Hear us out: makeup with SPF can no longer be a category you sleep on. We know you’ve struggled with sunscreen in the past, but innovation has come a long way and there are now loads of cool products on the market that help you get extra sun protection without having to do much more than lip balm or put on lip balm. setting powder. But first, it’s important to note that applying an SPF skin tint or misting an SPF setting spray cannot provide you with adequate sun protection. You still need to make sure you apply your sunscreen. for putting on your makeup, even if your makeup contains SPF. But a little extra help can’t hurt, right?
“Using makeup with SPF does not provide adequate protection on its own, but it is useful for reapplication and touch-ups,” says Karan LalDOEN, a board-certified dermatologist at Affiliated dermatology in Scottsdale, Ariz. Hey, we’ll take it. To make your makeup bag more sunscreen-friendly, we tested the most popular SPF-based makeup products to narrow down our seven favorites. The winners below include a medium coverage foundation that we’d wear even if it did it didn’t have SPF, a setting spray that keeps your skin radiant for hours, and a brush powder that makes updating your SPF a breeze. But first:
☀️ Know what SPF makeup can and can not Doing
A common misconception about makeup with SPF is that the more products you apply, the better protected you are from the sun. But unfortunately, no. “It’s a real shame it doesn’t work this way, but layering your SPF products (like spritzing an SPF 15 facial mist on top of an SPF 20 foundation) won’t increase your overall protection until SPF 35 “, say Sara L. AllenMD, a board-certified dermatologist in Charleston, NC, and founder of Skin clique. Why not? “Because the highest SPF you apply will ultimately give you that level of protection,” she says.
Dr. Allen points to a 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, where patients were divided into two groups wearing SPF 50 or SPF 100 on a sunny day in Colorado. “[The study] found that those who wore SPF 50 were 11 times more likely to burn than those who wore SPF 100,” says Dr. All. “The moral of the story is to find the highest SPF product that you will actually use on a daily basis,” she says.
Need help? We have this year’s award-winning facial SPFs ready for you. Grab one of our best tested, then play with the makeup winners below.
Meet the 2024 winners for the best makeup products with SPF
Cōtz Face Prime & Protect SPF 40 Tinted – $30
Best primer SPF
“There are two truths that I will continue to teach until the day I die: If you are human, you should wear sunscreen. And if you use makeup, you should wear primer. So imagine my joy at finding a sunscreen and primer combo that provides an extra layer of sun protection while keeping my skin looking smooth, even, and matte, even in humid months. Most SPF primers I tested were too sticky and shiny, or they made my makeup look patchy by midday. But this silicone-based primer has that classic, silky texture that glides over your skin to ‘blur’ imperfections and pores, leaving a matte finish.” —Chloe Metzger, deputy editor
Chemical or mineral:
Mineral
Sunscreen filters:
Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 – $69
Best face powder with SPF
“This is a safe environment, so I have to admit that it’s difficult to reapply sunscreen every two hours (as recommended by experts), especially if I’m already wearing makeup. However, this brush-on SPF powder is a game-changer in my routine. The sunscreen-enriched formula allows me to apply some extra protection all day long without disrupting the look or texture of my base makeup. Of course, it can’t replace your daily sunscreen with SPF 30+, but it’s certainly good to have in your kit for touch-ups. Plus, it’s portable and doesn’t make a big mess, unlike loose setting powder in a jar, so it’s perfect for travel.” —Aimee Simeon, senior beauty editor
Sunscreen filters:
Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
Cay Skin Isle Lip Balm SPF 30 – $15
Best tinted lip balm SPF
“This tinted lip balm has become a regular part of my daily routine. I normally avoid glossy balms because they leave my lips feeling sticky, but this one from Cay Skin keeps my lips shiny and hydrated — without the annoying stickiness or taste of sunscreen. It comes in four shades (three tinted and one transparent) so you can mix and match based on your vibes. —Alexis Reliford, Director of Social Media
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate
Pacifica Glow Baby Brightening Setting Mist SPF 45 – $18
Best setting spray with SPF
“It was tough to find an SPF setting spray that doesn’t burn my eyes or smudge my makeup until I tried this one from Pacifica. It has a natural, skin-like finish that feels imperceptible after it dries, and it doesn’t leave your face looking matte or feeling sticky. Brightening vitamin C and marine algae are the key ingredients in the formula (along with a dose of SPF 45), and the spray also smells like an orange cream, which I personally love. —IF
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
Live Tinted Hueguard Skin Tint SPF 50 – $42
Best tinted moisturizer SPF
“When it comes to tinted SPFs, darker skin tones are usually an afterthought, especially if those SPFs are mineral. But Live Tinted has made it a priority with this mineral-based tinted moisturizer that comes in 10 warm to neutral shades ranging from deep to light. It’s one I constantly reach for on days when I don’t want to wear foundation but still want something. The coverage is also buildable, so you can layer it as needed, and it blends nicely with whatever I use on my face.” —IF
Chemical or mineral:
Mineral
Kosas DreamBeam SPF 40 PA++++ – $40
“If you want to look just like you, but more radiant, then this skin tone is for you. It looks so pure and natural that it comes in just two ‘shades’ (a peach shade and a golden shade) that look good on all skin tones. The formula itself is filled with plumping ceramides and shimmer mica that work together to give your skin a subtle iridescence that isn’t greasy or glittery. It’s great for easy makeup days when I want a glowing base, a fluffy brow and some tinted lip balm, meaning I can take it anywhere this summer.” —IF
Chemical or mineral:
Mineral
Sunscreen filters:
Zinc oxide
IT Cosmetics Your Skin Better CC+ Cream Natural Matte SPF 40 – $47
Best foundation SPF
“Most SPF makeup products are often super sheer and slightly tinted. But I have hyperpigmentation, so sometimes I want a formula that has better coverage, that can actually cover my dark spots, even on sweaty days. That’s why I love this foundation from It Cosmetics. It has a matte finish with medium coverage that is not too drying, so it feels like skin without excessive shine. If you prefer a dewy finish, you can always pair this with a brightening setting spray, but I don’t always find that necessary. I tend to get shinier when it’s warmer out anyway (especially when I have layers of sunscreen on), so a foundation that makes me look matte but still blends in with the rest of my makeup is always a keeper. —IF
Chemical or mineral:
Hybrid
Sunscreen filters:
Ensulizole, octisalate, titanium dioxide
Well+Good articles reference scientific, reliable, recent, robust research to support the information we share. You can trust us on your wellness journey.
- “High SPF sunscreen provides significant clinical benefit under actual use conditions: SPF 100+ is more effective than SPF 50+.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, full. 76, no. June 6, 2017, p. AB154, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.04.599.
