Do You Still Need a Sunscreen if Your Moisturiser Has SPF?

Any good skincare routine stresses the importance of SPF (sun protection factor). When it comes to glowing, younger-looking skin, prevention is better than the cure. Your skincare routine can only do so much to undo the damage of not protecting your skin daily. That’s where a daily dose of high-protection, broad-spectrum SPF comes in – at least SPF 30 and above. 

What does sunscreen do? 

A broad-spectrum SPF is a daily essential - even when we’re in the middle of winter and it’s raining outside. It protects your skin from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, which can cause serious skin issues. UV rays can result in sun damage and ageing effects when they penetrate cells deeper. UVA rays can also penetrate windows and clouds, making SPF important even if you don’t plan on venturing outside. 

As much as 90% of skin ageing is thought to be from sun exposure. UV rays can not only damage your skin barrier function, which can lead to dehydration, inflammation and wrinkles forming, but can cause collagen to breakdown faster when exposed to free radicals. Collagen is the essential building block that helps to give skin its younger, firmer and plumper appearance.

Will SPF in a moisturiser provide enough protection? 

The main aim of a moisturiser is hydration, whereas a sunscreen works to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays. Although a moisturiser with SPF can fulfil both roles, if you want to enjoy greater hydration and a higher level of UV protection you should split your moisturiser and sunscreen into two separate steps. 

If you’re planning on working from home or spending most of the day inside, applying a moisturiser with SPF provides some protection. A separate SPF will always provide more protection, but we’ll take something rather nothing at all. Here are our favourite 2-in-1 SPF moisturisers:



Should I wear sunscreen? 

For greater coverage and protection from sun exposure and premature skin ageing, you really can’t beat a daily dose of SPF. Sunscreen isn’t just for holidays and hot climates, it should be used all day, every day and by all skin types as part of every routine (except evening). If your skincare routine is packed with powerful active ingredients such as Vitamin C and Retinol, which encourage skin renewal and photosensitivity, apply SPF daily to protect your skin from UV light. If you’re spending lots of time outdoors, exercising or swimming, make sure to keep your layers topped up throughout the day, too. 

The sunscreens we like