We all know by now that SPF is a non-negotiable in your skincare routine to prevent sun damage to your complexion. But if you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t be bothered to apply sunscreen lotion after spending precious morning minutes on your preceding skincare steps, you’re not alone—and we’re here to tell you there’s a solution. Enter: moisturizers with SPF.
These multitasking products can help streamline your beauty routine by combining hydrating benefits with sun-protection power. But before someone asks (and someone always does!), no, mixing your body sunscreen with your face moisturizer does not achieve the same results. Mixing the two is actually discouraged, as it can dilute the SPF in your sunscreen. It’s also important to invest in an SPF moisturizer that's specially formulated for your skin and skin type.
"Facial skin is unique and has specific needs," says dermatologist Arash Akhavan, MD. "Any product being applied to the face, including sunscreen, needs to be formulated so that it is non-irritating and does not clog pores. Some sunscreens designed for the body are formulated with oils and other ingredients that can potentially clog pores, causing inflammation and conditions such as breakouts."
Below, we’ll break down how to choose the right moisturizing facial sunscreen for your skin type, what SPF factors to look for, and what our favorite moisturizers with SPF are for hydrated, healthy skin all year-round.
About the Expert:
This broad-spectrum SPF 30 moisturizer features a hybrid of organic and mineral UVA/UVB filters for protection from harmful UV rays, plus glycerin to help skin (yes, even sensitive skin!) feel supple and hydrated. We’ve crowned it a top pick for all skin types because the formula offers long-lasting hydration and much-needed protection in one simple step—and the crowd-fave formula is even vegan, cruelty-free, nano-free, and non-comedogenic.
If you’ve got normal, dry, oily, or combination skin, get ready to fall in love with this facial moisturizer from Alicia Keys’s brand KEYS SOULCARE. This dermatologist-developed formula contains olive-derived squalane and niacinamide to help brighten and balance the appearance of your skin, and it even hydrates skin for up to 24 hours. Use it on a daily basis to leave your skin (and soul) feeling refreshed, balanced, and radiant.
“I’m impressed, a little goes a long way and works well. Virtually unscented, lightweight formula—you almost do not need serum or setting mist,” says Ipster bne1974.
Totally invisible. Fragrance-free. Incredibly lightweight. This SPF moisturizer from Rihanna’s skincare brand feels like nothing but is everything. It contains hyaluronic acid, aloe, and niacinamide to help fade dark spots, smooth pores, and defend against pollution—all while providing sun protection sans chalkiness or flashback.
“This is probably my favorite sunscreen/moisturizer I’ve ever used,” said Ipster naaayyyuhhh. Ipster 13ajuracek echoed those thoughts, saying, “LOVE! One of the few sunscreens that doesn’t pill off my face. It has a gorgeous texture and helped fix some of my freckles forming on my face from not wearing a sunscreen.”
Looking for an option everyone in the fam will love? You’ve found it. Family skincare brand EVEREDEN created one of our all-time favorite SPF formulas, complete with sleek packaging that makes it perfect to take on the go (we see a beach day or picnic in your future!). Not only is this sunscreen safe to use for the littlest ones in the family, but it also has broad-spectrum SPF 50 to help keep both adults’ and kids’ skin safe from the sun.
Bonus: This sunscreen doesn’t leave a white cast, which tends to be a pain point for those who have used mineral sunscreen formulas. Ipster burrgandy7 said, “This sunscreen is totally fantastic! I LOVE that it isn't scented! I LOVE that it's a mineral sunscreen! It's a better sunscreen BECAUSE it's a mineral sunscreen!”
How often and how long you'll be in the sun is the main determining factor for how high of an SPF you should be looking for. For moderate sun exposure, Akhavan says, "I recommend wearing a daily sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher." If you plan to be in the sun all day long, reach for SPF 50. This SPF-50 formula from GLOW RECIPE packs major sun protection power and even enhances your glow with ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and aloe.
If your days are usually spent in an office or away from many of the sun's damaging UVA and UVB rays, then a moisturizing sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher should be enough to keep your skin protected. But TBH, we usually opt for at least SPF 30, because we never know when we might need to step out for an errand or a midday walk—and this has been a formula we keep coming back to. It’s a serious treat for your skin, packed with antioxidant-rich organic grape and pomegranate, soothing aloe vera, vitamins, and nutrient-rich sea algae. It clears and hydrates skin and even helps prevent premature signs of aging caused by everyday sun exposure.
Ipster bibomobaby raved, “This product is a life saver. I can't get over how nice it feels on my skin. It's not too heavy and it doesn't make my skin feel oily or dry, simply just right.”
This lightweight moisturizer offers broad-spectrum protection with SPF 30, the daily recommended SPF level according to dermatologists. It also has a healthy dose of vitamin C to help even out skin tone and boost glow.
"This sunscreen is the best," says Ipster ecruz812. "I loved the hydration boost it added on my face as a primer."
Thanks to their lightweight and breathable nature, gel-based moisturizers are a great choice for those with oil-prone or oily skin. We love using this product on days we want our skin to truly shine, as the formula contains slight reflects that impart an ethereal glow—plus it contains anti-inflammatory ginger, probiotics, and pineapple and papaya extract for a balanced complexion.
"This is a gem. Skin is super glowy," says Ipster ontariostorm. "Not sticky. Doesn’t have that sunscreen scent either. Loving how my skin looks."
This crowd-pleasing face cream is an ideal pick for just about everyone, but we especially love it for mature skin types who are after that anti-aging effect. It comes with the daily recommended dose of SPF and contains powerful antioxidants like grape and pomegranate seed extracts to shield skin from pollution and free radical damage, condition with essential fatty acids, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. All in all, it's a great daily go-to for ultra-light protection that still packs a big punch.
“Only moisturizer I’ve ever actually noticed a difference, and I’m 50. SPF is a plus,” shared one Ipster.
If you have dry skin, you’ll want to look for a moisturizer with ultra-moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin E. And spoiler alert: This face sunscreen contains the first two on the list. Hyaluronic acid helps keep your skin hydrated all day, while ceramides help protect and moisturize the skin. But that's not all—this lotion also includes ingredients that help to reduce redness, scarring, and even stretch marks with regular use. Um, did we just find our new favorite moisturizer?
"This is the best facial sunscreen EVER, says Ipster lia-isa. "Light, not greasy and great under make-up!"
If you have sensitive skin, Akhavan suggests using "mineral sunscreens or products that contain the active ingredients of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as opposed to chemical sun protection." We’re loving this tinted mineral sunscreen that’s specifically formulated for sensitive skin. The clean, zinc-forward formula is completely free of preservatives as well as oil, chemical sunscreen agents, fragrances, gluten, and phthalates. It also features a gentle eye formula that won't cause stinging. Plus, the tinted color means that if you're good with sheer coverage, you can skip foundation and cut your morning makeup routine in half.
"I used this every day during the summer," says one Ipster. "It gave my skin a radiant glow and the tint that I needed."
This one’s perfect for the acne-prone girlies out there, as you'll want a non-comedogenic, oil-free formula or one that features a matte finish to avoid extra shine. This oil-free, fragrance-free formula has a weightless texture that will sink into your skin seamlessly while non-nano zinc oxide protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It’s formulated with anti-aging plant stem cells and niacinamide, a popular ingredient to help soothe skin and balance oil production.
"This is nice for when I don’t want to put on a full face but I want sun protection," one Ipster writes. "It’s not too heavy and doesn’t smell like sunscreen at all."
This fragrance-free, non-greasy formula is lightweight enough to use every day as your daily moisturizer. It offers enough broad-spectrum SPF protection to combat damage caused by UV rays and free radicals, and it's gentle enough for sensitive skin. Blue lotus, vitamin E, white tea, and algae extracts all work together here to help prevent fine lines, calm, and soften skin.
"I love this moisturizer," says Ipster ljprescott. "I have combo skin and this isn't too oily and it still moisturizes my skin. Will repurchase when I run out."
Keep your skin looking its best with more of our expert insights and products recs. Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.
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