AN SPF moisturiser is an easy way to incorporate protection from the sun’s rays into your everyday routine.
Sun damage is the leading cause of ageing so protecting yourself is essential for maintaining healthy and young-looking skin.
Dr. Catherine Borysiewicz, consultant dermatologist at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London, said: “Sun creams and sprays provide vital protection from skin damage, premature signs of ageing, and skin cancers.
“We should be using SPF every day, not just on holidays and trips abroad, to protect our skin from the sun, even in overcast weather or when indoors.”
Dr Borysiewicz recommends using products with an SPF of 30 or higher and at least four-star UVA protection.
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There are many moisturisers with SPF protection on the market and as well as choosing a product that will protect you, you’ll want to consider what will best suit your skin type and whether you prefer a lighter or heavier texture.
To help you choose, we've rounded up the best moisturisers with SPF.
Best SPF moisturisers at a glance
- Best overall SPF moisturiser: Alpha H daily essential moisturiser
- Best gel SPF moisturiser: La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Aqua Gel Moisturiser
- Best SPF 50 moisturiser: Naked Sundays SPF 50
- Best budget SPF moisturiser: Aveeno Calm and Restore nourishing daily moisturiser
- Best for sensitive skin: Avène Hydrance UV-Rich Hydrating Cream
La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Aqua Gel Moisturiser SPF 30
La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Aqua Gel Moisturiser SPF 30, £39
Pros: Good for oily skin, good for sensitive skin, hydrating
Cons: Nothing major
Rating: 5/5
La Roche Posay's reputation precedes it and it's no surprise that the Hyalu B5 Aqua Gel is a product that once tried, became a mainstay in my skincare collection.
It comes in a gel formula which makes it especially good for people with oily skin and contains super hydrator hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamin B5 to help to keep skin soft and healthy.
The SPF 30 built-in offers a good level of protection, with a focus on anti-photoaging.
It comes in a squeezy tube with a pump, making it easy to regulate how much you're putting on your skin and the water-based gel formula leaves skin feeling quenched and smooth.
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As a bonus, the Aqua Gel primes the skin so it also doubles up as a great base for make-up.
Review by Olivia Perl.
SPF: 30; Size: 50ml Type: Gel Moisturiser
Alpha H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50+
Alpha H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50+, £24 up
Pros: Lightweight, very hydrating, waterproof
Cons: Nothing major
Rating: 5/5
For a lightweight, high-factor moisturiser SPF then look no further than this offering from Alpha H.
Formulated with vitamin E and aloe vera to lock in hydration and repair skin, it leaves skin matte and ready for foundation.
I found that it didn't leave a white cast like some sun creams can, and is suitable for all skin types including sensitive and oily.
You'll get tip-top protection from UVA and UVB rays with factor 50 in this moisturiser and it's broad spectrum and waterproof.
It comes in two sizes: 50ml for every day and 30ml, which is perfect for travel.
Review by Olivia Perl.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 50, Type: Cream
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Ella & Jo Plump & Protect Hydrating Day Cream
Ella & Jo Plump and Protect Hydrating Day Cream £34
Pros: very hydrating, luxurious feel
Cons: Nothing major
Rating: 5/5
Ella & Jo's plump and protect hydrating day cream is a really lovely product that leaves your skin feeling hydrated and supple.
It has a really luxurious feel, absorbing into the skin easily. It also plumps while moisturising, smoothing out fine lines.
It felt really hydrating and even after a day in the sun, my skin didn't feel dried out.
It has SPF 30 protection that forms a barrier against UVA, UVB, blue light and pollution to help prevent skin damage and signs of ageing.
It didn't leave my skin feeling greasy and make-up applied over the cream remained in place during the day.
It also has a nice subtle scent. Ella & Jo recommend reapplication every two hours if you're spending a day in the sun.
Review by Emma Lake.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 30, Type: Cream
Avène Hydrance UV Rich Hydrating Cream SPF 30
Avène Hydrance UV Rich Hydrating Cream SPF 30, £20
Pros: Great for sensitive skin, non-greasy
Cons: Nothing major
Rating: 4.5/5
Avène is known for creating great products for people with very dry and/or very sensitive skin and this rich hydrating cream is no different.
Formulated using the brand's famous spring water, it also includes shea butter and pre-tocopherol for hydrated, plump skin.
The inclusion of SPF 30 adds an extra layer of protection, stopping the penetration of UVA and UVB rays, free radicals and pollution.
I found it smoothed easily over the face and neck and wasn't at all greasy, leaving the skin feeling boosted and fresh.
Review by Olivia Perl.
Size: 40ml, SPF: 30, Type: Cream
Naked Sundays SPF 50 Cabanacreme Hydrating Sunscreen Moisturiser
Naked Sundays SPF 50 CabanaCreme hydrating sunscreen moisturiser, £22
Pros: Luxe feel, very hydrating
Cons: Requires regular reapplication on sunny days
Rating: 4/5
This hydrating moisturiser from Lazy Sundays has a really luxe feel on the skin and offers SPF 50 protection.
It's very light and absorbs into the skin very easily, leaving it feeling supple and moisturised with no white marks.
Naked Sundays advises reapplication every 80 minutes, particularly after swimming, which feels slightly onerous but that was the only downside I could find to this product.
It's genuinely scent-free and the packaging is really funky.
At 50ml it's perfectly sized to fit easily into a bag whether you're heading out for an event or hitting the beach.
Review by Emma Lake.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 50, Type: Cream
Aveeno Calm and Restore Nourishing Daily Moisturiser
Aveeno Calm & Restore Nourishing Daily Moisturiser, £14.99 £11.24
Pros: Great for sensitive skin, tinted
Cons: Not as hydrating as other products tested
Rating: 4/5
Aveeno is known for its skin-friendly products and this daily moisturiser is a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
It has SPF 30 protection and contains feverfew, which helps to calm skin - great if you're planning to spend a day in direct sun.
The mineral formula will form a barrier against UVB rays and help prevent signs of ageing and sun damage.
I really liked this product. It has a sheer tint, that smooths your complexion and gives your skin a natural glow, perfect if you're visiting the beach and don't want to wear make-up.
It absorbed into the skin easily and didn't feel greasy, although I didn't feel it was as hydrating as other products I tested. It's fragrance-free, although does have a slight scent.
Review by Emma Lake.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 30, Type: Cream
Bondi Sands Sunny Days SPF 50 Moisturiser
Bondi Sands Sunny Days SPF 50 Moisturiser, £12.99
Pros: Tinted, good value for money
Cons: Not as hydrating as others tested
Rating: 4/5
You've probably heard of Australian brand Bondi Sands' famous self-tanning ranges but let us introduce you to Sunny Days.
The mineral formula moisturiser uses SPF 50 for ultimate UVA and UVB protection.
It's formulated with vitamin E which repairs and zinc oxide which helps to plump and hydrate skin.
It's reasonably priced at under £13, the tube is made using recycled materials and the formula is cruelty-free, vegan and reef-friendly.
Review by Olivia Perl.
Size: 50g, SPF: 50, Type: Tinted cream
Organii Facial Sun Cream
Organii facial sun cream, £16.95
Pros: Feels very nourishing
Cons: Heavier than others tested, very low SPF protection
Rating: 4/5
This mineral face cream from Organii offers SPF 15 protection, forming a barrier on the skin to protect it from UVA and UVB rays.
It felt quite thick and heavy to apply, but quickly sunk into my skin and left it feeling smooth and hydrated.
It contains organic argan, jojoba, sunflower, olive fruit, linseed, rice bran, and karanja oils and felt really nourishing.
While it has very low SPF protection and should be topped up with an additional sun cream, Organii products are certified organic and a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
Review by Emma Lake.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 15, Type: Cream
Katherine Daniels daily DNA defence - SPF 30
Katherine Daniels Daily DNA Defence SPF 30, £62
Pros: Very light, great for wearing under make-up
Cons: Not as hydrating as others tested
Rating: 4/5
This SPF 30 cream from Katherine Daniels is a really light product that protects the skin against UVA and UVB rays, as well as pollution, blue light and cold.
It absorbs easily and doesn't leave your skin feeling oily and greasy.
It's definitely a great choice for wearing under make-up and allows your foundation to stay put throughout the day.
It also has DNA defence and repair enzymes, which Katherine Daniels says help to increase the speed at which your cells repair, helping stop the signs of ageing.
Review by Emma Lake.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 30, Type: Cream
Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30, £69 £55.20
Pros: Contains vitamin C to brighten the skin
Cons: More of a sun cream than moisturiser
Rating: 3.5/5
I found this product had the liquid consistency of a sun cream and spread lightly across the face and neck, sinking in quickly.
It contains vitamin C which famously brightens skin and an orange scent.
It is quite pricey at £69 but gives SPF 30 protection against UVA and UVB rays, as well as containing vitamin C to improve brightness and firmness.
I found that it refreshed and hydrated the skin but the skew is towards suncream over moisturiser on this one. It's a great option if you don't need loads of hydration but still want to merge the two products into one step.
Review by Olivia Perl.
SPF: 30; Size: 50ml Type: Moisturiser
How we tested
All SPF moisturisers have been tested by a member of The Sun's team.
They were all worn for at least one day and the testers considered factors including the application of the cream or gel, the level of protection it offered and how moisturising it was, as well as scent, feel and how often reapplication was required.
Where to buy SPF moisturisers in the UK?
SPF moisturisers are easy to find and most products are available on the high street or online. Most major shops will have general SPF moisturisers available, but if you're after a specific moisturiser for sensitive or oily skin, beauty shops will have more niche products that can tailor to your needs. Here's a list of some of the best online shops.
- Amazon
- Boots
- Cult Beauty
- LookFantastic
- Sephora
