Because SPF is a must, seven days a week, 365 days per year

So you’re looking for one of the best SPF moisturisers. Well, you’ve definitely come to the right place.

The sun is one of the biggest contributing factors to skin ageing. Why? Because the sun damages your skin and causes inflammation (we’re not just talking about sunburn). As Paula Begoun, founder of Paula’s Choice explains, ‘Inflammation destroys the structure of our skin.’

So, if we want healthy, and youthful-looking skin, then we really must protect it from the sun every-single-day. (Yes, even at this time of year; even while working from home.)

We know that incorporating a decent daily sun protection regimen can be tricky, but by adding an essential SPF to one of the best moisturisers, you’ll be protecting your skin everyday, without having to worry too much about it.

SPF moisturisers vs facial sunscreen

Worn on its own, moisturiser with SPF grants a very basic level of every day defence against sun-related damage –think dryness, skin pigmentation and wrinkles.

This is ideal in the winter months, when the sun isn’t as strong. What about when it’s cloudy? You should wear an SPF every day as UVA rays can still permeate cloudy skies and windows. So good luck coming up with excuses as to why you’re skipping it. But come summer, an SPF moisturiser isn’t enough and you will need to double up on your sun protection. When applied underneath the best facial sunscreens, they pump skin full of moisture while adding another layer of protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

In summer you definitely need to wear a separate sun cream on top of your SPF moisturiser if you are sunbathing or outside for prolonged periods of time. Consider it the last step in your skincare order.

‘Many people believe that having an SPF in their moisturiser will suffice,’ says consultant dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk. ‘But according to the British Association of Dermatologists, moisturiser with an SPF will only help protect you against small amounts of UV exposure – for example, when you walk to the car.’

But what it won’t do, is provide the same degree of sun protection as the best facial sunscreens. Especially for longer, more deliberate UV exposure.

It’s true, SPF in a moisturiser is tested the same way as SPF in sunscreen. So technically speaking, an SPF30 moisturiser should provide an SPF of 30.

‘But to achieve the SPF on the label, you would have to apply at least half a teaspoon to the face, which people rarely do,’ says Kluk. ‘What’s more, SPF moisturisers are less likely to be rub-resistant and water-resistant. For these reasons they won’t offer the same level of protection as the best sun creams.’

It’s also worth noting that moisturisers containing an SPF don’t always contain protection against UVA rays, either. ‘As a result, they will not protect against UV ageing in the same way as a broad spectrum sunscreen would,’ adds Kluk.

But with most of us currently wfh, and the weather a bit dismal, an SPF moisturiser is ideal (not to mention essential) for that added bit of daily defence. Here’s our pick of some of the best…

The post 10 of the best SPF moisturisers for every day protection appeared first on Marie Claire.