Good News: These 12 SPFs Allow You to Totally Streamline Your Skincare Routine

If you're the sort of person who struggles to keep up a decent skincare routine because you lack the energy, I hear you. In fact, I have to give myself a mental pep talk every night before I shuffle to the bathroom, bleary-eyed, to remove my makeup before I fall asleep. But the good news is that after many years of absorbing skincare information from experts, I have learned that there are shortcuts that can be taken to make your routine less daunting and maintain healthy, glowing skin while you're at it.

Forget 10-step routines. There's little need for any more than two or three steps in your morning and nighttime skincare regimens. These steps are comprised of what I like to call non-negotiables—consider them the core foundations for healthy skin. These non-negotiables are made up of three camps: cleansing, hydration and protection. While cleansing really does require its own step, what you apply to your skin after you cleanse can always be streamlined—particularly when it comes to moisturiser (hydration) and SPF (protection).

best-moisturisers-with-spf-301294-1658411069860-image

(Image credit: @CLAIRE_MOST)

But before we go any further, I want you to listen very carefully: Using a moisturise or a foundation that merely lists SPF as an ingredient does not tick that "protection" box. In order to protect your skin from damaging UV rays, it is imperative that you apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. This means the product protects skin against skin-ageing UVA rays (this is typically illustrated by a "PA+++" or a star rating) and skin-burning UVB rays (illustrated by an SPF rating). The reason for this serious caveat is that in order to truly give your skin the protection it requires, a product has to contain a hefty amount of those all-important UV-blocking ingredients. Dermatologists recommend applying a half-teaspoon of SPF to the face in order to guarantee the level of protection on the bottle—if you're relying on a tinted moisturiser or foundation for such coverage, I'd bet my hat that you're not applying nearly enough.

What's the best advice a dermatologist ever gave me? Instead of shopping for moisturisers that have SPF credentials, look for SPFs that have moisturising credentials. Trust me—facial SPF formulas have come leaps and bounds in recent years, with most good formulas providing just as much hydration and moisture as your standard day cream. If you want to only apply one product to your face in the morning post-cleanse, can the standard day cream and reach for a moisturising SPF instead. While these products might sit on SPF shelves in stores, trust me when I say they're far closer to truly great moisturisers—and they deliver next-level sun protection while they work. So if you're looking to save some time in the morning, keep scrolling to shop the best moisturisers with actual SPF protection for all skin types.

1. CeraVe A.M. Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50

Best Budget Moisturiser With SPF

2. Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF50+

Best Moisturiser With SPF for Dry Skin

3. Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel

Best Moisturiser With SPF for Oily Skin

4. U Beauty Multimodal Defender SPF30

Best Luxury Moisturiser With SPF

5. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Aquagel SPF30

Best Moisturiser With SPF for a Dewy Finish

6. Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Cream

Best Moisturiser With SPF for Makeup Application

7. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF50+ Sun Cream

Best Moisturiser With SPF for Dark Spots

8. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30

Best Moisturiser With SPF for Added Protection

9. Bliss Block Star SPF30 Invisible Daily Sunscreen

Best Blurring Moisturiser With SPF

10. The Body Shop��Skin Defence Multi-Protection Lotion SPF 50+ PA++++

Best All-Round Moisturiser With SPF

11. Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence SPF50

Best Lightweight Moisturiser With SPF

12. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen

Best Glow-Boosting Moisturiser With SPF

Next up, if you hate heavy facial SPF, these tinted formulas are worth knowing about.

Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous.

Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics.

While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best.

When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.