Can You Use Sunscreen As Moisturizer?

Among the beauty products you have at home, you more than likely have your daily moisturizer, a primer, and a sunscreen that you use in order to keep your skin from being damaged by the sun.

There’s always confusion as to which goes first.

And if you’re in a rush to leave the house, you may have considered replacing your moisturizer with an application of sunscreen, especially if you’re going makeup free for the day.

But is this safe to do? Can you use sunscreen as moisturizer?

It’s not a great idea. Most sunscreens are not designed for the face, and will be harsh, especially without a moisturizer. If you want to only use one product, choose a moisturizer with sunscreen in the formula. We’ll explain it all below!

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Can You Use Sunscreen As Moisturizer?

It makes sense that using sunscreen as a moisturizer would be a good idea! Perhaps the particular brand that you use contains ingredients that are made to hydrate your skin. It’s completely sensible… but it’s not a good idea.

Simply using sunscreen on its own isn’t a great idea — unless you’re using a moisturizer with added sunscreen, but more on that later on in this article.

The reason why we say this is because not all sunscreens are made equal, even though they all act to protect your skin against the sun’s penetrating UV rays.

Also, because the consistency of most standard sunscreen isn’t made to be used on the delicate skin of your face, it will eventually leave your skin feeling irritated. And this means that it will be more prone to breakouts, especially if the formula contains certain synthetic oils or perfumes.

Because the consistency of most standard sunscreen isn’t made to be used on the delicate skin of your face, it will eventually leave your skin feeling irritated. And this means that it will be more prone to breakouts, especially if the formula contains certain synthetic oils or perfumes.

Therefore, don’t leave out the moisturizer if you’re going to be out in the sun and need to also use sunscreen.

In addition, applying your sunscreen on top of your moisturizer will add a protective barrier to your skin, so that the sunscreen won’t make your skin irritated.

You should also use a dedicated facial sunscreen  to do this.

Sunscreen formulas that are meant to be used on your body will be too heavy for your face. They may block your pores, leading to irritation and breakouts eventually. See How Long After Moisturizer To Apply Sunscreen for details.

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Moisturizers With Added Sunscreen

Luckily, there are many moisturizers with added sunscreen that are available to buy, and which work to keep your skin feeling soft and hydrated. They also work very well in protecting your skin from the sun while doing so.

There are many moisturizers with added sunscreen that are available to buy, and which work to keep your skin feeling soft and hydrated. They also work very well in protecting your skin from the sun while doing so.

1. Neutrogena's Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum with Broad Spectrum SPF 60+ 

Neutrogena’s Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum with Broad Spectrum SPF 60+ is a non-greasy and oil-free moisturizing facial serum.

Coming from the popular number one dermatologically recommended brand, no wonder this serum has many fans.

Suitable for all skin types and invisible on all skin tones — from the palest to the darkest — this nourishing and fragrance-free facial serum offers full protection from the sun’s UV rays, and includes antioxidants that protect the skin from damaging free radicals like pollution.

The serum also contains ingredients that will leave your face feeling hydrated, and looking more radiant, while it is free from synthetic substances found in other sunscreen formulas, like oxybenzone, parabens, and mineral oils, so it won’t block your pores.

2. Aussie Gold Botanical Sunscreen Tinted Face BB Cream 

If you prefer wearing tinted moisturizers, then Australian Gold has you covered (pun intended!). Its Botanical Sunscreen Tinted Face BB Cream has an SPF of 50, and comes in three different shades to suit all skin tones — Fair to Light, Medium to Tan, and Rich to Deep.

The eco-conscious botanical formula of this BB cream includes kakadu plum that is rich in vitamin C content, eucalyptus and red algae, which blend to create an antioxidant-rich moisturizer that not only nourishes the skin, but also fights free radicals.

Botanical Sunscreen Tinted Face BB Cream is also free of the nasty chemicals found in most sunscreens, including oxybenzone, while the absence of mineral oil, phthalates, PABA, petrolatum, sulfates, and parabens makes it hypoallergenic, and also safe to use on younger skins.

3. Alba Botanica’s Even & Bright Swiss Alpine Complex Moisturizer 

If you don’t need as strong of an SPF as the above products, then you may want to try Alba Botanica’s Even & Bright Swiss Alpine Complex Moisturizer which has a lower SPF of 15.

It includes soothing botanical ingredients like sweet almond oil, aloe leaf juice, and cucumber extract that work to nourish the skin and improve its clarity and brightness while protecting it from the sun’s UV rays.

Even better, it is a 100% plant-based formula that is also hypoallergenic, and is free from chemicals that harm the skin, like harsh phthalates, sulfates, and parabens. Plus, it is Leaping Bunny Certified, so hasn’t been tested on animals.

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Softly Spoken

Keeping your skin feeling and looking its ultimate best is one of the most important things for all of us, especially if we spend time outdoors in the sun.

And so, it makes sense that you’ll want to do everything you can to protect your face, so that you don’t suffer from UV damage. Sun damage can uneven color, leathery feeling skin, and fine lines and wrinkles… and of course cancers as well!

However, you can’t use sunscreen as a moisturizer alone, mainly because these products are meant to be used on the body, not the delicate skin on your face. Instead, try one of the recommended moisturizers with sunscreen above to keep your skin looking and feeling more radiant for longer.