TOP 12 BEST SPF MOISTURISERS
When it comes to skin care non-negotiables, SPF should always be at the top of the list. But let’s face it — layering sunscreen over your daily moisturiser can sometimes feel like a chore, especially when you’re rushing out the door.
Enter: SPF moisturisers.
These multitasking marvels offer hydration, nourishment and protection in one easy step. Going beyond basic shielding from UVA and UVB rays, the best SPF moisturisers are designed to slot seamlessly into your routine — whether you want to boost a dew-drenching glow or achieve a matte finish.
From cult classics to understated heroes, we’ve rounded up the 12 best SPF moisturisers to keep your skin happy, healthy, and sun-safe all year round.
Ready to meet your skin’s new staple?
OUR 12 BEST SPF MOISTURISERS
- Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF50+
- Paula’s Choice Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30
- ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Skin Protection Fluid SPF 50
- Hello Sunday The Everyday One - Non-Comedogenic Mineral Face Moisturiser SPF 50
- Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Broad Spectrum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Moisturiser
- CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 50 For Normal To Dry Skin
- Sarah Chapman Skin Insurance SPF 50+
- La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Face and Body Hydrating Milk SPF50+
- BYOMA Ultralight Face Fluid SPF50
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream SPF30
- OLE HENRIKSEN Banana Bright SPF 30 Lotion
- Avène Rich Hydrating Cream SPF30 for Dehydrated Skin
THE BEST SPF MOISTURISERS
Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF50+
138
£59.00
Reigning supreme in our round-up of the best SPF moisturisers is, of course, Medik8’s Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF50+. Ensuring maximum UVB and PA++++ UVA protection, it not only shields against sunburn and premature ageing but it’s enriched with encapsulated photolyase (a light-activated DNA repair enzyme), blueberry seed oil, marrubium extract, carnosine, squalane and multi-weight hyaluronic acid, to deliver a 360° environmental defence. Guarding against blue light, pollution and infrared, this do-it-all formula hydrates, smooths and ensures radiant results all day.
Paula’s Choice Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30
88
RRP: £36.00Current price: £28.80
Layering beautifully under make up or granting you a fresh, dewy glow on those no-make up days, Paula’s Choice’s Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 acts as a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen and moisturiser. Powered by an antioxidant-rich blend of licorice, vitamin C, kiwi extract, niacinamide and argan oil (just to name a few), it triples as an urban defender, neutralising pollution, blue light and early signs of ageing while its added humectants keep skin hydrated without greasiness.
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Skin Protection Fluid SPF 50
32
RRP: £55.00Current price: £44.00
Delivering a shielded, brighter and more balanced complexion, ELEMIS’ Pro-Collagen Skin Protection Fluid SPF 50 utilises encapsulated filters that shield against UVA and UVB rays, while nourishing skin with powerhouse actives. Infused with Padina Pavonica marine algae, it offers instant hydration and a long-lasting glow. What’s more, the inclusion of lithops stem cells helps support natural vitamin D production and plumps skin by improving texture and tone too.
Hello Sunday The Everyday One - Non-Comedogenic Mineral Face Moisturiser SPF 50
5
RRP: £24.00Current price: £19.20
Marrying skin care and sun care, Hello Sunday’s The Everyday One – Non-Comedogenic Mineral Face Moisturiser SPF 50 is your answer to no-fuss protection packed with complexion benefits. Celebrated for its 100% mineral formula, this everyday essential uses zinc oxide for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB shielding and carnosine peptides to defend against environmental stressors (pollution, we’re looking at you!). But that’s not all, complete with centella asiatica to soothe irritation and support collagen production, the silky-soft blend is suitable for all skin types — even the most sensitive.
Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Broad Spectrum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Moisturiser
RRP: £35.00Current price: £28.00
Invisible and lightweight, Fenty Skin’s Hydra Vizor Broad Spectrum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Moisturiser locks in hydration and protection (sans the dreaded chalkiness). Ideal for all skin types and tones, the mineral-based blend acts as a physical barrier, reflecting harmful rays to minimise the risk of sun damage and signs of premature aging – we’re talking dark spots, fine lines and uneven tone. Whether worn alone or under make up, this must-have creates a smooth, luminous base, making it an essential step in any beauty routine.
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 50 For Normal To Dry Skin
62
RRP: £16.50Current price: £13.20
The perfect addition to your morning routine, CeraVe’s AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 50 For Normal To Dry Skin floods your skin with hydration from the moment it’s applied. Supercharged with a trio of essential ceramides that act as the structural "glue" holding skin cells together, this cocktail retains moisture and defends against dryness, sensitivity and redness. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, it uses the brand’s Multivesicular Emulsion Technology to gradually release the compound throughout the day, ensuring long-lasting skin vitality.
Sarah Chapman Skin Insurance SPF 50+
10
RRP: £74.00Current price: £59.20
Renowned for its optical blurring technology and light-diffusing particles, Sarah Chapman’s Skin Insurance SPF 50+ delivers broad-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB, blue light and environmental stressors, all while imparting a radiant, soft-focus finish. This ultra-lightweight formula goes beyond traditional sun care, leveraging advanced stem cell technology to support cellular repair. Packed with skin-strengthening actives designed to reinforce the skin’s natural defences, its encapsulated Photosomes-V converts visible light into reparative energy, helping to correct UV-induced damage and enhance resilience, while bioactive complexes and multivitamins work in harmony to simulate the benefits of vitamin D and replenish essential minerals. The result? A healthier, more supple and visibly radiant complexion, protected from both immediate and long-term damage.
La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Face and Body Hydrating Milk SPF50+
RRP: £24.00Current price: £19.20
If you're on the hunt for the best SPF moisturiser for dry skin, La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Face & Body Hydrating Milk SPF50+ is a must. Formulated with cutting-edge UVMune 400 technologies, it offers high broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, including ultra-long UVA (AKA wavelengths linked to premature skin ageing and deep cellular damage). Dermatologically tested, it melds the brand’s signature Thermal Spring Water with nourishing emollients to maintain moisture levels throughout the day, keeping your complexion soft, smooth and oh-so-supple.
BYOMA Ultralight Face Fluid SPF50
36
RRP: £14.99Current price: £11.99
Boost, balance and brighten your skin with BYOMA's Ultralight Face Fluid SPF50. Working hard no matter what the forecast says, it’s designed to protect the skin barrier while visibly reducing redness – delivering more than just UV defence. With its velvety texture and subtle radiance-boosting finish, this multitasking SPF leaves your complexion looking instantly brighter and feeling comfortably hydrated around the clock.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream SPF30
23
RRP: £37.00Current price: £29.60
If like us, you’re a fan of Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, then let us introduce you to Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream SPF30. Offering the same hydration benefits as its original formula, this multitasking marvel has the added protection of broad-spectrum sun defence. Lightweight and non-greasy, it delivers up to 24 hours of moisture while shielding skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Starring antarcticine, a glycoprotein sourced from Antarctica known for its cryoprotective properties, this famed favourite maintains your complexion’s resilience in the most extreme conditions.
OLE HENRIKSEN Banana Bright SPF 30 Lotion
8
RRP: £29.00Current price: £23.20
Inspired by the illuminating effects of banana powder, OLE HENRIKSEN’s Banana Bright SPF 30 Lotion is made with light-reflecting pigments that instantly boost radiance and create a softly glowing finish. Built with broad-spectrum sun protection while visibly reviving dull, tired skin, it blends vitamin C to brighten the complexion, even out skin tone and defend against environmental stressors. So, in short, there’s not much this bestseller can’t do.
Avène Rich Hydrating Cream SPF30 for Dehydrated Skin
7
RRP: £20.00Current price: £16.00
Last but by no means least in our round-up of the best SPF moisturisers is the Avène Rich Hydrating Cream SPF30 for Dehydrated Skin. Specifically designed for dry and sensitive skin, this rich yet non-greasy cream provides long-lasting hydration while offering broad-spectrum SPF30 protection against UVA and UVB rays. Fusing the brand’s iconic Thermal Spring Water with a Sunsitive filter system, it calms complexions and improves skin suppleness throughout the day, leaving your face touchably soft and protected.
BEST SPF MOISTURISERS FAQS
Is moisturiser with SPF as good as sunscreen?
The best SPF moisturisers offer good protection for everyday low-level sun exposure like commuting or sitting by a window, especially if they provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection with SPF 30 or higher. However, most people apply too little, reducing effectiveness. For prolonged sun exposure or outdoor activities, moisturisers with SPF may fall short, as they often lack water resistance and robust protection. Dedicated sunscreens remain the best choice for extended outdoor use, while SPF moisturisers are perfect for daily convenience.
Is it better to have SPF in moisturiser or foundation?
While both contribute to sun protection, relying solely on foundation SPF is usually insufficient. Moisturisers are applied more generously and evenly over the face and neck, providing reliable broad-spectrum protection. Foundations are often applied more sparingly and unevenly, which may reduce SPF effectiveness.
Do you put moisturiser or sunscreen first?
Always apply your moisturiser first, then sunscreen. Moisturisers hydrate and prep your skin, creating a smooth base. Sunscreens form the protective barrier against UV rays and should be the last step in your skin care routine before make up. This layering ensures maximum sun protection.
Now that you know the best SPF moisturisers to add to your skin care arsenal, you can finally say goodbye to layering hassles and hello to fuss-free sun protection.
Cult Beauty’s Senior SEO Copywriter, Trifonia started out in the industry when bold brows were just becoming a ‘thing’, and shares a passion for all things fashion and beauty. Currently embracing her curly girl journey (after endless years of straightening her strands), she is finally reverting to her natural ways! When Triffy isn’t busy testing out the latest curl-saving solutions, you’ll find her binging the latest reality TV show or on a long walk listening to her ever-evolving country music playlist.
