These 12 Moisturizers with SPF Kept Our Skin Dewy and Protected All Day Long

Adding SPF to any product is a delicate dance — you don’t want a white cast, but you also need enough sunscreen to shield your skin from harmful rays. We knew we found our winner when we tried the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer. Armored with SPF 50, this skin-loving lotion was extremely easy to rub in, didn’t leave a white cast, and kept skin feeling even more hydrated than our original go-to moisturizers did. This is due in part to its hyaluronic acid component, which helps skin hold in more moisture. Even with a full face of makeup, we could detect that lit-from-within glow. If you have oily skin, however, you may find it a bit too shiny.

Most SPF-infused products have a slight scent of sunscreen, and this one is no exception. However, it doesn’t outweigh the overwhelming benefits that it provided. Throughout weeks of wear (and spritz tests with water to the face), we were constantly impressed by how this moisturizer kept our skin looking and feeling hydrated, not to mention its its smooth-as-butter application. We’ll be keeping this bottle front and center in our skincare collection for the foreseeable future.

Active Ingredients: Homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate, avobenzone | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.7 oz. | Type: Chemical sunscreen

If you want an easy, everyday moisturizer, the Oars + Alps Everyday Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer felt the most universal to us. It provided plenty of moisture thanks to hyaluronic acid (great for dry skin), but controlled shine to the point where you could wear it on its own thanks to its almost matte finish (great for oily skin). It’s like a great face primer, moisturizer, and sunblock all in one, prepping our skin for whatever was coming that day and keeping it looking fresh for hours. 

Its lightweight formula was easy to blend and left no trace of a white cast. We had a bit of disparity in our opinions regarding the smell, but in all, we didn’t think its fragrance was something that would deter us from using it every day. Between its shine-controlling yet moisturizing formula, broad spectrum SPF 37, and digestible price, there’s almost too much to like.

Active Ingredients: Octocrylene, zinc oxide | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Alpine caribou moss, vitamins E and B5 | SPF: 37 | Size: 2 oz. | Type: Hybrid sunscreen

We want our skin to be protected in the sunlight but not fall flat, which is why we loved the Cay Skin Isle Glow Face Moisturizer. This ultra-thin moisturizer doubles as a highlighter, offering a luminous glow thanks to its nude pearl blend, instant hydration in the form of sea moss and nectar, and skin-saving protection with SPF 45. We didn’t think it felt cakey, greasy, or oily at all on our skin. Instead, it left us feeling smooth and supple, serving as a great base for our makeup.

Because of its thin consistency, we had to warm up the moisturizer between our fingers before using it to better mix the formula. It separates a bit when it comes out of the bottle, but if you give it a few shakes before opening, you’ll solve this problem. Still, it glided onto our skin smoothly afterward, layering well with cosmetics and with our favorite serums with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.

We did notice that it didn’t play well with other moisturizers, as we experienced some pilling due to the combination of products — so we recommend picking just this one moisturizer and sticking to it. In the end, we noticed our skin both looking and feeling more even-toned and textured thanks to the formula’s niacinamide and vitamin B3 complex, which was that much more highlighted by the moisturizer’s glorious glow.

Active Ingredients: Octocrylene, octisalate, avobenzone | Key Ingredients: Nude pearl blend, niacinamide, vitamin B3, sea moss | SPF: 45 | Size: 1.5 oz. | Type: Chemical sunscreen

If you pride yourself on the quality of your skincare collection, then look no further than the Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream. This luxe moisturizer made our naturally dry skin feel soft and supple to the touch after applying just a small amount, leaving our complexions looking plump and hydrated without adding excess oil or white casts. Our skin seemed to drink up its formula of hyaluronic acid and ginseng root extract, which was fortified by broad-spectrum SPF 20.

While any UV protection is helpful, Dr. Mary Stevenson, MD, associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, recommends looking for SPF 30 or higher for the best benefits of this type of moisturizer. However, the broad-spectrum protection and skin-loving benefits make the product well worth the higher price tag. We think the Shiseido SPF moisturizer was a home run, especially since a little goes a long way.

Active Ingredients: Homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, avobenzone | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ginseng root extract | SPF: 20 | Size: 1.69 oz. | Type: Chemical sunscreen

Thick moisturizers can work wonders when applied before bed (think overnight masks), but not first thing in the morning. They can cause makeup to slide and amplify the natural oils in skin, which is why lightweight, SPF-boosted moisturizers like this one from Origins are the best bet for a fast-absorbing base. Our skin loved this smoothing cream: It looked rejuvenated thanks to its white tea-infused formula, which can help prevent collagen and elastin breakdown, and was shielded by SPF 40, which didn’t leave ghostly casts or clingy streaks. Skin texture seemed more even after rubbing in this moisturizer, creating a smooth canvas for makeup. 

By the end of the day, our skin started to lose its hydration, but its nourishing feel before that was still impressive for a moisturizer with SPF. It’s worth noting that this product has a scent that straddles both tea and sunscreen, making for an interesting fragrance, but it wasn’t strong or adverse enough to make us not want to use it daily.

Active Ingredients: Homosalate, octinoxate, octocrylene, octisalate, avobenzone | Key Ingredients: White tea, cranberry blend | SPF: 40 | Size: 1.7 oz. | Type: Chemical sunscreen

It can be daunting to use reflective sunscreens and thick moisturizers when you have oily skin. But the Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer is an oil-controlling formula that’s pumped with SPF 50, and it applied like a silken dream, delicately mattifying overly shiny spots. We liked that it felt lightweight and hydrating, which helped our makeup smoothly on top. It’s especially great for super hot summer days — when we spritzed our faces with a watery mist to simulate sweat, we didn’t experience runny, white streaks (and our makeup did not budge).

While this product is ideal for those looking for oily skin moisturizers, it may be a little too drying for people with balanced or dry skin.

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate⁠, homosalate⁠, octisalate⁠, oxybenzone⁠, avobenzone, | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, niacinamide, licorice root | SPF: 50 | Size: 2 oz. | Type: Chemical sunscreen

We know how tricky it can be for people with sensitive skin to find products with SPF that aren’t irritating, which is why we felt like we hit the jackpot with the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer. This gentle moisturizer is a lavish concoction of niacinamide, glycerin, and broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection (clocking in at 30 SPF) that made our skin feel immediately softer, smoother, and, best of all, non-irritated. Upon first application, we thought that this cream, despite its thickness, felt a lot less oily on our faces than some others did — a huge plus for sweaty days in the sun. 

Because of its thicker formula, this moisturizer required a little upwards of 10 minutes to fully feel absorbed. However, this ended up working in our favor because it kept us just as moisturized throughout the day as our non-SPF daily moisturizers do. In the end, we loved this gentle moisturizer so much that we plan on buying it again once our tubes run out. 

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Key Ingredients: Ceramide-3, niacinamide, glycerin | SPF: 30 | Size: 3.38 oz. | Type: Chemical sunscreen

The last thing you want to experience while trying to do something good for your skin is breakouts, which is why we were delighted to discover Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream with SPF 30. Those of us with acne-prone skin were a little hesitant to slather on this thicker lotion, but were pleasantly surprised when this nutrient-packed moisturizer absorbed easily and felt super nourishing without clogging pores (in other words, it didn’t require a pimple patch the next day). It’s formulated with Antarctic glacial glycoprotein and fountain plant, which work together to balance skin’s moisture levels and strengthen the skin barrier, keeping your complexion from being too oily or dry throughout the day and shielding it from acne-causing bacteria. 

It felt a tad greasy upon application, but it took almost no effort to work the cream into skin for effective absorption. We also liked that it layered well under foundation and other skincare products. Even its scent was pleasant — and don’t worry, its fragrant ingredients didn’t make us break out. We think we’d need to reapply throughout the day to get the best UV protection, especially if we don’t have any SPF makeup on top, but we think its ultra-lush and blemish-free results are worth the second scoop.

Active Ingredients: Octocrylene, homosalate | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, glacial glycoprotein, fountain plant, squalane | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz. | Type: Chemical sunscreen

Sunscreen hasn’t historically been the most inclusive skincare product, as the minerals included in some SPF products often leave pale casts on darker skin tones. That’s why we fell in love with the Fenty Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer. This lightweight lotion comes out of the bottle in a baby pink color and blends into skin seamlessly, leaving no trace of a white (or pink) cast, even on deeper skin tones. Its ultra-thin formula was weightless without being watery, absorbing into skin like a sponge. We were left with a light layer that felt protective instead of pore-clogging. In fact, this powerhouse moisturizer took it a step further and evened out tone and texture in areas with hyperpigmentation, which can be attribute to niacinamide. 

Our only grievance was that this product pilled a bit when we used a serum-based skin tint on top, which isn’t designed to perform well over a thicker moisturizer. Though this was most likely user error, we think it was worth mentioning; we suggest using a cream-based foundation or concealer for cast-free results.

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate | Key Ingredients: Kalahari melon, niacinamide, baobab | SPF: 30 | Size: 1.7 oz. | Type: Chemical sunscreen

We loved this body moisturizer with SPF so much, we didn’t write down a single red flag — a rarity in our tests. We’ve tested several body lotions with SPF, and the Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Moisturizing Body Sunscreen Lotion instantly impressed. It’s thick and nourishing but not the slightest bit greasy. It absorbed quickly and felt surprisingly lightweight once rubbed in. The hydrating, gentle formula, a blend of oat kernel extract and glycerin, left a subtle, all-over glow we loved. It also had a very light scent that wasn’t overpowering.

To effectively measure its hydration levels, we tested it on very dry skin and found that it provided all-day hydration and made skin feel softer and smoother after just one application. Yes, it’s a body lotion, but we also tried using it on the face, and surprisingly, it held up extremely well. Makeup went on smoother, and the formula felt just as non-greasy on the face as it did on the body. This drugstore gem is officially our favorite head-to-toe moisturizer with SPF.

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Key Ingredients: Oat kernel extract, glycerin | SPF: 60 | Size: 12 oz. | Type: Chemical

A single pump of Sun Bum Daily 50 Body Lotion made us feel like we were on vacation. It’s the perfect body lotion with SPF to pack for your next beach day: The coconut-spiked scent feels like summer in a bottle, though it faded within an hour, so those who are wary of the fragrance clashing with their perfume can still wear this. 

The hydrating formula felt ultra thick and nourishing, which we’re chalking up to the inclusion of vitamin E. A great ingredient for dry skin, it’s usually not recommended for use on the face with acne-prone or oily skin types. And indeed, when we applied this body lotion on our faces, it felt too oily and greasy, so stick to this lotion’s intended use. On our bodies, it left our skin feeling incredibly hydrated and protected. And though it didn’t leave behind a noticeable white cast or residue, it required a little extra rubbing to fully absorb.

Active Ingredients: Octocrylene, homosalate, ethylhexyl salicylate, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane | Key Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) | SPF: 50 | Size: 8 oz. | Type: Chemical

If you’ve ever used a body lotion from Vaseline, then you already know the texture of Vaseline Healthy Bright Sun Protection Body Lotion SPF 30. Silky, thick, and spreadable, it felt just like our favorite post-shower lotions instead of the runny consistency of traditional sunscreens. We loved how our skin drank this right up and how fast it absorbed. It rubbed in easily and left no noticeable residue behind.

With daily use, we noticed how this body lotion truly kept our skin feeling softer and smoother than usual. We tested it on dry, easily irritated skin, and it did a great job of keeping skin protected and moisturized all day. The mess-free pump bottle also made it easy to apply at home, although we wouldn’t bring this type of packaging on the go. While the consistency won rave reviews, we weren’t as fond of the scent, which smelled like a very sweet blend of florals and candy. While the fragrance didn’t cause any irritation in testing, it sometimes distracted from how amazing the rest of the formula was. We’d love to see this in a fragrance-free version.

Active Ingredients: Octocrylene, phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), sodium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C), glycerin | SPF: 30 | Size: 13.5 oz. | Type: Chemical