We love skincare products that put in the work to earn their spot in our routines. You know, the formulas that can serve multiple purposes and can address numerous concerns. One of our favorites? Skincare with SPF. You get the benefits of a satisfying application and good-for-you ingredients with the extra incentive of sun protection.
In recent years, sunscreen brands have paired elegant formulations—serums, day creams, face mists, and lip balms—with broad-spectrum protection so you can shield your skin at every step in your routine. That’s not to say you need to go overboard, though: As long as you’re still applying your regular facial sunscreen at the end of your routine (sorry, but SPF skincare can’t give you adequate protection on its own), you’re free to play around with your two-in-one SPF products however you want, whether that’s in a spray or an eye cream. "You don't have to overcomplicate suncare—keep it simple and look for products with at least SPF 30 formulations," says Karan Lal, DO, a board-certified dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.
To help you out, we tested the best SPF-infused skincare to curate 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 that’s formulated to calm and soothe your worst breakouts. Read more about our winners ahead.
Meet the 2024 winners for best skincare products with SPF
“Okay, I’m really, truly obsessed with this drugstore face cream. It’s filled with a mix of lightweight hydrators (hyaluronic acid and glycerin) and protective antioxidants (niacinamide and panthenol) that work together to soothe your skin barrier while shielding your skin from environmental damage. It also layers nicely under my regular SPF—yes, you still need a true sunscreen on top of your SPF skincare products—without feeling greasy or sticky. The fact that I can easily grab refills during my grocery-store run is also a happy bonus.” —Chloe Metzger, deputy editor
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, avobenzone
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Hyaluronic Cloud Moisturizer—$55
“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 out there that I won’t settle for tackiness or greasiness—I want soft, touchable hydration that makes my skin feel awake. This moisturizer from Peter Thomas Roth checks all my boxes. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid, which draws water into your skin throughout the day to hydrate it, along with cermides to moisturize and soothe your skin barrier. It doesn’t take forever to massage in either, so it’s an easy, practical option for everyday use, especially if you’re kind of lazy and pressed for 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
“I’m a regular face-mister, and I love using this one from Coola to refresh my skin, especially when I’m outdoors. Beyond just adding an extra layer of protection to my daily sunscreen, it’s also cooling, refreshing, and hydrating, making it a true joy to whip 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 hydration and also dries down pretty quickly, so you don’t have to spend time fanning your face after misting it on. It will definitely be a bag staple of mine this summer.” —AS
“Do you need an eye-specific SPF? Probably not—at least, according to dermatologists. But if you ask me, I prefer to be cautious about my fine-line protection and love layering on this SPF-spiked eye cream before applying my regular sunscreen. It has a sheer peachy hue that helps illuminate my under-eyes, making me look less sleepy. I like using it on no-makeup days when I’m out and about, since it just helps perk up my eye area with soothing aloe vera and de-puffing caffeine. Now, it won’t replace your concealer (or your daily sunscreen), but if you’re going barefaced and want to double-protect your eyes, I swear by this eye cream as a pick-me-up.” —AS
“My skin loves to break out. In fact, getting clogged pores might be its favorite hobby. So I’m incredibly hesitant to try new skincare products with SPF, since they tend to feel too heavy. But this serum from Neutrogena is lightweight, hydrating, non-sticky, and surprisingly soothing on my acne-prone skin. Though everybody’s skin is, of course, sensitive to different ingredients, it helps that this serum is formulated with green tea and bisabolol, two anti-inflammatory powerhouses. Just remember to layer it under your regular face cream, since the serum won’t be moisturizing enough on its own for most skin types.” —CM
Chemical or mineral:
Chemical
Sunscreen filters:
Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
Melé Skincare No Shade Sunscreen Oil SPF 30 Broad Spectrum—$20
“As someone who absolutely hates the feeling of greasy sunscreens, I’ll be honest: the idea of loving a sunscreen oil wasn’t on my skincare bingo card. But I am so happy that I tested this one out, because it’s not at all what I expected. The sheer formula isn’t overly greasy or ‘oily;’ instead, it’s incredibly lightweight with just enough shine to make your skin look radiant. It’s definitely one I’d recommend if you want a healthy-looking glow minus any shimmer. Just make sure to pair with your regular SPF, since you’d need to douse yourself in SPF oil to get close to adequate sun protection.” —AS
“It’s easy to forget your lips when it comes to sun protection, which is why I reach for a lip balm with SPF so I’m always covered. I keep multiple tubes of this EOS SPF lip balm at my desk and in my purses to touch up throughout the day, even when I’m not in the sun. It’s loaded 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 doesn’t taste like sunscreen when you lick your lips. If you’re going to be applying lip balm anyway, definitely make it a formula that’ll protect you from damage in the process.” —AS