Daily sunscreen is a must to prevent premature aging and skin cancer, especially as the weather heats up and we’re spending more time outside. And since you can really never have too much sun protection, we love makeup products that include SPF.
To find the best products to protect your skin this summer, we talked to three beauty experts about their favorite makeup with built-in sunscreen. Our experts praised these products for taking your sun protection to the next level, but also cautioned against using them as your only source of SPF. That’s because people “may not be applying a thick enough layer to be getting the stated SPF on the product label,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Samantha Ellis. “I always encourage people to use a base layer of sunscreen prior to applying makeup (even if the makeup has SPF) and really think of the SPF in makeup as a potential boost to their protection.”
With that in mind, check out expert-recommended beauty products with SPF below.
Best tinted moisturizers with SPF
“A lightweight tinted moisturizer” is perfect for “the warmer months,” says esthetician and Rescue Spa founder Danuta Mieloch. These moisturizers offer sheer coverage that can help blur skin imperfections without looking cakey or feeling heavy. Do note that those with dry skin may want to layer these products over their current regimen to get the hydration they need: “For drier skin types, we recommend applying your serums and moisturizer before your sunscreen,” says Mieloch.
Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 ($45; nordstrom.com)
Nars’ popular tinted moisturizer, which offers velvety, buildable coverage, is loved by both Ellis and board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Shereen Idriss. It has a “satin finish that evens out the complexion,” says Ellis, adding that it’s “comfortable on the skin and lasts all day.”
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BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF 30 ($33; sephora.com)
“I like that this has a broad shade range,” says Ellis. “It has sheer to light coverage that’s buildable and feels very hydrating on the skin. Because of the light coverage, it’s easy to apply on the go and not have to worry about it streaking or looking uneven.”
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Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 ($36; supergoop.com)
For an ultra-dewy finish, Idriss recommends Supergoop’s Glowscreen, made with sea lavender, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: “It gives me enough coverage to go about my day with an added glow.”
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Jan Marini Physical Protectant Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 ($53; amazon.com)
For those looking to keep things matte, Mieloch loves this lightweight, oil-absorbing tinted sunscreen from Jan Marini. It’s also infused with antioxidants and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
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Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream SPF 30 ($5.99, originally $8.99; amazon.com)
Maybelline’s bestselling BB cream is affordable, widely available and melts into skin for a silky finish.
Best foundations with SPF
When you want more coverage than a typical tinted moisturizer can offer, reach for a foundation that will add an extra layer of sun protection while perfecting your skin. Just be sure to wear them on top of your primary sunscreen!
It Cosmetics CC+ Cream SPF 50 ($39.50; sephora.com)
This cream is another favorite of both Ellis and Idriss. “It’s really a CC cream,” says Ellis, “but the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream SPF 50 has been a holy grail for me for years. It’s a full-coverage foundation that can cover redness, irregular pigment and blemishes incredibly well and also has ingredients that nourish the skin and support skin health.”
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Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation ($48; iliabeauty.com)
“For something with lighter coverage,” Ellis says, “the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 foundation is a favorite among my patients who love that ‘no makeup’ makeup look.” The serum/foundation combo features intensely moisturizing, skin-plumping ingredients and a very dewy finish.
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Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation SPF 15 ($44; charlottetilbury.com)
This foundation offers buildable, “demi-matte” coverage and also includes vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. Idriss recommends incorporating antioxidants into your routine to help boost your sunscreen’s efficacy.
Best setting powders with SPF
All of our experts stressed the importance of reapplying sunscreen throughout the day — something that can be difficult to do without messing up your makeup. That’s where SPF powders, mists and compacts come in. While our experts noted that these don’t offer enough coverage for use as your primary sunscreen, they do make reapplication much more practical. For oily skin, powders in particular can also help decrease shine.
Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 ($69; dermstore.com)
“My most tried-and-true SPF powder is the Colorscience brush-on powder sunscreen,” says Ellis. Colorscience’s powder comes in four shades and features hyaluronic acid for a bit of extra hydration in addition to sun protection.
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Brush On Block Mineral Sunscreen Powder ($32; amazon.com)
Brush On Block’s water- and sweat-resistant mineral powder is another great option, thanks to its refillable applicator and reef-friendly formula. The popular powder features both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — ingredients that Mieloch also recommends because they “provide a physical barrier of protection.”
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Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35 ($30; supergoop.com)
The coated silica in Supergoop’s SPF powder diffuses light, helping to make your pores less noticeable while protecting your skin.
Best setting sprays and mists with SPF
If you’re not into powders, sprays and mists are another excellent choice for sunscreen reapplication. Setting sprays can help to lock in your makeup look, while hydrating mists offer a nice pick-me-up for tired skin.
Soleil Toujours Clean Conscious Antioxidant Sunscreen Mist SPF 50 ($36; dermstore.com)
Mieloch recommends this skin-soothing mist, featuring ingredients like vitamin E and aloe vera in addition to its broad-spectrum sun protection.
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Coola Makeup Setting Sunscreen Spray ($36; sephora.com)
Coola’s setting spray promises to keep your makeup looking fresh all day long, and also features aloe vera and cucumber extract to soothe your skin.
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Kate Somerville UncompliKated Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray SPF 50 ($40; nordstrom.com)
With light-diffusing silicone powder and hyaluronic acid, this SPF 50 setting spray promises to mattify your skin, set makeup and blur imperfections all at once.
Best tinted compacts with SPF
“Another great way to reapply is with the tinted sunscreen compacts,” says Ellis, which typically feature a hint of skin-smoothing color and a mirror for easy touch-ups on the go.
Avène Mineral Tinted Compact SPF 50 ($36; amazon.com)
Ellis recommends Avène’s tinted compact, which is safe for sensitive skin and infused with vitamin E for added antioxidant protection.
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Skinbetter SunBetter Tone Smart SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact ($68; skinbetter.com)
Another of Ellis’ favorites, Skinbetter’s compact offers an extra-high level of SPF protection, plus 80 minutes of water resistance.
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Amorepacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($60; sephora.com)
For a compact with more foundation-like coverage, check out Amorepacific’s popular cushion. The formula is moisturizing and buildable, and leaves a soft, dewy finish.
Best lip balms with SPF
Your lips need sun protection too, and you don’t have to sacrifice cute colors to get it! There are plenty of moisturizing lip balms these days that combine SPF with pretty tints. “I usually recommend reapplying these every two hours when outside,” says Ellis, “but sooner if you feel like the product has worn off.”
Jane Iredale LipDrink SPF 15 Lip Balm ($17; amazon.com)
Ellis loves this lip balm for its “slightly lemony flavor and scent,” which “has none of that gross sunscreen taste.” It comes in six sheer colors (plus a totally clear option), and is also reef-safe.
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Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 15 ($18, originally $24; sephora.com)
“For really dry lips,” says Ellis, “I enjoy the Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Sunscreens. My go-to shade is warm caramel. Just be careful in hot weather because the soft formula can melt if you leave this in your car.”
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Brush On Block Protective Lip Oil SPF 32 ($25; amazon.com)
For a little more glam, Ellis recommends this lip oil featuring hydrating fatty acids and an ultra-glossy finish.