Hydration and sun protection in one step.
No matter where you live or the time of year, wearing SPF daily is crucial to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. It’ll also mitigate photoaging, essentially when sun exposure increases signs of aging, such as wrinkles and dark spots. If you like to maintain a minimal skincare routine, you can combine two steps by opting for a moisturizer with SPF. A good moisturizer with SPF makes it easy to practice safe sun exposure, and there are tons of affordable drugstore options available for all skin tones and types that rival the more expensive options.
If you don’t have one you love, we’re here to help. Our team of editors researched and tested scores of options, evaluating each based on its formula, ingredients, texture, and feel on the skin. We also spoke with Dr. Anna Guanche, a board-certified dermatologist based in Calabasas, California, and the host of the Dr. Beauty Podcast, for tips on using moisturizers with SPF. Ahead, we’re sharing our top picks for your next trip outdoors, whether to the beach or the grocery store.
Best Overall
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: 50 | Cruelty-Free: No
This lightweight and hydrating formula is incredibly easy to blend and layer with makeup and other skincare products. It contains hyaluronic acid for a boost of moisture and a combination of chemical UV blockers that protect against UVA and UVB rays. We love that it’s nongreasy, doesn’t create a white cast, and won’t clog pores.
While it doesn’t contain added fragrance, it’s worth noting that it has a strong chemical SPF scent upon the initial application. But considering that dissipates and the formula is fantastic, this certainly isn’t a deal breaker for us. It’s also a great option for people with a wide range of skin types and tones.
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer
Active Ingredients: Homosalate, octisalate, avobenzone, octocrylene, vitamin C, squalane, safflower oil | Skin Type: All | Size: 2 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Not only does Bolden’s Brightening Moisturizer SPF 30 protect skin from UVA and UVB rays, but it contains nourishing ingredients, too—including vitamin C a complexion-brightening antioxidant that can reduce hyperpigmentation, dark spots, sun spots, age spots, and other signs of sun damage. With melanin-rich complexions in mind, this moisturizer dries clear without any white residue. It’s suitable for oily, dry, combination, and sensitive skin types, offering all-day hydration. And the smooth, skin-brightening formula can be worn on its own or under makeup.
Though we love the formula and that it doesn’t leave a white cast on dark skin tones, we did find it a bit greasy on super oily skin, so keep that in mind if you’re prone to getting shiny throughout the day.
Best for Dry Skin
CeraVe AM Facial Lotion SPF 30
Active Ingredients: Homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octocrylene, zinc oxide, ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 3 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No
CeraVe has been a drugstore staple (not to mention a favorite among dermatologists) since its launch in 2006. It’s no wonder you can’t do much better than this one—especially if you have dry skin. Formulated with three ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, this AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion protects and hydrates skin all day. Its broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection contains ultrafine zinc, meaning the protective formula spreads easily without leaving a white cast. It’s also noncomedogenic, and approved by the National Eczema Association.
We like this option a lot for those with dry or balanced skin, but we felt it was pretty heavy and greasy for people with oily skin types. However, if you’re looking for a rich moisturizer that will provide good sun protection, it’s absolutely worth checking out.
Best for Combination Skin
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen
Active Ingredients: Cell-Ox Shield Technology, vitamin E, glycerin, dimethicone, La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water | Skin Type: All | Size: 3, 5 oz | SPF: 60 | Cruelty-Free: No
Have both dry and oily patches? This SPF will wear comfortably across your entire face and body. Infused with skin conditioning vitamin E, it leaves skin feeling silky soft—minus any heavy or greasy residue. It’s oil-free which is excellent if you’re prone to a lot of shine, and we love that it’s been tested for sensitive skin. Another bonus: it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it a great choice for sweaty trips to the gym or hot days by the water.
It’s hydrating, nongreasy, and comfortable to wear, but some online reviewers mentioned it leaves a bit of a white cast on the skin.
Best for Oily Skin
Cetaphil Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30
Active Ingredients: Micropearl technology, Oleosome technology, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive | Size: 4 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No
Cetaphil is another drugstore mainstay, and we love the brand’s DermaControl moisturizer for anyone with oily skin (however, it’s great at moisturizing dry skin too). Its four-in-one formula hydrates the skin, reduces shine, and provides sun protection, all while keeping oil under control. The hero ingredient is the brand’s MicroPearl technology, which helps create a matte finish without overdrying or irritating the skin—an ideal feature for anyone with oily skin.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer
Active Ingredients: Micropearl technology, oleosome technology, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene | Skin Type: All | Size: 4 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No
Differin used to be a prescription-only product, but to the relief of many, it’s now sold over the counter in the U.S. If you have acne-prone skin, stock up on the brand’s Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen. It offers much-needed hydration and broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection against UVA and UVB rays while working to reduce oil and shine. This drugstore moisturizer is made for those with oily skin but is suitable for all skin types. The oil-free, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and noncomedogenic formula is also gentle on sensitive skin.
While it doesn’t have adapalene (the retinoid in Differin Gel), it does contain allantoin, which helps generate skin turnover1—plus, it pairs well with most prescription and over-the-counter acne treatments and can even help to alleviate some of the drying effects of acne products.
Best for Sensitive Skin
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | SPF: 30 | Size: 3.38 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
If you have sensitive skin, then you might resonate with the challenge of trying to find a hydrating and protective pick that doesn’t cause irritation—but this dermatologist-tested moisturizer with SPF could be a fitting choice for you. The formula is rich and deeply hydrating without being overly oily. We love that it’s packed with nourishing ingredients including ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, and La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water, the brand’s core ingredient infused with antioxidants.
The creamy texture of this sunscreen absorbed into the skin without looking or feeling greasy or creating a white cast. It can 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.
Best for Dark Skin Tones
Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Active Ingredients: Avocado oil, jojoba oil, cacao butter, carrot juice, sunflower oil, avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Size: 3 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Black Girl Sunscreen is a lightweight lotion made for people of color by people of color. It has broad-spectrum SPF 30 to protect the skin from sun damage without leaving a white residue—plus, it doubles as a nourishing moisturizer. This sheer cream is filled with natural ingredients, such as avocado oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, carrot juice, and sunflower oil. The formulation dries clear and is gentle enough for everyday use while helping to soothe, moisturize, and heal the skin.
“As a Black woman who admittedly hasn’t always been great about using sunscreen on my face, Black Girl Sunscreen has been a game changer,” says senior commerce editor Dominique Hobdy. “The formula melts into my skin and doesn’t leave any extra oils behind. It’s become a staple in my routine.”
Best Lightweight
CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No
Many SPF products and moisturizers that contain SPF can feel heavy, greasy, or hard to blend out. This one, however, isn’t any of those things. The lightweight formula spreads across the skin like butter, leaving it feeling hydrated and balanced. We love that it contains nourishing ingredients, like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to support a healthy skin barrier while not making the face look or feel too shiny.
“I’ve tried about every ‘no white cast’ sunscreen on the market, and this is one of the only ones that truly absorbs completely clear,” says commerce writer Shannon Stubbs. “It has a super-light texture, making it easy for me to layer it on every morning, and I love how it makes my skin feel soft and supple all day long.”
Best Smoothing
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Day Cream SPF 30
Active Ingredients: Matrixyl 3000+, No7 Double Defence Technology, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene | Size: 1.6 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Check out this No7 moisturizer if you want to improve the appearance of fine lines or prevent premature signs of aging while you protect your skin from the sun. Recommended by editor in chief Hallie Gould, this ultrarich cream smooths the complexion while firming the skin—thanks in part to the brand’s Matrixyl 3000 technology, which contains powerful peptides to help reduce the look of wrinkles and protect skin from sun damage and other environmental stressors. After two weeks of use, this facial cream can provide a refreshed, healthy-looking glow.
Best Tinted
Neutrogena Purescreen+ Tinted Sunscreen
Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | Size: 1.1 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No
Whether you’re looking for an all-in-one product to moisturize, protect your skin, and even your skin tone, or to add SPF protection and coverage underneath your foundation, this is a great pick. The Neutrogena tinted SPF comes in four flexible shades, and it’s formulated with mineral UV filters and without synthetic fragrance.
“This product is an excellent lightweight choice that glides on smoothly and absorbs without any stickiness,” says associate editorial operations director, Jill Di Donato. “It’s a mineral sunscreen, but leaves no white cast on my skin (I have pale skin, to be fair). The tint is ultra sheer and I wear it as foundation most days, but if you’re looking for fuller coverage, consider wearing this under or over foundation. I can appreciate the sheerness of the formula because it makes it easy to reapply when I’m on the go.”
What to Look for in a Drugstore Moisturizer with SPF
- Level of SPF: If you get a lot of daily, direct sun exposure, aim higher SPF coverage. Low protection is considered anything with an SPF below 15, while medium protection ranges from SPF 15 to 29. Anything over SPF 50 is considered to be very high protection. “SPF 50 should block out 99% of UV when applied correctly,” says Dr. Guanche.
- Broad-spectrum protection: While many people focus on protecting against UVB rays, UVA rays are also to blame for premature aging of the skin due to sun exposure, and can even lead to the development of skin cancer.2 A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects from both UVA and UVB rays, protecting from burning and premature aging.3 Broad-spectrum SPF will be clearly labeled on the bottle or product page.
- Ingredients: Check the ingredient list for any potential irritants or pore-clogging ingredients. This is particularly important if you have acne-prone, oily, or sensitive skin. Look for ingredients like vitamin E, which helps protect skin and repair its barrier, and restorative ceramides.4 Other notable ingredients that can be found on this list include moisture-rich glycerin and skin-healing allantoin.5
- Consistency: A good daily moisturizer should be lightweight and absorb well so makeup can go smoothly over it. We picked the options on this list partially because they are nongreasy and suitable for all skin types, particularly oily and acne-prone.
FAQ
How often should I reapply moisturizer with SPF?“Sunscreen should be applied every morning, and reapplied every two hours—no matter the SPF, sunscreen should always be reapplied,” says Dr. Guanche. If you’re using a moisturizer with SPF underneath your makeup, consider setting sprays or brush-on loose powders infused with sun protection for your touch-ups.
Do you really need to wear moisturizer with SPF every day?Yes. The FDA recommends wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 every day and reapplying every two hours. Broad-spectrum sunscreen is noted as a way to help prevent skin cancer and premature aging related to UV radiation.
Where should I apply sunscreen?You should apply liberally to any area that isn’t covered by clothing, including your nose, ears, neck, lips, hands, and feet, according to the FDA. You can also wear clothing with built-in sun protection.
Why do I need SPF in my moisturizer?Products containing sunscreen help protect your complexion against the sun’s UV rays, which can damage your skin and lead to wrinkles, a loss of elasticity, and hyperpigmentation.6 By using a moisturizer that already has SPF in it, you’re eliminating an extra step in your skincare routine and getting a product that multitasks in the best way.