Unlike other moisturizers, this didn’t completely absorb into our skin — but that’s a good thing. We could still feel a thin coating of the formula sitting on top of our skin acting like a shield to ward off UV damage. You’d think this sensation would feel uncomfortable or cause makeup to pill, but it did neither. Instead, our skin felt plump, supple, and very hydrated. Plus, we experienced a slight tingling sensation that gently tightened our skin, likely due to the inclusion of white tea, an antioxidant-rich ingredient that minimizes wrinkles, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation. This moisturizer comes at an incredible price, especially since it doubles as a sunscreen. Unfortunately, unlike many of our other favorites, the product isn’t cruelty-free.

Then I Met You’s Renewing Rich Beauty Cream relies on all-natural hydrators, like ginseng, squalane, baobab, and hyaluronic acid. And it delivers results. Our skin was noticeably more hydrated just 15 minutes after applying the cream. And the driest parts of our face (our forehead and chin) saw the biggest difference: The cream boosted moisture by 36 to 47 percent. The lotion relies on four key ingredients—shea butter, beeswax, soy proteins, and aloe vera—to hydrate your skin and seal in moisture. And it did a great job refreshing our skin. The lotion boosted moisture in our face by 24 to 40 percent, according to our moisture reader, while reducing oil by 2 to 16 percent. It also calmed the redness in our cheeks and made our skin feel smoother. For this story, they interviewed two experts to gain more insight into what to look for in moisturizers with SPF. Those experts include:

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Though the moisturizer is made for acne-prone skin, it’s also great for oily and combination skin. We also love that it’s fragrance-free and appreciate the budget-friendly price.

According to Neuser, moisturizers with SPF don’t necessarily cause acne, but there are two factors that may contribute to sunscreen-related breakouts. Clogged pores from comedogenic ingredients or sensitivity to chemical UV filters can trigger breakouts. “Make sure you use a product that’s non-comedogenic or a mineral sunscreen if you know you’re sensitive to chemical UV filters,” she says. This creamy moisturizer provides excellent hydration, but we found the fragrance to be way too overpowering. Additionally, the cost of moisturizers with SPF will vary widely. It’s important to note that a higher-priced moisturizer with SPF does not mean that it has better protection from the sun than a lower-priced moisturizer with SPF. It really depends on the SPF number. Can I use a moisturizer with SPF instead of sunscreen? The Shiseido Hydrating Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20had a lovely texture and sat beautifully under makeup. However, the fragrance was so strong in this formula that we thought it could double as your perfume. This formula would not be good for anyone with a sensitivity to fragrance. Because the moisturizer is so rich, we wouldn’t recommend it for oily skin. But it’s great for other skin types, like dry and combination skin. The 1.68-ounce moisturizer feels a little bit expensive. But since it does the work of three products, it’s easy to justify the buy.Newer 2019 research suggests that moisturizers improve skin health, reduce dryness, and repair the skin barrier.

Although we loved this moisturizer, we noticed it had a slight sunscreen smell at first, but once the formula absorbed into our skin, the scent faded away. While Glossier’s After Baume made our skin feel hydrated, it also made it feel oily and greasy—and took a while to soak in. We’d happily use the moisturizer to spot-treat dry patches, but it felt too heavy for everyday wear. Made with a powerful, yet gentle blend of antioxidants, the unique gel-cream formula gave our skin a surge of hydration, emphasis on the surge: Directly after applying it in our Lab test, our skin's moisture levels increased by 10 percent (the biggest leap compared to other products we tested). Keep in mind that because it is so hydrating, it took an extended amount of time to fully absorb into the skin (about 10 minutes). But once settled, our complexion looked naturally dewy and healthy. Similar to traditional sunscreen, you’ll want to look for a moisturizer with an SPF level of at least 30 to adequately protect your skin, says board certified dermatologist Dr. Rachael Cayce. And the two-hour reapplication rule still applies here to maintain the protection. The moisturizer is also oil-free, fragrance-free, and sensitive-skin-friendly. So it’s great for a range of skin types. Paris has combination skin and uses the tinted version of this moisturizer every day. But it wowed us when we tested it on dry skin, too.

Ingredient concerns

The most notable aspect of this moisturizer is how well it holds up throughout the day. We spritzed water on our face to see how the moisturizer would react (would it break down or melt off the face?) and were pleasantly surprised to find that it stayed put. It makes us think that this moisturizer would work great in the summer when you’re sweating a lot or surrounded by humid weather. Fenty Skin’s Hydra Vizor Invisible Face Moisturizer is our favorite face moisturizer with SPF—and it’s one of Galaria’s favorites, too. Unlike many sun-protective moisturizers, this one’s lightweight and non-comedogenic. And it never left behind any grease or residue. If you have problem skin, or skin that is easily irritated by topical products, look for an SPF moisturizer that is specifically designed for sensitive skin. It will typically be non-comedogenic, so it won't further clog your pores. Bonus points if it's paraben-free, unscented, and nixes other harsh ingredients that can exacerbate problem areas. How We Selected During our test, the moisturizer proved lightweight, easy to apply, and fast-absorbing. And it balanced out our skin, boosting moisture by 22 percent while reducing oil by 7 percent. After using the moisturizer, our skin felt hydrated and refreshed. But we didn’t notice an immediate difference in our complexion. And we’re curious to test this moisturizer long-term to see how well it works on blemishes and discoloration over time. A moisturizer with SPF is essentially a product that does double duty to hydrate the skin while protecting you from UV light exposure. These products can be used on a daily basis. “ A moisturizer with SPF can also be used in place of a regular sunscreen during the day at the beach,” suggests Dr. Zeichner. “However, you must remember to use them just as you use regular sunscreen—don’t forget to reapply every two hours or immediately after heavy sweating or swimming.”

Because the moisturizer contains essential oils, like lavender and tea tree oil, it has a strong smell—and we didn’t love the fragrance. Since we appreciate the emphasis on natural ingredients, we’re happy to tolerate the smell. And we suspect we might get used to it the more we wear this moisturizer. We were also impressed with how fresh-faced and dewy we looked after every application. We usually need to tone down shine in our T-zone throughout the day, but we thought this moisturizer added just the right amount of glow that looked healthy and non-greasy. That being said, if you like your makeup to be matte or if you struggle with oily skin, this option may exacerbate the issue. The moisturizer is also one of the most versatile on our list. In addition to being great for different skin types (including dry, oily, and combination skin), it’s fragrance-free and sensitive-skin-friendly. And at a budget-friendly price, we think it’s a steal. Made for oily and acne-prone skin, the moisturizer is lightweight and fast-absorbing. And it never left behind any grease, oil, or residue. The moisturizer took a while to soak in. But once it did, our skin felt more hydrated and looked less oily. After 25 minutes of wearing the moisturizer, our face still looked shine-free—though we noticed some oiliness on the sides of our nose.Other more natural ingredients, like oat and tea extracts, can also help to soothe irritated skin and cut down on inflammation. Think about the skin issues you're trying to target on top of getting broad-spectrum SPF. Many products can relieve everyday skin struggles, too. SPF Level