I know my friends and family are sick of me asking if they applied sunscreen today—energy better spent encouraging the use of the best moisturizer with SPF instead of trying to shoehorn another step into an already curated skin-care routine. As the old adage says, “Work smarter, not…,” so if your sunscreen isn’t doubling as skin care, it might be time for an upgrade.

Pairing what the best face creams have to offer with what face sunscreens excel at—namely, protecting skin—dermatologists say these multitaskers are remarkably effective at shielding sun rays while nourishing skin with hardworking conditioning agents like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. Plus newer formulas often blend seamlessly into a wide range of skin tones without leaving behind a white cast.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, a moisturizer with SPF isn’t necessarily the same thing as a hydrating sunscreen. According to board-certified dermatologist Michelle Green, MD, “A hydrating sunscreen is a product that blocks UV rays while moisturizing the skin. A moisturizer containing SPF primarily hydrates the skin, with sun protection as an added benefit.” That’s an important distinction, particularly because most people don’t apply enough product—or reapply often enough throughout the day—to achieve adequate sun protection.

Ahead, board-certified dermatologists answer all your burning questions about moisturizers with SPF, plus Vogue’s edit of the six best formulas to shop now.

Best for All Skin Types: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30

• Why We Love It: Whether you have a penchant for French pharmacy skin care or drugstore classics, you’re likely familiar with La Roche-Posay’s Double Repair Face Moisturizer. One of the brand’s best-sellers, this rich cream is packed with thermal spring water, ceramides, allantoin, and niacinamide to replenish skin’s moisture levels, soothe, and even tone. With this composition in mind, dermatologist Mina Amin, MD, recommends it for those with dry, sensitive skin: This blends easily, which makes it a great option for everyone, including individuals who have beards.” It’s one of those products that’s virtually impossible not to like. Plus it is oil-free and noncomedogenic—a.k.a. it’s safe for acne-prone skin. Moisturize away, without fear of inciting a breakout!
• Editor’s Experience: My favorite part about going to Europe, aside from the pasta that doesn’t hurt my stomach, is the ability to stock up on French pharmacy brands like LRP. Although with the internet, I no longer need to be quite so dramatic, we have Toleriane at home. Safe for all skin types, this moisturizer blends seamlessly into the skin and doesn’t leave behind any greasiness or white cast. —Iman Balagam, contributor

Best With Mineral Protection: Emma Lewisham Sunceutical Mineral Face Cream SPF 50

• Why We Love It: Founded in New Zealand, Emma Lewisham has built a reputation for pairing luxury with a thoughtful approach to formulation. While marketed as a face cream, Green notes that this is best thought of as a dedicated sunscreen with skin-care benefits. “In other countries, sunscreens are classified as medicines and must undergo rigorous testing to demonstrate their effectiveness,” she explains. “This SPF 50 face cream is Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) certified, meaning it has been clinically tested to demonstrate broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection.” The mineral-based formula relies on zinc oxide for UV defense and is bolstered by niacinamide and saccharide isomerate to help brighten and hydrate the skin.
• Editor’s Experience: I love skin care sold at retailers like Credo because I know I’m in good hands when it comes to “clean” ingredients. The packaging is refillable, and the pump format is convenient since you don’t have to dip your fingers into a germy pot. The finish it leaves behind is beautifully glowy, and I never have to worry about a white cast since it is tinted. —I.B.

Best Japanese Moisturizer: Biore UV Aqua Rich Daily Hydrating Facial Moisturizer

• Why We Love It: According to Green, “This hydrating SPF 50 is excellent, as it is lightweight, allowing patients to reapply throughout the day without the skin feeling greasy.” A chemical SPF 50, the formula includes avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene (all the key players) for broad-spectrum protection. It’s also infused with hyaluronic acid to help draw moisture into the skin and support lasting hydration. A best-selling formula in Japan, it’s known for its featherlight texture and invisible finish, making it particularly appealing for daily wear with no visible white cast.
• Editor’s Experience: Japan is known for its hot, humid summers, which is why I feel like I’m in good hands when reaching for Biore. The texture is incredibly lightweight and hydrating—melting into the skin without leaving behind any stickiness or heaviness. I also tend to be a lot tanner in the summer, so I’m always wary of a white cast, and this one has been good to me so far. —I.B.

Best Under Makeup: Clinique Moisture Surge Broad Spectrum SPF 28

• Why We Love It: Clinique’s Moisture Surge is the lightweight moisturizer of dreams. With a soft, cloudlike texture, the formula blends seamlessly into skin, alleviating concerns like dryness and dullness through the brand’s aloe bioferment—a cocktail of lactobacillus, activated aloe water, and organic aloe extract powder, plus hyaluronic acid and provitamin D. “Plus this moisturizer with SPF is fragrance-free, which makes it a great option for sensitive skin types,” says Amin. “I would supplement this one with a separate sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher for added protection.”
• Editor’s Experience: If glowy skin is what you’re after, this fragrance-free moisturizer is best described as cloudlike, with no heaviness felt on the skin after application. It blends in sheer, and I love applying makeup on top of it, though I will note that the scent is a bit strong considering it’s fragrance-free. —I.B.

Best for Dry Skin: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30

• Why We Love It: Elemis takes a collagen-first approach to treating skin—meaning it seeks to boost skin’s collagen production for more youthful, glowing skin. This moisturizer in particular boasts wrinkle-smoothing properties—finding firming and toning benefits through botanicals like chlorella and ginkgo biloba. It’s especially well suited to antiaging regimens, with the brand’s clinicals noting a visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in as little as 14 days when used consistently. The formula is available in four sizes, ranging from 15 ml. to 100 ml., allowing you to test it out or opt for a larger size if it’s already a staple in your routine.
• Editor’s Experience: As someone with oily skin, I am a big fan of water creams since they are not too heavy on my skin and do not clog my pores. This one is super lightweight, with no tackiness to speak of. I own it in various sizes, one for my carry-on and one for my checked bag. —I.B.

Best Drugstore: Olay Super Cream

• Why We Love It: Positioned as a five-in-one formula, this Olay cream is designed to hydrate, smooth, brighten, firm, and deliver SPF protection in a single step. Green notes that its formula blends hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, collagen peptides, vitamin E, and alpha hydroxy acid to help moisturize and refine skin texture over time. For sun protection, the cream uses chemical UV filters including avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene, which absorb UV rays and convert them into heat. Beyond skin care, it works well as a makeup primer, helping streamline the routine even further.
• Editor’s Experience: Before Super Cream, I had never given Olay much thought, partly because I like to stick to indie brands as part of my personal hashtag brand. But once I tried it, I was fully converted—the brand has been around for decades for a reason. As a fairly lazy person, it’s one of the easiest ways to streamline my routine, which is especially helpful when I’m traveling and don’t have the time or space to bring that many products with me. —I.B.