Streamline your a.m. skin-care routine with these hydrating formulas featuring SPF 30 or higher.
If applying sunscreen every day sounds like a hassle to you, it’s high time to add one of the best moisturizers with SPF into your a.m. skin-care routine. Plenty of daily moisturizers seamlessly slip sun protection without compromising texture, scent, or effectiveness. So, whether you have dry skin that’s in need of extra hydration or simply want to cut down on time, these moisturizing face sunscreens have you covered — literally.
The concept behind these multitasking wonders is pretty straightforward. They pull double-duty, pumping skin full of moisture (without leaving any chalky, white cast) while protecting it from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays that can lead to signs of aging like fine lines, and on a larger scale, skin cancer. Just note, as with any other sunscreen, you still need to reapply these throughout the day — every two hours, to be specific — in order to stay protected. (Oh, and wearing sunscreen indoors is also non-negotiable.)
“Hybrid skin-care products have gained popularity recently as consumers are trying to simplify their skin-care routines,” Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City, tells Allure. “SPF-infused moisturizers are a direct result of the desire to do more with less.” She also reassures us that just because there’s an added benefit of broad-spectrum sun protection, does not mean these moisturizers are thicker in texture or pore-clogging. What’s more: Dr. Chang confirms SPF-infused moisturizers are “regulated and tested by the same Food and Drug Administration (FDA) procedures as sunscreens,” so they’re not more diluted in regards to protection.
With any potential concerns assuaged, a few more housekeeping rules are still worth going over. Dr. Chang reminds us that “most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen (a shot glass full) to fully cover the body.” For your face and neck, Dr. Chang says that equates to about 0.3 teaspoons or the size of two nickels. And don’t forget commonly-missed areas, like your eyelids, ears, and chest.
Below we rounded up the 15 best moisturizers with broad-spectrum protection of SPF 30 or higher, which include plenty of dermatologist-approved picks. Now, go forth, and practice safe skin care.
Best Overall for All Skin Types: EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40
It’s been well-documented that dermatologists love EltaMD sunscreens. Dr. Chang loves EltaMD’s UV Daily SPF 40, in particular, because of its hydrating formula. The sheer formula contains hyaluronic acid to boost skin hydration and vitamin E to reduce free-radical damage and improve signs of aging, she says. There’s also a tinted version for a touch of redness-minimizing, non-cakey coverage. Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, department of dermatology, recommends EltaMD to all of her patients — so we know it’s good.
Best for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30
Dr. Gohara also recommends the Best of Beauty-winning La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30 because it’s oil-free, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores or cause breakouts), and contains “super-hydrating ceramides and niacinamide to bring down inflammation,” she says. Need more convincing? The lightweight lotion is spiked with prebiotics that support the diversity of good bacteria present in your skin’s microbiome and strengthens its physical barrier.
Best Tinted Moisturizer: MDSolarSciences Tinted Creme SPF 30
MDSolarSciences’s Tinted Creme comes packed with SPF 30 coverage (via zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) for those who want chemical-free coverage that doesn’t leave skin with a white cast. “Its tiny particles blend with most skin tones and mask the white color of mineral blocks,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Arash Akhavan, MD. “It also contains antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E for added sun protection.”
Best Mineral Sunscreen: EleVen by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35
If you’ve been searching high and low for the perfect mineral sunscreen that’s lightweight enough to can wear both under and reapply over your makeup (a struggle for the ages), we introduce to you EleVen by Venus Williams’s Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35.
Not only does the serum-like sunscreen dry down to a transparent, semi-matte finish, but it also delivers a burst of soothing hydration It’s really no wonder it picked up an Allure Best of Beauty Award.
Extra UVA Protection: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen features the brand’s silk protein, which is a blend of sericin and fibroin. According to New York City-based dermatologist Morgan Rabach, MD, “sericin forms a layer of protection over the skin and may help promote hydration while fibroin may help repair skin cells and balance moisture levels.” When you mix that with the formula’s hyaluronic acid, you’ll notice dewy, brighter skin.
P.S. PA is a rating system that represents Protection Grade of UVA Rays, in addition to the standard SPF number (which only accounts for how well a sunscreen protects your skin against UVB rays). The PA system ranges from PA+ to PA++++, so “the greater the number of plus signs, the better the level of protection against UVA rays,” Joshua Zeichner MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, previously explained.
Best for Dry Skin: Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 42
Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 42 works flawlessly under makeup and looks luminous on its own. This is thanks to the pearly light powder in the formula that gives a glow and makes dullness a thing of the past.
Don’t believe us? Just ask commerce editor Sarah Han. “I’m all about the dewy formulas, especially on days I can’t be bothered to wear makeup, and this one feels like one of a super nourishing moisturizer that just so happens to have SPF protection,” she says. In fact, sometimes she’ll skip the moisturizer altogether. It’s that good.
Derm-Approved Drugstore Pick: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
CeraVe’s AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 is one of the best drugstore sunscreens around. Dr. Chang notes this lightweight, fragrance-free formula is infused with ceramides, aka “key natural lipids to moisturize and repair your skin barrier.” She also calls out the SPF’s inclusion of hyaluronic acid and antioxidant benefits, thanks to niacinamide. Former Allure editor-turned-dermatologist Laurel Naversen Geraghty, MD, also recommends this hybrid, as it doesn’t clog her pores and rubs in within seconds.
Best Chemical and Mineral Blend: iS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 30
iS Clinical, a dermatologist-beloved brand, offers the Extreme Protect SPF 30 that utilizes a blend of chemical and mineral SPF filters (octinoxate and zinc oxide), so you get the best of both worlds. On the moisturizing front, you’ll find soothing aloe and vitamin E, redness-reducing olive leaf extract, and gotu kola extract to promote elasticity and curb the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Best Glowy Finish: Supergoop Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF 40
Supergoop’s expertise is in sunscreen, so of course, we trust the brand to masterfully add sun protection to a moisturizer (and not to mention, a vitamin C serum). That’s exactly what it did with the Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF 40, creating a formula that not only protects skin with SPF 40 but gives it a noticeably hydrated glow that has gotten us some serious compliments.
Best Gel Formula: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50
Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50 feels like a refreshing glass of water on a hot summer day. This gel-like, airy, and fragrance-free formula is loaded with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to maintain a hydrated, smooth complexion, as well as vitamin E to fight free radicals. It’s love at first swipe, especially when considering the reasonable price point.
Best with Antioxidant Protection: Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Sun Fluid SPF 50+
Dr. Jart+’s Every Sun Day Sun Fluid SPF 50+ is one of the most seamless sunscreens Allure commerce editor Sarah Han has ever tested. This chemical formula comes out white but virtually disappears the moment you start rubbing it onto your skin. The best part is the weightless liquid’s antioxidant-rich vitamin E protects skin against environmental aggressors (like air pollution and unprotected sun exposure) and soothes irritation, making it safe for sensitive skin.
And fret not mineral sunscreen devotees, there’s the Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ to suit your preferences, too.
Best with Vitamin C: Olay Regenerist Vitamin C + Peptide 24 SPF 30 Moisturizer
For a product that products, hydrates, and brightens, check out Olay Regenerist Vitamin C + Peptide 24 SPF 30 Moisturizer. Made with skin-tone-evening vitamin C, this lightweight moisturizer has a subtle yet fresh citrus scent and leaves skin looking dewy, but never greasy.
Best Pore-Reducing: Clark’s Botanicals Invisible Hero SPF 30 PA +++
For a mineral sunscreen that has some serious hydrating powers, you need to check out Clark’s Botanicals Invisible Hero SPF 30, which is spiked with hyaluronic acid and marine algae to plump the skin, as well as niacinamide to minimize the appearance of pores. As the cherry on top, this 2022 Best of Beauty Award winner goes on with an silky finish and dries down to an invisible finish on all complexions.
Best for All Skin Tones: Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30
To help you stay protected all year round, Rihanna created the pink-hued Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30, formulated with antioxidant-rich Kalahari melon and brightening niacinamide, which sinks into skin for an invisible, non-chalky, and glowy finish. And, of course, it’s perfect for all skin tones, including melanated complexions.
As a plus, once you run out, you can simply pop a new $30-dollar cartridge right in.
Best for Combination Skin: Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 35
Another one of Dr. Chang’s affordable drugstore options is Cetaphil’s Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 35. She sums up its benefits as such: “It restores the skin’s moisture with hydrating ingredients, like glycerin and panthenol, and protects against free radical damage, with niacinamide and vitamin E.”
For those unfamiliar, panthenol is derived from pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, and keeps skin feeling supple and non-irritated. This oil-free formula doesn’t dare clog your sensitive pores, either — which is the best kind of news for combination skin.
