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-ageing 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. RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

The RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50 is a dual-purpose hydrating sunscreen for dry skin. It helps improve the appearance of existing damage on the face and prevents future premature skin aging, with a dewy finish that brightens dull skin.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. CALM Daytime Moisturizer SPF 30 (Normal/Dry)

The CALM Daytime Moisturizer SPF 30 (Normal/Dry) is a mineral-only sunscreen for normal to dry skin that treats flaky, reddened skin with rich skin-replenishing emollients. It is also extraordinarily gentle for the most sensitive skin, even for those with skin prone to rosacea.

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