The Best SPF For Dry Skin: Our Top Picks
Dry skin can be a real struggle to keep in check, especially when the season changes and the sun comes out (albeit temporarily if you’re living in the UK like us at team FTF). As you’ll know, sunscreen is a daily essential, but it can be tough to find one that offers the perfect formula to both hydrate and protect your skin in one. So, in today’s post, we’re helping you find the best SPF for dry skin so you can feel comfortable and confident all summer and beyond.
Dry skin and the sun can be a challenging duo – with this common skin type already being prone to flakiness, tightness, and discomfort, the added sun exposure can exacerbate your existing issues, ultimately leading to premature ageing, the appearance of wrinkles, and even painful sunburn.
Key Ingredients to Look For
Choosing the right sunscreen for dry skin is crucial, so it’s important to know what ingredients drier skin types will love to help you make the right choice.
Hyaluronic Acid
Commonly referred to as HA, this superstar hydrator works to draw in moisture to your skin. It gives a plumping and smoothing effect. Plus, it helps your skin to feel hydrated and comfortable, too.
Ceramides
Helping to repair your skin’s barrier and keep your skin more resilient, ceramides are lipids that lock in the essential hydration your skin craves and help to prevent moisture loss.
Niacinamide
A versatile skincare ingredient, niacinamide soothes inflammation, improves your skin’s texture, and helps your skin to retain its moisture.
Shea Butter and Coconut Oil
Natural emollients, these two hydration heroes can penetrate deeper into your skin and provide much-needed nourishment.
Dry Skin Sunscreen Formulas
Sunscreens come in several different formulas and formats – your perfect match depends on your personal preference. Here are the most popular dry skin sunscreen options.
Creams And Lotions
Usually richer and thicker, cream and lotion formulas tend to be more moisturising for your skin than their gel counterparts.
Mineral Sunscreen
Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They offer physical protection to your skin to deflect UV rays. Mineral sunscreen are often gentler, so frequently top the spot as the best sunscreen for dry sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreens were well-known for causing a white cast on the skin, but today, there are so many incredible mineral formulas on the beauty market that are white-cast free and suitable for all skin tones.
Chemical Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens typically include ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate. They absorb UV rays and convert them into heat to protect your skin. They’re typically lighter and less visible on the skin than mineral sunscreens, but they can sometimes cause skin sensitivities due to their ingredients.
Sun Sticks
Handy to take on-the-go and good for top-ups, sun sticks provide a thicker, more protective barrier that’s ideal for dry and delicate areas. The main issue with sun sticks is that sometimes it can be easy to miss small patches of skin due to the design, so ensure that you properly cover all areas to avoid sun damage.
The Best Sunscreen For Face And Body: Dry Skin Edit
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++
Hydrate and protect your skin with Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++, a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen. Infused with soothing bamboo water and centella asiatica, it provides intense moisture while shielding against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Enjoy a dewy, radiant finish without the white cast. Ideal for daily use on dry, dehydrated skin.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 Hydrating Tinted Cream SPF 50+
Shield and perfect your complexion with La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 Hydrating Tinted Cream SPF 50+ - a hydrating tinted sunscreen. La Roche-Posay's innovative Mexoryl 400 technology offers superior protection against a wide spectrum of UV rays, including long UVA. The lightweight formula blurs imperfections, leaving a natural, even finish. Suitable for sensitive, dry to very dry skin.
Pharmaceris S - Broad Spectrum Sun Protection Cream SPF 50
Enjoy comprehensive sun care for delicate skin with Pharmaceris S - Broad Spectrum Sun Protection Cream SPF 50. This ultra-light cream delivers exceptional protection against UVA, UVB, HEV, and IR radiation. With anti-inflammatory properties, it helps soothe redness and irritation while deeply hydrating and nourishing. Ideal for sensitive, allergy-prone skin.
Vichy Capital Soleil Cell Protect Invisible High UVA + UVB Sun Protection Spray SPF30
Refresh, protect, and strengthen your skin with Vichy Capital Soleil Cell Protect Invisible High UVA + UVB Sun Protection Spray SPF30. This weightless spray has an innovative formula that combines broad-spectrum SPF30 with hyaluronic acid and probiotics to hydrate, reinforce your skin barrier, and shield against free radicals. The invisible finish is perfect for daily use on all skin types.
PCA Skin Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Enjoy intense hydration with superior protection with PCA Skin Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30. This award-winning sunscreen delivers long-lasting moisture while safeguarding your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Antioxidant-rich, it helps prevent premature ageing. It's ideal for dry, dehydrated skin and gives a luxurious feel you'll love to wear.
Avène Very High Protection Sun Cream SPF50+ for Dry Sensitive Skin
Soothe and shield sensitive, dry skin with Avène Very High Protection Sun Cream SPF50+. This ultra-high SPF cream contains Avène Thermal Spring Water that calms irritation, while the rich formula provides long-lasting hydration and exceptional sun protection. The non-greasy texture leaves a velvety finish on your skin - perfect for daily use!
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Created for dry to very dry and sensitive skin types, La Roche-Posay's Anthelios UVmune 400 Hydrating Tinted Cream SPF 50+ provides the skin with optimum protection against UV rays, deeply hydrates and softly blurs any...
Protect your skin from the damaging effects of UVA, UVB and HEV with this Sun Protection Cream SPF 50, also formulated to deeply nourish and hydrate your skin.
This high protection sunscreen contains a blend of hydrating ingredients to moisturise dry, dehydrated skin.
Water resistant, long lasting and invisible, Avène’s Very High Protection Sun Cream SPF50+ for Dry Sensitive Skin offers very high, broad-spectrum protection for dry, sensitive skin types. Easy to apply, this lightweight daily facial sunscreen...
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