Beauty Front Benchers
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Whether you’re a card-carrying member of the skinimalism club or you swear by your 10-step routine, there’s one thing we can all agree on: moisturisers and sunscreens are MVPs of any skincare regimen. It seems like it was always only a matter of time before the duo decided to put their heads together and come up with one hybrid solution: moisturisers laced with SPF to address multiple concerns at once.
Having sun protection built into your moisturiser makes for a good-to-have option, but can it replace your sunscreen altogether? Here’s what you need to know.
This sunscreen redefines sun protection with its lightweight, non-greasy formula that blends seamlessly into the skin. Enriched with rice extract and probiotics, it hydrates, nourishes, and brightens, making it more than just a sunscreen. With no white cast, it’s ideal for all skin tones and a dream under makeup.
Pro tip: Use a two-finger length for optimal coverage and reapply every two hours for maximum protection when outdoors.
Korean sunscreens have long had the game figured out: lightweight textures, skin-loving ingredients and absolutely zero white cast. Beauty of Joseon’s cult-favourite sunscreen checks every single box—and then some. If you’ve been on Instagram anytime recently, chances are you’ve seen your favourite skinfluencer casually slathering it on mid-routine. It’s become a go-to for a reason: packed with niacinamide, it keeps sebum and moisture levels in check, so you’re never greasy, just glowy. It’s also infused with rice bran and a fermented grain complex that gives it that creamy, hydrating feel without weighing you down. Pro tip: apply at least 15 minutes before heading out the door to let it do its thing.
Beauty of Joseon’s sunscreen isn’t just about protection—it hydrates, too. Packed with rice and probiotics, it helps nourish your skin while keeping it safe from the UV rays. It’s a smooth, lightweight formula that will quickly become your everyday go-to. So restock in bulk to keep your skin covered all year round.
Sun protection is recommended from the age of six months onwards—so you really have no excuse for skipping SPF in your getting-ready routine in the AM. Clinical studies have proven that consistent usage of sunscreen can slow down signs of ageing and the easiest way to hop on the train is with a lightweight, non-greasy formula like this probiotic-enhanced cream by Beauty of Joseon.
This isn’t just sunscreen—it’s sun protection and skin-soothing care in one. With a mix of physical and chemical filters, it shields your skin from UVA and UVB rays without leaving a white cast. But what really sets it apart? The aloe complex, which cools, calms and hydrates while keeping you protected. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing and perfect for anyone who hates greasy sunscreens.
The Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream is a lightweight moisturiser with SPF 20 for daily sun protection. Powered by hyaluronic acid and ginseng root extract, it delivers 24-hour hydration, smooths fine lines and helps minimise the look of pores. The formula also supports the skin barrier, leaving it soft, protected and refreshed.
‘Broad spectrum’, ‘UVA and UVB rays’, ‘reef-friendly’—you've heard the terms bandied about enough times. But what do these actually mean?
SPF stands for sun protection factor—but you knew that already. Determining what level of sun protection your skin requires exactly is where things get interesting. A quick glance at suncare products, and you’ll find everything up to SPF 100 available. So, what should you be looking for? As a base rule, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends starting with a minimum of SPF 30, regardless of your age or lifestyle. If your schedule has you spending a major chunk of your time outdoors, you’ll want to dial things up to SPF 60 to shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
As schedules get busier, it seems like it was only a matter of time before our skincare routines started getting more versatile. And the world of sunscreen was only too happy to deliver. Cue: hybrid moisturisers with SPF designed to help you save some crucial minutes while getting ready in the AM. Hydration with sun protection all at once; what’s not to love? There’s also the silver lining of minimising skin irritation from using several different formulas at the same time.
As moisturisers with SPF started flooding the skincare aisle, a pertinent question started popping up: does SPF in moisturiser work? While these SPF-laden formulations might have their heart in the right place, there’s the crucial subject of how much sun protection you’re actually receiving, to be addressed. Most moisturisers offer a token amount of SPF 15 that may not be sufficient to block out UVA and UVB rays simultaneously. There is also the matter of how much formula is being applied. As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended to apply enough sunscreen to cover the length of two fingers—a principle that may not always be followed with moisturisers.
And now, the million-dollar question: can you skip sunscreen altogether if you have applied a moisturiser with SPF? The answer lies in the fine print. For starters, what is the SPF listed on the label? Anything below SPF 30 cannot do an adequate job of shielding your skin. Next, can you spot the words ‘broad spectrum’ listed on the product? Any reliable sunscreen needs to block out both UVA and UVB rays—the former can cause signs of ageing, while the latter can nudge the door open for sunburn.
So, what should you be looking for when shopping for suncare products? Here’s what to consider.
‘Broad spectrum’, ‘UVA and UVB rays’, ‘reef-friendly’—you've heard the terms bandied about enough times. But what do these actually mean?
SPF stands for sun protection factor—but you knew that already. Determining what level of sun protection your skin requires exactly is where things get interesting. A quick glance at suncare products, and you’ll find everything up to SPF 100 available. So, what should you be looking for? As a base rule, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends starting with a minimum of SPF 30, regardless of your age or lifestyle. If your schedule has you spending a major chunk of your time outdoors, you’ll want to dial things up to SPF 60 to shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
As schedules get busier, it seems like it was only a matter of time before our skincare routines started getting more versatile. And the world of sunscreen was only too happy to deliver. Cue: hybrid moisturisers with SPF designed to help you save some crucial minutes while getting ready in the AM. Hydration with sun protection all at once; what’s not to love? There’s also the silver lining of minimising skin irritation from using several different formulas at the same time.
As moisturisers with SPF started flooding the skincare aisle, a pertinent question started popping up: does SPF in moisturiser work? While these SPF-laden formulations might have their heart in the right place, there’s the crucial subject of how much sun protection you’re actually receiving, to be addressed. Most moisturisers offer a token amount of SPF 15 that may not be sufficient to block out UVA and UVB rays simultaneously. There is also the matter of how much formula is being applied. As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended to apply enough sunscreen to cover the length of two fingers—a principle that may not always be followed with moisturisers.
And now, the million-dollar question: can you skip sunscreen altogether if you have applied a moisturiser with SPF? The answer lies in the fine print. For starters, what is the SPF listed on the label? Anything below SPF 30 cannot do an adequate job of shielding your skin. Next, can you spot the words ‘broad spectrum’ listed on the product? Any reliable sunscreen needs to block out both UVA and UVB rays—the former can cause signs of ageing, while the latter can nudge the door open for sunburn.
So, what should you be looking for when shopping for suncare products? Here’s what to consider.
‘Broad spectrum’, ‘UVA and UVB rays’, ‘reef-friendly’—you've heard the terms bandied about enough times. But what do these actually mean?
SPF stands for sun protection factor—but you knew that already. Determining what level of sun protection your skin requires exactly is where things get interesting. A quick glance at suncare products, and you’ll find everything up to SPF 100 available. So, what should you be looking for? As a base rule, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends starting with a minimum of SPF 30, regardless of your age or lifestyle. If your schedule has you spending a major chunk of your time outdoors, you’ll want to dial things up to SPF 60 to shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
As schedules get busier, it seems like it was only a matter of time before our skincare routines started getting more versatile. And the world of sunscreen was only too happy to deliver. Cue: hybrid moisturisers with SPF designed to help you save some crucial minutes while getting ready in the AM. Hydration with sun protection all at once; what’s not to love? There’s also the silver lining of minimising skin irritation from using several different formulas at the same time.
As moisturisers with SPF started flooding the skincare aisle, a pertinent question started popping up: does SPF in moisturiser work? While these SPF-laden formulations might have their heart in the right place, there’s the crucial subject of how much sun protection you’re actually receiving, to be addressed. Most moisturisers offer a token amount of SPF 15 that may not be sufficient to block out UVA and UVB rays simultaneously. There is also the matter of how much formula is being applied. As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended to apply enough sunscreen to cover the length of two fingers—a principle that may not always be followed with moisturisers.
And now, the million-dollar question: can you skip sunscreen altogether if you have applied a moisturiser with SPF? The answer lies in the fine print. For starters, what is the SPF listed on the label? Anything below SPF 30 cannot do an adequate job of shielding your skin. Next, can you spot the words ‘broad spectrum’ listed on the product? Any reliable sunscreen needs to block out both UVA and UVB rays—the former can cause signs of ageing, while the latter can nudge the door open for sunburn.
So, what should you be looking for when shopping for suncare products? Here’s what to consider.
