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How To Tackle Dry Skin With Your Sunscreen
The best SPF hybrids to make dull skin glow.
If you're prone to tight, flaky or irritable skin, you'll already be familiar with the struggle of finding a face SPF for dry skin types. There's nothing worse than mastering the art of a soothing, balancing skincare routine and then shlepping on a heavy, slick SPF that ruins your smooth, harmonious glow. (Not to mention, finding an SPF that could actively make your skin drier.)
Luckily, with today's host of hydrating SPF moisturisers and multi-tasking formulas, you don't have to. Instead, you can finesse the final step of your routine with a blend of ingredients that work with your skin type, rather than against it, whether you're oily and acne-prone or sensitive and dry. Because in today's bustling beautysphere, only the best SPFs make the cut.
Can SPF Cause Dry Skin?
In short, yes, SPF can cause dryness, particularly mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, though these are typically better for sensitive skin types.
'These ingredients can sometimes have a drying effect on the skin,' says Dr Ellie Rashid, Klira's Medical Director and Consultant Dermatologist. 'However, most SPF products now incorporate hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide, which can help reduce this.'
What To Look For In An SPF For Dry Skin
'If you have dry skin, you should look for SPF products that contain hydrating and skin barrier-repairing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid that attracts and retains moisture in the skin,' Dr Rashid says. 'Ceramides can help restore and maintain the skins barrier, and prevents water loss. Niacinamide also improves barrier function. Glycerin also draws moisture into the skin from the environment to improve skin hydration'
Shop The Best SPFs For Dry Skin
If you're not already familiar with Australian SPFs, buckle up! Australia has some of toughest sunscreen guidelines on the planet, so its trailblazing brands don't mess around when it comes to UV filters.
This Ultra Violette Hydrating Facial Skinscreen is a favourite of beauty editors everywhere; it absorbs effortlessly, doesn't leave a white cast and uses kakadu plum extract to plump, brighten and nourish lacklustre complexions.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Hydrating Suncream SPF50
La Roche-Posay's Anthelios range has been a favourite of beauty editors for years and this hydrating alternate is no exception.
Offering full protection against ultra-long UVA rays, as well as the classic UVA and UVB, this plush formula is as good as it gets when it comes to shielding your skin with sunscreen. Factor in its ultra comfortable cream texture and you have the perfect sunscreen for dry skin types.
A dedicated sunscreen for sensitive skin, this delicate SPF will work best for reactive, dry complexions, not matter the tone. Not to mention, it boosts hydration and soothes irritation with the help of Avène's signature thermal spring water.
With full factor 50 protection, it defends your skin against UVA, UVB and blue light without the disruption of water, sweat and sand.
If you're looking for an SPF moisturiser to chop down the steps in your morning routine, this everyday hydrator is gold tier.
Rich in ceramides, niacinamide and vitamin E, it nurtures your skin's all important protective barrier, without compromising on that all important UV protection. The best part? Whether you're looking for an SPF for dry skin or a sunscreen for your acne-prone routine, this nourishing yet lightweight texture will be perfect for you.
Struggling to balance dryness with fine lines? This silky SPF might just be for you.
Formulated with ageing skin types at its forefront, this 3-in-1 sunscreen uses brightening niacinamide and vitamin B3 to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and dullness, shea butter and liquorice root to soften and hydrate, and SPF50 filters to protect against further sun damage and pigmentation.
If your dry skin veers more sensitive in the summer, trade out your everyday moisturiser for this soothing suncream hybrid.
This mineral SPF formula is 99% natural, using zinc oxide to provide a lightweight shield against UVA and UVB rays. So, whether you're eczema-prone, acne-prone or simply prefer the feel of a mineral texture, this is the everyday formula for you.
Another Australian SPF hero, Naked Sundays is the brand making sunscreen easier than ever. Whether you're shopping for an SPF lip balm or an SPF tint to replace your foundation, its foolproof offering makes protecting your skin from the sun super straightforward.
This dewy skin hydrator is one of our favourites. Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide? Sign us up.
Like a tall glass of green juice for your skin, this energising SPF moisturiser is packed to the brim with ginseng, caffeine and hyaluronic acid. In short, it's a morning wake-up call for tired, dull complexions.
Brightening and revitalising, this absorbent texture is our go-to for under make-up too. It's soft on the skin and won't have you looking oily and caky by the end of the day.
Gentle on irritable skin types, mineral SPFs create a physical barrier between your skin and the sun using zinc oxide as the key active ingredient. So, if you're concerned about using SPF50 on your dry or sensitive skin, let us introduce you to this full factor blend from Tatcha.
Complete with a protective filter that's neither heavy or looking ashy, this J-beauty texture is truly luxurious. It's no wonder we've been reaching for it all summer long.
Fans of Korean SPFs will already have this cloud-like texture on their roster.
A dream for even the oiliest of skin types, its packed with probiotics and rice extracts to tackle damage skin barriers and dehydration without every feeling sticky or heavy. There's a reason it keeps selling out. Thanks, TikTok.
Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.
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