The best SPF moisturisers for spring, summer and beyond
Powerful skincare ingredients meet sunscreen in these effective everyday formulas
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
You may think it’s a little strange to be recommending SPF moisturisers in the depths of winter (the heating is on full whack as I type this) but stick with me because, if you’re trying to maintain a youthful complexion, you shouldn’t be saving your SPF just for summer.
Remember being told that you could burn through the clouds when you were young? Well, it’s true and, when it comes to skincare, it doesn’t even have to be warm for UV rays to pose a threat. While the overall amount of UV exposure the average person receives in the winter is slightly lower, if you’re not wearing a daily SPF, this exposure will still have an aging effect on your skin – no matter how careful you are with the factor 50 in summer.
This isn’t news to most skincare brands, of course, who’ve been fortifying their most popular daily moisturisers with SPF for some time, offering UV protection with no extra effort. Here are some of our favourites…
HELLO SUNDAY FACE MOISTURISER SPF 50
If the world of SPF – and often the jargon that comes with it – is confusing you, we’d recommend starting off with a simple formula that also won’t break the bank. Opt for Hello Sunday’s everyday face moisturiser. This lightweight, nourishing formula packs a punch with broad spectrum UVA and UVB SPF50 protection, so you can trust your face is protected all day long.
COSRX Aloe Soothing SPF50 Sun Cream
Utilising the calming and nourishing properties of aloe vera, this ultra-hydrating sunscreen from Korean skincare brand Cosrx is the real deal. It absorbs quickly into skin to defend against sun damage and everyday environmental aggressors – think pollution particles – while delivering long-lasting moisture and hydration to leave skin supple and replenished without greasy or sticky residue.
EVY Sunscreen Mousse SPF50
Promising to block 98 per cent of UV rays, Evy’s sunscreen mousse is an oil-free formula utilising proderm technology, allowing it to penetrate and protect the upper layer of skin from the sun. It also stays on skin for up to six hours, becoming a firm favourite among athletes due to its consistent protection despite sweating and contact with clothes and towels. Plus, the mousse is formulated with Vitamins C and E, collagen and silk extract to prevent and repair previous sun damage too.
Saltee SPF50 Face Sea and Sun Formula
For those looking for a sunscreen that also helps prevent hyperpigmentation, look no further than Saltee’s SPF50 Face Sea and Sun Formula. Containing ultra-high, naturally derived UVA and UVB protection, the formula absorbs in seconds which makes it perfect for those often applying SPF on the go. It’s enriched with cucumber extract and birch water too, helping hydrate your skin while protecting it from the sun.
Eve Lom Daily Protection+ SPF 50
If you’re looking for a fuss-free formula that protects, hydrates and keeps skin feeling comfortable all day, Eve Lom’s Daily Moisturiser+ is the perfect buy. Free from oil, parabens and zinc, its fast-absorbing formula is enriched with Vitamins C and B3, as well as no fewer than six sunscreens, to offer the highest level of UVA and UVB protection.
Chanel Complete Correction SPF 50
Lying somewhere between a moisturiser, foundation and sun cream, Chanel’s snappily-named Super Active Complete Correction CC Cream is a real all-rounder. Available in seven shades, active ingredients include Vitamins C, A and E derived from the Australian murunga plum, as well as hyaluronic acid, to help plump the skin, smooth the complexion and provide effective protection from pollution and UV rays.
Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Day Emulsion SPF 30
Created primarily to tackle the tell-tale signs of aging – loss of elasticity, fine lines and dark spots – Shiseido takes a highly scientific approach to SPF skincare. I could list all the patented technologies that have gone into making this cream (ReNeura Technology++ anyone?) but all you need know is that it is clinically proven to tighten, brighten and hydrate while keeping harmful rays at bay.
Perricone MD Vitamin C Photo-Brightening Moisturiser SPF 30
This mineral-based moisturiser from cult favourite Perricone MD uses Vitamin C Ester – a patented form of the traditional vitamin that has been shown to absorb into the skin faster while having a lower pH – to create a potent cream that gives the appearance of collagen-rich skin. Throw in high-performance SPF protection and you’ve got a brilliant everyday moisturiser that will brighten and rejuvenate.
Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30
Drunk Elephant’s skincare range has become a global hit thanks to a winning combination of being both affordable and producing visible results. Its brilliant Daily Defense formula is infused with marula and raspberry seed oil to soften skin, as well as antioxidant sunflower shoot extract and grape juice, to naturally block environmental stressors and protect against free radicals. Apply first thing for all-day coverage.
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