Written by
Good + good editors
We love the skin care products in it work to earn their place in our routines. You know, the formulas that can serve multiple purposes and address numerous problems. One of our favorites? Skin care with SPF. You get the benefits of satisfying application and good-for-you ingredients, with the added boost of sun protection.
In recent years, sunscreen brands have combined elegant formulas—serums, moisturizers, facial mists, and lip balms—with broad-spectrum protection, so you can protect your skin every step of your routine. That doesn’t mean you should go overboard, though: as long as you still apply your regular sunscreen to your face at the end of your routine (sorry, but SPF skincare can’t give you enough protection on its own), you can go with your two-in-one SPF products play however you want, whether that’s in a spray or an eye cream. “You don’t have to overcomplicate sunscreen; keep it simple and look for products with at least SPF 30 formulations,” says Karan LalDOEN, a board-certified dermatologist at Affiliated dermatology in Scottsdale, Ariz.
To help you out, we tested the best skin care with SPF to compile a list of seven award winners, including an SPF moisturizer that hydrates skin better than a Stanley full of water, and an acne-friendly serum formulated to help your skin to calm and soothe. worst pimples. Read more about our winners below.
Meet the 2024 winners for the best skin care products with SPF
Cetaphil Healthy Renew Purified Peptides Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Day Cream – $15
Best drugstore cream with SPF
“Okay, I’m really, really obsessed with this drugstore face cream. It’s filled with a blend of lightweight hydrators (hyaluronic acid and glycerin) and protective antioxidants (niacinamide and panthenol) that work together to soothe your skin barrier while protecting your skin from environmental damage. It also blends in nicely under my regular SPF – yes, you still need a real sunscreen on top of your SPF skincare products – without feeling greasy or sticky. The fact that I can easily grab refills while grocery shopping is also a nice bonus.” —Chloe Metzger, deputy editor
Sunscreen filters:
Homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, avobenzone
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Hyaluronic Cloud Moisturizer – $55
Best moisturizer with SPF
“I firmly believe that the best SPF moisturizer is one that feels light and refreshing, like a cool drink of water. There are so many two-in-one formulas that I don’t settle for stickiness or greasiness. I want gentle, tactile hydration that makes my skin feel awake. This moisturizer from Peter Thomas Roth ticks all my boxes. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid, which draws water into your skin all day long to hydrate it, along with cermides to hydrate and soothe your skin barrier. The massage doesn’t take long either, so it’s an easy, practical option for everyday use, especially if you’re a bit lazy and short on time (like me).” —Aimee Simeon, senior beauty editor
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
Coola Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Mist SPF 50 – $32
Best SPF Face Mist
“I’m a regular face mister and I love using this one from Coola to freshen up my skin, especially when I’m outside. As well as adding an extra layer of protection to my daily sunscreen, it’s also cooling, refreshing and hydrating, making it a real pleasure to pull out of my bag and spritz on throughout the day. It’s formulated with glycerin and licorice root extract to give your skin an instant dose of hydration and also dries quite quickly so you don’t have to spend time fanning your face after you spritz it. It will definitely be a bag of mine this summer.” —IF
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene
DermaDoctor DD Eye Cream SPF 30 – $32
Best SPF Eye Cream
“Do you need an eye-specific SPF? Probably not, at least according to dermatologists. But if you ask me, I prefer to be gentle with my fine line protection and like to layer this eye cream with SPF tips before applying my regular sunscreen. It has a sheer, peachy shade that brightens my under eyes, making me look less sleepy. I love using it on makeup-free days when I’m on the go because it brightens my eye area with soothing aloe vera and puffing caffeine. Now, it won’t replace your concealer (or your daily sunscreen), but if you’re bareheaded and want double protection for your eyes, I swear by this eye cream as a pick-me-up.” —IF
Chemical or mineral:
Mineral
Sunscreen filters:
Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60 – $16
Best SPF serum
“My skin loves to break out. Getting clogged pores might be his favorite hobby. So I’m incredibly hesitant to try new skincare products with SPF because they tend to feel too heavy. But this serum from Neutrogena is lightweight, hydrating, non-sticky, and surprisingly soothing on my acne-prone skin. While everyone’s skin is obviously sensitive to different ingredients, it helps that this serum is formulated with green tea and bisabolol, two anti-inflammatory powerhouses. Don’t forget to apply it under your regular face cream, as the serum on its own is not moisturizing enough for most skin types. —CM
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
Melé Skincare No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum – $20
Best SPF Facial Oil
“As someone who absolutely hates the feeling of greasy sunscreens, I’ll be honest: the idea of loving a sunscreen wasn’t on my skincare bingo card. But I’m so glad I tested this one out, because it’s not at all what I expected. The sheer formula is not overly greasy or ‘greasy’; instead, it’s incredibly lightweight with just enough shine to keep your skin looking radiant. It’s definitely a product I would recommend if you want a healthy looking glow without any shine. Make sure you combine it with your regular SPF, as you’ll need to slather yourself with SPF oil to get anywhere near enough sun protection. —IF
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, octinoxate
Best lip balm with SPF
“It’s easy to forget your lips when it comes to sun protection. That’s why I choose a lip balm with SPF, so I’m always covered. I keep several tubes of this EOS SPF lip balm on my desk and in my bag for touch-ups throughout the day, even when I’m not in the sun. It’s packed with moisturizing shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil, and it also comes in a mix of scents and flavors (like watermelon, pictured here), so it won’t taste like sunscreen when you lick your lips. If you are going to apply lip balm, be sure to make it a formula that will protect you from damage in the process. —IF
Chemical or mineral:
Mineral
Sunscreen filters:
Zinc oxide
