The Best SPF Makeup That Protects My Skin From The Sun, According to 1 Year of Testing

Co-founded by makeup artist Nikki Derorest—Alexandra Daddario, Simone Ashley, and Phoebe Dynevor are clients—all of the Ciele products I tested marry form with function. However, if I could only pick one, it would undoubtedly be this concealer.

Dealing with angry pimples that pop up on your face right before a big event? Same! I dab this on to hide and diffuse zits, and the finish is like a beauty filter IRL. My dark circles are instantly less noticeable, while my facial redness is significantly reduced with this concealer. It features a creamy texture that provides a natural, skin-like finish for everyday wear. I can also instantly build up to full coverage for a seamless, flawless look. It blends out easily with my fingers, but I get the most impressive finish when I use the Ciele dual-ended brush or myBK Beauty concealer brush.

What I love most is that it uses mineral ingredients, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, to protect my skin from the sun with zero irritation. It also contains tranexamic acid (TXA), which is lauded by dermatologists, including Dr. Camp, for its ability to improve hyperpigmentation and melasma. It’s a mild ingredient that’s usually well-tolerated when paired with other ingredients, including niacinamide, kojic acid, and tretinoin. While I haven’t yet experienced significant improvement in dark spots, I still find Ciele an enjoyable and trustworthy concealer in my rotation.

Sensitive skin like mine is tough to care for because I want minimal ingredients that won’t accidentally irritate my skin. As a significant part of my job involves testing products, I understand how challenging this can be. Whether you’re dealing with eczema, redness, or flaking caused by retinol, Tower 28 is for you. It also hasn’t irritated my skin the night before. In fact, it helped cover up facial redness.

Whenever I want fuller coverage, Tower28 is my go-to foundation. It has a light to medium coverage, ideal for days when you want to show off your freckles and moles. But don’t worry, it still provides enough coverage for adult acne. I use my BK Beauty 101 Foundation Brush to apply and blend this genius product. It also feels so weightless on my face that I often forget I'm wearing foundation until I look in a mirror. Genius!

The only thing to be wary of is if you have oily skin. This one adds a radiance to the skin that can quickly turn greasy if I don’t set it with a powder. However, if you have normal, combination, or dry skin, then this is for you.

I have oily skin and need to set my makeup with powder, or else I look like a disco ball within an hour. Brush On Block has replaced my traditional face powder. The oil-absorbing SPF makeup doesn’t cause flashback in pictures, and the translucent shade is legit invisible on my caramel complexion. The powder leaves my skin looking velvet-matte, rather than flat and overly powdery.

Dr. Camp highlights this as a winning pick due to the ingredients. The combination of zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C moisturizes and protects the skin from environmental stressors.

It’s also equipped with a built-in brush featuring fluffy bristles that don’t scratch my reactive skin. Brush On Block features a convenient container that’s essentially mess-proof. I brought mine to dinner and didn’t realize it was unlocked until I tried reapplying. There was zero residue in my bag, which was a major win. I simply twist the base to unlock the powder, then pop the top, push down the transparent cover, and apply the SPF makeup. It’s also the only featured refillable pick, which helps me minimize excessive plastic waste and save money since each case lasts me about a month.

Honestly, the only downside is that you’re spending $36 for a face sunscreen, but it can be used multiple ways. I’ve been using this SPF makeup on and off for two years and can fully attest that it’s worth owning.

I’ve been using this epic CC cream on and off since July 2019 after makeup artist Lucas Dean introduced me to it. Despite walking a mile in the hot and humid outdoors, the coverage lasted from the afternoon until I washed my face at night.

So what makes it so effective? Beyond a mix of chemical sunscreen filters to guard my skin from the sun, IT Cosmetics combines all of the benefits of a full coverage foundation, concealer, and makeup primer with the skin benefits of a CC cream. Thanks to a trifecta of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E, it provides moisturizing and anti-aging benefits.

The best part? I only need a single pump of product to do my entire face, making it a reliable one and done product when I’m in the mood for full coverage glam. A single tube of CC Cream+ easily lasts me at least three months, depending on how frequently I use it. I also appreciate that the brand initially started with a handful of colors but now offers 30 flexible shades.

Now for the downside: Honestly, it was hard to think of one, but I’d say you should skip this pick if you don’t like rich creamy textures. I typically wear the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, so I’m used to something a little heavier but I understand if that might be a dealbreaker from some who prefer slightly lightweight products. Still, I’m a huge fan of this product and will continue using it for years to come.

During Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour, her makeup artist Rokael Lizama revealed that he used the On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Sprayon Queen Bey. The brand created a new version that still keeps your makeup locked and ready for summer adventures with added sun protection. A quick spritz of this ultra-fine spray helps ensure your cosmetics stays in place for up to 16 hours. It’s sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes—hello, Beyonce-themed dance parties and wedding season glam—without leaving behind a sticky feeling or tell-tale white cast.

So how does it work? Green tea extract helps minimize the appearance of pores (goals TBH) and witch hazel helps mattify skin and controls excess oil. Just remember to hold the can about 10 to 12 inches away from your face to avoid the liquid from forming blobs on your face.

Keep in mind this might not be the setting spray for you if you prefer a dewy finish. It’s really designed for my fellow oily and combination skin ladies and those of us who plan on being outside for the majority of the day.

Cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson is well-regarded in the beauty industry—he’s had stints formulating products everywhere from Estee Lauder to Hailey Bieber’s Rhode. His skincare line BeautyStat provides high performance without breaking my summer travel budget—and his Lip Serum is well-worth incorporating into your routine. For starters, it offers sun protection by using zinc oxide. The gentle mineral filter can sometimes leave behind an ashy finish, but not Lip Serum. Instead, four pink and brown shades (Baby Pink, Neutral Peach, Mocha, and Butter Beige) leave behind a touch of color. My current favorite is the featured Butter Beige, with Mocha being a close second, especially when layered over nude pink lipstick.

Additionally, it’s enriched with vitamin C to brighten discoloration and glucosamine for hydration. Together the hyaluronic acid and peptides help temporarily plump my lip lines for a fuller pout without the painful fillers. It’s subtle, natural, and leaves my lip feeling soft and supple.

I enjoy the orange-vanilla scent because it reminds me of a creamsicle and warm days outdoors. However, if you’re not into either citrus or gourmand aromas then this might not be the SPF makeup for you.

Our lips need protection, too. Most lip SPFs are overly sticky, and my hair inevitably gets caught on my pout. However, Caliray provides ample sheen without a gooey, adhesive feeling. The cushiony texture glides across my lips and feels moisturizing, almost like I’m swiping on an elegant lip balm. I credit shea butter for making my lips genuinely softer, and nourished since incorporating Lipguard into my routine.

Caliray’s doe-foot applicator is also the perfect size for the lips, especially with its slightly pointed tip, which suits the corners of my mouth. I genuinely adore the doe-foot applicator that is the perfect size for my bow-shaped lips.

I’m also impressed by the semi-sheer tints that look great on their own or when layered with a lip liner or lipstick. My go-to shades during the summer have been Zuma, a soft pink, and Trestles, a neutral brown. Now that fall is around the corner, I’m gravitating toward Big Sur, a rosewood mauve. The color lasts for about 90 minutes before it begins to fade, which I’m fine with since it’s recommended to reapply every two hours in the sun.

The only reason to avoid using this gloss is if you have a nut allergy. It’s infused with sweet almond oil, a hydrating and line-smoothing ingredient. If a nut reaction doesn’t apply to you, then Caliray is worth owning.