Best 9 SPF Foundations For Summer

Here at Match My Makeup we take sun safety extremely seriously. If the SPF rating isn’t 30 or above, it’s frankly not on our radar (and dermatologists agree). Being Australian based, our summers are scorchers and we want to look 25 until we are 55. I'm sure a lot of you would agree, and no matter what corner of the world you’re in, SPF should be part of your everyday routine to protect your skin.

An SPF foundation shouldn’t be the only SPF you put on in the morning. Foundation is typically not applied liberally enough to achieve the level of SPF protection promised on its label and application amount is key. An SPF 30 sunscreen applied properly will give better protection than an SPF 50 sunscreen applied too thinly. Your morning skincare routine should always include a decent application of your SPF sunscreen- rain hail or shine, it’s a must!.

What’s the benefit of an SPF foundation if you’ve already applied your dedicated SPF? Think of it more as the cherry on top of your sun protection sundae, offering extra protection (as well as coverage, hydration, glow, etc). 

So from one sun savvy Aussie to you, dear reader, trust me when I say the below products pass the Australian summer skin test. Get ready to slip, slop, slap! (Or maybe bounce, brush, blend? I’ll work on that one and get back to you)

L'oreal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF 50

AUD27 GBP15 USD17

• Shade Count: 30

• Finish: Dewy

• Coverage: Medium

• SPF Level: 50

This one’s a huge MMM favorite. We clocked its packaging and promises as soon as it came out of the box and it did not disappoint. If our colour analyst Toia is having a good skin day, it’s because she’s got this on. With 30 shades to choose from, there’s a good mix of undertones and even includes a few olive shades too (45 Golden Vanilla and 90 Caramel Beige). Go L’oreal!

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ SPF50

AUD67 GBP38 USD43

• Shade Count: 14

• Finish: Natural

• Coverage: Full

• SPF Level: 50

Colour Analyst Mel is a long time fan of this CC cream and when CEO Victoria asks what she’s got on, it’s always IT Cosmetics. One of these magical silver tubes sells every 13 seconds in the US making it a firm customer favorite. Your Skin But Better has been making it onto top foundations lists year-on-year because of its amazing formula - it’s been marketed as having 7 formulas in the 1 tube making this a one-stop-shop bargain.

Chanel CC CREAM Super Active Complete Correction SPF50

AUD82 GBP46 USD52

• Shade Count: 7

• Finish: Luminous

• Coverage: Medium

• SPF Level: 50 

The staying power of the Chanel CC Cream is often remarked on and for the price of the CC cream being on the higher end, you would want it to. It has a natural, skin-like finish and promises anti-aging and hydrating benefits with prolonged use. Chanel says that this cc cream has five super powers- it unifies, it moisturizes, it corrects, it protects and it boosts glow. If one cream can do all of that it seems like a win to me!

Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil

AUD55 GBP31 USD35

• Shade Count: 15

• Finish: Glowy

• Coverage: Sheer to Light

• SPF Level: 50

We love Ultra Violette, because much like Match My Makeup, it’s an Australian brand founded by 2 females! If you’ve tried their cult best seller serum sunscreen, Queen Screen, this formula is almost identical but with an added tint to even your skin tone. It’s super glowy, which if you lean towards being oily you may want to avoid. But, it layers well with your skincare which is always a plus, I think I definitely need one for my beach bag.

La Roche Posay UVIDEA XL BB Cream SPF50

AUD39 GBP22 USD25

• Shade Count: 3

• Finish: Glowy

• Coverage: Sheer to Medium

• SPF Level: 50

A favorite of the pharmaceutical skincare world, La Roche Posay of course has an offering in the SPF market. Perfect for sensitive skin, it’s lightweight, sets to a natural finish, and the cherry on top being there is coverage for blemishes and hyper-pigmentation as well. Fingers crossed they extend their range to even more colors so everyone gets the chance to try this amazing formula.

Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Full Coverage SPF50

AUD21 GBP12 USD13

• Shade Count: 16

• Finish: Natural

• Coverage: Full

• SPF Level: 50

Maybelline’s first foray into SPF foundation is Dream Urban Cover and they’ve made quite the splash with how much flawless coverage you can achieve with such a lightweight finish. We applaud Maybelline for making a high quality product at such an affordable price point. The reviews say it all, you don’t need to pay an arm and a leg for quality, this foundation is well loved and will do us well throughout summer.

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF40

AUD76 GBP42 USD48

• Shade Count: 30

• Finish:Dewy

• Coverage: Light

• SPF Level:50 

We introduce you to a triple threat and multi-award winner- Ilia has blended sun protection, makeup and skincare all together in this one impressive formula. If you have dry skin, the trifecta of hydration awaits you - Hyaluronic Acid, Plant-Based Squalane, and Niacinamide is here to seal, plump and perfect. All undertones are accounted for in the 30 shade offering, so what are you waiting for?

W3ll People Bio Tint SPF30 Tinted Moisturizer

USD30 GBP25

• Shade Count: 14

• Finish: Satin

• Coverage: Light to Medium

• SPF Level: 30

The sleek packaging caught our eye as soon as this product slid into the lab. This was our first introduction to Well People and if you haven’t heard of them, they’re doing amazing things and pioneering what should be the new (and only) way forward in the makeup world. Packed full of ingredients your skin and the planet will love, this tint blurs, moisturizes, and shields. And lets just be honest here, we all love some good packaging!

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30

AUD58 GBP33 USD37

• Shade Count: 20

• Finish: Dewy

• Coverage: Sheer to Light, Buildable

• SPF Level: 30

Saving the most well-known and well-loved for last, the Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream is BareMinerals answer to what should be your everyday face product. It’s rare to find a tinted gel with thousands of 5 star reviews, but this one just keeps doing it! Packaged full of hydrating ingredients, expect your skin to glow. We love the whipped texture, it sets it apart from the rest and you can’t help but keep repurchasing.