My skin care routine can vary daily, but I never skipt two key steps — applying a moisturizer and adding a layer of sunscreen. When I’m in a hurry or traveling, combining those steps by using a moisturizer with SPF is easier and more convenient than using two separate products to achieve the same results.
Knowing when to apply a moisturizer with SPF in your routine and whether you need to use additional SPF on top of it are key to making sure you get the most benefits out of your chosen formula. I spoke to three board-certified dermatologists about how to find the best formulas for your specific skin type. I also included their expert recommendations, NBC Select staff-favorites and highly rated options.
SKIP AHEAD The best moisturizers with SPF in 2024 | How to shop for moisturizers with SPF | Why trust NBC Select?
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How I picked the best moisturizers with SPF
When shopping for a moisturizer with SPF, our experts recommend keeping in mind the following characteristics:
- Sunscreen type: Unlike traditional moisturizers, these have active ingredients that indicate what type of sunscreen is in its formula. Some sunscreens are mineral, others chemical, and some can be hybrids. One isn’t better than another, whatever you choose can come down to your personal preference and skin type.
- Broad-spectrum: SPF moisturizers should have broad-spectrum protection to shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deeper, causing wrinkles and premature aging, while UVB rays cause sunburn, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annabelle Garcia.
- SPF rating: Our experts and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. This level of protection can block 97% of the sun’s rays, however no SPF rating will completely block the sun.
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The best moisturizers with SPF in 2024
Below, I gathered expert-recommended moisturizers with SPF. I also included some NBC Select staff-favorites and highly rated options that I think you should know about, which also align with the guidance I got from our board-certified dermatologists.
Best overall: La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer with SPF
- Suitable for all skin types
- Lightweight
- Improves skin barrier
- May be hard to squeeze
This moisturizer is recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian, who says she loves how easily it blends into the skin. It has thermal spring water that rebalances the skin’s microbiome and is well tolerated by all skin types, according to Mian.
As someone who regularly uses the non-SPF version of this moisturizer, I was worried that using a tweaked formula with SPF would remove the elements I love, but I was wrong. It’s still lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy, which is especially important to me in the summer. These qualities are also what NBC Select associate reporter Ashley Morris loves about this La Roche-Posay moisturizer, too. “It doesn’t leave a white cast (which I was initially afraid of), and also doesn’t get runny or drippy when I start to sweat, which is a huge plus,” says Morris, who uses this on her dark, acne-prone skin in the mornings before going to the gym.
Sunscreen type: chemical | SPF: 30 | Key ingredients: ceramides, niacinamide and glycerin | Noncomedogenic: yes
Best hybrid SPF moisturizer: Cerave AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
- Non-greasy
- Dries clear
- Maintains skin barrier
- May be hard to pump
This lightweight lotion combines chemical and physical sunscreen ingredients, to give you broad-spectrum protection that you can also easily blend into various skin tones without leaving a white cast, according to Mian. Secondary benefits — aside from protecting against UV rays — include giving your skin a plump appearance and improving your skin barrier, according to Cerave.
Sunscreen type: hybrid | SPF: 30 | Key ingredients: ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid | Noncomedogenic: Yes
Best splurge: Skinceuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30
- Improves discoloration
- Brightens skin
- Lightweight
- Higher price point
- Not for extremely dry skin
This SPF helps protect skin from damage, improve skin tone and texture, and reduce pigmentation and discoloration caused by UV exposure, according to the brand. While this is primarily a sunscreen, it can double as a moisturizer because it has hydrating ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide). If you have very dry skin, it’s best to incorporate an additional moisturizer to your routine, according to Skinceuticals.
Sunscreen type: chemical | SPF: 30 | Key ingredients: tranexamic acid, niacinamide and glycerin | Noncomedogenic: n/a
Best for skin barrier health: Roc Barrier Renew AM Moisturizer SPF 30
- Brightens skin
- For all skin types and tones
- Fast absorbing
- Nothing to note at this time
This moisturizer is lightweight and hydrating, and its formula is full of ceramides and prebiotics that are safe for sensitive skin, according to Dr. Connie Yang, a board-certified dermatologist. The ceramides will hydrate the skin and repair its barrier. Keeping this layer strong is essential because it protects the skin from potential damage and water loss, according to experts in our guide to barrier creams.
Yang says that in addition to moisturizing and protecting the skin, it also layers nicely under makeup and leaves a nice dewy finish on its own. “This was one of my favorite moisturizers with SPF that I tested during our 2024 NBC Select Wellness Awards,” says NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown. “I really like the finish because it left my skin with a nice sheen but wasn’t greasy.”
Sunscreen type: chemical | SPF: 30 | Key ingredients: ceramides, green tea and prebiotics | Noncomedogenic: Yes
Best for all skin tones: Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 30
- Non-greasy
- Primes skin for makeup
- Suitable for all skin types
- Has added fragrance
This SPF moisturizer absorbs quickly into your skin, leaving behind no white cast, according to the brand. Reviewers say they love how easily blendable the sunscreen is, how it has a dewy (but not oily) finish and makes their skin feel moisturized rather than tight and dry like other options they tried. The affordable formula has a 4.0-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews on Amazon.
Sunscreen type: chemical | SPF: 30 | Key ingredients: glycerin and hyaluronic acid | Noncomedogenic: yes
Best for normal skin: Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 50
- Non-greasy
- Easy to pump
- Helps skin barrier
- Nothing to note at this time
This moisturizer, which has one of the highest SPF ratings on our list, is great for those with normal skin, according to Garcia. While its primary function is to protect your skin without a heavy residue or feeling, it also helps repair and hydrate your skin, according to the brand. Reviewers say this has a thicker consistency than other options, but that you can also use it as a primer, which helps makeup go smoothly without pilling.
Sunscreen type: hybrid | SPF: 50 | Key ingredients: glycerin and vitamin E | Noncomedogenic: yes
Best for mature skin: EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
- Reduces fine lines
- Retains moisture
- Lightweight
- Pump can be difficult
When deciding which skin care products to use in the morning, Yang often reaches for this sheer, lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen. NBC Select editors love the EltaMD brand; its products are generally great for those with all skin types, including sensitive skin. Reviewers say that despite its higher price point, this is one of the most effective SPF moisturizers since it improves their skin health without compromising it — meaning no irritation, breakouts or white cast.
It’s suitable for those with normal, dry and combination skin, but it’s also great for mature skin. That’s because the hyaluronic acid in the formula will help minimize the appearance of fine lines, according to EltaMD.
Sunscreen type: hybrid | SPF: 40 | Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid and vitamin E | Noncomedogenic: yes
Best tinted: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
- Available in 20 shades
- Blue light protection
- Matte finish
- Not SPF 30+
- Higher price point
This tinted moisturizer protects from UV and visible light with the help of ingredients like titanium dioxide (for broad-spectrum UV protection) and iron oxide (for protection against visible light), according to Mian. “This is really important for my patients with melasma, whose condition can get exacerbated with visible light and blue light, in addition to UV exposure,” she says. This option also provides light coverage, evening out skin tone and blurring out any blemishes.
Sunscreen type: chemical | SPF: 20 | Key ingredients: glycerin, jojoba esters and squalane | Noncomedogenic: yes
Most lightweight:Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50
- No white cast
- Non-greasy
- Softens skin
- Has added fragrance
If you love Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel-Cream or prefer products with a gel-cream consistency, consider this SPF option. Reviewers say it gives their skin long-lasting hydration, but more importantly, they love how lightweight it feels on their skin. Because it has a gel feel, they say it’s not thick or greasy and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. This moisturizer has a 4.4-star average rating from over 7,500 reviews on Amazon.
Sunscreen type: chemical | SPF: 50 | Key ingredients: glycerin, hyaluronic acid vitamin E | Noncomedogenic: yes
Best for oily/acne-prone skin: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
- Available in tinted options
- Soothing
- Helps texture
- Higher price point
- May sting sensitive eyes
This oil-free sunscreen is great for oily and acne-prone skin, according to Garcia. The sunscreen also helps even tone and texture by improving discoloration and smoothing the skin simultaneously. Because of these qualities from the ingredients in the formula, it’s a great option for those with rosacea, according to the brand.
“Finding the right sunscreen for my sensitive, rosacea-prone skin has been a journey — almost every sunscreen I tried in the past heavily irritated my skin or caused me to break out,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio, who uses this daily. “EltaMD’s sunscreen is one of the only sunscreens I’ve tried that has never caused any redness, irritation, dry patches or breakouts on my face. It feels lightweight, sits well under makeup, hydrates my dry skin and makes it feel soft and smooth.”
Sunscreen type: hybrid | SPF: 46 | Key ingredients: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E | Noncomedogenic: yes
Best budget pick: Cetaphil Healthy Renew Day Cream SPF 30
- Gentle formula
- Helps the skin barrier
- Easy to pump
- Nothing to note at this time
Suitable for all skin types (including those with sensitive skin), this non-greasy, fast-absorbing sunscreen hydrates your skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines, according to the brand. That’s because the formula has peptides that act as a retinol alternative to fight off wrinkles and fine lines, according to Yang. While it does so, it also soothes the skin and repairs its barrier, evening out the skin tone in the process, according to the brand.
Sunscreen type: chemical | SPF: 30 | Key ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol and peptides | Noncomedogenic: yes
Best for dry skin: Supergoop Superscreen Hydrating Daily Cream SPF 40
- One tub lasts a long time
- Fast absorbing
- Natural/dewy finish
- Not for oily/acne prone skin
If you’re like me and have extremely dry skin, this SPF moisturizer will become a staple in your morning skin care routine. I love its thick and rich consistency because my skin immediately feels hydrated, looking less dull and dry. After applying it to my skin, I find that my makeup sits on top of it nicely, which is great since it doubles as a primer.
If you don’t need an intensely moisturizing formula, I wouldn’t recommend this product since it can feel heavy. Instead, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, consider this Supergoop’s Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40 instead.
Sunscreen type: chemical | SPF: 40 | Key ingredients: ceramides, algae extract and ectoin | Noncomedogenic: yes
Editor’s pick: Clarins Multi-Active Day Cream SPF 20
- Velvet-like texture
- Minimizes fine lines
- Improves dull skin
- Not SPF 30+
- Higher price point
In addition to her regular sunscreen, NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider loves using this SPF moisturizer as her base layer because it feels like a traditional moisturizer. “It’s the best because it doesn’t smell like sunscreen, doesn’t leave any white cast whatsoever and never irritates my skin or makes me oily in the hot months,” she says. “I’ve used this on and off for ten years, it’s a tried and true option for me that I’ll always return to and make sure I have stock of.”
Sunscreen type: chemical | SPF: 20 | Key ingredients: glycerin, teasel extract and myrothamnus extract | Noncomedogenic: yes
Related
How to shop for moisturizers with SPF
In addition to having your SPF moisturizer have an SPF rating of 30+ and broad-spectrum protection, our dermatologists share a few factors to consider when shopping for a moisturizer.
Skin type
Depending on your skin type, you should be mindful of certain characteristics. Below, our experts break down what to consider.
- Oily/acne-prone: Look for an oil-free, noncomedogenic formula to avoid clogging pores, according to the brand. Chemical sunscreen moisturizers are more optimal for oily/acne-prone skin since they tend to be lighter in texture and consistency than mineral options, says Mian. You might also want to find a sunscreen with mattifying ingredients like clay, says Garcia.
- Dry: If you have dry skin, choose a creamy consistency with a more dewy finish, according to Mian. This type of rich formula will have ceramides and/or hyaluronic acid for extra hydration, says Garcia.
- Normal: Any broad-spectrum SPF 30 moisturizer is suitable for normal skin, according to our experts.
- Sensitive: This skin type typically does better with mineral SPF moisturizers because chemical options absorb into the skin and can be irritating, says Mian. (Mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin, instead.) You’ll also want to minimize irritation by avoiding fragrances and dyes, says Yang.
Sunscreen type
Sunscreens fall into two main categories— mineral and chemical; some formulas are hybrids and have properties of both, however.
- Mineral: You can typically identify if a mineral formula by its active ingredients — look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays. The downside is that they tend to leave a white cast.
- Chemical: Active ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and/or octinoxate will indicate that it’s a chemical sunscreen. These will absorb UV rays, convert it to heat, and release it from the body, says Mian. Generally, they are less visible on skin, but can be irritating for some skin types, according to Garcia.
Ingredients
In addition to active SPF ingredients, you’ll want to look for formulas with moisturizing, soothing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera and chamomile, says Garcia. Also, antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E protect the skin against free radical oxidative damage from environmental stressors.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Connie Yang is a board-certified dermatologist at PFfrankMD by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank in New York City.
- Dr. Annabelle Garcia is a board-certified dermatologist at Sonterra Dermatology in San Antonio, Texas.
- Dr. Kiran Mian is a board-certified medical and aesthetic dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Center in New York City.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m an associate reporter covering skin care, hair care and gift guides, including recent stories on the best neck creams and eye creams. For this story, I interviewed dermatologists, shared their recommendations, and researched highly rated moisturizers with SPF that met their guidance.
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