11 Dermatologist-Approved Moisturizers With SPF to Protect Your Skin

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HOPEFULLY WE DON'T have to tell you how important it is to wear sunscreen when you’re sitting by the pool or heading out to the beach. Wearing sunscreen during those moments is important, of course, but it’s the other times that you may not already be wearing it that can make the biggest difference. We’re here to tell you that you should be wearing sunscreen every day—regardless of the season or temperature. Yes, that means even in winter and even when it’s overcast. Sunscreen does more than just protect you from getting a sunburn—it can prevent premature skin aging such as wrinkles and age spots as well, so you can stay looking your best as the years go on. These effects of what is called photo aging compound over time and can happen any time your face is exposed to the sun’s rays—which, unless you’re wearing a full-on mask—is pretty much every single day.

One of the best ways to remember to wear your ‘screen is to get your daily skincare routine to work double duty. Skincare isn’t always about how many products you’re using as much as it is about using the right ones, which is why we always love products that have multiple functions. If you’re like us and want to minimize the amount of time standing in front of your bathroom mirror, we recommend investing in one of the best moisturizers with SPF for men. These handy two-in-one hybrid products give your skin all-important hydration while also protecting it from damaging UV rays. There are a lot of them out there, but the best moisturizers with SPF for men should have at least SPF 30 broad spectrum protection, according to the standard set by the American Academy of Dermatology. The best moisturizers with SPF for men must also have hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, because, well, that’s where the moisturizer part comes in—and with these products, both are important.

Best Moisturizers With SPF for Men

What to Consider

Before you reach for any old moisturizer that says SPF on the label, be warned that not all of them are created equal.

Broad spectrum protection

“As a starting place, look for one labeled broad spectrum protection as this indicates that your skin will be protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which contribute to skin cancer and skin aging,” says Dr. Noelle S. Sherber, MD, dermatologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. All the picks on this list feature broad spectrum protection.

At least SPF 30

Second, there are lots of moisturizers out there that say they contain SPF but it’s low—like 15 or 18. That’s not good. “The American Academy of Dermatology advises using an SPF30 or higher,” says Dr. Sherber. And for men, she says, the third most important thing is texture. If it’s gluey, sticky, filmy, or leaves a white cast, you’re probably not going to use it. “The effectiveness of sunscreen drops significantly if it isn’t applied in a generous quantity,” she says, so the best sunscreen for you is one you will actually wear—and want to wear.

Ingredients

When it comes to moisturizers with sunscreen, don’t get bogged down in semantics. It can be hard to find a moisturizer with enough SPF to adequately protect you. In that case, recommends Sacramento, CA-based dermatologist Dr. Jacqueline Calkin, MD, “find a sunscreen that has enough [moisturizing ingredients] for your skin.” It doesn’t matter so much if the product is supposed to be a moisturizer first; as long as it has enough moisturizing ingredients and sun protection, you can use it every day.

How We Selected

To find the absolute greatest spf moisturizers, our intrepid team of testers and dermatologists tried more than 50 top-reviewed moisturizers, and evaluated how well they absorbed in our skin, if they provided ample sun protection (no sunburns!), and if they left white residue.

UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 46

Dermatologists overwhelmingly recommend this broad spectrum sunscreen because in addition to providing broad spectrum UV protection, It's also packed with skin-healthy ingredients like niacinamide. Our testers also loved its oil-free formula, so it won’t clog your pores and cause breakouts, safe for sensitive skin, and rubs in well (even if you have a beard). Our testers with darker skin tones also found that Eta MD's UV Clear lives up to is name, since it leaves no white cast behind after application.

Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology, has been recommending this moisturizer since 2017 for all his male patients. "It's great for rosacea or acne-prone skin, because it contains ingredients that promote healthy-appearing skin,"he says.

Read more: Best Men's Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer With Sunscreen SPF 50

Greensboro, NC-based dermatologist Christina Haverstock, MD, has been recommending this fragrance-free gel moisturizer to her male patients since 2018 because “it’s a hyaluronic acid-based gel so it literally disappears” into the skin while still moisturizing. And even with a high SPF factor, the sunscreen is barely noticeable and doesn’t leave any filmy or sticky feeling.

Dermatologist Robert Finney, MD, also recommends the Hydro Boost sunscreen for patients with sensitive skin. Our editors tested this for two weeks and found that it has a non-greasy consistency, though it does have a chemically smell, which isn't the most pleasant fragrance.

Read more: Best Anti-Aging Products for Men

Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF 35

Those with sensitive skin sometimes have trouble finding a sunscreen that doesn't sting their face and eyes. That's why our grooming testers with sensitive mugs preferred testing mineral spf moisturizers to prevent any chemical skin reactions.

This one is made with green tea and caffeine, and our editors were surprised to find how calming and soothing it was on their sensitive skin. We also loved that it gives the highest level of UVA protection, along with UVB coverage to protect you from damaging rays. After a day at the beach, our testers reported no sun burn while using this SPF moisturizer along with a sun hat.

Read more: Best Mineral Sunscreens

Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Sunscreen SPF 30

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, using an oil-free moisturizer is essential. This moisturizer with sunscreen, however, goes the extra step. Our testers with acne-prone skin found that this actualys help absorb excess oil, so you get the hydration and sun protection you need every day without worrying about your face looking shiny—or worse, that it’s going to make you break out.

"I used to avoid SPF since all the sunscreens I've tried broke me out," said one tester. "However this one didn't, and also kept my skin moisturized. I'm using this for life."

Read more: Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin

Face Moisturizer SPF 30

The problem with so many sunscreens is that they leave a white cast on your skin, especially on dark skin tones. That's why our editors swiped dozens of self-reportedly "clear" moisturizers and found that a lot of them left us with a white residue.

Not so with this lightweight, hydrating sunscreen that's specifically designed for darker skin tone. Our editors found that it did not leave any cast of film whatsoever. It’s also packed with niacinamide and vitamin E for UV protection and anti-aging benefits.

Read more: Best Sunscreens for Darker Skin Tones

Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF 50

Our editors with fairer skin tones found that this Korean moisturizer didn't leave any white film whatsoever. The secret behind its success?

“This South Korean sunscreen is one of the most vanishingly light yet intensely hydrating sunscreens I’ve found,” says Dr. Sherber, who's been recommending this to patients since 2019. “It offers serious sun protection while doubling as a refreshing non-oily moisturizer. As an added bonus, it doesn’t sting post-shaving and doesn't look chalky in facial hair or stubble.”

AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

A lot of the spf moisturizers we've tested that actually worked well were quite expensive. So our testers tried a few drugstore sunscreens to find one that's easy on our skin and budget.

This affordable moisturizer with sunscreen is a go-to for Leah Spring, D.O., a dermatologist in Virginia Beach, VA because it “absorbs easily and is great for sensitive skin.” And even though it won’t break the bank, “it probably should be priced higher than what it is for the quality of the product,” she says, and has been using this sunscreen since 2018.

Ultra Facial Cream Sunscreen SPF 30

Michigan-based dermatologist Mariana Atanasovski, MD, recommends this moisturizer for men particularly because it’s non greasy and has a fresh scent while protecting against both UVA and UVB rays.

Deputy Editor, Christian Gollayan has been using this facial cream since 2018, and it has been his-go to sunscreen and moisturizer all year. "It's thick, creamy, and hydrating, but doesn't leave me with a sticky or filmy residue," he says. "Plus, it doesn't leave a white cast and doesn't break me out, so I take this with me wherever I go."

Read more: Best Night Creams for Men

Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Moisturizer SPF 45

New York City-based dermatologist Estee Williams, MD, recommends this moisturizer for men because “the hyaluronic acid provides light hydration that is suitable for oily skin, plus it offers substantial sun protection.”

This comes especially in clutch during summer, where our testers found this offered ample hydration without clogging up their pores. Plus, it only left a faint white cast that was noticeable.

Every Day Sun Day Sun Fluid

It doesn’t get more lightweight than this sunscreen fluid, which is so watery you can barely feel it on your skin. Our testers found that it absorbed their skin easily, and was hardly noticeable after wearing it all day.

We loved its high grade protection (SPF 50!), but were even more impressed to find that it has hydrating ingredients like vitamin e, which kept our mugs moisturized and calm. In short, it's the perfect summer SPF moisturizer.

Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30

This sun-protecting moisturizer “is great because it’s non-comedogenic (won’t cause acne breakouts), has anti-inflammatory components such as niacinamide and it has prebiotics to help restore the good bacteria that are important for proper functioning of the skin barrier,” says Riverdale, NY-based dermatologist Shira Wieder, MD.

Our testers were surprised that even with the addition of SPF, which sometimes can make moisturizers feel thicker, this one still felt lightweight and sunk into skin quickly. It uses chemical sunscreens, yet is still suitable for sensitive skin thanks to other ingredients like thermal water, niacinamide and prebiotics to help strengthen the skin barrier—plus it’s fragrance free and, as Dr. Wieder mentioned above, won’t clog pores. Even our most sensitive testers found this one to be a winner

Final Verdict

We wanted to find an spf moisturizer that had at least an SPF 30, is lightweight, fast absorbing, and didn't leave a white cast. After testing more than 50 sunscreens, our editors and dermatologists found EltaMD's UV Clear Sunscreen offered the best combo of protection, hydration, and finish.

Meet the Experts

• Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology

• Dr. Noelle S. Sherber, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

• Dr. Jacqueline Calkin, M.D, is a board-certified dermatologist.

• Dr. Christina Haverstock, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.

• Dr. Robert Finney, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.

• Dr. Leah Spring, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist.

• Dr. Mariana Atanasovski, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.

• Dr. Estee Williams, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.

• Dr. Shira Wieder, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.

Do You Need to Use Sunscreen Over Your SPF Moisturizer?

For the most part, the doctors we spoke to said using an SPF Moisturizer alone provided enough coverage, so long as you reapply it every 90 minutes (which is when most sunscreens tend to degrade in sun protection). But if you're planning to spend an extended time outdoors (say hiking or sailing), some experts recommend applying sunscreen on top of your moisturizer as an extra layer of protection.

Why Trust Us?

For the past five years, Men's Health has dedicated itself to discovering and recommending the best grooming products for men via hands-on testing and in-depth research. Men's Health grooming has been featured on national news outlets like The TODAY Show and Good Morning America, showcasing the latest new grooming products for men and presenting why we love the brands we select.

Aside from constantly updating and adding to our ever-growing grooming section, Men's Health also dedicates an annual Grooming Awards package where we break down the best new products for men—ranging everywhere from skincare to shaving. Our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, who consulted on this story, has been testing moisturizer spfs for the past decade, so he absolutely knows what he's talking about.

Shop More of Our Favorite Skincare Products

Best Facial Sunscreens | Best Body Lotions for Men | Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin | Best Anti-Aging Creams for Men | Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin | Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin

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