My Tried & Tested Favourites
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Last updated: January 2026
This guide is reviewed and refreshed regularly to ensure all recommendations remain relevant. Finding the best foundation with SPF can feel overwhelming, especially as formulas and sun-care guidance continue to evolve. While SPF foundations should never replace a dedicated sunscreen, they can play a valuable supporting role in daily protection.
This post has been updated for 2026 to reflect current recommendations and ensure all of the foundations featured are still available, relevant and worth your money. I’ll be adding new launches throughout the year as I test them, but these remain my tried-and-true favourites.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best foundations with SPF for 2026, including high-SPF options, dewy and glow-giving formulas, and skincare-first hybrid foundations. All of these have been extensively tested in real life and remain current, available and worth buying this year.
What’s Changed for SPF Foundations in 2026
I’ll be updating this post throughout the year as new foundations launch and I’ve had time to properly test them.
While there haven’t been major formulation changes to my current favourites, interest in SPF foundations continues to grow as more people look for multi-tasking makeup.
In 2026, the focus is very much on:
- Lightweight, skin-like finishes
- Higher SPF levels without compromising texture
- Hybrid formulas that combine skincare benefits with coverage
Why Use a Foundation with SPF?
Choosing the best foundation with SPF is a brilliant way to combine makeup and skincare in one easy step. While I believe it’s still essential to use a dedicated sunscreen as your base layer, SPF in foundation provides that extra layer of protection and is especially helpful for days when you’re out and about.
Are foundations with SPF worth using in 2026?
SPF foundations can be a helpful addition to daily sun protection, but they work best as a supplement rather than a replacement for sunscreen.
Do SPF foundations provide enough sun protection on their own?
Most people don’t apply enough foundation to achieve the stated SPF, which is why sunscreen underneath is still recommended.
What SPF level should a foundation have in 2026?
SPF 30 or higher is ideal, though coverage level and application amount matter more than the number alone.
How much SPF foundation do you need to apply for real protection?
You would need far more foundation than most people wear daily, which is why SPF in makeup should be seen as backup protection.
Should you still wear sunscreen under foundation with SPF?
Yes — especially if you’re spending time outdoors or relying on your base for daily protection.
If you prefer a lighter, tint-like finish with SPF, check out Best Tinted Sunscreens 2026 for Glowy, Protected Skin | SPF Skin Tints Round-Up.
Best Foundations with SPF (Tried & Tested Picks for 2026)
Although I always use a separate sunscreen, I love a foundation that also includes SPF. These are some of the best ones I have tested and love to use.
Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF 50
2026 update: Still a favourite this year for its high SPF, skin-first formula and beautifully radiant finish.
See swatches and read the full review.
This is such a lovely option. It combines SPF 50 with skincare actives like Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid and it give the skin a really lovely healthy, juicy looking radiance that looks super hydrated. I really like it and it’s my kind of dewy.
It’s my top pick for high SPF lovers who still want that skin-first, lightweight feel.
Why it’s one of the best foundations with SPF: High protection, serum benefits, and an easy-to-wear, skin flattering finish.
Clinique Even Better Clinical Vitamin Makeup SPF 50 is £39 and available via the links below. Shop at Sephora and use my REALLYREESPH code for 15% off.
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 50+
2026 update: This classic remains a top pick in 2026 thanks to its generous coverage with SPF 50+, hydrating feel and flattering, glow-forward finish you can rely on.
See swatches and read the full review.
A classic for good reason: serious coverage, dewy glow, and SPF 50+ mineral protection. Ideal for sensitive skin, and a real confidence-booster on days when you need more coverage. If you prefer sheerer coverage but still want high protection, go for the Clinique above, or the Estee Lauder below.
Why it’s one of the best foundations with SPF: Full coverage, hydrating, and very high sun protection.
It Cosmetics CC is £39 and available now via the links below:
Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue SPF 45
2026 update: Still a strong choice in 2026 — its breathable hydration, soft velvety radiance and solid SPF 45 make it one of the most versatile everyday foundations with protection.
See swatches and read the full review.
This one’s a glow-giver with real skincare benefits. Think a hydrating, breathable formula with SPF 45 and antioxidant protection and a soft velvety radiance. It’s beautiful on all skin types and particularly on dry or dehydrated skin and wears well all day. Plus it’s waterproof.
Why it’s one of the best foundations with SPF: High SPF, glowy hydration, suits all skin types, buildable and waterproof.
The Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Makeup SPF 45 is £42 and available now via the links below:
Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30
2026 update: This juicy, dewy gem continues to shine in 2026, pairing radiant coverage with thoughtful skincare ingredients and dependable SPF 30 protection.
See swatches and read the full review.
This is the dewiest and juiciest pick on the list and I absolutely love it. I think it is one of my favourite foundations ever! Shiseido’s expertise in sun protection is unmatched, and this one delivers a SPF 30 plus probiotics and niacinamide for long-term skin benefits.
The finish is radiant and gorgeously dewy without being greasy and I genuinely feel like my skin looks healthier every time I wear it.
Why it’s one of the best foundations with SPF: Glowy finish, skincare-first formula, and advanced SPF technology.
The Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30 is £49 and available via the following links:
Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation SPF 30
2026 update: Still a go-to in 2026 for reliable medium-to-full coverage, luminous finish and buildable wear that feels great all day with SPF 30 support.
See swatches and read the full review.
Another brilliant Shiseido formula and this is one I choose for a really reliable fuller coverage and long wear finish. It has SPF 30 and uses light-reflecting pearls for subtle luminosity. I think it is especially flattering on more mature skin. It is medium to full buildable, offers 24 hour hydration and wear, and it also water and transfer resistant. Genuinely one of the best ever foundations I’ve tried and it’s one I use when I want coverage I can count on all day.
Why it’s one of the best foundations with SPF: Naturally radiant, very long-lasting, and brilliant for smoothing out texture.
The new formula of the Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation is £47 and available via the links below now:
Jane Iredale Skintuition Liquid Foundation SPF 30
2026 update: This foundation remains a lovely hybrid choice in 2026 — lightweight with buildable coverage, mineral SPF 30 and added skincare benefits that suit a range of skin types.
See swatches and read full review.
This is a lovely skincare–makeup hybrid that offers a naturally radiant finish with buildable medium coverage. It contains mineral SPF 30 protection with zinc oxide, plus hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and an apple superfood complex. The texture is silky and lightweight, and you don’t need very much at achieve a “your-skin-but-better” look. It wears well all day without creasing or clinging to dry patches, making it especially great for dry, mature, or textured skin.
Why it’s one of the best foundations with SPF: good coverage, lasts well on the skin, easy to layer with lots of added skincare.
Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
2026 update: Still a great everyday option this year for a natural, radiant finish and skin-loving ingredients, though its SPF 25 serves best as supplemental protection with a dedicated sunscreen underneath.
Read full review.
Kosas nailed the hybrid makeup–skincare brief with this beautifully formulated foundation. It delivers dewy, skin-loving coverage and is packed with powerhouse ingredients like niacinamide, peptides, squalane, and caffeine to visibly brighten and smooth the complexion over time. With SPF 25 mineral protection, it offers light to medium coverage that melts into the skin for a natural, radiant finish. It feels lightweight and breathable, never heavy or cakey, making it ideal for everyday wear.
Why it’s one of the best foundations with SPF: Lovely daily base for glowy skin with real skincare benefits. Perfect for dry, normal, or combination skin types wanting effortless radiance and long-term skin support.
The KOSAS foundation is is £35 and available via the links below:
How this guide will be updated in 2026
I only add products to these round-ups once I’ve worn them extensively in real life. As new SPF foundations launch this year, I’ll be testing them thoroughly before deciding whether they earn a place here.
Foundation with SPF FAQs – Quick Answers
Should you rely on the SPF in foundation for sun protection?
No. It’s best to use a separate broad-spectrum SPF underneath your makeup. Most people don’t apply enough foundation to reach the advertised protection level. Use your foundation to top up protection, not replace it.
Is foundation with SPF enough for daily wear?
If you are indoors, or only exposed for short periods, it can be enough but only low-exposure days as you are unlikely to apply enough product to achieve the correct dose. For longer sun exposure, layer a proper SPF underneath.
Does SPF in foundation cause flashback?
Some formulas with high SPF can cause flashback in photos due to zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. However, all the foundations I’ve featured here do not cause noticeable flashback in my testing.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best foundation with SPF is such a smart beauty move. Not only do these formulas offer beautiful coverage and finish, but they also help support your skin against sun damage.
From Clinique’s high-protection powerhouse to the dewy perfection of Shiseido and Kosas, each pick on this list has earned its place through real-life wear and results.
Top Tip: Always apply a standalone SPF underneath, then layer your SPF foundation on top for max protection and glow.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these, or if you’ve found your own best foundation with SPF. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
If you’re more of a skin tint kind of complexion person, and still want to get SPF into you makeup, I have a whole blog post dedicated to that too. Check it out via the link below.