven’t noticed whether it comedore whatever they said.. haha! It doesn’t feel like it blocks my pores.
This cleared up some questions I had.
Interesting article. I hadn’t really thought that other ingredients in a moisturizer would dilute the SPF factor
Great article. Very informative.
You’re right, I do forget to reapply
I always like to use a separate sunscreen for extra protection.
I’ve reported the spam by Jamesm12.
I have always wondered if this protection was any help. Answers many of my questions. Been following the advise of my dermatologist and using La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible which I like because its quite light and easy to apply
And there is more above as well which I have reported.
Me too! It’s almost in every article! They have been busy.
So maybe I need to layer on lots of the moisturiser with the SPF in it.
It does seem trickier than just putting one layer on in the morning. I tend to layer different spf products and hope it is enough to get me through the day because I’m not one for re applying throughout the day.
I’m using some of the Ultra Violette one and it really is a lovely product.
Wow!! That’s really interesting!
I know dara I’ve never got burnt either doing what I do so it must be working too.
Yeh a whole teaspoon seems like a lot doesn’t it! I think I could do it if it incorporated my neck too but not just my face.
I expect they are really good because the aisans often like to keep as pale as possible – I know this because my step mum is phillipino and she told me about it.
I’ve recently tried the sukin one but the one with no tint in it.
I do that kind of thing – not sure how it works but I just hope for the best. I also add a little extra spf50 on my brown spots that I’m trying to fade.
Apparently a lot of Australians are Elly! I know it is a shock because we have so much sun downunder too. I take a Vitamin D everyday because I’m meant to. I take a larger dose than what is available in Australia though – I have to buy mine from Iherb.
I’m using one but I don’t think it’s called queen screen – I’d better check that. I do like the one I’m trying too. It seems to be very protective.
I don’t pack products on either. I do try and layer different types with spf like a moisturiser, primer, foundation etc.
Does SPF fade brown spots?
I didn’t realise that I am not the only one!
I do outside though into the sun. It’s so strange.
I do that sometimes but I wonder if that is enough
I dunno – I can only do my best really. I’m not one to keep reapplying all throughout the days so layering is just what I do first thing in the morning.
I put it on them so they don’t get any worse and maybe ‘even out’ my skin – but I actually think I should get them lasered and then I wouldn’t have to do that I suppose.
I should remember to take mine!
Fingers crossed for you!
I don’t reapply either…
Yes vitamin D sales must be skyrocketing right now, I hope people in isolation are taking Vitamin D
I’ve never tried bio oil on it! Thanks Elly – I do have some of that round here so I’ll give it a go! : )
I am just reading this now! I didn’t realise it was so common.
Laser sounds scary! Would rosehip oil or Bio Oil work?
Bio Oil got rid of stretch marks from both my pregnancies.