Summer-Proof Your Makeup: These Are the Best Sweat-Resistant Foundations to Beat the Heat (2024)

Our Top Picks

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 44 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Along with iced coffee and proper sunscreen protection, this foundation is at the top of our list of summer essentials. Formulated with Charlotte’s proprietary ingredient called Aircool™ (which literally delivers a burst of cooling menthol-infused sensations to the skin barrier as you apply it), Airbrush Flawless Foundation will keep your makeup intact no matter what sweat-inducing scenario you might find yourself in. This foundation is considered a “setting foundation,” resulting in a velvet matte finish that oxidizes into a true-to-form match all day long.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 24 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

At this price point, this matte foundation challenges even those on the luxury radar. The mousse texture is easy to work in and can either deliver a sheer effect or layer up as a full-coverage finish. It’s a sweat-proof pick that has been around for ages, garnering a permanent spot in our makeup bags whenever in need of a trustworthy drugstore formula in a pinch. Use less than you think you'll need—just a dab of whipped product can shield your complexion from any sweat-induced slip.

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 40 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Both professional makeup artists and beauty fans alike love this drugstore foundation for its ability to reduce the appearance of pores and keep redness under control.The formula is oil-free and boasts a 40-shade range, inclusive and perfect for hot weather and sweaty situations. If you struggle to control your shine, you’ll love that this foundation keeps skin looking soft and pore-less with a “natural matte” finish all day long.

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 40 | Finish: Natural Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Urban Decay’s Face Bonding Self-Setting Waterproof Foundation doesn’t transfer or smudge against heat, sweat, or any water-adjacent activities. If you go for this pick, your complexion base will already have the qualities of a foundation-to-powder finish backed by a touch of niacinamide to enhance the product and its ability to minimize redness and pores, as well as blemishes and acne scars. Because of its savvy little precision dropper, you never risk going overboard on the application. Just keep in mind that since it’s mattifying, it is best to moisturize thoroughly beforehand and only use a dedicated amount of foundation each time to avoid accentuating skin texture concerns and fine lines.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 30 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Any foundation by Giorgio Armani has, and will probably always have, a legacy as one of the best foundations you can slather on your face for a red carpet–approved glow. Usually, it's this foundation's sister formula, Luminous Silk, that tends to get all the love, but if you're looking for play-hard endurance, this one's the better bet. Associate commerce editor Caitlyn Martyn swears by this one for warmer summer days, especially if you're attending an outdoor wedding or riding a hot subway.

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 16 | Finish: Natural Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Another medium-coverage summer hero is this formula by Clinique. It is light and silky yet dries down for a budge-free matte finish. The formula contains willow bark extract (an ingredient derived from the white willow tree known for its anti-inflammatory properties) that reduces redness, minimizes pore size, and soaks up all the shine. If you have a really oily complexion, you should give it a go—the staying power is impressive. Bonus: It's so absorbent that you won't even need setting powder.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 36 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Like all foundations from Make Up For Ever, this shine-zapping formula does what it's supposed to do—conceal blemishes and uneven texture—while feeling breathable and light on the skin. The fluid texture is easy to blend and lasts ‘till it’s time to wash the day off. Want your skin to look perfectly naturally matte without much product necessary? This is the foundation for you.

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 40 | Finish: Soft Glow | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you often fall victim to breakouts, rising temperatures can especially aggravate skin if you’re wearing a potentially comedogenic foundation. Keep your base feeling light and breathable with this foundation from Hourglass, a medium-coverage formula that comes in 40 shades and leaves behind a gorgeous soft-focus finish that blurs and smooths the look of texture. Like many of the formulas on this list, this foundation is humidity- and sweat-resistant. But, an added bonus is for sure its light-diffusing effect, which refers to the pigments infused within that protect the skin against blue light.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 56 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Possibly one of the most popular foundations ever created, the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Foundation stands true to its name—once it's applied, it’s not going anywhere. Whether you wear it dancing all night, riding the subway in triple-digit temperatures, or sitting in the beating sun for hours, this foundation will lock in place without ever smudging or feeling cakey. It does give off a bit of flashback if not shade-matched correctly, so choose wisely between the 56 shades available.

Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 15 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This prestige, gel-based foundation actively hydrates the skin barrier while providing unbeatable natural coverage and preventing moisture loss as a formula that is made of 60% water. We love that it comes packaged in a product jar, seamless for on-the-go touch-ups, and condensed with aloe, chamomile, and arnica to appeal to not only dry skin types but sensitive skin types as well.

Coverage: Full coverage | Shade Range: 40 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This Gucci Beauty foundation mattifies our entire complexion with just a pump. To note, it has a texture that is beautifully lightweight and transfer-proof, granting the coverage power to even out acne scars and blemishes without having pigment settle in smile lines. And, to balance out the mattifying effect it delivers, the formula includes black rose oil and hyaluronic acid, keeping the skin airy, hydrated, and looking as natural as ever.

Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 12 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Handcrafted by artisans in Los Angeles, this foundation balm is a stunning option for summertime—or any time of year for that matter. It boasts a natural silky finish and because it’s infused with the aroma of frankincense, it has a spellbinding quality that will differentiate it from any other spot corrector or foundation you have used in the past. We also love that it comes in a compact that’s easy to carry and bring with you on all of your adventures.

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 31 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A forever favorite for anyone who loves the minimalist look, Laura Mercier’s Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation is makeup for everyday life. If you are looking for a high-performing base to wear day to day, this stunning formula is designed to be sweat, humidity, water, and transfer-resistant. In terms of shade range, fair shades might run on the darker side, so fair skin tones take note. Though, within the warm undertone range, there is plenty to choose from.

Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 10 | Finish: Radiant | Size: 1.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This multipurpose tinted moisturizer has all the bases covered when it comes to what one would need from a performance-driven sweat-proof foundation. It is oil-free and offers great coverage with featherweight texture, double the SPF protection all year-round, and vitamin C for added antioxidant support from your base product of choice. It evens out our skin tone, and whether worn alone or with product on top, we trust this formula as a buildable pick for everyday wear.

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 4 | Finish: Natural Matte | Size: 0.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Wander has reinvented one of the all-time classic makeup bag essentials by creating a talc- and oil-free pressed powder compact. It works to absorb excess oil—thanks to its Rubicell applicator—and gives your skin a soft matte finish in one dab. We trust this compact sweat-proof foundation for midday touch-ups as well, especially if you're like us, and tend to prioritize liquid concealer as your one and only base product. It is also formulated with aloe leaves, honeysuckle flowers, jojoba esters, and hyaluronic acid to reduce redness and keep skin hydrated.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 20 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Suitable for all skin types, this foundation is smudge- and transfer-resistant, so you can count on it to last all day. The super blendable pigment can be customized to match your specific shade needs, with only 10 ingredients set to optimize your base makeup routine.

Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 14 | Finish: Radiant | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We love it when skincare and makeup combine, so it is no surprise that we can’t get enough of this innovative tinted serum. Best applied by pumping it onto the back of the hand and then using a foundation brush to burst the microencapsulated pigment spheres, it's a sheer wash of color that will even out your complexion while hydrating your skin without irritation.

Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 21 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.31 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As much as we love the warmth, it can leave some of us looking red and flushed. Makeup artist Gucci Westman’s luxuriously packaged stick foundation is what we keep on hand to calm redness and provide natural coverage. The consistency is super creamy, so you can apply it using just your fingertips for spot correcting. Though for a full base, we recommend blending out this foundation with a foundation brush. Move quickly, because it settles into dry spots if not.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 42 | Finish: Velvet Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you struggle to find your perfect shade match, this velvet matte foundation has one of the best selection of shades available. It’s waterproof and sweat-proof, but the magic really lies within its ability to grant a full coverage finish but with a lightweight feel. Best applied using a damp blender sponge or brush, a tiny amount is all you need for your whole face.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 50 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Despite being founded almost 90 years ago, Lancôme continues to reinvent and reformulate its foundations to ensure it provides the best possible coverage (while also refreshing their technology and skin-enriching ingredients). This new and improved formula is suitable for all skin types, and we love how it has all the elements you’ll need in a foundation for a long hot summer—SPF protection, sweat resistance, and long-lasting wear.

Coverage: Medium to full coverage | Shade Range: 15 | Finish: Luminous | Size: 1.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

CC cream is known to boast all the color corrective properties individuals need in order to specifically address concerns of redness and hyperpigmentation, so when contributing writer Chelsea Avila discovered Toty’s medium coverage CC-cream formula, she took the opportunity to neutralize her skin concerns with this base product while protecting her complexion with maximum UVA and UVB coverage. To her surprise, it held up against the wilting heat during a two-hour sample sale line. “This CC cream turned out to be my full-coverage summer go-to, and that’s coming from someone who likens the natural look with high impact,” she explains. On further research, it is the adaptive pigment technology behind its beautiful performance, which enlists coated mineral filters to adapt to all skin tones, without any heaviness, flashback, or grease.

Coverage: Medium to full coverage | Shade Range: 35 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Chanel’s sweat-proof foundation has a satin matte finish for the days when lightweight makeup is simply something we will not compromise on. It complements mature skin miraculously and those at any age who want the final say on how buildable and full coverage their foundation is. With 35 shades, an easy blend (with even just your fingertips), and moisturizing properties such as plant-derived glycerin, this recommendation is appealing on application and finish.

Coverage: Medium to full coverage | Shade Range: 14 | Finish: Soft Matte | Size: 0.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Ami Colé’s Skin Stick glides onto the skin like a balm—the only way to describe its texture at first touch is buttery, full-coverage, and very luxurious. With over eight dark-toned shades and various warm shades too, this sweat-proof foundation stick was developed by a black-owned brand that knows that to be inclusive in shade range, the complexities of one’s undertones and skin type must be considered at every point of the formulation. Our favorite part about this product is that it doesn't tug against the skin. With shea butter, hibiscus flower extract, and baobab seed oil infused within, we now know why the skin stick is at the top of the game.

FAQ

• Which type of foundation is good for sweaty skin?

  Look for a foundation that’s labeled as being long-wearing or matte. If you also have oily skin, look for foundations made for oily skin that are noncomedogenic and oil-free, or that have oil control as a feature.

• How do you sweat-proof foundation?

  You can help sweat-proof your foundation by using a primer and not using heavy, cakey foundations. Using a sheer or buildable sweat-proof foundation can help keep your makeup on.