Fashion

6 Of The Best Moisturizers With SPF, According To Your Skin Type (And Budget!)

by Adeline Duff
Amazon/Bustle

There are a lot of great facial sunscreens out there, and many of them contain moisturizing ingredients. But if you're looking for a face cream with SPF that works as a moisturizer first, your options become a lot more limited. The best moisturizers with SPF focus primarily on keeping your skin hydrated while also offering the added benefit of sun protection. Facial sunscreens, on the other hand, work as sun protectants first, and do less of a good job at moisturizing.

It's worth noting that some recent studies claim that face moisturizers with SPF aren't as effective as straight-up sunscreen, so if you're looking for something to wear to the beach or while playing outdoor sports, you'll want to go with one of the best facial sunscreens. But if you're more interested in a face cream for daily, year-round use, a moisturizer with SPF should be just fine, unless you work outdoors.

Below, you'll find six great moisturizers with SPF, including an under-$10 option, a formula for acne-prone skin, and a green-tinted face cream that conceals redness. Just remember to apply them as the last step in your skin care routine for maximum efficacy.

Interested in more great facial sunscreens? Then check out these sunscreens that don't burn your eyes.

01The Overall Best Moisturizer With SPF

Elta MD, a dermatologist-favorite brand, makes a handful of sunscreens that rank among the best on the market. But as far as a facial moisturizer for all skin types goes, their UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 is the best choice. Though technically a sunscreen first, this one is nice and moisturizing, thanks to the hyaluronic acid in the formula. It uses zinc oxide for its sun protection, which is a mineral compound that's more suitable for sensitive skin types, and contains a nice, high SPF of 40. Plus, it blends into skin transparently and wears beautifully under makeup.

Glowing review: "It feels nourishing and moisturizing with absolutely no slick or greasy feel. It goes on like a moisturizer, works under makeup like a primer, doesn't break out my skin, and offers great sun protection without the white cast. I couldn't ask for more!"

02Best Drugstore Moisturizer With SPF

From Neutrogena, another brand known for its killer lineup of sun protection products, comes their Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 50. In addition to offering a high level of sun protection, it contains vitamin E and glycerin to keep skin hydrated all day long. It's lightweight, hypoallergenic, and suitable for all skin types, with one reviewer calling it "the least greasy one I’ve found."

Glowing review: "I’ve been using this product for over ten years. I love it. It’s light enough to be used under your makeup without leaving you looking shiny."

03Best Moisturizer With SPF For Oily And/Or Acne-Prone Skin

If you have oily and/or acne-prone skin, it's important to choose a gentle moisturizer that doesn't contain any oil. One of the better choices? This Paula’s Choice CLEAR Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid. It comes from the brand's 'Clear' line, which is meant for oily skin types, as it works to calm skin, soak up oil, and blur the appearance of clogged pores. But it also contains soothing and moisturizing ingredients, like glycerin and chamomile extract, to quell inflammation. With a super lightweight texture and SPF of 30, it leaves behind a matte finish while offering protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Glowing review: "This is one of only 3 sunscreens on the market that does not break me out, and it is the only one with the amount of sun protection I like. It also has tons of antioxidants and has just enough hydration. I find 50 to be too strong, but anything less than 30 too light. PLEASE do not ever stop making this!!!!"

04Best Tinted Moisturizer With SPF

Need a little color in your daily moisturizer? Then go with this tinted moisturizer/BB cream from pūrlisse. With its lightweight, oil-free formula, it works to subtly conceal blemishes and even out skin tone, while still allowing your skin to look like, well, skin. Additionally, antioxidants like chamomile and artemisia offer skin-soothing benefits, while sugar maple encourages clarity and radiance. And of course, it has an SPF of 30 to keep your skin safe in (and out of) the sun.

Glowing review: "I love this BB cream. Perfect moisturizer and protects from the sun. I used this solely on my trip to Europe. We walked all over so I was in the sun all day, and I did not get sunburned. It's lightweight too so it doesn't feel like you're wearing much."

05Best Moisturizer With SPF For Redness

This cool color-correcting cream from Dr. Jart+ is completely genius. It's a green cream that turns beige once you blend it into your skin, where it instantly conceals any redness. With an SPF of 30 and packed with skin-restoring ingredients, it's kind of like a hybrid foundation-tinted moisturizer-sunscreen. Fair warning: when applying this product, it feels pretty thick. But I wouldn't call it greasy, or even heavy, as you don't really feel it once it's absorbed. This is one multi-tasking product that'll drastically cut down on the steps in your morning skin care routine.

Glowing review: "This product is AMAZING for covering redness. A little goes a long way. I was skeptical of some of the reviews stating they could go without foundation - but it's true! I've had redness due to rosacea and broken capillaries for most of my adult life and this is one of the first products I've tried that covers it up while still looking very natural."

06Best Under $10 Moisturizer With SPF

If you're look to spend the least amount of money possible on a basic daily moisturizer, this spray-on formula from Eucerin is a great choice. Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and packed with an SPF of 30, it's suitable for all skin types, including sensitive. Using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, it keeps skin protected from UVA and UVB rays while providing 24-hour hydration. It's lightweight, non-greasy, and comes in a very convenient spray bottle.

Glowing review: "I have been using this for 10 years and love it! I use it as my daytime moisturizer. I have had so many varying rounds of dry skin, acne, and the like and this product has been the one constant that is a workhorse through it all. It is moisturizing without being heavy and provides sun protection without having to add another layer to my skincare routine."

Elite Daily may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Elite Daily's editorial and sales departments.