The Best SPF Moisturizer for Your Skin Type

Best SPF moisturizers for men

The Best SPF Moisturizer for Your Skin Type

Expert-recommended formulas for all guys

When it comes to keeping your skin healthy, few things are as important as a good daily moisturizer. And you definitely don't want to skip applying a quality facial lotion with added SPF. As any dermatologist will tell you, hydrating your skin not only keeps it smooth and strong, but the added sunscreen reduces the UV-induced photo-damage that leads to skin cancer and premature aging.

Specially-made facial sunscreens are formulated not only to hydrate the skin while prioritizing non-comedogenic ingredients (that is, ones that won't clog your pores), they will wear lightweight while still providing the same defense from ultraviolet radiation. Dr. Jeremy Fenton, a board-certified dermatologist, says that the best thing you can do for your skin is putting a sunscreen on every day. What should you be looking for? First and foremost, the best sunscreens offer broad-spectrum coverage (both UVA and UVB). And you'll want an SPF level of 30 or more, which can protect your skin from up to 97% of the sun's harmful rays. Thankfully, there's a wide variety of formulations out there for men to choose from, so we tried a bunch and here are our top picks.

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The Best Men’s
SPF Moisturizers in 2024

The Lightest

If you hate the thought of slathering on a thick sunscreen, this is for you. We discovered this gel moisturizer on a trip to Tokyo, where it's a popular drugstore staple. The “watery essence” truly disappears into skin as soon as you smooth it on. It has a light citrus scent and maintains moisture without feeling greasy. Over the past few years, Aqua Rich has developed a cult following stateside, so you can now find tubes available to buy online.

UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50,
$15.99 by Bioré

The Multi-Tasker

This one has qualities of all the moisturizers listed here, but wrapped up into one. The lightweight balm easily absorbs into skin without feeling oily, but contains essential nourishing ingredients to improve the look and feel. It not only meets the American Academy of Dermatology's SPF requirements, it's also water resistant, and offers broad-spectrum, all-day coverage.

Everyday Lotion SPF 50,
$36 by Supergoop

Best for
Acne-Prone Skin

A favorite among dermatologists, this formula is completely safe for blemish-prone skin, but it's also infused with a small dose of lactic acid that will help keep pores clear, along with mattifying ingredients that'll soak up any excess oil.

UV Clear SPF 46,
$43 by EltaMD

Best for Dry
or Sensitive Skin

If you need gentle hydration, you can't go wrong with this simple, no-nonsense lotion. The fragrance-free formula has proven skin saving ingredients—hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides—which enhance the overall health of your skin barrier and overall complexion.

AM Facial Moisturizing lotion SPF 30,
$19.99 / $14.84 by CeraVe

Best for
Outdoor Adventures

What we like about this one is that it's packed with ingredients found in more expensive sunscreens, but this tube is affordable and designed to stay on the skin—meaning it doesn't easily rub off or drip down your face. This is also the highest SPF too, engineered specifically for all-day, full-sun activities.

Sport Face oil-free sunscreen SPF 70,
$12.49 by Neutrogena

The Skin Soother

This lightweight daily lotion is made by the innovative Korean skincare brand (loved by such celebrities as Nick Jonas and Justin Theroux) who also make one of our favorite sheet masks. So it's not surprising that the moisturizer is packed with equally nourishing ingredients—Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, green tea and natural licorice and ginseng. After regular use, skin looks and feels smoother and more even.

Rain or Shine moisturizer SPF 50,
$32 by Jaxon Lane

Best for
a Warm Glow

If you're looking for something that protects skin while evening out your complexion, this lightweight serum brightens and hydrates skin while improving your overall skin tone. Unlike some tinted moisturizers that can feel a little heavy, this is a smooth serum that absorbs into skin while also providing a solid SPF 55-level protection from UV rays. Meanwhile, naturally-derived squalane, prickly pear extract and desert date oil soothes and protects the skin barrier while keeping breakouts at bay.

Solardrops SPF 55 serum,
$48 by Onekind

Best Stick

A favorite with surfers and other outdoor athletes, this stick formula goes on smooth (no fingers required to blend in) and stays on skin, offering broad-spectrum protection for a good two hours, at least. The mineral zinc oxide sunscreen formula is clear (but also comes in a tinted version) and the tube itself is small enough to keep in your pocket—making it easy to reapply when necessary.

Invisible Face Stick SPF 45,
$24 by Vertra

FYI

Melanoma illustration

Men are 55% more likely to die of melanoma than women. Often due to lack of UV protection, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Melanoma illustration

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