Best Sunscreen for Dry Skin

Let me get this straight.

Sunscreen can prevent cancer and fight visible signs of aging?

Is there a catch?

Well, not really. But if you’re someone who experiences dry skin on the regular, using sunscreen each day may prove a tad difficult.

Although sunscreen will provide sun protection, when made from the wrong ingredients it can also leave skin dryer and more irritated than before!

To combat this, look for sunscreens that include moisturizers as a key element. This will allow you to gain both sun protection and skin hydration at the same time!

After thorough research into the causes, symptoms and treatments of dry skin, SimplySunSafe recommends Aveeno SPF#50 Protect+Hydrate Lotion as the best sunscreen for dry skin.

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For a detailed buyer’s guide, comparison table and in-depth reviews of our top five sunscreens for dry skin, check out the information below.

And if you experience dry skin as a symptom of a more specific skin condition, be sure to search our website for tailored advice. We offer in-depth recommendations for psoriasis, keratosis pilaris, perioral dermatitis and more.

Best Sunscreen for Dry Skin Comparison

Buyer’s Guide

For a sunscreen to protect you from the sun without irritating or worsening your condition and moisturizing dry skin, it must have a number of factors:

Broad-spectrum protection

Regardless of what a sunscreen is for, it should be broad spectrum. If a sunscreen doesn’t mention that it provides this protection (which is quite common), you are only being shielded from UVB radiation. This will prevent only the most visible and recognizable sign of overexposure – sunburn.

However, you will be left exposed to UVA radiation, the more damaging end of the ultraviolet spectrum. This radiation is responsible for altering the DNA of deep skin cells potentially causing melanoma and contributes most to the photoaging effects of sunlight (skin wrinkling and sagging).

Using a sunscreen that doesn’t offer broad-spectrum protection on a regular basis is a dangerous practice. To ensure you get as much protection as possible, always check the packaging for ‘broad spectrum’ or ‘UVA & UVB’ labels. All of the products recommended on SimplySunSafe offer this protection.

Best SPF for Dry Skin

Sun protection factor (SPF) is a confusing measure of a sunscreen’s ability to protect you. Despite a lot of people using this measure as the only indicator of whether or not a sunscreen is quality, not many people fully understand it.

The SPF rating of a sunscreen indicates how long you can stay in the sun without burning based on how long it takes your skin to burn without protection. So an SPF 15 sunscreen would mean you could last 15 times as long in the sun before you started burning and an SPF 30 sunscreen means you could last 30 times as long.

This means if you burn after 10 minutes without protection, an SPF 15 sunscreen should protect you for 150 minutes. If you’re more photosensitive and burn after just 5 minutes, the same sunscreen would protect you for only 75 minutes.

However, don’t let this SPF calculation stop you from reapplying regularly. Even SPF 50 sunscreens on resilient skin are only effective for a maximum of two hours (not the hours and hours the above calculation would suggest). This 2 hours can be reduced further if water and sweat are involved. The best SPF also shouldn’t stop you from seeking out shade and wearing sun-protective clothing – every little bit counts when it comes to sun protection.

There are a couple of other issues with SPF you should know before using it as a key indicator of sunscreen quality:

• SPF only concerns UVB radiation. There is no rating system for UVA radiation, instead, you have to choose sunscreens with the right active ingredients to know you’re getting the protection you want (more on this later).
• The time calculation mentioned above also needs to factor in the intensity of the sunlight and the thickness of applied sunscreen. With all these variables, it’s almost impossible to know how long you’ll be protected.
• Despite what most people believe, an SPF 30 sunscreen isn’t twice as good as an SPF 15 sunscreen.

A simpler way to look at SPF is based on the amount of UVB radiation blocked. This gives you a good idea of the effectiveness of a sunscreen:

SPF Rating	UVB Protection
None	0%
2	50%
15	93%
30	97%
50	98%
100	99%

Once you get beyond SPF 30, you don’t get a lot of benefits from increasing the SPF of a sunscreen (that’s why the FDA caps SPF ratings at 50+) and no sunscreen can offer 100% protection.

Dermatologists understand the SPF rating system better than anyone and that’s why most recommend you use a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 rating. These sunscreens offer great protection from UVB radiation and anything above this doesn’t offer much more. The more photosensitive you are naturally (the fairer your skin is) the more SPF you should be looking for, but SPF 30 is more than enough to get the job done.

Physical is better than chemical

Sunscreens work in different ways based on the active ingredients. Physical sunscreens sit on the skin and act like a mirror to reflect harmful radiation before it reaches you. Chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin and work by absorbing the harmful radiation before it can affect you.

SimplySunSafe prefers physical sunscreens because they have a number of advantages. First (and most importantly), research shows that physical sunscreens are more effective than chemical sunscreens. They protect against more of the UV spectrum and stop more light reaching the skin altogether. Other reasons to prefer physical sunscreens include that they:

• last longer after application
• are less likely to cause irritation
• start to work without delay
• have a longer shelf life

There are also good reasons to avoid chemical sunscreens. A lot of the active ingredients commonly used in chemical sunscreens are what are known as endocrine disruptors. That means they mess with your hormones when absorbed by the body. This is obviously a bad thing you should avoid.

One particularly nasty chemical ingredient is called oxybenzone. It is scarily common in sunscreens from major skincare manufacturers despite the fact that it acts like estrogen in the body, alters sperm production in animals, and is associated with endometriosis in women. Human health authority EWG recommends you avoid products with this ingredient altogether.

(As an aside, EWG maintains a database on sunscreens and the toxicity of their ingredients. All of the sunscreens featured here receive the best possible rating (1) and are considered safe and non-toxic for both adults and children.)

When buying sunscreen you can check the label for either ‘physical’ or ‘mineral’ wording to guarantee you’re getting the right protection. If you can’t tell if it’s physical look for high concentrations of either zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide (the two active ingredients used in physical sunscreens). Also, double-check to make sure it doesn’t have oxybenzone.

Suitable for daily use

Sunscreen should be used daily to ensure you are protected from the sun’s damaging radiation. When you have dry skin, moisturizers should also be used every day so your skin gets the hydration it needs to repair itself. Your sunscreen/moisturizer combo should be gentle enough on the skin for daily use so it can kill these two birds with the one stone.

Dry, sensitive skin is also more likely to react to products, potentially causing irritation and a worsening of the condition. This makes the gentle formulation even more important.

Contains moisturizer

Dry skin requires both protection and moisturization. When you have dry skin you need a sunscreen that will effectively hydrate your skin and help it retain that moisture. This will help relieve symptoms of dry skin including irritation and itching while providing protection against the sun worsening the problem.

All of the products listed below contain moisturizing ingredients that are effective on dry skin and suitable for daily use.

I have also included products that are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, non-greasy and light. If your skin is sensitive or acne-prone, these products will reduce the chance of irritation and breakouts.

Is an SPF-rated moisturizer enough to protect your skin?

People with dry skin rightly turn to moisturizers to offer relief. This is a sensible decision that will likely help with the condition. However, when you will be exposed to the sun, SPF-rated moisturizers might not offer enough protection.

You need to make sure the sun protection you’re getting is good enough by checking the active ingredients. Look for high concentrations of either zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Anything that uses a combined concentration of these ingredients under 10% should be avoided. At such low concentrations, the broad-spectrum protection isn’t sufficient. Luckily, I’ve done the hard work for you as the sunscreen/moisturizers recommended below all provide great sun protection.

5 Best Sunscreens for Dry Skin

After thorough research that combined discussing issues with customers, reviewing customer feedback, examining manufacturer specifications, participating in skincare forums, and reading medical journals SimplySunSafe has chosen the 5 best sunscreens for dry skin. All of these physical sunscreens provide broad-spectrum protection, have an SPF of 30 or more, contain effective moisturizers, and are suitable for daily use.

1. Aveeno SPF#50 Protect+Hydrate Lotion

Last update on 2023-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a  product designed with the intention of providing the skin of the user a refreshing and hassle-free experience. This is perfect for you if you are concerned about the long term effects of the products that you use on both your skin and the environment. It has a 50 SPF rating and it delivers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection from the sun as a standard. 

It does not feel heavy on your skin, is hypoallergenic and is non-comedogenic. This ensures that it sinks quickly into your skin and it does not clog the pores. Thereby, allowing your skin to go through its normal cycles. This product naturally rejuvenates damaged skin and it gives the skin of children a good sheen.

 It contains skin moisturizers that ensure your dry skin does not break or get irritated. At the same time, it does not wash off, when you sweat or go for a swim. It can come very handy for a day at the beach or during a hike. 

It’s 3 oz size is compact and easy to transport; especially given its TSA travel-friendly size. It is also a good primer for makeup. You can add it to your foundation especially if it’s a dry one. It leaves you worry-free and it doesn’t let excessive sweating damage the makeup. It uses natural oat extracts which helps soothe dry and itchy skin and it is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation (what else are you looking for?). It has an oil-free base that does not irritate the skin. It protects from sunburn and the signs of premature skin aging. It lasts all round the clock. It can be applied on the face and body. It can also be used for children and toddlers. 

It comes first on this list because of its balance in both natural ingredients – colloidal oats the artificial ones Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Oxybenzone 5%. The oatmeal is a favorite of the dermatologists because it helps keep the PH and moisture levels of the skin in balance. This is coupled with the fact that the producers are environmentally conscious of the product they are making and how it affects the earth. They seek to create a product that is both sustainable and effective.
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2. Block Island Suncare Natural Face Moisturizer SPF 30

Last update on 2023-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Block Island Natural Moisturizer SPF 30 is a fantastic 2-in-1 daily moisturizer and sunscreen. It offers physical, broad-spectrum protection using a high concentration (22%) of clear zinc oxide. This allows Block Island Natural Moisturizer to provide effective and balanced physical sun protection while remaining transparent on the skin. This makes it discreet enough for everyday use and suitable as a base for makeup.

The gentle formulation is natural in every way which is great for people with dry skin that’s also sensitive. Its list of clean, green features is one to be admired. Block Island Natural Moisturizer is unscented, vegan, cruelty-free and reef safe, and contains no parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthalates, dyes, fragrance, or nasty chemical sunscreens. If you’ve reacted to sunscreens before, this one is definitely worth a shot and other users are a testament to this product’s success on reactive skin.

The natural formula includes ingredients like green tea leaf extract, sunflower seed oil, and pomegranate extract. The moisturizer itself contains shea butter, aloe vera, and antioxidants like vitamin E to hydrate your dry skin and lock in the moisture so you won’t dry out during the day’s activities. Although it’s made and marketed for the face, this sunscreen is gentle enough for daily use everywhere on the body.

Block Island Natural Moisturizer was awarded EWG’s Best Moisturizer with SPF in 2016, but it didn’t make the top of SimplySunSafe’s list. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is its feel just after application. Unfortunately, the lotion becomes a little sticky on the skin before it dissipates (which doesn’t take long). This isn’t a deal-breaker, but that number 1 spot isn’t easy to get. Check it out if you’re not worried about the price as it’s a great (award-winning) moisturizer/sunscreen combo.

NOTE: Block Island Natural Moisturizer is technically marketed for use on the face. They do have a similar product for use on the body that has a lot of the same great features. However, it does not have the same moisturizing element that makes Block Island Natural Moisturizer one of the best sunscreens for dry skin.

3. derma e Antioxidant Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

Last update on 2023-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Derma e Antioxidant Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 is a physical sunscreen that uses zinc oxide (16%) to provide balanced broad-spectrum protection to its users. As the name suggests, this sunscreen is full of antioxidants that nourish your skin to help it recover from dehydration and sun exposure.

Derma e Antioxidant Sunscreen is yet another fantastic natural product that I’m happy to feature on SimplySunSafe. This 100% vegan (and cruelty-free) product is just about as environmentally safe as it comes, being free from parabens, sulfates, oils, lanolin, fragrance, gluten, and GMOs.

The antioxidants that do all the heavy lifting in this product come from the green tea leaf extract (1% of the formula) and vitamin C. These natural ingredients combine with others like safflower seed oil and vitamin E to provide the skin with nutrients and effectively hydrate. This product leaves your skin feeling vibrant after working to repair the damage from being dried out.

Derma e Antioxidant Sunscreen has a pleasant texture that goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly, and feels incredibly light on the skin. The formulation was specifically designed to be used on the face and, as a result, is non-greasy, unlikely to irritate, and suitable for all skin types. For those looking for a sunscreen compatible with makeup, derma e have you covered as this product works well as a base for makeup and won’t clog your pores.

It’s gentle enough to be suitable for daily on all areas of your skin and as a bonus is hypoallergenic (for those who may require it). For all of the quality features it brings to the table, derma e Antioxidant Sunscreen is quite reasonably priced. Check it out is your skin is a little sensitive as this could easily be called the best sunscreen for dry, sensitive skin.

It’s important to mention that this product is probably only suitable for people with lighter skin tones. It is known to leave a fine white coating on the skin which is unnoticeable if you’re fair but could be an annoyance if you have a darker skin tone. Just keep this in mind before you buy it.

NOTE: Derma e have an Antioxidant Natural Sunscreen for both face and body (B00I3DJMP0). I have linked to the face sunscreen above as it has a gentler more moisturizing formula. The ingredients are quite similar, but the difference is important. If you are on a budget, you could pick up the slightly cheaper body version for use on your body and keep the face version for use on your more sensitive facial skin. If you’re not worried about the cost, just stick with the face sunscreen and use it as a general-purpose sunscreen/moisturizer.

4. Suntegrity Skincare 5-in-1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen

Last update on 2023-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Suntegrity 5-in-1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen is a physical sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection using a surprisingly high concentration (20%) of zinc oxide as its active ingredient. The only reason this is so surprising is that this sunscreen has a particularly cosmetic feel, which is rare in sunscreen with so much zinc oxide.

Although unintentional, this is the fourth (and final) sunscreen on this list I’m recommending for dry skin that is vegan. It is certified as cruelty-free by both PETA and Leaping Bunny and is packed with both natural and organic ingredients that are ethically sourced from the environment. This list includes organic aloe vera, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, green tea extract, and natural coconut oil extract.

This impressive list of natural ingredients serves a couple of purposes. For one, they mean this sunscreen doesn’t itch, tingle, or burn which makes it particularly suitable for people with sensitive skin (including conditions like rosacea, eczema, and dermatitis). The second (and more important for you) purpose is that these ingredients work together to hydrate dry skin and rejuvenate skin damaged by prolonged dryness. They do this by using the antioxidants they’re packed with to soothe and calm the skin.

But these are just two of the five (in one) steps Suntegrity promises of this product. It is supposed to treat, hydrate, protect, prime, and cover the skin. Personally, I don’t think it does all of these well enough to replace a foundation as promised. However, because of its cosmetic nature, Suntegrity 5-in-1 still works effectively as a base for other cosmetics.

Suntegrity 5-in-1 comes in a range of tints to suit all skin tones. The four products (fair, light, golden light, and medium) allows users to purchase for their skin tone. This helps the product to blend with your other cosmetics and enables it to be seamlessly introduced to your daily routine. If you want this product, Suntegrity has a celebrity-based guide to ensure you choose the right tint for your skin:

	Fair Fair skin similar to Dakota Fanning, Emma Stone, and Anne Hathaway.
	Light Light skin tones similar to Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, and Carrie Underwood.
	Golden Light Golden skin tones similar to Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu (when they have a tan).
	Medium Medium and olive skin tones similar to Eva Mendes, Halle Berry, and Kim Kardashian.

Suntegrity 5-in-1 is a quality, customizable, solution that effectively hydrates your skin, so why isn’t it higher on this list? Unfortunately this is by far and away the most expensive product on this list. It’s pricey and you don’t get that much in the tube. If you love all of its features and question the price (understandable), you could always use this sunscreen exclusively on your face and choose one of the more economical options for the rest of your body. This will ensure each purchase of this quality product lasts as long as possible.

You won’t be dissappointed with the hydrating effects of this product as it’s also been chosen as one of the best vegan moisturizers by SimplySunSafe.

5. CōTZ Flawless Complexion Sunscreen SPF 50

Last update on 2023-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

CōTZ Flawless Complexion Sunscreen is a high-SPF, physical sunscreen that uses 20% zinc oxide to provide sound, broad spectrum protection. This is the least natural and most cosmetic sunscreen featured on this list (though it still isn’t tested on animals – which is 5 from 5!). Although not as natural, this sunscreen still avoids the bad stuff (chemicals, oils, fragrances, parabens, preservatives, PABA, and gluten).

It comes highly recommended by dermatologists and the non-comedogenic (won’t cause breakouts) formula specifically targets people whose skin is dry because they’re treating their blemishes and breakouts. CōTZ suggests that Flawless Complexion is the perfect sunscreen for skin being treated with benzoyl peroxide and a raft of other acne-reducing ingredients. If your skin dried out because of acne treatment (which has happened to most of us) don’t go past this sunscreen.

CōTZ Flawless Complexion has a lightweight formula that goes on easily and dries to an invisible, non-greasy, non-oily finish. It is also lightly tinted to blend seamlessly with your natural skin tone. This helps it to reduce the appearance of spots and blemishes on your skin. If it doesn’t cover things well enough, it also works well as a base for makeup that can finish the job.

On top of these great features, CōTZ Flawless Complexion’s ‘soothing mineral complex’ works hard to effectively moisturize your skin. You’ll experience a noticeable difference after adding this sunscreen to your daily routine because your skin will quickly begin to look and feel like it’s hydrated and able to retain moisture.

CōTZ Flawless Complexion is a little expensive for a sunscreen but if you’re undergoing acne treatment and want to rehydrate your skin, this product has been specifically formulated for you.

This product provides such amazing hydration that it’s also been picked as the best SPF moisturizer on SimplySunSafe.

Conclusion

This summary of the best sunscreen for dry skin was made to help you when choosing which sunscreen to buy. Hopefully it has furthered your understanding of the necessary features to look for in a quality sunscreen that moisturizes.

SimplySunSafe recommends Aveeno SPF#50 Protect+Hydrate Lotion, however, all 5 provide the required protection without irritating dry skin. Just remember that everyone’s skin is different and that testing a few of these products will help you find the one that works best for you.

If you know of a great sunscreen for dry skin that’s not featured here, please let me know in the comments and I’ll do some research and might add it to this guide.

 

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