Editor Tip: Once you run out, you can simply pop a new $35 cartridge right in.
Type: Chemical | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, kalahari melon, hyaluronic acid | Who It’s For: People with medium to dark skin
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a moisturizer with SPF as good as wearing sunscreen?
The concept behind moisturizers with SPF is pretty straightforward, and depending on the formulation, it can tick multiple boxes off your skin-care to-do list, including sunscreen. As long as it has the AAD’s recommended board-spectrum SPF 30 rating, your multi-tasking cream can pump skin full of moisture (without leaving any chalky, white cast) while protecting it from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays that can lead to signs of aging like fine lines, and on a larger scale, skin cancer.
“Hybrid skin-care products have gained popularity recently as consumers are trying to simplify their skin-care routines,” Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City, tells Allure. “SPF-infused moisturizers are a direct result of the desire to do more with less.” She also reassures us that just because there’s an added benefit of broad-spectrum sun protection, does not mean these moisturizers are thicker in texture or pore-clogging. What’s more: Dr. Chang confirms SPF-infused moisturizers are “regulated and tested by the same Food and Drug Administration (FDA) procedures as sunscreens,” so they’re not more diluted in regards to protection.
Tips for applying moisturizers with SPF
Just note, as with any other sunscreen, you still need to reapply these formulas throughout the day — every two hours, to be specific — to stay protected. (Oh, and wearing sunscreen indoors is also non-negotiable.) Dr. Chang reminds us that “most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen (a shot glass full) to fully cover the body.” For your face and neck, Dr. Chang says that equates to about 0.3 teaspoons or the size of two nickels. And don’t forget commonly-missed areas, like your eyelids, ears, and chest.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of moisturizers with SPF, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
For more of our favorite, hard-working skin-care products, keep reading:
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