10 How Run/Walk Intervals Can Improve Back Pain
Healthier skin and a glowing complexion start here.
Mineral or chemical. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article?
Whether your skincare routine is 10 steps or two, we can almost guarantee that moisturizer plays an essential role. And if you're invested in keeping your skin healthy and free from damage, wearing SPF on a daily basis is an undeniably smart idea, as well. Buying a single product that can handle your moisturizing needs and contains SPF is a great way to cut down on product clutter and helps make daily sun protection a simple part of your routine.
However, with tons of choices out there, it is difficult to parse out the products that will leave you looking hydrated and glowy from the ones that feel as if you rubbed a stick of butter on your face. To help you choose, we've gathered our favorite SPF moisturizers for all skin tones and types. Look below for our favorite products, and in-depth reviews of each one.
Best SPF Moisturizers
What to Consider
When looking for a new SPF moisturizer, there are a few key ingredients and terms to look out for, as they will determine how the moisturizer functions, reacts with your skin, and appears on your face.
Mineral Sunscreen
Mineral sunscreens create a visible barrier between your skin and the sun. They usually contain natural ingredients like zinc, which offer great protection, but can leave a white cast on your skin unless they are tinted to match your skin color. These are also generally better for sensitive skin.
Chemical Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens soak into the skin rather than sitting on top of it. They are generally thinner than mineral sunscreens and won't leave behind any color. They often work well as a primer used under makeup, and are also a good choice for acne-prone skin.
Niacinamide
This is a common ingredient in skincare that helps hydrate, decrease hyperpigmentation, plump skin, and decreases redness. It helps keep your skin looking clear and young.
Hyaluronic Acid
Used to increase hydration, this ingredient also boosts elasticity, reduces scarring, and prevents tightness.
Non-Comedogenic
If you see this label on a sunscreen, it means that is is particularly formulated to prevent the blocking of pores—look for this if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin.
How We Selected
To find the best options among the many SPF moisturizers out there, we researched some of the most popular formulas available through Amazon and other retailers. We then took into account price, ingredients, SPF levels, additional ingredients, and appearance on skin. Finally, we consulted reviews written by people who’ve bought these moisturizers to settle on the ones you'll find below.
Check out some more of our favorite SPF products for your face here.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV Moisturizer
Key Specs
- SPF Level: 30
- SPF Type: Chemical
If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you'll want a moisturizer that will keep you feeling hydrated without becoming greasy or clogging your pores. This SPF moisturizer is fragrance-free and has a medium-weight feel that is soft on the skin and soaks in quickly. It packs SPF 30 and boasts ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration and niacinamide for a clear complexion.
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Key Specs
- SPF Level: 30
- SPF Type: Chemical
If you're looking for a great SPF moisturizer that won't break the bank, this Cerave lotion is a great choice. It is fragrance-free, making it sensitive-skin-friendly, and has SPF 30 for some sun protection. It is relatively lightweight and absorbs quickly, which makes it great for wearing alone or under makeup. It also includes essential ceramides, which help repair the skin barrier.
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream
Key Specs
- SPF Level: 30
- SPF Type: Mineral
If you want a healthy, glowy look without the hassle of applying makeup, a tinted moisturizer like this one is a great option. This one from bareMinerals comes in a few different hues, but don't worry if it doesn't perfectly match your skin tone, as it provides only light coverage and even an imperfect match will blend seamlessly into your skin and blur both blemishes and discoloration.
Tight Hamstrings? Heres How to Treat Them.
Cetaphil DERMACONTROL Oil Absorbing Moisturizer
Key Specs
- SPF Level: 30
- SPF Type: Chemical
If you have oily skin or tend to get greasier as the day goes on, this SPF moisturizer will help keep your skin looking matte without drying you out. Not only is it an oil-free formula, but it also absorbs oil on your face and reduces shine. It has SPF 30, is non-comedogenic (meaning it won't clog pores), and is great for acne-prone skin.
Key Specs
- SPF Level: 35
- SPF Type: Mineral
Another great tinted moisturizer, this one has 14 different shades, and leaves you with a hydrated, dewy glow. The formula is clean and uses zinc to create a barrier against the sun. The formula provides sheer coverage that will help even out your skin tone and stays glowy all day, but never feels cakey.
Dr. Jart+ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30
Key Specs
- SPF Level: 30
- SPF Type: Mineral
If you suffer from discoloration—particularly redness—this color correcting treatment is a great choice. It can help even out your skin tone using color theory that specifically neutralizes redness. Though it originally appears green, once absorbed into the skin, it magically becomes colorless.
It also has SPF 30, making it perfect for daily wear. This does tend to work better for those with a lighter skin tone, however, as some reviewers say it doesn't blend as well on darker skin.
Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++
Key Specs
- SPF Level: 40
- SPF Type: Chemical
Supergoop! specializes in creating irritation-free sunscreens, and their daily moisturizer packs the SPF and gentle ingredients fans of the company have come to expect from its products. This high-quality moisturizer uses ingredients like retinol and blue-green algae, which help to repair and soften the skin, and it has SPF 40 in the formula to keep you protected against the sun's rays throughout the day.
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Facial Moisturizer
Key Specs
- SPF Level: 30
- SPF Type: Chemical
This Aveeno moisturizer is a great option for mature skin. It is super hydrating and uses total soy complex to help keep skin soft and fight signs of aging. It also includes 30 SPF to prevent further skin damage, and is non-comedogenic, so it won't clog your pores.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Daily Mineral Sunscreen
Key Specs
- SPF Level: 30
- SPF Type: Mineral or chemical
Sun Bum recently came out with a skincare line, including this moisturizer with SPF, which is available in both mineral and chemical formulas. It is vegan and cruelty-free, and has ingredients like banana, coconut water, and rosella, which keep your skin glowy and healthy, as well as giving it a pleasant tropical scent.
Key Specs
- SPF Level: 50
- SPF Type: Chemical
While this probably can't function as your only moisturizer, it's a great option for adding some healthy glow and sun protection into your daily routine. This unique product is a dry oil sunscreen that rolls on and leaves behind a glowy sheen. It's non-greasy, and helps to hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin with its SPF 50 formula.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
Watch Next
Is a Vibrating Foam Roller Better Than Others
Why Cant I Eat After a Marathon
Shoes & Gear?
How Under-Fueling Affects Performance and Health
