These Sunscreens for Dry Skin Hydrate as Well as Moisturizer (2024)

Not only was this Vichy formula a winner in past GH Beauty Lab face SPF testing, it was the most moisturizing of all those evaluated. Made with softening hyaluronic acid, the lotion earned the highest score for making skin feel hydrated. It rated best for many other attributes, with 100% of testers agreeing it was easy to apply, had an appealing texture and didn't irritate or sting skin. The sunscreen was also top at not leaving a white cast or residue on skin, working well with makeup and providing effective sun protection.

"It was very moisturizing without being greasy," a tester with dry skin reported. Another whose main skin concern is dryness agreed, saying "I like how my skin feels hydrated and moisturized." While most users liked the floral fragrance (calling it "pleasant"), others said it was "too strong."

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This affordable buy from CeraVe enhanced with nourishing ceramides and hyaluronic acid was a GH Beauty Lab test winner that ranked the highest among testers with dry skin types. A full 100% of users agreed the fragrance-free lotion didn't cause redness or irritation and was effortless to apply. It also received top marks for its "light" texture (although some found it tacky on humid days), not leaving a white cast on skin and protecting skin against sunburn.

Almost half of testers commented that the formula made their skin feel soft, moisturized or hydrated. "It feels like a refreshing moisturizer," one remarked. A second said it "left my face soft and smooth, and gave excellent protection from the sun."

Rodan + Fields was both a winner of the Beauty Lab's body sunscreen test and favored for its "smooth" lotion formula that didn't dehydrate skin. It brought in the highest score for not making skin feel dry, and an impressive 100% of users agreed it was simple to spread on, absorbed well, and didn't leave a white film or feel sticky or greasy on skin.

Despite its higher price for the size, this formula was the tester favorite. One said it "felt similar to applying a moisturizing lotion" and several raved that it was "very moisturizing" and "skin felt soft" after application.

Hit the marks of a high-level, bargain mineral sunscreen in a milky lotion formula with Hawaiian Tropic, a top performer in Beauty Lab testing. It achieved the best score for not drying out skin among the mineral lotion SPFs evaluated. Users gave the sunscreen the highest marks for having a pleasant "tropical" scent and not transferring onto fabrics, which can be an issue with mineral formulations.

While it scored average for absorbing well and feeling oily, testers still praised its "wonderful staying power, even through running" and "skin moisturizing" effects. "I found myself looking forward to putting on this product," one enthused.

RELATED: Best Mineral Sunscreens

No chalky mineral sunscreen here: Dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross's gentle lotion was the best hydrating formula for dry skin in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent face sunscreen test. Not only did the SPF rank top for making the face feel hydrated, it also received the highest score for not stinging skin and being easy to apply.

The overall tester favorite mineral sunscreen, they lauded its "smooth and silky" texture that melted in. "I loved that it did not irritate my skin," one user said. "I felt like my dry skin was protected and actually moisturized," another revealed. Good to know: It leaves a dewy finish on skin and some found the cap didn't stay attached to the tube well.

Do double duty and save time in your skincare routine with Olay's moisturizer that contains SPF. The cream excelled in Beauty Lab testing at making skin feeling hydrated, plus was easy to apply and had a pleasant "super smooth" texture. "I loved the way this made my skin feel," a tester raved. "You could not tell that I had sunscreen on and my skin felt very soft."

Another agreed, saying "it provides excellent hydration — I stopped using my daily moisturizer before it and felt just as moisturized." A few caveats: The "sunscreen" scent was polarizing for some and it could leave a shiny finish on skin.

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If you have dry skin but feel like richer lotion and cream SPF formulas are too heavy, Murad is for you: The liquid serum texture is featherlight on skin yet provides serious softening. Though it is an investment, the sunscreen earned the highest score in Beauty Lab testing for leaving skin feeling moisturized. It also rated well for its effortless application and pleasant, fast-absorbing formulation that didn't irritate, interfere with makeup or leave a greasy, sticky visible film on skin.

Many testers raved about the "sheer," "thin," "very light" fluid formulation. "My face felt fresh and hydrated," one commented. Another liked that despite its high level of zinc oxide, the product "did not leave a white cast" on her dark skin.

RELATED: Best Zinc Oxide Sunscreens

Prefer your sunscreen with a tint? Try this face formula from EltaMD, a dermatologist go-to brand. GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek recommends it for those with dry skin, as the lotion texture "feels hydrating and so smooth on skin." (Note, however, that some users with lighter and cooler skin tones thought the tint didn't blend as well with their complexion.)

RELATED: Best Tinted Sunscreens

Some sunscreen sticks can be hard, dry and difficult to apply, but not this Colorescience mineral formula made with skin hydrators, recommended by both Geeta Yadav, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto and GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. While it may be a splurge, it earns praise from experts: The portable solid SPF "glides on and blends easily into skin, isn't sticky and doesn't budge when you sweat," Wizemann says.

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The GH Beauty Lab tests face and body sunscreen categories on hundreds of consumer testers across the country with a range of skin tones and types, including dry skin. Each tester uses the sunscreen as part of their skincare routine, then assesses the product on parameters including ease of use, formula texture, scent, absorption, the look and feel of their skin after application, whether it caused breakouts or irritation, any transfer onto fabrics and perceived sun protection ability.

In the Beauty Lab's most recent face and body sunscreen tests, scientists tallied a total of 12,227 consumer feedback questions from 689 testers to determine the top-performing formulas.

In addition to choosing a sunscreen that covers the basics (broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher), keep the following factors in mind that are specific to those with dry skin:

✔️ Type of formula. "Pick more moisturizing formulations of sunscreen to help mitigate dryness," recommends Jeanine B. Downie, M.D., Director of Image Dermatology PC in Montclair, New Jersey and Assistant Attending Dermatologist at Overlook and Mountainside Medical Centers. Your best bets are "cream and lotion formulas, which are generally more moisturizing than gels or sprays," Dr. Lamb adds.
✔️ Key terms on packaging. "Look for claims like 'moisturizing', 'hydrating' or 'nourishing' on product labels," Wnek says. This indicates they were created with the needs of dry skin types in mind.
✔️ Moisturizing ingredients. Sunscreens "containing moisturizing agents like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides and natural oils help maintain skin hydration," Dr. Lamb suggests, and avoid those made with alcohol, which can further dry out skin.

If you still find sunscreen doesn't apply smoothly because your skin is dry, "apply a moisturizer first and then sunscreen on top of it," Dr. Downie recommends.

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GH Beauty Director April Franzino wrote this piece, interviewing multiple dermatologist experts and reporting on more than a decade of GH Beauty Lab face and body sunscreen test results and insights.

GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek develops and executes the testing of sunscreens, including the Lab's most recent face sunscreen test. She also provided expert commentary and review for this story.