When Should You Use Actual Sunscreen
You dont have to go this route, but you may want to if you find that your moisturizer bills are adding up. Still, Dr. Rodney says, its not necessary to use a separate sunscreen if you have an effective moisturizer with sunscreen. Just be sure to apply your moisturizer with SPF throughout the day.Or, again, you can use your moisturizer with SPF on your face and then do a combination of moisturizer and sunscreen on the rest of your body. Everyone can benefit from using a moisturizer with SPF, Dr. Rodney says. In fact, its all I recommend. Its simple, convenient, and great for both sunlight exposure as well as light from screens and computer devices.
Applying Face Moisturizer With Spf
Ideally, you should apply sunscreen to your face rather than makeup or moisturizers. However, using a moisturizer with sunscreen is better than using no protection whatsoever. These products are a good choice if you’re someone who’s always on the go, and you spend most of your time going from your vehicle to a building and back again. However, if you work outside or spend a lot of your spare time outdoors, a high-quality sunscreen is always a better option. You can combine your sunscreen with a moisturizer if you’re concerned about dryness. Regardless of what product you choose, the most important thing is to make sure your skin is always protected from the sun.
Related Searches
Best For Sensitive Skin
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Vitamin E helps reduce sun damage
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Blends nicely into skin
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Contains mineral oil
Got sensitive skin? Olay Complete Lotion Moisturizer with SPF 30 Sensitive has your name on it. This gentle, oil- and fragrance-free moisturizer hydrates and calms easily irritated skin while protecting it from the sun. The white lotion has zinc oxide meant for gentle mineral protection, plus other skin-coddling ingredients including vitamin E and aloe extract. Peredo is an especially big fan of the addition of that vitamin E. It helps combat free radicals from the effects of the environment and reduce sun damage, ensures long-lasting moisture retention, and also has anti-aging properties that can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, she explains. It also has a surprisingly lightweight texture and rubs in easily without irritation.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate, zinc oxide, octisalate, octocrylene | Skin Type: Sensitive | Size: 2.5 ounces | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No | No
Price at time of publish: $25
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Kiehls Midnight Recovery Omega
Bloomingdale
Who its for: People who want a deeply moisturizing night cream that targets fine lines and dullness.
Who it isnt for: People who want a lightweight cream.
Night creams are usually heavier than moisturizers designed for daytime use, containing rich ingredients to hydrate your skin while you sleep. This popular option from Kiehls contains shea butter and a blend of botanical oils for serious moisturizing power.
Also present: omega 3 oil, omega 6 oil, and fatty acids. Skincare acids can get confusing, but the rundown is that fatty acids play an important role in keeping your skin barrier healthy so it can lock in moisture. This cream not only targets dryness, but also fine lines and general skin dullness, resulting in younger looking skin.
Price at time of publish: $53
Product Details:
- Key Ingredients: Omega fatty acids, squalane, shea butter, botanical oils
- Size: 1.7 ounces
Where Should You Use A Moisturizer With Spf
Moisturizers with SPF usually come in smaller bottles and are usually designed to be used on your face. While you can technically use them all over your body, that can add up.Still, its a good idea to use some kind of moisturizer on your skin. You should use a moisturizer on your entire body to prevent dryness and lock in moisture, Dr. Rodney says. If youre using a moisturizer with SPF, she says its important to use it on your face first, along with your legs and hands especially if they will be exposed to sunlight. If you find that youre running through moisturizer with SPF too quickly with that method, though, you can always apply moisturizer to other areas of your body that arent your face, let it dry, and then apply sunscreen to the exposed areas.
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Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri
Amazon
Who its for: People looking to brighten dull skin.
Who it isnt for: People who want to avoid scented skincare products.
This affordable citrus-scented moisturizer is packed with humectants and emollients, from jojoba oil and argan oil to aloe vera extract and shea butter. The star ingredient is vitamin C, which is a powerhouse ingredient for brightening the skin and diminishing the look of dark spots.
This lightweight cream also contains green tea extract, an anti-inflammatory ingredient that can also help protect against free radicals. Plus, the formula is non-comedogenic, vegan, and cruelty-free. Just remember to keep it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlightnot doing so will diminish the efficacy of vitamin C.
Price at time of publish: $25
Product Details:
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, tri-peptide, green tea extract
- Size: 1.7 ounces
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer
Amazon
Who its for: People who need a moisturizer with acne-fighting ingredients.
Who it isnt for: People who prefer a dewy finish.
Battling acne and dry skin is tough since heavy moisturizing ingredients can clog pores and contribute to breakouts. The Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer is a lightweight cream that contains 0.5 percent salicylic acid solution to fight blackheads and whiteheads, and is ideal for people with acne-prone skin.
The cream also contains prebiotic ingredients to protect your skins barrier, along with kojic acid and licorice root extract . This hypoallergenic moisturizer is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic.
Price at time of publish: $11
Product Details:
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
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Best Face Moisturizer With Spf For The Beach: Kinfield Daily Dew Spf 35
One of our top budget picks.
Fragrance Free, Gluten Free, Vegan, Cruelty Free, Reef Safe, USA Made, Mineral Based, Broad Spectrum, Third Party Vetted
On the spectrum of everyday wear SPF to high SPF, kinfield Daily Dew sits somewhere in the middle leaning closer to a high SPF formula. We personally feel more comfortable wearing this for outdoor activities than we do for everyday wear. It goes on WHITE and does take some time to rub in.
That being said, if you look at this as a sport SPF, its AWESOME. Super light and we feel like we are definitely getting the coverage we want.
The bulk of the formula is emollients, emulsifiers and bulking agents, binding agents and viscosity controlling agents. Listed last are a couple of B Team heroes like aloe vera, glycerin and sunflower extract. But this is neither a pro nor a conits simply prioritizing function and price over hero ingredients.
What we like:
- Packaging made with post-consumer recycled plastic
- Might be able to double as a moisturizer for some people
- Has a very light scent to it
What we didnt:
- Looks very white going on
- A little too heavy for everyday wear IMO
- Not many ingredients to help treat skin
- This does have natural fragrance, which may be a con for some people
- Is slightly irritating to Nicolles sensitive skin
Good for sensitive skin? Weve got another midfield contender in the irritation category here. Not blemish-producing on Nicolle, but not quite as good as some of the others we tried.
Honuas Malu Day Cream Spf 30
Fragrance Free , Gluten Free, Vegan, Cruelty Free, Reef Safe, USA Made, Mineral Based, Broad Spectrum, Third Party Vetted
Gosh, Lisa loves this SPF so much, its been in her TOP 3 for years now. Above all, it wears like a dream: goes on light, even, sinks in, smells great, moisturizes and leaves skin looking fresh and healthy. Also love the addition of Hawaiian laukahi and oat bran extract to soothe, noni fruit for a clear appearance and jasmine to help even skin tone.
This is just so easy to use, its almost unbelievable.
What we like:
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How Often Should I Reapply Sunscreen To My Face
A broad-spectrum sunscreen should be applied every morning, rain or shine, 365 days per year. When deciding on the right type of sunscreen product to apply, keep in mind that CeraVes body and face sunscreens are ideal when in need of additional protection and while spending time outdoors.
Once applied, sunscreen is effective for up to two hours, but will need to be reapplied more frequently when swimming, sweating, or spending extended amounts of time outdoors. CeraVes moisturizers with SPF are best applied each morning as part of your A.M. skincare routine. Always apply sunscreen products as directed on the label and seek the advice of a dermatologist when needed.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream Spf 30
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Squalene, marine botanicals, and mineral electrolytes hydrate skin
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Very lightweight formula
It’s not always obvious to think of tinted moisturizer as lightweight, but this option from bareMinerals definitely fits the bill. Its gel-cream hybrid formula feels cool and refreshing upon application and is packed with hydrating squalene, marine botanicals, and mineral electrolytes. And because it’s SPF 30, it checks off three boxesmakeup, skincare, and sun protectionat once.
Its a great multi-tasking moisturizer with SPF, sheer coverage, and is non-comedogenic, says Peredo, who gives it two thumbs up. Not to mention that its the only pick on this list that relies on a mineral sunscreen ingredient, a boon for anyone who might experience irritation from chemical sunscreen ingredients. Plus, it’s available in 20 shades to accommodate a wide range of skin tones.
Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Size: 1.18 ounces | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Yes
Price at time of publish: $30
What Our Testers Say
“Complexion Rescue combines all those hydrating skincare benefits with the sheer coverage I’d been dreaming of. It leaves skin glowing and offers a natural kind of coverage that allows my skin to shine.” Hallie Gould, Editorial Director
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Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer Spf 30
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Silica and zinc absorbs oil and create a matte finish
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Contains triethanolamine
Peredo calls this out as a great option for anyone with oily or acne-prone skin. The formula relies on micropearl technology to help hydrate, while also absorbing oil to leave behind a matte finish, she says. Silica and zinc further help keep excess sheen and oil under control, and it also touts calming allantoin and licorice extract to soothe any irritation or redness and prevent future discoloration.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene | Skin Type: Acne-prone, oily | Size: 4 ounces | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No | No
Price at time of publish: $17
Sespring So Rich Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
Who its for: People looking for an EWG-verified moisturizer made with natural ingredients.
Who it isnt for: People who prefer to avoid plant extracts in their skincare regimen.
SeSprings So Rich Moisturizing Cream contains moisturizing shea butter, cocoa butter, macadamia oil, and hyaluronic acid. Niacinamide helps keep your skins barrier healthy, and extracts of lavender and tea tree oil are natural remedies for soothing acne or irritation. This moisturizer is EWG-verified, vegan, and free from fragrance, dye, and over 1,300 ingredients the brand has identified as potentially harsh or harmful.
Price at time of publish: $25
Product Details:
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, macadamia oil, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, spring camellia, lotus
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Best For Sensitive Skin: Smile Cbd Face Cream
Pros:
- Secret Ingredient: CBD
- How Much to Use: Small dollop, twice a day
Overview: Smile is another company that turns to the wisdom of Mother Nature to help create some of the safest, highest-quality and best facial moisturizer options on the market.
To help customers with particularly sensitive skin, the company looks to all-natural fixtures like aloe vera juice, avocado oil, and jojoba oil, which have been long-noted for their ability to help promote a healthy glow and maintain the kind of moisture that keeps skin looking young. All three are also notably gentle on the system, making them smart choices for those with sensitive skin.
The rest of the all-natural lineup, including vitamin C and vitamin E, is equally as encouraging to plump skin. But the star of this show is the CBD isolate the company includes in the mix. Cannabidiol the full name for CBD works directly with the bodys internal systems to keep hormone levels in balance, which translates to skin thats less irritated and more receptive to the healing properties of this formula.
What Customers Love: Customers gushed that this face cream helped deliver hydrated skin without any flare ups, red spots or other signs of irritation for their product-sensitive skin. Some said it made their skin look better than its ever been, while others reported that it simply worked.
The Best Ingredients For Sensitive Or Acne
If youre aiming to use a hydrating SPF, look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, and niacinamide, Nazarian highlights. Sensitive skin does well with ingredients such as glycerin and squalane which are hydrating and calming and sensitive skin tolerates mineral blockers such as zinc and titanium better than chemical sunscreen ingredients
Moreover, acne-prone skinworks well with sunscreens containing lactic acid, niacinamide, and those that are labeled noncomedogenic, ensuring other ingredients in the product dont clog pores, she explains.
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Cerave Am Facial Moisturizing Lotion Spf 30
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Hydrating formula of niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid
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Oil-free and non-comedogenic
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Contains parabens
Believe it, you can find a great moisturizer with SPF at the drugstore, and this is one of the best of the best. It contains active ingredients including niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. “When combined, they act as a protective barrier for the skin and give a boost of hydration to combat dryness, says Peredo.
Because its oil-free, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free, its a great pick for both oily and sensitive skin types. And as far as sun protection goes, it even boasts the Skin Cancer Foundations seal of approval as a recommended product for daily use.
Active Ingredients: Homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octocrylene, zinc oxide | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Size: 3 ounces | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No | No
Price at time of publish: $13
What Time Of Day Is Best To Use Moisturizer
Every product will come with its own specific suggestions and instructions for optimal use, but in general, there are a few times that are better than others to apply moisturizer to your face.
Many people prefer to apply their moisturizer as part of their morning routine. Before you go out to greet the day, make sure you put your best face forward, with a cleanser, moisturizer and any additional parts of your skincare routine, including toners, serums and eye creams.
Post-shower is another great time to moisturize. Its when your skin is most primed to receive the product, with your pores expanding under the warm water and ready to absorb all the goodness your moisturizer has to offer.
And before bed is another key time, setting your skin up to soak up everything it can while you catch some zzzs. Some research even shows that our skin is able to most effectively repair itself at night, roughly between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Of course, you dont have to just pick one time. The best face moisturizers are gentle and safe enough to use throughout the day, making them a great option for all three of these times.
Whichever routine feels best for you, though, keep in mind that consistency is key when applying moisturizer. Even the best face moisturizer wont do what its supposed to if you only use it reactively.
And no matter what time of day you decide to moisturize, make sure you wash your face first.
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Best Overall Face Moisturizer: Anniemak Restore Vitamin C Serum
Pros:
- Third-party tested for safety and quality
Features:
- Secret Ingredient: Vitamin C
- How Much to Use: 1 full pump
Overview: There are so many good things to say about AnnieMaks Restore Vitamin C Serum, we almost arent sure where to start.
The product checks all of the boxes for quality and safety, generating its power from a group of great all-natural ingredients, including organic witch hazel , organic aloe vera , and a proprietary botanical mix to help pump up collagen and keep things looking plump.
Even the more science-y ingredients are derived from plant-based sources, including vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, which work together to keep skin firmer, brighter and hydrated from the inside out. Plus, the companys formula includes the highest concentration of vitamin C in the industry, which means a world of good for your face.
As if that werent enough, the company goes out of its way to source all ingredients from right in the U.S.A., and has everything tested by a third-party lab to ensure its safety and quality are up to snuff before putting it anywhere near a shelf.
What Customers Love: Customers credited this serum for helping with nearly everything someone could ask of a skincare serum, saying the formula helped reduce wrinkles, fade sunspots and leave a healthier, much smoother skin behind.
- Secret Ingredient: Bakuchiol
- How Much to Use: A generous dollop
- Secret Ingredient: CBD
- How Much to Use: A few drops, twice daily