Moisturizers With SPF: The Basics
Choosing a moisturizer with SPF is ideal not only for summer, but year-round. Dermatologists recommend that everyone applies either a facial sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF daily before going outside, since sun exposure can be harmful as well as causing premature aging.
Opting for a moisturizer with SPF means you're combining two steps (moisturizer and sunscreen) into one, quicker step. One important thing to consider: Make sure that you're using the recommended amount of product, which is half a teaspoon to cover your entire face and neck.
How We Chose The Products
Our criteria for picking the best moisturizers with SPF is the following.
Mineral Sunscreens
All products contain mineral sunscreens as opposed to chemical sunscreens. In short, mineral sunscreens block the sun's rays, whereas chemical sunscreens absorb the sun ray's to cause a chemical reaction that protects your skin from them. We prefer mineral sunscreens because they're not only widely considered to be a safer option, but they're also more suitable for sensitive skin.
To know if a sunscreen is mineral, look at the active ingredients. If it contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide and nothing else, it's mineral.
Product Performance
The products chosen were either tested by us, or performed well based on trusted, third party reviews that didn't come from the brand's website. We chose products that provide hydration, are pleasant to apply, and have a minimal white cast.
Please note that since these products are all mineral sunscreens, they will have somewhat of a white cast. Since we're picking options everyone can enjoy, we also recommend some tinted versions.
An SPF of 30+
We only included products with an SPF of at least 30. This is because we want the products to truly provide adequate sun protection.
Cruelty-Free Companies Only
At Cruelty-Free Kitty, we only recommend products from companies that are completely cruelty-free. We believe that animal testing for cosmetics has no place in the beauty industry in the 21st century.
Price Breakdown
We calculated the price per ounce for each product. Here's the breakdown, from the most expensive to the least expensive:
- Josh Rosebrook ($55/oz)
- Coola ($28/oz)
- bareMinerals - Tinted ($27.97/oz)
- Supergoop! ($24.71/oz)
- Suntegrity - Tinted ($22.50/oz)
- UnSun - Tinted ($17.06)
- Josie Maran ($17/oz)
- Paula's Choice ($14.50/oz)
- Acure ($11.17/oz)
- Mineral Fusion ($7.35/oz)
The Best Moisturizers with SPF
These are our top recommendations meeting the requirements listed above. We included both mid-range and affordable options, as well as tinted and non-tinted. All products are cruelty-free with some vegan options.
Best: Josh RoseBrook Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30
This moisturizer with SPF from Josh Rosebrook is one of the few natural and organic products on the market that are both non-toxic and effective. Leaving practically no white cast, it uses non-nano zinc oxide, which is also reef-safe. This moisturizer works amazingly for all skin types including combination and oily skin. Those with sensitive skin will also approve, since it helps soothe the skin and calm redness thanks to the anti-inflammatory ingredients in the formulation.
Product Overview
| Best For | Recommended for everyone |
| SPF | 30 |
| Active Ingredient | Non-nano zinc oxide |
| Tinted? | No |
| Price per ounce | $55 |
Best Drugstore: Acure Radically Rejuvenating SPF Day Cream
Easy to find in drugstores and affordable, this moisturizer perfectly does the trick. It also uses non-nano zinc oxide, meaning it's reef-safe. It leaves practically no white cast which is great for all skin tones. It contains skin-loving ingredients like squalane, glycerin, and niacinamide for lasting hydration. This product is also vegan, and Acure is Leaping Bunny certified.
Product Overview
| Best For | Recommended for everyone |
| SPF | 30 |
| Active Ingredient | Non-nano zinc oxide |
| Tinted? | No |
| Price per ounce | $11.17 |
Best Tinted: bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
If you're looking for a tinted moisturizer with SPF, this is the best option we've found. The coverage is sheer to light with a natural finish, so it's perfect for those who don't need too much coverage, or for "no makeup" makeup days. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and squalane, it provides decent hydration as well. The best part? There's a shade for every complexion as this product comes in 20 shades from fair to deep. A word of caution: Make sure you apply the proper amount and don't skimp. A nickel-size is recommended by dermatologists. This product is vegan.
Product Overview
| Best For | A shade for everyone |
| SPF | 30 |
| Active Ingredient | Titanium Dioxide |
| Tinted? | Yes (20 shades) |
| Price per ounce | $27.97 |
Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer Mineral SPF 47
This lovely moisturizer with SPF from Josie Maran is on the affordable spectrum, and it's a great product. It's formulated with anti-oxidants, skin-soothing ingredients, and hydrating ingredients as well. It's very moisturizing and contains organic ingredients. Since it contains a higher SPF, it may leave a white cast on deeper skin tones unlike the options that we recommend higher on this list.
Product Overview
| Best For | A higher SPF |
| SPF | 47 |
| Active Ingredient | Zinc oxide and titanium oxide |
| Tinted? | No |
| Price per ounce | $17 |
Paula's Choice Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30
This is one of the few mineral sunscreens and moisturizers offered by Paula's Choice, however it's one of the few options that are non-nano, meaning it's reef-safe as well. It looks great on its own or under makeup to provide a glowy base. It contains superstar ingredients like niacinamide and Vitamin C as well as antioxidants. It's also fairly affordable and you can shop directly from Paula's Choice.
Product Overview
| Best For | A dewy finish |
| SPF | 30 |
| Active Ingredient | Non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide |
| Tinted? | No (off-white color) |
| Price per ounce | $14.50 |
Suntegirty 5-in-1 Tinted Moisturizing Face Sunscreen
If you're looking for a multitasker that's also "clean" and organic, you've found it. It contains certified organic aloe vera, jojoba, and sunflower to keep skin plump and moisturized, and uses non-nano zinc oxide to combat the sun's rays. It also provides sheer to light coverage. Unfortunately, it only comes in 4 shades, and those with deeper skin tones won't find a perfect match. However if you're very fair, the lightest shade will be a perfect match. This product is vegan and Leaping Bunny certified.
Product Overview
| Best For | An organic tinted sunscreen |
| SPF | 30 |
| Active Ingredient | Non-nano zinc oxide |
| Tinted? | Yes (4 shades) |
| Price per ounce | $22.50 |
UnSun Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen
Although this tinted sunscreen comes in only 2 shades, one of them is suitable for deeper skin tones. Because it's sheer, many different people are able to find a match. This black-owned brand also offers a non-tinted version of their sunscreen if you prefer no tint at all. They use both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in the formula.
Product Overview
| Best For | Tinted sunscreen for deeper skin tones |
| SPF | 30 |
| Active Ingredient | Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide |
| Tinted? | Yes |
| Price per ounce | $17.06 |
Mineral Fusion SPF 40 Moisturizer
This affordable moisturizer has a non-toxic formula free from parabens, talc, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance. You can find it in drugstores such as Target, or in some health food stores or groceries like Whole Foods. It contains some organic ingredients, and it applies smoothly. You can apply it on its own for a dewy base, or underneath makeup. This product is also vegan and Leaping Bunny certified.
Product Overview
| Best For | Most affordable |
| SPF | 40 |
| Active Ingredient | Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide |
| Tinted? | No |
| Price per ounce | $7.35 |
Supergoop! Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 PA+++
This is a lightweight, easy-to-apply moisturizer with SPF which can be found at Sephora. It's not tinted per se as the pigment disappears on the skin, however keep in mind that it's not white. This is a bonus since it won't leave a white cast. Because this product is on the oily side, it might not be ideal for those with oilier skin types. However, if you have dry skin and you're looking for a glowy moisturizer with SPF, this one's for you.
Product Overview
| Best For | Dry skin |
| SPF | 40 |
| Active Ingredient | Non-nano zinc oxide |
| Tinted? | No (slight tint that disappears) |
| Price per ounce | $24.71 |
COOLA Full Spectrum 360 Mineral Sun Silk Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 30
Last but not least, this is another organic, vegan, and cruelty-free option, and it can be found at Sephora. COOLA makes many non-mineral sunscreens and only a handful are made using zinc oxide. It's rich and suitable for drier skin types, but it only leaves a minimal white cast and absorbs easily into the skin. It comes in a jar with a dispenser, so there's no exposure to air.
Product Overview
| Best For | Recommended for everyone |
| SPF | 30 |
| Active Ingredient | Zinc oxide |
| Tinted? | No |
| Price per ounce | $28 |
Final Verdict
The product we recommend for all skin types is Josh Rosebrook's Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30 ($55), which is made using non-nano zinc oxide and doesn't leave a white cast. A similar product found at drugstores is Acure's Radically Rejuvenating SPF Day Cream ($18.99), which we also highly recommend.
For a tinted option, we love bareMinerals' Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, which is available in a total of 20 shades. The coverage is light, and you'll find a great match no matter your skin tone, from fair to deep.
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