12 of the best moisturisers with SPF for every skin type

With growing awareness of the sun’s damaging effects on skin, incorporating SPF into our daytime beauty routines has become a no-brainer. By now, it should be common knowledge that sunblock ought to be used year-round, regardless of the weather, as the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, including UVA (which penetrates deep layers of the skin and causes premature ageing) and UVB (responsible for sunburn and increasing the risk of skin cancer), are present even on cloudy days.

Aside from dedicated sunscreens, moisturisers containing SPF can be an efficient two-in-one way to nourish your skin while shielding it from the sun. “If you’re looking for minimalism in your routine, moisturisers with SPF are a great solution,” says Lotta Taipalus, founder of the Helsinki-based medical aesthetic clinic Klinik Linnea. “If you have a strong skin barrier and don’t need a separate moisturiser, the added hydration combined with UV protection can make your daily routine much simpler. Plus, in the Nordics, where the skin is exposed to fluctuating weather conditions and surface dryness during autumn and winter, a moisturiser with SPF can be an effective treatment to help maintain better skin balance.”

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While there are plenty of moisturisers with SPF on the market, there are a few key factors to consider when selecting the right product. “To ensure sufficient protection, I recommend using a product with at least SPF 30, preferably SPF 50. And, of course, reapplying every two hours is essential – it’s not enough to apply it just in the morning,” Taipalus advises. “When selecting your moisturiser with SPF, it’s also important to consider how much hydration your skin needs. In the summer, skin becomes oilier, reducing the need for moisturising sunscreens. In contrast, when cold and challenging climates affect the skin’s moisture balance in winter, these products become more necessary.”

Moisturisers with SPF often contain hydration-boosting ingredients like ceramides, humectants, and emollients, while regular sunblock typically focuses solely on UV protection. Therefore, it is essential to choose a product based on your skin type and specific needs.

Another crucial consideration is whether to opt for a chemical SPF moisturiser (which absorbs UV radiation and transforms it into heat, releasing it from the skin) or a mineral SPF moisturiser (which sits on the skin’s surface and reflects or scatters UV rays away). The choice largely depends on personal preference. However, Taipalus advises that chemical sunscreens should be avoided during pregnancy or breastfeeding and for those with sensitive or inflamed skin to prevent irritation.

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Ultra Violette is renowned for its next-gen sunscreen offering, and the brand’s Supreme Screen Facial Skinscreen SPF 50+ delivers the best of both worlds – broad-spectrum protection and sublime hydration. This velvety, lightweight formula effortlessly blends into the skin, nourishing it with replenishing ingredients like Kakadu plum, which plumps and brightens the complexion. The moisturiser is also enriched with Dragosine Plus, an antioxidant powerhouse that helps maintain skin’s bounce while shielding it from infrared, visible light, and blue light.

​​”This is the ideal sunscreen for me. It applies beautifully and leaves skin looking so smooth and radiant, with no hint of greasiness,” says one user. “A really spectacular formulation.”

Struggling with sensitive, easily irritated (or already inflamed) skin? La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Balm B5+ is the perfect solution to soothe your complexion while enveloping it in calming thermal spring water. Despite its intensely moisturising and more decadent formulation compared to other products on this list, it leaves no greasy residue. Instead, your skin feels calm and supple – say goodbye to redness and rough, sandpaper-like texture. “I use the normal version of the Cicaplast almost every night. Adding this one to my day skincare routine was amazing,” one user said.

Due to their creamy textures and intensely moisturising ingredients, some SPF moisturisers can feel heavy and pore-clogging, particularly for those with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin. “On oilier skin, the sensation can become overly shiny or greasy as the day progresses. In such cases, it’s best to opt for matte or lighter UV protection products,” explains Taipalus. A great option is Paula’s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50, which offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB defence while leaving a soft matte finish. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants to maintain a youthful complexion and protect against environmental stressors.

“If you have oily or combination skin, this one’s for you. Really lightweight on the skin,” says one user.

During the harsh winter months, especially if you struggle with dry, flaky skin, investing in an SPF that protects and deeply nourishes is essential. Supergoop!'s Superscreen Hydrating Daily Cream SPF 40 is an excellent choice, with a rich formula that provides intense hydration for a radiant glow. Infused with ceramides, ectoin, and algae extract, this potent blend brightens the complexion, strengthens the skin barrier, and protects against oxidative stress caused by blue light, radiation, and pollution.

“I have very dry and sensitive skin and allergic reactions to most skin products. This cream feels like a wonderful, soothing face moisturiser. I would never believe it had SPF 40,” says one user.

Many of Rihanna's Fenty Beauty products have gained a cult status, and the Hydra Vizor Invisible Face Moisturiser is no exception. Suitable for all skin types but particularly ideal for deeper skin tones, this moisturiser features SPF 30 and nutrient-rich ingredients like niacinamide, Kalahari melon, hyaluronic acid, and aloe. It’s an effective blend that not only protects the skin but also helps reduce oil production, smooths enlarged pores, and hydrates and replenishes your complexion – without leaving a white cast.

“This is my new favourite moisturiser sunscreen,” says one user. “It creates a perfect luminous and lightweight feel on the skin, ideal before makeup.”

Mature skin benefits most from a broad-spectrum SPF moisturiser that deeply hydrates, protects against sun damage, and includes anti-ageing ingredients to boost firmness, resilience, and overall vitality. No7’s Future Renew Repair Day Cream SPF 40 checks all the boxes, featuring a signature peptide blend that helps restore elasticity and improve skin’s appearance. Additionally, it provides long-lasting hydration for up to 72 hours (!).

“I was initially slightly taken aback at how thick the day cream was at first dab, but it goes on beautifully and – somehow – magically absorbs, leaving a lovely glow and sun-protected skin,” one user said. “I really rate this; it's well worth a try.”

While many products in this article feature anti-ageing ingredients, the ultimate youth-boosting moisturiser with SPF comes from Elemis. The brand’s wildly popular Pro-Collagen Marine Cream has been upgraded with SPF 30, making it a must-have for daytime use. Infused with powerful marine and plant actives like padina pavonica, chlorella, and ginkgo biloba, this advanced concoction is clinically proven to visibly diminish fine lines and wrinkles in just two weeks. Plus, it improves skin tone and elasticity, leaving the skin supple and rejuvenated.

“Super light but at the same time super moisturising. It's absorbed by the skin perfectly so that you can build your makeup without any mess,” says one user.

A mineral hydrating sunscreen and a personal favourite of Taipalus, Alumier MD’s Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 40 is an ultra-light moisturiser offering superior protection. This blend combines zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum coverage, while vitamin E nourishes the skin. It's also fortified with powerful antioxidants – such as stable vitamin C, resveratrol, grape seed extract, and glutathione – that help neutralise free radicals.

When selecting a chemical SPF moisturiser, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. As noted earlier, these sunscreens should be avoided during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Taipalus also cautions against products containing oxybenzone, a component associated with hormonal disruption and environmental harm, including coral reef damage.

For a safe, effective, and hydrating option, consider Zo Skin Health’s Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum SPF 50. In addition to protecting your skin from UVA and UVB rays, it also shields against IR-A rays and HEV light. The best part? This cutting-edge formula is designed to adapt to most skin tones, leaving your complexion with a satin-like finish, no white cast in sight. “This is the only facial sunscreen I’ve ever used that doesn’t cause breakouts,” says one user. “Since I’ve used it my skin is not as red and I have achieved a more even tone.”

You can count on the cult-favourite, trusty CeraVe to provide a deeply restorative moisturiser with SPF that’s also wallet-friendly. Packed with hydrating superstar hyaluronic acid and the brand’s signature blend of three essential ceramides – lipids that reinforce and strengthen your skin barrier – the AM Facial Moisturising Lotion also boasts a high SPF of 50. Suitable for all skin types, particularly dry and sensitive skin, this is one of those products you’ll find yourself returning to time and time again.

“I use this as my morning moisturiser, and it feels so good and leaves a nice dewy effect without feeling oily,” says one user.

Finnish brand Lumene is celebrated for its use of natural ingredients in beauty products, and the Hydra Fresh Hydration Moisturiser is no exception. Formulated with northern birch sap and two sizes of hyaluronic acid, this SPF 50 day cream deeply hydrates the skin, leaving it plump and silky smooth. It absorbs effortlessly and layers perfectly under makeup, making it our daily go-to.

Tinted moisturisers with SPF take your morning beauty routine to the next level by offering light coverage while protecting and rejuvenating your skin. Our top tinted pick comes courtesy of Dr. Jart+, featuring an impressive SPF 50. Available in a range of shades, this lightweight product shields your skin from harmful rays while concealing, perfecting, and hydrating your complexion. A K-beauty essential, it’s also infused with niacinamide to boost your glow. “This tinted moisturiser has been a game-changer for me,” says one user. “It provides a natural-looking finish that enhances my complexion without feeling heavy or greasy.”