The Best Sunscreens for Dry Skin
You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: Without a doubt, the most critical step in your skincare routine is applying sunscreen rain or shine, 365 days a year. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunblock, along with other sun protection measures (like sunglasses, sun hats, and SPF-rated clothing), defends your skin not only against early signs of aging (like fine lines, uneven skin tone, skin discolouration, sagging, and loss of radiance), but also against skin cancer. It’s a multitasking step you simply can’t skip.
With anti-aging properties and helpful antioxidants, sunscreens can work magic on your skin in ways you never thought possible. Of course, what matters the most is selecting the right product. Here are our tips on choosing a sun cream for your face.
Sun protection tips: How to find the best facial sunscreen for dry skin
If you have dry skin, you might feel as though your only sunscreen options are either chalky and powdery, or emollient to the point of being greasy and slippery. Worry not: There are sunscreens for the face that fit right into that happy medium you’ve been trying to find.
1. ALWAYS choose broad-spectrum formulas rated SPF 30 or greater.
"Broad spectrum" means that a sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, which is important because they cause different kinds of sun damage. You might see products with less than an SPF 30 rating, but most health experts and medical boards around the world agree that facial sunblock with SPF 30 or greater is necessary when it comes to providing a reliable defence against the sun’s rays.
2. Your sunscreen should be loaded with additional beneficial ingredients.
The SPF rating is very important, but the best dry skin sunscreens also come packed with other ingredients to boost their anti-aging potential. We’re talking about potent and effective antioxidants in these sun creams as well as ingredients that calm redness to help your skin look and feel beautiful and healthy.
3. Pick a luxurious sun cream with all the benefits of a great anti-aging moisturizer.
Your sunscreen should also contain nourishing emollients, like non-fragrant plant oils and fruit butters to moisturize and protect your skin. It should also come with skin-restoring ingredients, such as ceramides and peptides, that add suppleness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles on your face.
4. Choose a sunscreen that’s gentle on your skin.
When we say gentle, we mean free of irritating ingredients, including fragrance (whether synthetic or natural, fragrance is always a problem), alcohol, essential oils, citrus, and other plant extracts that can sensitise skin and make it feel drier and look redder.
Facial Sunscreens for Dry Skin
All of the sunscreens listed below meet the above criteria for those with dry to very dry skin on the face.
1. 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50
The ultimate daily defense, this C5 Super Boost Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50 provides broad-spectrum UV protection without the heavy feel. Its weightless formula, infused with 5% Vitamin C, visibly brightens the skin, supercharges UV defense, and helps correct discolorations, leaving all skin types and tones with a perfectly hydrated, sheer-looking finish.
2. RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50
The RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50 is an antioxidant-rich and hydrating sunscreen for dry skin. It helps improve the appearance of existing damage on the face and prevents future premature skin aging. It also protects against environmental stressors and leaves a dewy finish that brightens dull skin.
3. SKIN RECOVERY Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
A creamy mineral-based sunscreen for dry skin, the SKIN RECOVERY Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 comes with skin-replenishing ingredients that hydrate parched skin and a potent mix of antioxidants that help visibly smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
4. DEFENSE Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30
Another mineral-based option, the DEFENSE Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 is a super-gentle sunscreen made of a blend of antioxidants that offers sun protection in the presence of UV light and airborne pollutants. It leaves a fresh, radiant finish that doesn't feel too thick or heavy.
5. CALM Daytime Moisturizer SPF 30 (Normal/Dry)
The CALM Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is a mineral-based, calming moisturizer that soothes and protects sensitive skin from UV damage with a gentle, nourishing formula. This ultra-gentle moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30 visibly reduces redness and signs of irritation, making it suitable for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin.
There’s plenty to learn about sunscreens and the options suitable for you, but this starts with understanding your skin type.
Once you’ve got an idea, shop Paula’s Choice sunscreens for face online, suitable for dry skin as well as oily and sensitive skin.
References
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, March 2022, pages S27–S37
- Advances in Skin & Wound Care, January 2022, pages 62–63
- Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, and Photomedicine, November 2019, pages 442–446
- Frontiers in Genetics, August 2018, ePublication
- Skin Research and Technology, May 2018, pages 165–174
- Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 25, Issue 40, 2018, pages 5,469–5,486
