The Best SPF Skin Care of 2023
Sunscreen has long been considered the nonnegotiable final step in any good a.m. skin-care routine. But if the added effort of piling on yet another product is what’s keeping you from wearing SPF every day, we’ve got good news: With each of the following SPF-infused skin-care products, you can now work your protection into nearly every part of your regimen, leaving you with no excuse to make sunscreen a daily staple.
Our favorite part of these SPF products is that they do a whole lot more than just defend against UV damage. Each and every one is infused with additional active ingredients to offer bonus skin benefits. Whether you’re looking to reduce discoloration, diminish signs of aging, or simply keep your dry complexion hydrated, there’s something here for you.
Shop award-winning SPF skin care
Garnier, Green Labs Replumping Serum Cream Hyalu-Melon — $21
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Best SPF serum for dry skin
Get a lightweight dose of hydration with this serum SPF. It’s made with water-loving hyaluronic acid and watermelon to hydrate and plump your skin. The formula is vegan and free of potential irritants like dyes and mineral oils.
What dermatologists say
“This lightweight serum helps to boost hydration while plumping the skin. It’s fast-absorbing and provides SPF 30 protection, making it great for daily use.” —Marisa Garshick, MD
What testers say
“This serum is super lightweight yet hydrating, and my skin just soaks it up. It smells like Bath & Body Works cucumber melon, giving me a hit of nostalgia every time I reapply.” — Kara Jillian Brown, beauty writer
Active Ingredients
Obenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Hyaluronic acid, Watermelon fruit extract
Size — 2.4 ounces
Pros
- Chemical formula
- SPF 30
- Hydrating serum texture
Cons
- Not water resistant
Coola, Refreshing Water Cream Sunscreen – $48
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Best SPF moisturizer for dry skin
Drench your skin with hydration while adding a veil of protection with this water-cream foundation from Coola. It’s made with hyaluronic acid and coconut water to boost your skin’s water content while protecting your skin from the effects of UV light, blue light, visible light, infrared light, and pollution.
What dermatologists say
“Containing hyaluronic acid and coconut water, this sunscreen boosts moisture making it a great option for those with dry skin. I especially love that it absorbs easily and won’t leave the skin feeling greasy.” —Dr. Garshick
What testers say
“I usually have super dry skin, but didn’t at all while using this. I was hydrated and glowing.”—Alexis Reliford, director of social media
Active Ingredients
Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Hyaluronic acid, Coconut water
Size — 1.5 ounces
Pros
- Chemical formula
- SPF 50
- Gel-cream texture
Cons
- Not water resistant
Solara Suncare, Fortune Teller Brightening Sunscreen Serum — $64
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Best for dullness
Two forms of vitamin C, Moroccan argan oil, and hyaluronic acid come together in this formula to brighten, moisturize, and hydrate dull skin while fading hyperpigmentation over time. It also has a blend of antioxidant-rich botanicals to protect against environmental damage from blue light and pollution.
What dermatologists say
“Incorporating vitamin C as well as the adaptogen-based SuperBright Complex, this helps to improve dullness and brightens the skin while also helping to protect the skin from UV rays. ” — Dr. Garshick
What testers say
“Super silky and not greasy! It blended well into my brown skin. And not only did it brighten it a bit, but also made my skin feel softer after it melted in.” —Reliford
Active Ingredients
Zinc oxide, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid
Size — 1.7 ounces
Pros
- Mineral formula
- SPF 30
- Silky, gel-to-milk texture
Cons
- Not water resistant
- Potential white cast (as is the case for all mineral formulas)
Josie Maran, Get Even Sun Milk — $46
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Best SPF serum for sensitive skin
Kakadu plum has 100 times the amount of vitamin C as an orange, allowing this sunscreen to provide ultimate protection against environmental agressors. It also has a blend of nourishing oils like jojoba and squalane and soothing ingredients like marshmallow root and aloe. Thanks to Micro-Sperse Dispersion Technology that uses high pressure to create small particles, this formula spreads with ease.
What dermatologists say
“Mineral sunscreens are less likely to cause irritation compared to chemical sunscreeen ingredients, so mineral formulations are a good choice for sensitive skin. This formulation also contains emollients to support the skin barrier, including triglycerides, argan oil, jojoba seed oil, safflower seed oil, squalane, and castor oil. And bisabolol, marshmallow root extract, calendula, and aloe vera have soothing, anti-inflammatory properties.” —Hadley King, MD
What testers say
“This was one of my favorites that I tried, and the one I kept reaching for over and over again. It almost has the consistency of a gel or water based product, and glides on very smoothly and really absorbs well into the skin. While I love a classic sunscreen smell, I really appreciated that this was very lightly fragranced—it smells lightly fruity, but not in a chemical-y or fake way. My skin is super-sensitive and will break out into a rash and gets red fairly easily, but this didn’t cause any reaction—it just made my complexion feel hydrated and look wonderfully bright and glossy.” — Jen Snyder, former senior director, experiential + brand projects
Active Ingredients
Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Kakadu plum
Size — 2 ounces
Pros
- Mineral formula
- SPF 33
- Lightweight, milky texture
Cons
- Not water resistant
- Potential white cast
Cetaphil, Healthy Radiance Whipped Day Cream — $25
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Best SPF moisturizer for sensitive skin
Whipped marshmallow is the best way to describe Cetaphil’s Healthy Radiance Cream. The formula is powered by hydrators and antioxidants like niacinamide to combat stressors on the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots. It’s creamy, extremely hydrating, and feels like butter on the skin. Even more, it’s free of fragrances and is designed for sensitive skin types.
What dermatologists say
“Chemical sunscreen formulation that also contains humectants like glycerin to hydrate the skin, emollients like fatty acids to support the skin barrier, and occlusives like dimethicone to help lock in moisture. Also contains 2% niacinamide, which can help improve tone and texture and increase ceramide production in the skin, which strengthens the skin barrier.” — Dr. King
What testers say
“I absolutely loved how this moisturizer felt on my dry skin. Soft and like whipped butter, this moisturizer left my skin feeling more hydrated and plump. I also loved that it does double duty as a moisturizer and sunscreen, so I can eliminate steps in my skin-care routine while protecting myself. It’s definitely going to come in handy all year, especially when the winter months strike.” — Kayla Hui, commerce writer
Active Ingredients
Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Niacinamide
Size — 1.7 ounces
Pros
- Chemical formula
- SPF 30
- Creamy, whipped texture
Cons
- Not water resistant
Vichy, LiftActive Peptide-C — $45
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Best SPF serum for oily skin
Peptides and vitamin C allow this sucnreen to protect skin from the sun and pollution while correcting signes of past exposure like dark spots and fine lines. Plus, it floods your skin with hydration—something oily skin can seriously benefit from.
What dermatologists say
“Contains vitamin C, which may help to brighten skin, and it contains glycolic acid, which exfoliates and may also help to brighten and smooth the skin through exfoliation.” — Dr. King
What testers say
I’ve long been a fan of Vichy’s vitamin C serum, and was *so* excited to test the sunscreen-ified version of the formula. I love that it gives me my daily dose of sun-protective SPF and brightening-fighting vitamin C in a single tube, and the fact that I can pick it up at the drugstore simply doesn’t hurt. —Weiner
Active Ingredients
Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Peptides, Vitamin C
Size — 1.69 ounces
Pros
- Chemical formula
- SPF 30
- Lightweight texture
Cons
- Not water resistant
Differin, Oil-Absorbing Moisturizer — $12
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Best SPF moisturizer for oily skin
If you’re blemish-prone, this one-and-done moisturizer gives you protection and hydration all at once. This mattifying, oil-absorbing moisturizer is the ultimate hack for anyone trying to get sun protection while keeping their routines as simple as possible. The texture is really light, the formula plays well with makeup, and it really does work against the sun’s UV rays.
What dermatologists say
“This is a chemical sunscreen formulation that’s oil free and non-comedogenic. It contains Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate as well as other ingredients that absorb oil and provide a matte finish.” — Dr. King
What testers say
My acne-prone, oily skin loves this formula, which is super lightweight and never clogs pores. It’s oil-absorbing, so instead of leaving my complexion greasy, it leaves it matte-like (but not overly dry, either). This is my go-to whenever I’m breaking out, or just want a solid, one-and-done SPF moisturizer.” —Gina Vaynshteyn, commerce director
Active Ingredients
Avobenzone, Octisalate, Octocrylene
Size — 4 ounces
Pros
- Chemical formula
- SPF 30
- Lotion-y texture
Cons
- Not water resistant
Peter Thomas Roth, Max Vitamin D-Fense SPF 50 Sunscreen Serum — $42
Best anti-aging SPF serum
Any dermatologist will tell you that wearing SPF is the best way to protect against visible signs of skin aging (which, by the way, are caused by UV exposure), but this formula goes above and beyond to treat past *and* future fine future. In addition to offering SPF 50, it’s made with CoQ10, a potent antioxidant that defends against free radical damage and promotes skin elasticity.
What dermatologists say
“CoQ10 is an important antioxidant normally found in the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. UVA/UVB exposure can decrease CoQ10 in the skin which increases the risk of free radical damage. The addition of CoQ10 can help replete CoQ10 providing protection against premature skin aging.” — Carmen Castilla, MD
What testers say
“Absolutely STELLAR face sunscreen—perhaps the best one I’ve ever used. The fragrance is light but recognizable as classic SPF, the texture is silky, and after applying, my skin was luminous and bouncy to the touch. Silky-smooth and liquidy. No chalkiness or stickiness. Looks white outside of the bottle, but goes on clear! Immediately hydrated, bouncy, smooth feeling, looked Dewy and glowing with even skin texture. It might be in my head, but I feel like my skin is way more dewy after using it for a few days. BEST FACE SUNSCREEN EVER. I’ll be using it every day from now on.” —Rosie Bellon, digital designer
Active Ingredients
Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene
Size — 1.7 ounces
Pros
- Chemical formula
- SPF 50
- Creamy serum texture
Cons
- Not water resistant
- Might be shiny for some
ROC, Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Moisturizer — $33
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Best anti-aging SPF moisturizer
Crows feet, WiFi lines, sun spots—whatever you’re trying to “correct,” this anti-aging moisturizer from Roc has got you covered. It’s the ultimate multitasker, and hydrates, protects, plumps, and smooths in one fell swoop. The gel-cream is almost cool to the touch, perfect for layering over skin on hot summer days. Once it’s on, it goes to work fast, re-plumping skin and evening out its texture with both hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. As soon as you’re done blending it in (which it does seamlessly), skin feels bouncier and plumper, like it just chugged a Stanley tumbler full of water.
What dermatologists say
“This chemical sunscreen formulation provides daily sun protection, the most effective topical anti-aging option. It contains hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant which helps to hydrate the skin.” —Dr. King
What testers say
“The moisturizing gel-cream consistency of this formula is really lovely, and it left my skin feeling hydrated and bouncy and looking dewy.”—Ilona Jurkiewicz, senior vice president, people
Active Ingredients
Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Avobenzone, Hyaluronic Acid
Size — 1.7 ounces
Pros
- Chemical formula
- SPF 30
- Creamy texture
Cons
- Not water resistant
- Sometimes the pump can be a bit finicky
Beauty Stat, Universal C Serum — $87
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Best SPF for discoloration
There’s a reason BeautyStat’s Universal C Refiner is as beloved as it is—it’s that good. True to its original formula, it’s a vitamin C rockstar and contains 20 percent of the brightening vitamin in every bottle. Only this version comes with SPF 50, too, making it a mega-multitasker everyone should have stored in their medicine cabinets. Yes, the price tag is steep, but it’s worth it—the vitamin c/mineral SPF combo work in tandem to immediately brighten your skin, slowly but surely reversing signs of aging while protecting it from even further damage.
What dermatologists say
“It contains vitamin C, which can help to brighten skin, as well as EGCG, which contributes additional antioxidant properties.” — Dr. King
What testers say
“This sunscreen serum is so creamy (but not thick) that I often don’t feel like I need to wear moisturizer on top of it. I love that it’s packed with discoloration-fighting ingredients to diminish the appearance of my old dark spots while protecting me against future sun damage.” —Weiner
Active Ingredients
Zinc Oxide, Vitamin C
Size — 1 ounce
Pros
- Mineral formula
- SPF 50
- Serum texture
Cons
- Not water resistant
- Potential white cast