With hydrating picks from Oars + Alps, Fenty Skin, and more
You already know how important it is to be wearing sunscreen 365 days a year, rain or shine. You should also be applying moisturizer daily, no matter your skin type. Enter the beauty of a moisturizer with SPF—the two-in-one product that helps you cut down on steps in your morning skincare routine.
The best moisturizers with SPF should offer broad-spectrum sun protection, meaning it shields your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.1 “Seek out non-comedogenic options that you know won’t clog pores,” advises New York City board-certified dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD. She recommends looking for formulas that contain antioxidants, which will act as a layer of defense against skin-damaging free radicals. Finally, she advises looking for ingredients to repair the skin barrier, like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides.
In order to figure out which moisturizers with SPF stand out among the competition, we did in-depth research on tons of the most popular and highly-rated options before selecting dozens to put to the test in our lab facility in NYC as well as at home. Our testers each used one product consistently for two weeks, evaluating it based on its texture and feel on the skin, how well it absorbed, how it made their skin feel throughout the day, and how it looked on the face. We scored each product in each category, and those that ranked the highest and therefore impressed us the most appear on this list.
Best Overall: Oars + Alps Everyday Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer with SPF 37
There are so many things that we absolutely adore about this moisturizer with SPF. Although the texture is more reminiscent of a true SPF rather than a creamy or gel-like moisturizer, once you rub it into the skin, it feels incredibly lightweight, hydrating, and non-greasy. It absorbs within a matter of seconds, leaves no residue or white cast behind, and layers beautifully with makeup.
The formula features reef-safe chemicals and physical UVA and UVB blockers, and while it has a very subtle sunscreen scent, it’s fragrance-free, and any scent derived from the ingredients dissipates on the skin quickly. It also contains hyaluronic acid for an added boost of hydration, as well as vitamins E and B5 for nourishment and antioxidant protection. After wearing it all day, the skin feels balanced and soft to the touch. It’s pretty much everything we want and need in a moisturizer with SPF, making it easy to recommend for all skin types.
Best Splurge: MDSolar Sciences Daily Perfecting Moisturizer
This is truly an all-in-one moisturizer. It contains hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, antioxidants, like snow mushroom, grape extract, and vitamin C, as well as caffeine and niacinamide to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and fine lines. And, of course, it features SPF 30. The texture is lightweight but moisturizing enough to keep the skin feeling good all day long, and we love that it absorbs within a few minutes and doesn’t create a white cast. Unlike a lot of sunscreens and moisturizers with SPF, the consistency is ultra-blendable and layers effortlessly with other skincare and makeup products. It has a subtle luminous finish that makes the skin glow, and it’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. If you’re looking for a product that will hydrate your skin, provide UVA and UVB protection, and serve up a dose of antioxidants, we highly recommend checking out this highly-rated moisturizer with SPF.
Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50
This is our favorite drugstore moisturizer with SPF because it’s lightweight and hydrating, incredibly easy to blend and layer with makeup and other skincare products, and it creates a glowy finish on the skin. It’s pretty no-frills in the sense that it doesn’t contain a ton of buzzy skincare ingredients, like niacinamide, acids, or vitamin C, but this might actually be ideal for those that are sensitive to actives. It does, however, contain hyaluronic acid for an added boost of moisture, as well as a blend of chemical UV blockers that provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It’s non-greasy, doesn’t create a white cast, and won’t clog pores.
While it is free from added fragrance, it’s worth noting that it does have a strong chemical SPF scent upon the initial application. Considering that the scent dissipates after a few minutes and the formula is really fantastic, this certainly isn’t a deal breaker for us.
Best Glowy: Cay Skin Isle Glow Face Moisturizer SPF 45
A lot of sunscreens appear glowy on the skin due to greasy or oily formulas. We love that this one maintains a lightweight and comfortable feel on the skin while making the complexion look radiant via the inclusion of super-fine pearl in the formula rather than a greasy texture. Because of this, it’s suitable for all skin types, even oily—one of our testers with oily skin mentioned that while most dewy products make her look all too shiny, this one added just the right amount of radiance. The hydrating formula contains sea moss to help strengthen the skin barrier, plant-based nectar for moisture, and niacinamide to smooth skin.
It layers beautifully underneath foundation, but we found that it does have the propensity to pill when layered with heavier creams. And while the brand doesn’t specifically advise shaking the bottle prior to application, we highly recommend doing so because the formula does separate. But once you shake the bottle and apply it to the skin, we think you’ll be incredibly pleased with the hydrated, glowy results you achieve.
Best Anti-Anti: Origins A Perfect World SPF 40 Age-Defense Moisturizer With White Tea
Exposure to damaging UV rays is a massive contributor to skin aging.2 In order to prevent this, consistent SPF application is essential. And if anti-aging is something you’re particularly focused on in your skincare routine, incorporating antioxidants that protect the skin from free radical damage is a major plus. This moisturizer with SPF shields the skin from the damaging effects of the sun, provides necessary hydration, and is packed with white tea, a potent antioxidant.
The texture is fairly lightweight and creamy, allowing it to provide just the right amount of richness and hydration without feeling greasy, though it is slightly hard to blend in as its texture more closely resembles a true SPF rather than a traditional moisturizer. However, it doesn’t create a white cast, it’s not oily, and it doesn’t feel stiff or heavy like some SPFs do. If you don’t mind taking an extra minute to work your skincare into your face, we think you’ll really enjoy this formula.
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV With SPF 30
If you have sensitive skin, then you know how tricky it can be to find products that deliver on their claims without causing irritation. This dermatologist-tested moisturizer with SPF could be a fantastic choice for you if you’re looking for hydration and sun protection, all wrapped up into one convenient product. The formula is rich and deeply hydrating without being overly oily, and we love that it’s packed with nourishing ingredients, like ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, and La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water, the brand’s core ingredient that’s infused with antioxidants.
When you first apply it, you’ll notice that it has a creamy texture that absorbs quickly and doesn’t look greasy or create a white cast. Because the formula is pretty rich and moisturizing, it tends to look a bit shiny throughout the day, especially on oily skin, but it’s easy to blot away, and we’d absolutely take this over it being chalky or drying like some SPFs are. Plus, we love that it’s relatively affordable and accessible at the drugstore.
Best Multi-Purpose: Lancôme UV Expert Defense SPF 50+ Primer & Moisturizer
The reality is—tons of SPF products simply don’t layer well underneath makeup. Moisturizers with SPF are better for wearing under makeup than some traditional sunscreen formulas that can be stiff and cause pilling, but finding a consistency that layers seamlessly underneath the foundation takes trial and error. We like this one because it was formulated with makeup application in mind. It works as a moisturizer, SPF, and makeup primer, and the emollient, easy-to-blend texture lends well to layering with other products.
While the brand claims that it has a gel texture, we found it to be a bit more rich and creamy than a traditional gel, but this actually made it hydrating enough to keep dry skin looking and feeling moisturized throughout the day. It is just a hair greasy, meaning that those with oily skin might want to proceed with caution, but it’s not so greasy that it feels heavy or looks overly shiny. On its own, it creates a luminous finish on the skin with absolutely no white cast, and when layered with makeup, it provides a lit-from-within radiance that helps foundation look skin-like.
Best Refillable: Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
If adopting a more sustainable beauty routine is important to you, we recommend checking out this refillable moisturizer with SPF. Once you purchase it initially, you can buy a refill cartridge once you run out—it makes for less plastic, and it’s more cost-effective. We also have to give major bonus points to the brand for also having a fragrance-free option available.
In terms of the formula, it’s quite thin and creamy, making it easy to spread across the face and blend into the skin. It’s non-greasy and doesn’t create a white cast. It provides a nice level of hydration for oily and balanced skin, though it could be a bit too light for those with dry skin, especially during the cooler months. We also found that it did pill underneath some foundations, but if you’re willing to experiment a bit to see what it layers nicely with, or you’re planning on using it on bare skin, we still absolutely recommend giving it a try.
Final Verdict
Our favorite moisturizer with SPF is the Oars + Alps Everyday Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer with SPF 37. It’s lightweight and hydrating, fragrance-free, affordable, and doesn’t create a white cast. But if you’re looking for an option you can grab conveniently at your local drugstore, we recommend the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50.
How We Tested
In order to determine which moisturizers with SPF we recommend, we researched tons of the most popular and highly-rated options before selecting dozens to put to the test in our lab facility in NYC as well as at home. Our testers each used one product in the morning every day for two weeks, evaluating it based on its texture, feel on the skin, absorption, and finish. We then scored each product in each category, and those that ranked the highest appear on this list.
What to Look for When Buying a Moisturizer With SPF
Broad-Spectrum Protection
As for any SPF product (whether a full-body sunscreen or a simple facial moisturizer with added sun protection), be sure to look out for products that offer broad-spectrum protection. This will indicate that the formula guards against both UVA and UVB rays, which is essential for protecting the skin from sunburns, cancer, and signs of aging.1 Our best overall pick, the Oars + Alps Everyday Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer with SPF 37, offers broad-spectrum protection.
Non-Comedogenic and Oil-Free
When it comes to moisturizers with SPF, Peredo says it’s important to seek out formulas that are both non-comedogenic and oil-free to prevent breakouts—this is especially important if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50 is both non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.
Skin Barrier-Strengthening Ingredients
SPF or not, a face moisturizer must help to protect and strengthen your skin, too. By helping to maintain a strong and healthy skin barrier, ingredients such as ceramides (which are in the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV SPF 30) and niacinamide (which is featured in the MDSolar Sciences Daily Perfecting Moisturizer) help to lock in hydration and prevent irritants from getting in, Peredo says.
FAQ
Do moisturizers with SPF provide sufficient sun protection?
Moisturizers with SPF are protective, but there are differences between them and traditional sunscreens that are important to understand. “Moisturizers with SPF are tested to the same standard as specialized sunscreen products, so they provide the same level of UV protection,” says Frauke Neuser, MD. “The main difference is that they usually aren’t waterproof or water-resistant, which is why you’d want to use a specialized sunscreen when you’re on the beach or exercising outdoors.”
Do moisturizers with SPF cause acne?
According to Neuser, moisturizers with SPF don’t necessarily cause acne, but there are two factors that may contribute to sunscreen-related breakouts. Clogged pores from comedogenic ingredients or sensitivity to chemical UV filters can trigger breakouts. “Make sure you use a product that’s non-comedogenic or a mineral sunscreen if you know you’re sensitive to chemical UV filters,” she says.
