You're Sabotaging Your Skin If This Ingredient Is Missing From Your Routine

Being into skincare is basically a personality trait at this point. It's safe to say we've reached peak preoccupation with our skin, which is why it feels so normal to perform multistep morning and evening routines meant to combat fine lines, dark spots, under-eye bags, and every other physical marker on our faces that might indicate that we, in fact, are not freshly hatched babies with brand-new skin. As fun as it can be to research products and try out new formulas to smooth, plump, and impart a healthy glow, it's all pointless if we turn around and face the ultimate dealer of premature signs of aging—the sun—without adequate protection. All this to say, we're sticking by countless experts who say SPF is officially a nonnegotiable in skincare.

Not only are some of the most popular active skincare ingredients of late, like retinol and chemical exfoliants, notorious for enhancing our skin's sun sensitivity, but neglecting to use SPF can also enhance the development of pesky hyperpigmentation and fine lines that take lots of time and energy to treat. A mark or line here or there is not the end of the world, but if you're spending your precious time and money on products and treatments, then it's only right to protect that investment with the insurance policy that is daily sunscreen whenever you'll be spending time outside.

But don't worry. The days of goopy, irritating facial sunscreens that interfere with our makeup or clog our pores are long gone. These days, there are plenty of daily moisturizers with SPF that can both nourish the skin and provide the recommended levels of broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays. Keep scrolling for 20 editor-approved moisturizers with SPF that make it so easy to incorporate the vital ingredient into your skincare routine.

Best Lightweight Moisturizers

This sunscreen is easy to wear and layer under makeup, and it's formulated to create an additional layer of invisible sun protection as it comes into contact with heat, sweat, and water. 

For those with acne-prone skin or those who just don't want to overwhelm their faces with heavy products during the day, this noncomedogenic formula should be on your radar. It offers lightweight hydration with a soft matte finish that's perfect for the oil averse among us.

Aveeno does oil-free, noncomedogenic, and hypoallergenic as well as any brand in the game and offers a super-affordable price point to boot. This daily moisturizer brings together all those elements while also offering broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection.

This is one of the most underrated product launches of the last year. It's got hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and olive leaf extract to deeply hydrate the skin. It glides on smoothly and absorbs quickly, so you won't have to worry about it breaking up underneath makeup or causing shininess by midday. It's also great for sensitive skin types since it's formulated without synthetic dyes or fragrances.

This reef-safe formula relies on probiotics and wild butterfly ginger root to comfort the skin all day, but its lightweight gel formulation makes it nongreasy and completely transparent on the skin.

Best Tinted Moisturizers

Tinted moisturizer is one category that's notoriously torturous for anyone with a skin tone any deeper than olive. The pigments in the formulas tend to disregard undertone and appear gray on darker skin, so it's pretty rare to find an option that actually functions well for folks across the skin tone spectrum. This is one of the few options that does! It's super hydrating and is infused with collagen, hyaluronic acid, niacin, peptides, and antioxidants, making it the perfect product for those looking to majorly simplify their morning routines.

The main draw of tinted moisturizers is that they're supposed to replace day cream, foundation, and in some cases, sunscreen in your routine. That sounds great in theory, but in reality, most tinted moisturizers don't actually hydrate the skin enough to be worn on their own. At best, most of them just leave the skin looking and feeling incredibly oily. That's not the case here. This one is a gel-cream hybrid formulated with squalane and marine botanicals to soothe and hydrate the skin. Plus, it comes in 20 diverse shades to accommodate everyone and has SPF 30.

We've said it before, and we'll say it forever: No conversation about tinted moisturizer is complete without mentioning this OG option. It's formulated with vitamins C and E, along with a whole host of moisturizing ingredients to nourish the skin as it offers sheer coverage to even out the complexion.

This oil-free option is perfect for those who avoid tinted moisturizers due to their notoriously oily consistencies. Reviewers describe it as lightweight and velvety.

If you're looking for a mineral sunscreen that offers sheer and dewy color-correcting coverage and has nothing but good-for-you ingredients in it, then this is the option to reach for. Saie even has a tool on its site to help you choose the perfect shade for your skin tone, which can be tricky with tinted moisturizers. Genius.

Best Sheer Moisturizers

Fans of the classic Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream will be thrilled to know that there's a version that offers broad-spectrum SPF 30. It's perfect for dry skin or for use during the winter since it has skin-loving ingredients like squalane, fountain plant, and Antarcticine, but it disappears on application just like the OG version.

Supergoop! offers tons of different sunscreen options, and most of its formulas are completely sheer, even on dark skin tones. In case you weren't aware, that's a major feat that many brands still haven't mastered. This option is great because it's a dedicated daytime moisturizer with antioxidant- and moisture-rich blue-green algae, moisture-binding plant fermentation film, and cerium to reflect and shield the skin from blue light.

This dermatologist-developed moisturizer was formulated with Black and brown women in mind, calling in ingredients to address common concerns like uneven skin tone, rough texture, and hyperpigmentation. And no white cast, ever.

Black Girl Sunscreen isn't just for Black girls, but it certainly exists to give those with dark skin, who are grossly underserved in the SPF market, a reliable sun-protection option that doesn't leave behind an unsightly hue. It blends seamlessly into every single skin tone and infuses ingredients like jojoba and avocado oils in the process.

If you're a loyal WWW reader, then you've definitely seen this formula touted by countless derms and skin experts as well as our own editors. It's one of the very best facial sunscreens and is not only super effective but also suitable for all skin types and tones.

Best Moisturizers With SPF 50+

This moisturizer leaves skin with a soft-matte finish without going dry or chalky. It's also got antioxidants and vitamin E to protect the skin as it provides the perfect base for makeup.

Though SPF 30 is widely considered an adequate level of sun protection for everyday wear on the face, there's certainly nothing wrong with seeking the added peace of mind and slightly higher protection of SPF 50 and above. (Although, it is important to note that higher levels of SPF don't last any longer on the skin and will still need to be reapplied throughout the day for optimal results.) This luxe option from Eve Lom protects the skin from the sun and from free radicals that can also cause damage.

This lightweight sunscreen protects against blue-light damage as well as UVA and UVB rays, all without the telltale white cast many sunscreens can leave behind. According to many reviews, those with extra-dry skin may need to layer it on top of another lightweight moisturizer to reach comfortable moisture levels.

This fluid formula smooths evenly over the skin and dries down to a lovely velvet finish that's never greasy feeling. In addition to superb sun protection, you get the added benefits of soothing green tea, oat extracts, and an antioxidant blend to defend against other environmental factors that can lead to premature aging.

This moisturizer battles aging by providing broad-spectrum SPF protection and by preventing free radical damage via antioxidants and polyphenols.

Up next, 4 Retinol Myths You Should Probably Erase From Your Mind

This story originally appeared on: WhoWhatWear - Author:Courtney Higgs