Whether your dryness is caused by the weather, aging skin, hormonal changes, or medication, the best sunscreens for dry skin provide instant relief and hydration, smoothing over flakiness and rough patches and leaving behind an illuminating glow. “When choosing a sunscreen for dry or sensitive skin, it’s important to find one that protects and hydrates the skin barrier,” says Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Cincinnati. These can include ingredients like “hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, dimethicone, or ceramides,” which attract and lock in moisture while soothing irritation, says Ashley McGuinness, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chesterfield, MO. Both chemical and mineral sunscreens fit the hydrating bill; however, mineral UV filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are overall kinder to sensitive-prone skin.
Our Top Sunscreens for Dry Skin
- Best Overall Chemical: Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen SPF 50, $18
- Best Overall Mineral: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion Mineral SPF 60+, $26
- Best Primer: Supergoop Dewscreen Hydrating Primer SPF 50, $38
- Best Sunscreen for Winter: Then I Met You Essence Light Sunscreen, $36
- Best Radiant Finish: Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating Sunscreen SPF 50+ Drops, $46
- Best Lightweight: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++, $64
- Best for Discoloration: SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30, $65
- Best Tinted: Barefaced Tinted Protection SPF 50, $50
- Best Shade Range: Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow, $50
Allure editors test tons of sunscreen formulas—both chemical and mineral—all year round, but these are the formulas that go beyond UV protection, offering moisturizing ingredients and antioxidants that give you a glowing, hydrated complexion. We’re spilling our top picks that glide on like a dream while keeping your skin moisturized all day.
Best Overall Chemical: Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen SPF 50
Why we love it: Beauty of Joseon’s Day Dew is so moisturizing, we’d happily use it as our daily face cream—even if SPF weren’t part of the deal. Inspired by the viral Relief Sun formula, which has been re-formulated with an FDA-approved formula for the US market, this iteration—it’s slightly lighter and more lightweight than the OG—sinks in fast and leaves behind a fresh, dewy glow with zero white cast. The texture layers beautifully under makeup (no pilling, no weird slipping), while hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and panthenol deliver a serious hit of hydration. Add SPF 50 and water resistance, and you’ve got a sunscreen that actually feels as good as it looks, so there’s no excuse to skip it.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
“If you’d blindfold me and I couldn't see the word ‘sunscreen' on the tube, I could swear Beauty of Joseon’s Dewy Day Sunscreen is just a lightweight moisturizer. It has that milky-but-not-goopy slip, sinks in immediately, and leaves a healthy, dewy sheen that makes my skin look (and feel) way more hydrated.”—Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
- Type: chemical
- Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (7%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (5%), hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it’s for: all skin types
Best Overall Mineral: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion Mineral SPF 60+
Why we love it: When you want your sunscreen to feel more like soothing skin care—and less, well, sunscreen-y—Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion Mineral SPF 60+ is the answer. The 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner has a lightweight, lotion-like texture that glides on smoothly and dries down to a non-greasy, invisible finish. It’s spiked with skin-loving ingredients like raspberry extract, witch hazel, glycerin, and five types of algae to keep your complexion hydrated and calm. Our tester swears by how seamlessly it layers under makeup—and while the bottle is on the smaller side, a little does go a long way.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
"With my extra-dry complexion, I am always looking for hydrating products that leave me with a summery, dewy glow. This sunscreen gives me exactly that. The mineral formula is more like a fluid than a lotion, and quickly melts down to blend in with my medium-tan skin." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
- Type: mineral
- Key ingredients: titanium dioxide (5.7%), zinc oxide (5.9%), raspberry extract, witch hazel, glycerin, algae
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it’s for: people with extra-dry skin
Best Primer: Supergoop Dewscreen Hydrating Primer SPF 50
Why we love it: If you’re already layering SPF under your makeup, it might as well pull double duty. Supergoop’s Dewscreen Hydrating Primer does exactly that, pairing broad-spectrum sun protection with a makeup-gripping base. The chemical formula delivers a fresh, dewy finish—think glow, not grease—while keeping foundation smooth and in place and no white cast in sight. Peptides help skin look bouncier, while hyaluronic acid and tremella mushroom flood it with hydration for that juicy, lit-from-within look. Sun protection and glam that stays put? Sold.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“Supergoop is a top-tier sun-care brand, but the brand really deserves its flowers with its latest creation. Dewscreen is easily my favorite Supergoop product, ever: It’s a true moisturizer-first formula with a boost of SPF, which my dehydrated skin drinks up like that, and there’s just a hint of grippiness that helps my makeup look flawless and stay in place all freaking day and night. Dewscreen makes my skin look like a dewy dumpling—no matter how tired I feel in the morning, it instantly perks up my skin. Because it’s so moisturizing, it takes a beat to fully blend out, but that’s not a con at all. I’d rather be as thorough as possible and ensure I’m applying the right amount—yes, even on the dreariest winter days.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
- Type: chemical
- Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (9%), octisalate (4.5%), octocrylene (9%), peptides, hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it’s for: all skin types
Best Sunscreen for Winter: Then I Met You Essence Light Sunscreen
Why we love it: Then I Met You Essence Light Sunscreen takes everything you love about Korean essences—like hyaluronic acid and ceramides—and fuses them into a weightless, non‑greasy SPF 50 formula that feels like skin care instead of traditional sunblock. It also features galactomyces ferment filtrate (GFF), a derivative of fermented sake, which helps curb excess sebum to reduce the appearance of pores. It melts right in, drenching your skin in moisture that leaves it soft, plump, and protected.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
“Despite being so lightweight, this sunscreen is one of the few that I don't always need to pair with a moisturizer, even when I'm feeling dried out—but I guess that's to be expected of a Korean-inspired chemical formula like this one. It's got ceramides and hyaluronic acid just like a moisturizer would, and you can tell by the way it gets my skin all plump and dewy." —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
More to know
- Type: chemical
- Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (9%), octisalate (4.5%), octocrylene (5%), galactomyces ferment filtrate, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it’s for: all skin types
Best Radiant Finish: Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating Sunscreen SPF 50+ Drops
Why we love it: Not all mineral sunscreens are created equal. Case in point: The Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Kate Somerville Hydrakate Illuminating Sunscreen SPF 50+ Drops boast an impressive 24.5% non-nano zinc oxide to form a strong physical barrier to shield you from harmful UV rays—without that dreaded chalky white cast. The hero ingredient is ectoin, which fights free radicals while soothing and hydrating your skin barrier. “[Ectoin is] an extremolyte that helps protect cellular integrity in extreme weather conditions,” Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, explained. The sheer, universal tint blends into all skin tones without a white cast, resulting in a radiant, even-toned complexion.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
"As a woman with brown skin, I usually run away from mineral sunscreen. Zinc? Ahhh! That's a surefire way to look purple. This lightly tinted formula changed my mind. It's got a watery consistency and blends seamlessly without leaving my skin looking dusty." —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
- Type: mineral
- Key ingredients: 24.5% non-nano zinc oxide, ectoin, mineral pigments
- Fragrance-free: no
- Who it’s for: people with dry, dull-looking skin
Best Lightweight: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50
Why we love it: Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 has been an editor favorite for years, stealing the coveted spot as our favorite mineral sunscreen, thanks to its sheer, dewy finish and sensitive-skin-friendly ingredients. “It uses zinc oxide to protect from UVA and UVB rays, hyaluronic acid to add moisture, niacinamide to soothe, and a silk extract to help even skin tone, Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama.” While it takes a bit of rubbing in to avoid a white cast, Dr. Hartman adds that once it absorbs, “you don’t see the sunscreen at all.” l Beyond the smooth, invisible finish, it’s also packed with calming ingredients like allantoin to reduce redness.
Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
"On a mother-daughter trip to Costa Rica, I noticed Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 in her toiletry bag and, out of curiosity, tried it myself. To my surprise, the liquidy sunscreen blended into my skin, leaving nothing behind but sun protection and a light glow. The SPF initially applies a bit purple-ish, but after some rubbing, it completely blends into my skin." —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
- Type: mineral
- Key ingredients: zinc oxide (10%), allantoin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, sericin, fibroin
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it’s for: people with dry, dull, or redness-prone skin
Best for Discoloration: SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30
Why we love it: SkinCeuticals' Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30 is a glow-up in a bottle. No, really, your complexion will look noticeably glowier and more even-toned, thanks to a powerhouse brightening blend of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, phenylethyl resorcinol, and mica. Sun protection is one of the best lines of defense against discoloration, and this SPF goes above and beyond by treating existing discoloration. Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, recommended this pick for people prone to excess sebum, since it's very lightweight and doesn't add any greasiness.
Tester feedback from creative director Amber Venerable
"I loved the consistency and how lightweight yet moisturized my skin felt after using it. You do have to be sure to blend it completely on darker skin tones, but it does seep in once you fully rub it in." —Amber Venerable, creative director
More to know
- Type: chemical
- Key ingredients: tranexamic acid (1%), glycerin (7%), niacinamide (2%), phenylethyl resorcinol (0.3%)
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it’s for: people with discoloration, mature skin
Best Tinted: Barefaced Tinted Protection SPF 50
Why we love it: Barefaced’s Tinted Protection SPF 50+ works triple duty, shielding skin from the sun, smoothing skin, and covering imperfections with its light tint. The barely-there formula is infused with hyaluronic acid for lasting hydration and a plumped-up look, while caffeine helps calm the look of puffiness. Also included? Lactic acid, which gently smooths the appearance of pores, and niacinamide for a subtle brightening effect that makes skin look more even. The feel of this formula deserves a shoutout, too—it’s almost sticky at first, then melts right into the skin like a hydrating, weightless veil. Our one qualm is that it only comes in one shade.
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
“I love a subtle tint, but I’m equally obsessed with that glass-skin glow that looks like you’re not wearing any makeup—and this gives you the best of both worlds. It’s unlike any spf I’ve ever tried: virtually undetectable once it’s on, yet leaves your skin looking fresh and radiant, like you just stepped out of a facial. The texture feels silky and soft, and the SPF 50 protection is a major bonus—it’s rare for a tinted formula to go that high, so I never feel like I need a separate sunscreen underneath.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
- Type: hybrid
- Key ingredients: zinc oxide (14.5%), octinoxate (7.5%), niacinamide, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, caffeine
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it’s for: all skin types that want a bit of coverage
Best Shade Range: Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow
Why we love it: Another tinted option, Iris & Romeo’s Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow comes in four flexible shades—Universal, Cool Glow, Warm Glow, and Bronze Glow—designed to flatter a range of skin tones while delivering a noticeable glow. The formula leans heavily into brightening, thanks to a potent mix of vitamin C, vitamin E (to help keep that vitamin C stable), and niacinamide for a more even-looking complexion over time. The texture is on the richer side, so it wears more like a tinted moisturizer than a barely-there sunscreen, which we love for light coverage days.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
“It may be called ‘weekend skin,’ but I use this beauty every single day. This moisturizer hydrates, provides impressive SPF 50 coverage, and leaves me with a natural radiance that’s glowy, not glittery. I have acne scars, flakiness, and fine lines; still, Weekend Skin leaves me looking airbrushed, well-rested, and, frankly, I'm flabbergasted at how it does all I need it to do so elegantly and effectively.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
- Type: mineral
- Key ingredients: non-nano zinc oxide (10%), vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it’s for: all skin types that want a bit of coverage, including sensitive skin and mature skin
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sunscreen is best for dry skin?
“When searching for sunscreens for dry skin, it’s crucial to find products with ingredients that moisturize and improve the skin barrier, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, dimethicone, or ceramides,” says Dr. McGuinness. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are great for sensitive skin, but chemical sunscreens packed with hydrating ingredients work just as well. Extra points if your sunscreen of choice includes antioxidants (hi, vitamin E and vitamin C) to combat free radicals. And, of course, stick to lightweight, non-greasy formulas for a comfortable, glowing finish.
“In addition to making sure your sunscreen has broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of 30 or higher, people with dry skin should opt for a cream or lotion-based formula instead of gels or sprays, which can sometimes be more drying,” says Dr. Foad. Sprays commonly feature alcohol, which people with dry skin should definitely avoid, Dr. McGuinness points out.
Do you put moisturizer or sunscreen first?
For both mineral and chemical formulas, Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, and Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, agree on one easy way to get the best results: Start with a lightweight moisturizer, let it fully absorb, then follow with sunscreen. That said, if your skin isn’t especially dry and you prefer chemical SPFs, you can often skip the separate moisturizer and apply sunscreen directly—many formulas are hydrating enough on their own.
Meet the experts
- Ashley McGuinness, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Chesterfield, MO
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama
- Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
- Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best sunscreens for dry skin, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Don't let dry skin get you down this winter—shop our favorite barrier-boosting skin care:
- We've Found the Best Face Washes for Dry Skin That Won't Strip Your Skin
- 9 Best Toners for Dry Skin for a Deep (Yet Gentle) Clean
- The Best Korean Skin Care for Dry Skin to Get Lasting Hydration
Now, watch Stray Kids spill secrets after sipping the truth serum:
Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place! And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok—or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
