We all know we should be wearing sunscreen year-round, but it can take a while to find an formula that you love. To help bridge the gap and ensure your skin is as well protected against sun damage as possible, why not add a with SPF into your skincare routine? As well as offering all the UVA and UVB protection you need, a moisturiser with an SPF built into it also offers extra hydrating support thanks to a host of ingredients like ceramides, humectants, and emollients. To help get you started, we deep dive into some of the best moisturisers with SPF for hydrated, protected skin.
Our top picks: In this story Best for oil-prone skin: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Sun Defence for Face SPF 50 If you don’t want to give up the luxurious feel or innovative ingredients of your favourite moisturiser, but need some protection against UV rays, then this is a great solution. Oil-free and light enough to sink quickly into skin without leaving a white cast, the daily lotion combines high broad-spectrum sun protection with its signature eight-hour formulation. Best for normal skin: Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream SPF30, £95 It might surprise you to know that this cult bestseller also contains an SPF30, especially given that it sinks into skin so seamlessly, but, as well as being enriched with marine and plant actives to strengthen, firm and deeply hydrate, it also provides robust protection against the sun’s rays too.
The gel-cream texture not only makes application a sensorial pleasure, but it’s well suited to all skin types. Best for combination skin: Paula’s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF50, £39 A great daily moisturiser that’s suitable for all skincare concerns including signs of ageing, breakouts, dryness and uneven tone and texture. While the high sun protection factor guards against UV damage, a host of antioxidants including green tea extract protect against other environmental aggressors and help calm the delicate skin barrier.
The weightless lotion sinks in without feeling greasy and leaves behind a soft, matte finish. Best for mature skin: Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme SPF 25 As well as offering good broad-spectrum sun protection, this luxuriously textured moisturiser helps address signs of ageing that include lack of firmness, fine lines, dullness and dryness. Using a cocktail of clever ingredients including cactus stem cell extract and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and nourish, and hibiscus morning bloom extract to fortify and build resilience, this silky cream redefines contours and leaves skin glowing and refreshed.
Best for enhancing skin: Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturiser SPF40 Combining the protective benefits of an SPF with the hydrating benefits of a moisturiser and the tinted, skin-boosting properties of , this daily tinted moisturiser energises skin and delivers a flawless veil of sheer, dewy coverage. Coffee beans and panax ginseng help address hydration and signs of fatigue. Best for dry skin: L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Filler + Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Anti-Wrinkle SPF50 Dry or dehydrated skin will relish this quenching day cream that’s formulated with a high concentration of pure hyaluronic acid to infuse skin with hydration and lock in moisture.
Enriched with fibroxyl plant extract, known for its firming properties, the plumping cream ensures skin looks firmer, lifted and more supple with each use. The added SPF50 means you don’t have to sacrifice sun protection either, making this a must-have daily essential. Best for dark spots: Olay Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spot SPF30 Day Cream Packed with two powerhouse brighteners, vitamin C and 99 per cent niacinamide, this glow-giving daily moisturiser also contains SPF30 to repair existing damage and protect against future sun damage.
Lightweight, non-greasy and with no sticky finish, it is dermatologist approved and promotes healthy, glowing, more even skin over time. A moisturiser with added SPF is, simply put, a moisturiser with built in UV filters. So, as well as offering all the hydrating benefits of a regular moisturiser, these products will also deliver protection against the harmful effects of UV rays.
The main difference between the two is the added moisturiser ingredients used to improve hydration, strengthen the skin barrier and soften the skin. That means alongside UV filters, you’ll find ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids as well as humectants like glycerine and hyaluronic acid that help boost moisture in the skin. You might find a moisturiser with an SPF a more enjoyable product to use as the added ingredients may enhance its texture, but nothing beats a dedicated SPF when it comes to protecting your skin against UV and environmental damage.
As with most things, the product you choose comes down to your personal skincare concerns and requirements. If you need more hydration, then look for something with hyaluronic acid in it, while vitamin C and niacinamide are both good ingredients if you want to even out dark spots and create a more uniform tone. The general rule when it comes to applying a standalone sunscreen is to apply two finger-lengths worth to cover your face.
If you’re using a moisturiser with an SPF instead then the same rule applies, so make sure you don’t scrimp on the amount you use. If in doubt it’s better to apply too much than too little, so consider applying a dedicated SPF after your moisturiser with SPF, just to make sure you’re covered. Finally, make sure you remember those often-forgotten areas like your ears, neck and the bridge of your nose.
.
