Sunscreen is a nonnegotiable skincare, and using one with serious hydrating powers is all the better. Some of the best moisturizers with SPF are a godsend if you are short on time in the morning. They consider all the elements that comprise a good moisturizer and an effective sunscreen. Proven moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid are combined with sun protectors to keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and well-protected. So, if you're in the market for a moisturizer with SPF that works just as well as the traditional version, these are the best ones.
What to Look for in Moisturizers with SPF
Moisturizer with SPF is exactly what it sounds like. To reap the skin-loving benefits of these products, it's important to find a formula that's compatible with your skin type. Look for hydrating and moisturizing ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to keep moisture in the skin while softening it. Moisturizers with an SPF of at least 30 are best.
Shop the Best Moisturizers with SPF
1. Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15
We all have those days when our skin needs a little more coverage to cover up imperfections, but you don't want to bypass using your moisturizer or sunscreen. That's where this tinted moisturizer with SPF comes into play. The lightweight formula is the quintessential definition of makeup meets skincare, with the concealing benefit of makeup but with the hydration and sun protection of serious skincare.
Key Ingredients: Botanical actives, polysaccharides, titanium dioxide
SPF Type: Mineral
SPF: 15
2. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench® Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Hyaluronic Cloud Moisturizer
Consider this skin-quenching moisturizer like a tall drink of water for the skin on a hot summer day. With a non-greasy finish, this sunscreen hydrates while protecting the skin to limit moisture loss that typically occurs as a result of sun exposure.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid complex, Pentavitin®, 5% SunBoost ATB, ProHyal
SPF Type: Chemical
SPF Level: 45
3. Revision Skincare Intellishade Matte Age-Defying Tinted Moisturiser SPF 45
So much more than your standard moisturizer with sunscreen, this 5-in-1 tinted version works to protect the skin, correct damage and discoloration, conceal imperfections, hydrate the skin, and provide a brightening effect. We love this mineral sunscreen's smooth and flawless finish and the fact that it never irritates the skin or leaves it feeling red or itchy—a major plus for sunscreen.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, THD ascorbate (vitamin C), lecithin, octinoxate, octisalate, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, white birch extract, yeast extract, plankton extract, coenzyme Q10.
SPF Type: Mineral
SPF Level: 45
4. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30
Hydration is a key component to youthful and healthy skin, and this moisturizer plus sunscreen reinvigorates and renews dull, dry skin, giving it a new lease on life. Lightweight and oil-free, so it's safe to use on sensitive and acne-prone skin, this formula helps to heal, hydrate, and nurse dehydrated skin back to health for a noticeable difference you can feel and see.
Key Ingredients: Cermaide-3, glycerin, niacinamide, silica, dimethicone, La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water
SPF Type: Chemical
SPF: 30
5. Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50
The sun can damage your skin, so it's essential to wear an intense moisturizer that helps protect the skin from photodamage while diminishing the signs of premature aging. This daily moisturizer does all of that and, more yet, never leaves the skin feeling weighed down or greasy.
Key Ingredients: Polypeptides, white tea
SPF Type: Chemical
SPF: 50
6. Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 33
The perfect sun-protecting antidote for oily skin, this daily face sunscreen glides on to deliver a long-lasting dose of sunscreen and moisture thanks to hyaluronic acid. This dermatologist-approved formula is perfect to wear under makeup, as your primer, or on its own.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate , oxybenzone , phytomelanin, beta-glucan 1, 3
SPF Type: Chemical
SPF: 33
7. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30
Layer on this daily-use anti-aging cream with SPF 30 to help protect the tone, texture, health, and quality of the skin. The formulation works hard to firm it and reduce wrinkles, too. Skin appears softer, more hydrated, and more radiant when you work this antioxidant-rich cream into your everyday skincare routine.
Key Ingredients: Padina Pavonica, ginkgo biloba, chlorella
SPF Type: Chemical
SPF Level: 30
8. EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
Your moisturizer doesn't need to be thick and heavy to hydrate the skin significantly. One reason this formula is a fan favorite is that it's light enough to calm and comfort the skin (you can even use it post-procedure) yet powerful enough to protect a layer of defense from UV rays while leaving the skin feeling oh-so-good.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, micronized zinc oxide, vitamin E
SPF Type: Mineral
SPF: 40
9. MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50
Perfect for travel and when you are on the go, this effective moisturizer is infused with mineral sunscreen to help lock in hydration all day. The luxurious formula glides onto the skin and leaves the skin feeling fresh, bouncy, and fully safeguarded from damaging UV light, blue light, and even environmental factors and pollution.
Key Ingredients: ProVention-R® technology, zinc oxide, vitamin C, green tea
SPF Type: Mineral
SPF: 50
10. Eminence Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40
Treat your skin to its daily UV defense and hydration dose with this all-in-one moisturizer. Its blend of good-for-your-skin ingredients rejuvenates the skin and restores much-needed moisture. It also features a mineral sunscreen base so that you're completely protected on every level.
Key Ingredients: Linden tea, shea butter, zinc oxide, lilikoi seed oil, cocoa seed extract, Satsuma Mandarin peel extract
SPF Type: Mineral
SPF: 40
11. CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Perfect for all-day hydration and sun protection, this dermatologist-developed moisturizing lotion restores the skin's protective barrier to keep moisture in and dryness and irritants out. We like how light on the skin this lotion is, but it has serious UV protection power, making it a win-win formulation.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, InVisibleZinc™ technology
SPF Type: Chemical and mineral
SPF: 30
12. Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck & Chest Broad Spectrum SPF 25
Taking good care of the skin on your face is important, but paying attention to the neck and chest when it comes to sun protection and hydration is equally important. This moisturizing cream firms, smoothes, and improves the look of the skin on the neck and chest so that everything is even and healthy.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, peptides, niacinamide, vitamin C and B3
SPF Type: Mineral
SPF: 25
13. Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Moisturizing Day Cream SPF 15
For tighter, intensely hydrated skin, make sure to add this sunscreen-infused moisturizing cream to your current skincare rotation. Loaded with ceramides that help reinstate the skin's moisture barrier and skin-firming peptides, this light-as-air formula locks in all-day hydration for a more youthful-looking you.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, tetrapeptides and edelweiss extract
SPF Type: Chemical
SPF: 15
14. Avène Hydrance SPF 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion
Suitable for sensitive skin, this super moisturizing lotion diminishes the typical symptoms of dry and dehydrated skin without skimping on sun protection. Clinically proven to moisturize the skin for eight hours, this lightweight lotion also helps to soothe the skin.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, zinc oxide, tocopherol, Avene thermal spring water
SPF Type: Mineral
SPF: 30
15. Perricone MD High Potency Classics Face Finishing & Firming Moisturizer
A truly indulgent moisturizer with a pretty rose scent, this deeply moisturizing cream plumps and firms the skin, leaving it looking luminous and glowy the more you use it. We also like that it is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients, which provide a skin-smoothing effect while protecting it, too.
Key Ingredients: DMAE, vitamin E, kukui nut seed oil
FAQs
Do Moisturizers with SPF Cause Acne?
Some sunscreens can instigate acne by clogging pores, but that's not the case with all types and formulations. Some sunscreens, whether traditional or a moisturizer with SPF, can contain irritating ingredients, which is why it's key to use non-comedogenic products.
Do I Need to Reapply a Moisturizer with SPF?
Sunscreen should always be reapplied when spending time outdoors or in the water, and the same goes for wearing a moisturizer with SPF. Applying a traditional sunscreen on top of moisturizer with SPF adds another layer of protection.
Is Moisturizer with SPF Enough to Protect My Skin from the Sun?
Using a moisturizer with SPF is convenient, and it does offer a decent amount of sun protection as long as the SPF is high enough. To be on the safe side, you can always wear traditional sunscreen for an added layer of defense.
The Bottom Line
Using a moisturizer with sunscreen is an easy way to protect your skin from damaging UV rays while delivering a dose of much-needed all-day hydration. Still, it's important to find one compatible with your skin type. Some formulas veer a bit lighter on the SPF, and if you find it's a little low for your liking, add a traditional sunscreen into the mix for added protection. Ultimately, as long as you are protecting your skin daily from the sun year-round, you're ahead of the game!
Shop our favorite moisturizers with SPF here.
Next up: The 14 Best Barrier Creams to Achieve Youthful, Hydrated Skin
