The 12 best foundations with SPF in 2024 reviewed by our beauty experts

RRP: £58 | Shades: 18 | SPF: 40/30 | Key ingredients: Cordyceps, deep sea ferment, vitamin E

This is one of those makeup products that you can’t wait to pick up in the morning. The pump action is smooth and the foundation is creamy, not runny, so it doesn’t trickle down your hand. Half a pump was enough to cover our testers' face and necks – so one bottle, though undeniably expensive, lasts a while. 

The secret is 75% skincare-inspired ingredients. The SPF 40/30 ratings are some of the highest on this list (the foundation also promises protection from free radicals, blue light and pollution), but this doesn’t affect the formula’s silky texture. In fact, of all the foundations here, this one felt the most imperceptible, as if we weren't wearing anything but a great skin cream. Its coverage is on the lighter side – it lets your natural skin peek through – so, if you want something that'll disguise texture or blemishes, this may not be the one for you.

Reasons to buy: Glowy finish, hydrating

Reasons to avoid: Expensive compared to others

RRP: £26 | Shades: 24 | SPF: 20 | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, botanical blend 

After wearing Rare Beauty's tinted moisturiser for a week, we're convinced it's one of the best lightweight foundations as well as one with SPF. The moisturiser comes in a squeezy tube, which made it easy to apply and blend. But be careful not to apply too much. We made the mistake of thinking we would get a moisturiser-like finish when, actually, you get light to medium coverage with a blurring effect – so it's safe to say a little goes a long way. 

In terms of texture, this one is a bit thicker than a moisturiser but still blends for a "your skin but better" finish. Along with SPF 20, it's formulated with vitamin E and the brand's signature botanical blend of lotus, gardenia, and white lily. All this left our skin feeling soft and hydrated. So if you're looking for a lightweight summer base that offers some protection and gives radiant results, this could be the one for you. And for a natural, healthy glow, we recommend applying a rosy cream blush alongside this tinted moisturiser.

Reasons to buy: Moisturises, blurs imperfections

Reasons to avoid: Lower SPF than others

RRP: £18 | Shades: 14 | SPF: 30 | Key ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin E, hyaluronic, citric & lactic acids

If you want to achieve the no-makeup makeup look, we recommend adding this SPF 30 tinted moisturiser to your routine ASAP. Its formula features vitamin C, citric, hyaluronic and lactic acids and glycerin, which work together to brighten and moisturise the skin for up to 24 hours. This combination not only left our skin hydrated and glowy, it also blurred the look of our hyperpigmentation as well.

It comes in squeezy tube with a pump that enables you to apply  it directly to your face before blending with your fingertips. We appreciated this the most because it meant we didn't waste any product or have to clean our makeup sponges. As for how it compared to Rare Beauty's tinted moisturiser? For starters, Morphe's isn't as thick and it yields a more natural-looking, glowy finish. What's more, with its slightly lighter formula, we also didn't have to dispense a generous amount when applying.

Reasons to buy: Hydrating, very glowy

Reasons to avoid: Not full coverage

RRP: £13.99 | Shades: 40 | SPF: 25 | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, oxygen technology

Much as we love the best drugstore foundations, it can be challenging for budget bases to rival their expensive counterparts. This is particularly true when you throw an extra formulation challenge in the mix, like SPF. So when we tested the L'Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear SPF Foundation we were amazed by how flawless and smooth it left our skin, just like some of the high-end options we tried.

The brand claims this foundation stays put for up to 24 hours and, although we couldn't wear it for quite that long, it didn't budge during a 12-hour day, which is still impressive. With its semi-matte finish, we wouldn't be surprised if it did last an entire day and night. This is also a buildable foundation, but with just one layer our blemishes were covered and we found we didn't need another. However, for a very full-cover look, you can apply more without it pilling or caking. 

Reasons to buy: Brilliant shade range, breathable formula

Reasons to avoid: Not dewy, if that's what you're after 

RRP: £37 | Shades: 22 | SPF: 40 | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, green tea extract

Weighing up foundation vs CC cream? There’s a common misconception that these bases lack coverage, but anyone who’s tried IT Cosmetics’ award-winning CC+ Cream will attest to its flawless skin finish. The Nude Glow version gives slightly softer coverage than the original best-seller but corrects uneven tone. It's the perfect example of a "skin-dation" – a makeup base with skincare ingredients, which make up an impressive 90% of its formula.

Containing niacinamide, revered for its brightening results, moisture-magnet hyaluronic acid and antioxidant green tea extracts, skin appears filtered with a smooth, even-looking and bright finish. It has a subtle, sweet, sherbety fragrance, which we liked, and is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to wear a sheer skin tint as the coverage is an excellent confidence boost. It ticks off many of our non-negotiables including hydrating ingredients, a glowy finish and decent, buildable coverage.

Reasons to buy: Formula is 90% skincare

Reasons to avoid: Coverage might not be enough for some

RRP: £46 | Shades: 15 | SPF: 15 | Key ingredients: Hemispherical powders 

This foundation is quintessentially Chanel – chic, elegant and the ultimate luxury. We found it looked best when applied with fingers rather than a brush, as the warmth of our hands seemed to fuse the foundation with our skin to make everything a lot smoother and more even. For us, the coverage was ideal. The blurring effect powders helped obscure any uneven texture, redness or areas of pigmentation in our complexion without caking completely. Our skin still looked like skin, only better (though if you want to cover dark spots or acne, you might want to use a separate concealer).

Our dry-skinned tester usually steers away from a matte finish, as even the best matte foundations can latch onto flakes so our skin looks "off". But Chanel's Ultra Le Teint Velvet is an anomaly. The result – which, by the way, has impressive staying power – is creamy, natural and smooth without looking flat.

Reasons to buy: Long-wearing for combination skin

Reasons to avoid: Blemishes may require more coverage

RRP: £11.99 | Shades: 6 | SPF: 50 | Key ingredients: Vitamin B3

The L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect BB Cover SPF 50 is a recent find but, after testing, it's one that we’ve been relying on as our daily base. Yes, we know that it’s technically a BB cream, but this does everything you'd want a good foundation to do. The formula also includes vitamin B3, which helps to correct pigmentation the more you wear it. 

When testing this foundation, we first applied it to one half of our face, taking a look in the mirror to compare the result before applying it to the other side. The difference between the two camps here was startling – in a good way. It makes any complexion look smooth and (almost) poreless. Although the finish is fresh and natural-looking, the coverage is buildable and it never seems to cake on areas that require a little more concealment. The fact that it also has the added bonus of SPF 50 is just another tick in an exhaustive list – though the downside is, with just six options, the shade range is very limited.

Reasons to buy: High protection, vitamin-enriched

Reasons to avoid: Limited shade range

RRP: £36 | Shades: 71 | SPF: 15 | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, red algae extract

Initially, this foundation's pump had to be purchased separately, which made dispensation a little tricky if you went without but did get our approval in that one pump could be used with all future purchases. However, perhaps due to consumer demand, it seems that MAC has chosen to include the pump as standard going forwards. Though it's more convenient, we do think this is a bit of a shame sustainability-wise.

Despite this, we want to stress that it's still a great foundation. You can build up the coverage from medium to full, so blemishes and dark spots are easily disguised from view, and it's non-comedogenic. It has a modern, matte finish that we'd describe as polished and perfected, with a natural, healthy brightness that we weren't expecting. As well as having an inclusive shade selection – making it one of the best foundations for dark skin in our guide – this looked smooth, creaseless and even for hours. It’s also sweat- and humidity-resistant, so if you prefer to stick with a fuller foundation during the warmer months, this base will stay exactly where you want it. 

Reasons to buy: Huge shade range, 24-hour wear

Reasons to avoid: Can no longer be purchased without pump when you need more

RRP: £40 | Shades: 24 | SPF: 15 | Key ingredients: Red jania, chicory, 

If scented products are a turn-off, look away now, because this Clarins foundation has the most beautiful, fresh aroma that lingers on the skin. It was the thickest formula we tested, yet slipped across our skin effortlessly. We tend to use the back of our hand as a palette so, being slightly richer, this was easier to control. If you’re expecting a baby-faced sheen, you might be left wanting; Everlasting Youth Fluid yields a healthy gleam rather than an overtly dewy finish.

A big perk is that the combination of pigments and soft-focus powders helps to conceal any bits of skin you’d rather not reveal. The coverage is fantastic, plus chicory works to create a denser collagen network and improve skin's luminosity and firmness. To shift any dead skin cell build-up, there's also red jania extract. We're intrigued to see if we notice the long-term benefits of smoother, more refined skin, but until then, we love this flawless base. 

Reasons to buy: Firming effect, lovely scent

Reasons to avoid: Not as luminous as we hoped

RRP: £38 | Shades: 16 | SPF: 30 | Key ingredients: Kopara, vitamin C derivative

Housed in an easy squeezy tube, NARS' Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser formula is a best-seller and another moisturiser buy that we're sneaking in here. Because, as well as featuring an SPF, it has surprisingly good coverage for a tinted moisturiser (we'd probably describe it as having medium coverage overall), so it's more than earned its place. Packing hydrating and softening Kopara extract and a vitamin C derivative into the formula, there are also skincare ingredients at play here, too.

Buffing into the skin with ease, and working well with either a brush or fingers, it gives that kind of "lit from within" healthy glow that instantly perks up the skin, with a finish that's kind of satin-y. However, though the shade range is 16-strong, there aren't many deeper options, meaning it's more limited for those with darker skin tones and, therefore, won't work for everyone.

Reasons to buy: Decent coverage for tinted moisturiser, yields healthy glow

Reasons to avoid: Shade range needs improving, won't be for you if you want something very matte

RRP: £38.50 | Shades: 24 | SPF: 15 | Key ingredients: Titanium oxide, zinc oxide, mica, mineral-based pigments

If you’re turned off by powders, stay with us. This one has earned its cult status as one of the best powder foundations with dial-up coverage that somehow never cakes on dry skin, clogs pores, or creases in fine lines. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide provide a physical, mineral-based shield against UVA and UVB rays, which won’t aggravate sensitive eyes or skin. It’s particularly great for blemish-prone complexions, not only concealing current breakouts but helping to prevent future ones.

There’s a unique method for applying loose mineral foundation. Unlike liquid foundation, the minerals need to be activated and warmed, transforming from powder to cream. It goes like this – tip a little powder into the cap then swirl it around with a flat-headed kabuki brush. Tap the excess then buff it into the skin in circular motions. If you need more coverage, repeat the process until you’ve got the finish you’re aiming for.

Reasons to buy: Customisable coverage

Reasons to avoid: Loose powder can be messy

RRP: £42 | Shades: 28 | SPF: 45 | Key ingredients: Ion-charged water complex, chia seed extract, probiotic technology

With one of the highest SPFs on our list, the Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue is a solid makeup choice for extra defence against sun damage. And yet its formula is light, breathable and deeply moisturising. It promises a 12-hour radiant glow as if flicking on your complexion like a light switch. 

Our Senior Beauty Editor Rhiannon Derbyshire is always happy to heap praise on this Estee Lauder base. “This is one of my all-time favourite foundations; it's lightweight but still has a nice buildable coverage, and gives a flattering, radiant finish. It's also really moisturising, which is a bonus for my thirsty skin. To me, it's the perfect hybrid between a tinted moisturiser and a foundation – it feels super comfy to wear, but it still gives a flawless finish with great staying power. Truthfully I didn't realise it had SPF until very recently (some foundations with this can look a bit ghostly), but that just gives it some extra bonus points in my book.” 

Reasons to buy: High SPF, moisturising

Reasons to avoid: Oily skin may find it slips