Best drugstore moisturizer for combination skin with spf

We updated this article in August 2022 to ensure all picks vetted and tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute were in stock, available and correctly priced.


No matter the weather or season, the scientists in the GH Beauty Lab recommend wearing sunscreen every single day. That's because the best defense against aging and sun damage is a good broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays. "Being consistent with use of moisturizer with SPF is most important when it comes to preventing signs of aging," explains Angelo Landriscina, M.D., a dermatologist in Brooklyn, New York.

But it can be difficult to remember to apply sunscreen on the days you're not basking by the pool or hiking a sunny trail. The solution? A daily face moisturizer with SPF mixed right in for moisturization and UV protection. Using a moisturizer with SPF is "like getting two steps done in one, so it makes your morning skincare routine quicker and easier," Dr. Landriscina says. For added benefits, seek out formulas that are made with anti-aging ingredients like peptides or antioxidants.

To find the best the best daily face moisturizers with SPF, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab pros evaluate products both in the Lab using technical instruments to gauge efficacy and hydration capabilities, and we also send products to consumer testers at home for their experience in real life to find the best formulas on the market that not only work, but you'll actually want to use. Below, a mix of GH Beauty Lab test-winning products, GH Seal stars and top dermatologist and expert picks, including drugstore bargains and anti-aging formulas for any skin type, from SPF for oily, acne-prone skin to SPF picks suitable for sensitive skin and more:

Our top picks

  • Best drugstore moisturizer for combination skin with spf

    Best Overall Moisturizer with SPF

    Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer SPF 30 Olay

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  • Best drugstore moisturizer for combination skin with spf

    Best Value Moisturizer with SPF

    Oil-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 35 Neutrogena

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  • Best drugstore moisturizer for combination skin with spf

    Best Vitamin C Moisturizer with SPF

    RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Moisturizer SPF 30 L'Oréal Paris

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  • Best drugstore moisturizer for combination skin with spf

    Best Moisturizer with SPF for Sensitive Skin

    AM Face Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 CeraVe

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  • Best drugstore moisturizer for combination skin with spf

    Best Moisturizer with SPF for Oily Skin

    Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum SPF 50 La Roche-Posay

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Best Overall Moisturizer with SPF

Olay

Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer SPF 30

Best Value Moisturizer with SPF

Neutrogena

Oil-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 35

Best Vitamin C Moisturizer with SPF

L'Oréal Paris

RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Moisturizer SPF 30

Best Moisturizer with SPF for Sensitive Skin

CeraVe

AM Face Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

Best Moisturizer with SPF for Oily Skin

La Roche-Posay

Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum SPF 50

Best Dermatologist-Recommended Moisturizer with SPF

EltaMD

UV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF 44

Best Drugstore Moisturizer with SPF for Dry Skin

CeraVe

Ultra-Light Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 30

Best Moisturizer with SPF for Acne-Prone Skin

Olay

Sun Face Sunscreen + Shine Control Lotion SPF 35

Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer with SPF

Roc

Multi-Correxion 5-in-1 Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

Best Moisturizer with SPF for Dry Skin

Vichy

LiftActiv Sunscreen Peptide-C Face Moisturizer SPF 30

Best Moisturizer with SPF for Under Makeup

Supergoop

Glowscreen SPF 40

Best Luxury Moisturizer with SPF

StriVectin

Super-C Vitamin C Moisturizer SPF 30

Best Scented Moisturizer with SPF

YourGoodSkin

Anti-Oxidant Day Cream SPF 30

Best Hydrating Moisturizer with SPF

Mary Kay

TimeWise Age Minimize 3D Day Cream SPF 30

Best Tinted Moisturizer with SPF

Paula's Choice

Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

Best Moisturizer with SPF for Mature Skin

Mary Kay

TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm Day Cream SPF 30

Best Antioxidant Moisturizer with SPF

Neutrogena

Healthy Skin Face Lotion SPF 15

How we test moisturizers and SPFs

Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists are constantly testing different types of moisturizers for face and body. When skincare products make moisturization or hydration claims, Lab experts use the Corneometer device to measure how much they affect skin’s moisture levels. The machine is used to calculate hydration of testers’ clean skin before a product is applied and six hours after to gauge the difference in moisturization over time (pictured below).

Because more goes into choosing a great moisturizer than Lab results, moisturizers are also label-masked and distributed to testers, who use them at home in their regular skincare routine and evaluate them on attributes such as how well they absorb, texture, scent and how they make skin look and feel. When the GH Beauty Lab tests sunscreens, consumer testers report on sun protection efficacy, ease of application, look and feel on skin, fragrance and overall satisfaction.

Is moisturizer with SPF as good as sunscreen?

Yes: Since sunscreens are regulated by the FDA, any product with sunscreen is tested to provide the level of SPF listed on the packaging, so they will be effective when applied according to label's instructions. GH Beauty Lab experts recommend using at least broad spectrum SPF 30 for maximum efficacy. You also want to make sure that "you're applying enough of the product to get the SPF listed on the package, about one half teaspoon for the face, neck and ears for most people," Dr. Landriscina advises.

How to choose the best moisturizer with SPF

"More than anything, finding a sunscreen that you like (smell, feel, cosmetic elegance) is of utmost importance because you have to be consistent in using it," Dr. Landriscina says. Here are his general guidelines according to skin type and concern:

  • If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for a non-greasy formula with oil-absorbing ingredients and a matte finish that help decrease shine. You can also look for products specifically formulated for acneic skin that are noncomedogenic, meaning they won't clog pores.
  • If you have dry skin, "look for ingredients that will moisturize and help support skin barrer function, like ceramides and squalane," Dr. Landriscina says. Keep in mind you may want to layer an additional moisturizer on in the morning for maximum hydration if you have dry or very dry skin: “Our evaluations found that day creams with SPF typically provided lower moisturization than night creams,” Wnek explains.
  • If you have sensitive skin, choose moisturizers with SPF that are made without fragrance, which can cause sensitivity. Some also find that mineral sunscreen ingredients, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are less irritating.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Danusia Wnekhas been testing skincare products including moisturizing creams and sunscreens for over seven years at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has experience in using specialized skin evaluation lab equipment to gauge changes in skin moisturization, firmness and facial features like wrinkles and texture before and after product use. She also regularly polls our consumer panel on their purchasing and product use habits as well as weighs in on the benefits of skincare ingredients like vitamin C, retinol and niacinamide.

April Franzino has over 15 years of experience researching, writing and editing skincare-related content, utilizing the expertise of the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists and top industry professionals such as dermatologists and aestheticians. She is an expert in all face and body skincare product categories, including moisturizers and sunscreens. April works closely with the GH Beauty Lab to coordinate skincare product testing and translate test results into best-in-class compelling, factually accurate science-backed content for Good Housekeeping.

Nicole Saporita is a former member of the Good Housekeeping editorial team that spent years working with the GH Beauty Lab to interpret and report on product testing.

Nicole Saporita Nicole Saporita was an editor and writer at Good Housekeeping from 2014 to 2020, where she researched, wrote and reported original content for the Good Housekeeping Institute and several other departments, including health, travel and family. 

April Franzino Beauty Director April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content.

Which brand moisturizer is best for combination skin?

Our Top Picks.
Best Overall- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Water Gel Daily Face Moisturiser..
Best Budget- UrbanBotanics®️ Oil Free Moisturiser For Face..
Best for All Skin Types- Cetaphil Moisturising Cream for Face & Body..
Best for Summer- Dot & Key 72 HR HYDRATING GEL + PROBIOTICS 60 ml..

Which moisturizer is best for combination and sensitive skin?

Look at the 10 best moisturisers for combination skin:.
VENUSIA Max Moisturiser Lotion For Everyday Use. ... .
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Water Gel Daily Face Moisturizer. ... .
Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion. ... .
Biotique Saffron Youth Dew Ageless Moisturizer. ... .
Australian Creams MKII Goat Milk & Replenishing Moisturising Cream..

Can you use a moisturizer and a moisturizer with SPF?

If you're using two separate products, it isn't recommended that you mix them together to create your own hydrating and protective combination. That said, there are products that are specifically formulated to combine these two components. When using these products, yes it's okay to mix sunscreen and moisturizer.

What is the best natural moisturizer for combination skin?

Here are the best natural moisturizers suitable for different skin concerns:.
DRY SKIN RESCUE. IN LIFE Natural Aloe Vera Face Gel. ... .
OILY SKIN SAVIOR. Innisfree Jeju Orchid Enriched Cream. ... .
SOS FOR ALL SKIN TYPES. Biotique Bio Morning Nectar Flawless Skin Lotion. ... .
PERFECT FOR NORMAL SKIN. ... .
COMBINATION SKINCARE..