Best Lightweight Summer Foundations with SPF

If you follow me on Instagram, you know by now that I've been on the hunt for the best lightweight summer foundations with SPF. Call me picky, but in addition to being lightweight, I also wanted a foundation that had enough coverage for any redness or acne scarring. Something that felt like my skin but better, that would protect me from the sun, and that I'd be comfortable wearing all summer long - to the pool, parks, beach and more. So, I asked all of you your top recommendations and tested the top five recommended products. Now, I want to share my findings with you!

Which Lightweight Foundations with SPF Did I Try?

I tested several lightweight foundations with SPF that I could wear all summer long when going on walks with Eleanor, to the pool, parks, the beach, etc. Here were the ones I tried:

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector
• bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
• IT Cosmetics Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum
• ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint Foundation
• EltaMD Tinted Sunscreen Moisturizer

How I Picked a Color When Ordering Online

My favorite thing about shopping online at Sephora is that there is an option to find the most accurate shade based on the current shade of whatever foundation you're using. I included a screenshot below, but essentially, you just select the current foundation brand you're using, select your shade, and it will tell you the best match to go with based on that information. The shade that was recommended for me was correct for all of the lightweight foundations with SPF I ordered.

How Do I Control My Oily Skin in the Summer?

As I mention below, while I have combination skin, I DEFINITELY skew oily. By the end of the day, with some foundations, I have a ton of shine in my "t zone." In order to control this, I typically wear a primer (this one is my absolute favorite), and I ALWAYS use this translucent powder (I mean, just look at the reviews!) Without it, I feel like I look like I spilled a pan of oil on my face - especially by the end of a hot summer day.

More About the Lightweight Foundations with SPF I Ordered

Here are the details about each of the summer foundations I tested. First, I just want to share a reminder that these are MY opinions based on my skin! I have combination (but skew oily), acne-prone skin. My face has scarring from struggling with acne throughout my life. I get shiny easily in my "T" zone. I need enough coverage to make me feel evened out, but I also want it to feel like "my skin" so that I don't feel like I'm wearing a full face of cakey makeup at the pool. So, here is some information about each of the lightweight foundations with SPF I ordered, as well as some of my personal pros/cons of each.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

Link: Buy it here
SPF: 30
Coverage: Light

Pros: I liked the coverage a lot when I first put this on (however, read the con!)

Cons: I felt like this seemed like it had decent coverage when I put it on, but it did not have lasting power for me. After a few hours, I felt like I didn't have any foundation on and that it was almost patchy/pilling for me a little.

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue

Link: Buy it here
SPF: 30
Coverage: Light

Pros: I loved this. It blended seamlessly, had the perfect amount of dewy "glow," felt extremely lightweight but also provided enough coverage that I felt comfortable wearing it out and about. I also felt like it had great staying power even spending hours outside at a brewery on an 85 degree day.

Cons: I cannot think of any!

IT Cosmetics Nude Glow

Link: Buy it here
SPF: 40
Coverage: Medium

Pros: I thought this had really great coverage - I feel like it would transition well from "daytime" foundation to nighttime, because of the coverage. It did a great job of covering up any uneven skin tone, scarring, acne, etc. Also, this is weird, but I really liked that this one *smelled* like SPF. I really felt like I was protecting my skin by putting this on. If you don't like the smell of sunscreen, this could be a con for you!

Cons: I was SO, SO, SO shiny after just a few hours of wearing this. Yes - I know "glow" is specifically in the name, but if you have oily skin, I recommend staying away from this.

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint

Link: Buy it here
SPF: 40
Coverage: Light

Pros: I liked the coverage of this and loved that it did not make my face super shiny, even hours after wearing it. It had a nice balance between being dewy and matte. I also love that it has built-in skincare, and that you can wear it on its own as a tinted SPF or as foundation by building it up a bit. I will say: I would recommend this for dry or combination skin, but probably not OILY skin. You can use setting powder on top of it if it makes you feel too dewy!

Cons: I didn't love the smell of this. Thankfully, it goes away pretty soon after putting it on, but it's not ideal being able to smell it in the first place. Also, I thought the bottle could have been better - you use a dropper to get this out, vs. squeezing a bottle or using a pump. It can get messy.

EltaMD Tinted Sunscreen Moisturizer

Link: Buy it here
SPF: 40
Coverage: Very Light

Pros: This one is very highly recommended by dermatologists and is great if you are strictly looking for a tinted moisturizer (with very minimal coverage).

Cons: If you are looking for something that is *very strictly* tinted moisturizer vs. a lightweight foundation, this could work for you. That said, the coverage in my opinion was EXTREMELY light and felt borderline nonexistent to me, personally.

My Rankings: Lightweight Foundations with SPF

And now, for my rankings! Without further ado:

1. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue
2. ILIA Skin Tint
3. IT Cosmetics Nude Glow
4. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
5. EltaMD Tinted Moisturizer

The bareMinerals Complexion Rescue was BY FAR AND AWAY my #1! I couldn't believe how much I loved it - it was the perfect balance of lightweight and coverage, and really felt like my skin but better. Highly highly recommend!! It blended seamlessly, had the perfect amount of dewy "glow," felt extremely lightweight but also provided enough coverage that I felt comfortable wearing it out and about. I also felt like it had great staying power even spending hours outside at a brewery on an 85 degree day. I wore it in the pool as well, and it stayed better than I could have anticipated!

Are there any you think I'm missing? What are your favorites? Leave a comment - I'd love your thoughts!