In the fast-paced world we live in, incorporating multitasking skin-care products into our daily routine can make a huge impact. More specifically, moisturizers with SPF are an excellent way to elevate the skin’s protection through nourishing ingredients, plus SPF to keep the sun’s UV rays at bay and provide an additional layer of protection, whether you spend all day outdoors or in the office.
“Moisturizers with SPF are products, usually formulated as creams or lotions, that contain both hydrating and sun protective ingredients,” says Dr. Rebecca Marcus, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maei MD. “Oftentimes, moisturizers with SPF feel very similar to a regular moisturizer and active ingredients may include either chemical or physical sunscreens such as octinoxate and zinc oxide,” she adds.
With this in mind, we set out to find the best moisturizers with SPF that dermatologists swear by, plus learn more about the benefits of using skin-care products with sun protection, what SPF level is the best for your face, and what other moisturizer ingredients can support your skin in the summer sun.
The benefits of skin care with SPF
Skin-care products formulated with SPF—including moisturizers with SPF—are like any multitasking product, bringing convenience to your skin-care routine. And, when it comes to sunscreen, it’s a way to elevate your overall sun protection efforts. “It is crucial SPF is worn every day, as UV exposure happens through clouds, through glass, and during even quick moments spent outdoors during daylight hours,” says Dr. Marcus.
While many people might slather on sunscreen when intentionally spending time outdoors, Dr. Marcus says there are many other moments throughout the day where sun exposure is inevitable, so incorporating skin-care with SPF in your routine can help ensure you are protected.
The best SPF level for your face
In general, the best SPF level for your face is 30 or higher, says Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist. “It is important to note that in order for a moisturizer with SPF to provide adequate UV protection, enough needs to be applied, which is equivalent to the two-finger rule or the length of the index and middle fingers” she explains.
At the end of the day, sunscreen is skin care, so incorporating it into your routine is essential in order to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays which can not only cause damage and noticeable signs of aging but also lead to skin cancer. A moisturizer with SPF can ensure you have a base layer of protection. However, while some qualify as moisturizers and sunscreen (such as Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF), if you don’t have enough of it on, it’s always a good idea to apply a sunscreen on top of your moisturizer when spending a lot of time outdoors (the more protection, the better).
Ingredients to consider when shopping for moisturizers with SPF
On top of looking for moisturizers with SPF 30 or higher, it’s important to consider other ingredients to ensure overall quality and efficacy. “Some key ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid or glycerin to boost hydration, ceramides to support the skin barrier, and niacinamide to calm and soothe the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. Additionally, ingredients that protect against UV rays such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are also worth looking for. “Some moisturizers with SPF may also be tinted, incorporating iron oxides, which can protect against blue light,” Dr. Garshick adds.
According to Dr. Garshick, the Andalou Naturals Daily Shade + Blue Light Defense Facial Lotion is one of the best moisturizers with SPF because of its high-quality formula and effective ingredients. “This daily sunscreen contains zinc oxide and SPF 30 to provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage while also protecting against blue light and pollution,” says Dr. Garshick. “It also contains hyaluronic acid and bio-designed collagen to help boost moisture, helping to hydrate and plump the skin.”
With a focus on protecting the complexion from the sun and blue light, this is an excellent moisturizer to incorporate into your sunscreen regimen since it can protect your skin both inside and outdoors against multiple environmental aggressors.
SPF level: 30
Size: 2.7 ounces
Dr. Garshick also recommends the CeraVe Ultra-Light Face Lotion Moisturizer with Sunscreen for an excellent drugstore option because it contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid “to help support the skin barrier and draw moisture in.” As its name suggests, this moisturizer is also highly lightweight so you don’t have to worry about it feeling too greasy or sticky. On its own, it’s a fantastic drugstore moisturizer because it contains moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, plus ceramides to support the skin’s moisture barrier.
SPF level: 30
Size: 1.7 ounces
“This moisturizer contains a combination of ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier and niacinamide which has soothing properties while also supporting the skin barrier and calming the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. She explains that the La Roche Posay Face Moisturizer With Sunscreen is also designed to replenish the skin with the inclusion of glycerin and can be used on all skin types since it’s oil-free.
SPF level: 30
Size: 2.5 ounces
<!– –>
Some sunscreens can also double as moisturizers. Case in point: The Beauty Pie Ultralight Daily SPF 30 Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen comes top recommended by Dr. Garshick because it has moisturizing ingredients such as vitamin E, aloe vera, and green tea to support hydration. “This mineral sunscreen offers protection against UV and other environmental aggressors, while also soothing the skin,” she explains.
In addition to its protection factor and hydrating ingredients, the sunscreen is rich in peptides to blur fine lines and wrinkles.
SPF level: 30
Size: 1.69 ounces
Another amazing drugstore moisturizer with SPF, the Olay Regenerist Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer comes top-recommended by Dr. Nazanin Saedi, a board-certified dermatologist at Plymouth Dermatology.
“This product brightens with vitamin C, has peptides to help with anti-aging, and includes SPF so it’s great at multitasking for total skin benefits,” Dr. Saedi explains, adding that the lightweight moisturizer offers hydration without making skin feel too greasy, so it’s safe for most skin types, including oily skin, dry skin, and mature skin.
SPF level: 30
Size: 1.7 ounces
The Sonäge Roux Tinted Day Cream With SPF 30 is another multitasking moisturizer that Dr. Saedi recommends because of its rich formula containing niacinamide, ceramides, squalane, and peptides. “It will hydrate your skin but also offers anti-aging properties,” she notes.
In addition to hydrating the complexion and supporting sun protection with SPF 30, this day cream is tinted, so you can use it to temporarily even out skin tone, whether you wear it as a base for makeup or go bare-faced.
SPF level: 30
Size: 1.69 ounces
<!– –>
Supergoop! is one of our favorite sunscreen brands because they offer so many multitasking formulas that double as skin care, makeup, and sunscreen. Dr. Saedi recommends the Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF because it’s packed with antioxidants (including vitamin C) that brighten the complexion and help your skin glow and provide additional protection from environmental aggressors. And, unlike many other sunscreen formulas, it doesn’t leave a residue on the complexion, so it has that barely-there feel.
SPF level: 40
Size: 1 ounce
Dr. Marcus loves the EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum sunscreen because it’s a “mineral-based sunscreen that includes iron oxides which protect against blue light and can even help fade melasma.”
Additionally, this sunscreen includes powerful moisturizer ingredients such as hyaluronic acid for hydration and it’s non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and safe for sensitive skin. Since it’s tinted, the formula can also temporarily even out the look of the skin tone and you can wear it in replace of makeup for more natural-looking coverage.
SPF level: 44
Size: 2 ounces
The Charlotte Tilbury UV Flawless Primer doubles as moisturizer and sunscreen—plus it contains SPF 50 which is impressive for a skin-care product. “In addition to offering a high level of photoprotection, it contains top hydrating ingredients, [such as] hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe, and shea butter,” says Dr. Marcus. She recommends it as a base layer for makeup or on its own for hydration, protection, and a soft finish.
SPF level: 50
Size: 1 ounce