SPF Meets Hydration in These Multitasking Moisturizers

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best ingredients to look for in a moisturizer with SPF?

Like all sunscreens, a moisturizer with SPF will contain chemical and/or mineral UV filters to protect your skin against the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, which can lead to signs of aging, such as fine lines, and, on a larger scale, skin cancer. We adhere to the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) guidelines and only recommend sunscreens with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. However, your sunscreen-day cream hybrid will contain at least one of the following ingredients for long-lasting hydration:

Niacinamide

We consider niacinamide to be one of the gold-standard multitaskers in skin care. This antioxidant, also known as vitamin B3, evens skin tone and minimizes the look of hyperpigmentation while also supplying hydration and supporting the skin barrier. “Niacinamide works with your skin’s natural chemistry to improve overall skin texture by rebuilding a lipid layer, minimizing the appearance of pores, and preventing UV damage and inflammation,” Seattle-based board-certified dermatologist Brandith Irwin, MD, previously told Allure.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is the queen of hydration. This gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly ingredient acts as a powerful humectant, which means it attracts and binds water to the surface layer of skin, therefore hydrating it. “[Hyaluronic acid is] great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD.

Ceramides

To replenish and seal in much-needed moisture, many creams depend on ceramides. “Ceramides are fatty acids in the skin that help to maintain the skin barrier and retain moisture and hydration,” Dr. Idriss previously explained to Allure. They’re also soothing ingredients to look out for when treating skin conditions like eczema.

How should I apply a moisturizer with SPF?

As with any other sunscreen, you still need to reapply these formulas throughout the day, every two hours, to be specific, to stay protected. (Oh, and wearing sunscreen indoors is also non-negotiable.) Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, reminds us, “Most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen (a shot glass full) to fully cover the body.” For your face and neck, Dr. Chang says that equates to about 0.3 teaspoons, or the size of two nickels. And don’t forget commonly missed areas, like your eyelids, ears, and chest.

Is a moisturizer with SPF as good as wearing sunscreen?

As long as the moisturizer in question has the AAD’s recommended broad-spectrum SPF 30 rating or higher, and you’re applying enough (as outlined above), it’s on par. If moisturizers with SPF motivate you to wear the damn SPF, all the more power to you and them.

“Hybrid skin-care products have gained popularity recently as consumers are trying to simplify their skin-care routines,” says Dr. Chang. “SPF-infused moisturizers are a direct result of the desire to do more with less.” She also reassures us that just because there’s an added benefit of broad-spectrum sun protection, it does not mean these moisturizers are thicker in texture or pore-clogging. What’s more, she confirms SPF-infused moisturizers are “regulated and tested by the same Food and Drug Administration (FDA) procedures as sunscreens,” so they’re not more diluted in terms of protection.

Meet the experts

• Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City
• Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Dermatology
• Mina Amin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology at California Dermatology Specialists in Los Angeles
• Brandith Irwin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Seattle
• Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and founder of Dr. Idriss Skincare
• Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana
• May Hall, DO, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Asheville, North Carolina

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best moisturizers with SPF, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.