The best moisturisers with SPF for everyday wear
Finding a skincare routine that meets your skin’s every need can be challenging – especially with so many great products out there. Especially if you suffer from dry skin, moisturisers are a key stage of your skincare routine to improve skin hydration and help soothe sensitive skin. But it’s not just the type of skincare product you use; look for their active ingredients and SPF level. Even on cloudy or rainy days, harmful UV rays are still present and can be damaging to your skin, so consider choosing a moisturiser with SPF to help prevent premature ageing.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best SPF moisturisers, looking at their benefits for different skin types, and features of our top picks for moisturisers with SPF as their hero ingredient.
Click on the links below to jump to that section:
- The best daily SPF moisturisers for all skin types
- Ella & Jo Plump & Protect SPF30
- Skingredients Skin Shield Moisturiser and Primer SPF50
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Hydrating Sunscreen SPF50+
- The best SPF moisturisers for dry skin
- CeraVe Facial Moisturising AM lotion SPF30
- Rosalique 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Cream SPF50
- SPF moisturisers for oily, acne-prone skin
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo SPF30
- Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of using a moisturiser with SPF?
Combining your daily moisturiser with an SPF is a great way to protect your skin from the sun while also simplifying your skincare routine.
Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of choosing a moisturiser with SPF:
- Daily sun protection
- Fights harmful UV damage
- Saves time and reduces the number of skin products
- Makes it easier to use a daily SPF
Though there are many advantages to using an SPF moisturiser, some may also want to consider the potential downsides. Compared to other products, such as facial sunscreens, moisturisers with SPF may not be as strong. Often, SPF moisturisers tend to max out around SPF 30, whereas facial sunscreens can offer much higher protection for those with fair skin.
Formulating a moisturiser with SPF also usually results in a thicker consistency, which may prove unsuitable for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Make sure to consider what your skin needs when choosing a moisturiser.
| Benefits | When to use | |
|---|---|---|
| Facial sunscreens |
|
Best for reapplying throughout the summer months or if you are in direct sunlight for extended periods. |
| Moisturisers with SPF |
|
Best for daily use during mild weather, and to be used under makeup. |
What ingredients should you look for when choosing a moisturiser with SPF?
When choosing a sunscreen type, it’s important to consider certain qualities and what will be the best for your skin. There are two main types of sunscreens:
- Mineral sunscreen: Mineral-based (or physical) sunscreens, such as those with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, provide a physical barrier that reflects UV rays. Physical sunscreens are ideal for all skin types and conditions. Shop the IMAGE Pure Mineral Hydrating Moisturiser SPF 30 here.
- Chemical sunscreen: Chemical sunscreens, which include ingredients like avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone, absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat, which is then released from the skin. We favour this less noticeable sunscreen type due to its lightweight nature and hydrating qualities. Shop the Dermalogica PowerBright Moisturiser SPF50 here.
After selecting a sunscreen type, look for other helpful ingredients that will complement the SPF, keeping your skin hydrated and healthy. Here are our hero ingredients to look for:
- Hyaluronic acid: A powerful hydrator, hyaluronic acid is a popular ingredient in many skincare products and helps lock moisture into the skin. Hyaluronic acid moisturisers are particularly useful for dry or dehydrated skin. Shop the Hello Sunday Face Moisturiser SPF50 here.
- Vitamin C: This antioxidant can help brighten the skin and protect against free radical damage, as well as UV damage when combined with SPF. For a vitamin C moisturiser with SPF, shop the Murad Essential-C Day Moisturiser SPF30 here.
- Glycerin: An excellent hydrator, glycerin moisturisers help maintain the skin’s moisture levels without making it greasy, ideal for those with oily skin. This natural moisturiser is a star ingredient in many skincare products. Shop the Bioderma Pigmentbio Moisturiser SPF50+ here.
- Niacinamide: Combining niacinamide with SPF is a great way to help reduce redness and other inflammation. Niacinamide moisturisers help soothe the skin and improve the barrier function. Shop the La Roche-Posay Anti-Dark Spots Moisturiser SPF30 here.
The best daily SPF moisturisers for all skin types
If you are looking for the perfect all-rounder moisturiser that combines hero ingredients and SPF, browse our top picks with their benefits below:
Ella & Jo Plump & Protect Hydrating Day Cream SPF30 50ml
Here at Meaghers, Ella & Jo are one of our favourites! Their SPF moisturisers are designed with daily use in mind, and provide good hydration with built-in protection against harmful UV rays. Consider starting the day with Ella & Jo’s Plump & Protect moisturiser – a day cream filled with protective and hydrating ingredients, suitable for all skin types.
Consider pairing this with the Ella & Jo Relax & Renew Night Cream – helping to lock in moisture and rejuvenate the skin.
| Key ingredients: |
|---|
|
| Why We Love It : |
|
| Possible Downsides: |
|
Skingredients Skin Shield Moisturising and Primer SPF50 73ml
Skingredients skin care products are designed with all skin types in mind. Their multi award-winning skincare products include serums, cleansers, and of course moisturisers which, with certain active ingredients, target problem facial areas.
To protect and hydrate your skin, consider their Skin Shield Moisturiser and Primer, with a high SPF level 50. This lightweight texture sits perfectly underneath makeup, protecting your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays.
| Key Ingredients: |
|---|
|
| Why We Love It : |
|
| Possible Downsides: |
|
La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Suncream SPF50+ 50ml
With over 30 years of experience in the beauty industry, La Roche-Posay has a wide range of skincare products, formulated for sensitive skin. These highly effective products include patented active and naturally soothing ingredients to keep the skin hydrated.
Part of the Anthelios collection, the Hydrating Suncream (SPF50+) is a perfect combination of UV protection and a moisturiser, with an ultra-comfortable and lightweight formula. Find out more about La Roche-Posay Anthelios here.
| Key Ingredients: |
|---|
|
| Why We Love It : |
|
| Possible Downsides: |
|
The best SPF moisturisers for dry skin
Dry skin types require more hydration, so when choosing an SPF moisturiser, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramides to lock in moisture while protecting from the sun.
Here’s our top picks for a SPF moisturiser to help soothe dry skin:
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF30 52ml
CeraVe is known for its focus on skincare products that are dermatologically developed and enriched with three essential ceramides.
Their Facial Moisturising AM Lotion is a fantastic option for dry skin, thanks to its ceramide-rich formula that helps restore the skin’s barrier. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and includes both SPF 30 and niacinamide for added skin benefits.
| Key Ingredients: |
|---|
|
| Why We Love It : |
|
| Possible Downsides: |
|
Rosalique 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Cream SPF50 30ml
Rosalique’s Anti-Redness Cream is an excellent choice if you suffer from redness or rosacea. Not only does it provide sun protection with SPF 50, but its soothing ingredients help calm irritation, making it ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.
| Key Ingredients: |
|---|
|
| Why We Love It : |
|
| Possible Downsides: |
|
SPF moisturisers for oily, acne-prone skin
Finding the right SPF moisturiser can be tricky for those with oily or acne-prone skin. You’ll want a lightweight, non-comedogenic, and mattifying product, which offers sufficient protection against sun damage. Read our guide on the best moisturisers for acne-prone skin here.
Look for moisturisers with active ingredients including niacinamide, retinol, squalane, and salicylic acid.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ SPF30 40ml
Another La Roche-Posay entry! Their Effaclar Duo moisturiser contains SPF30, which is specifically formulated for oily and acne-prone skin types. This dual-action daily gel moisturiser minimises the appearance of spots and blackheads, controls shine and reduces inflammation, all while protecting the skin against UVA, UVB, and pollution.
| Key Ingredients: |
|---|
|
| Why We Love It : |
|
| Possible Downsides: |
|
Frequently asked questions
What is the recommended SPF level in a daily-use moisturiser?
Consider SPF levels of 30 for daily use during spring, autumn and winter. During the summer months, or if you are in direct sunlight for several hours, consider SPF levels of 50 or higher.
How often should you reapply an SPF moisturiser throughout the day?
Reapplying your SPF every two hours is recommended, especially if you’re spending time outdoors. For everyday indoor wear, once in the morning should suffice unless exposed to strong sunlight.
