How to Choose a Sunscreen for Dry Skin

Often, dry skin occurs from environmental factors that can be controlled or managed. Going in the sun without the proper sunscreen can contribute to the breakdown of the lipid walls of your skin. Avoiding this can be as simple as choosing the right sunscreen.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Purchase a sunscreen specially formulated for dry skin. A lotion with a protective complex, such as oat protein, can give your skin a shield and avoid drying it out further. Kiss My Face makes this type of sunscreen, which can reduce the irritation and inflammation of your skin.
2. Choose a sunscreen that will offer a good amount of moisture yet is not too thick and heavy on your skin. Purchase a sunscreen that contains sodium hyaluronate to target your dry areas. It should also contain mexoryl SX and titanium dioxide.
3. Buy a separate sunscreen that is for your face and neck. A good facial sunscreen fights against damaging free radicals as it lubricates your skin. Seek out a sunscreen like Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Sunblock or an after-sun treatment with cooling ingredients like aloe.
4. Choose a formula that combats the harmful rays and repairs your dry skin. The sun adds to the drying out of the skin, causing itching, flaking and dry patches. By using a sunscreen with moisturizers, such as Dr. Hauschka Sunscreen Cream SPF 20, you can help to nourish the skin's building blocks and repair previously damaged skin.
5. Choose a stick sunscreen for your body. Such newer products are designed to protect skin from exposure to sun and prevent irritations that are related to dry skin. Use Body Glide Sunscreen Stick or Banana Boat Sport Sunblock to get at those hard-to-reach dry areas.
6. Apply a moisturizer with sunscreen. Use a lotion that can moisturize your skin throughout the day. You might do well to use a special sunscreen in the morning, such as R.E.M. Intensive Day Therapy SPF 30, from Erno Laszlo, to energize and help tone your skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Hydrate and moisturize your skin while tanning. Purchase a sunscreen--SPF 20--that contains natural minerals, such as sea buckthorn and avocado extracts, that pamper your skin.
• Choose a sunscreen to protect your skin without chemicals or thick, white creams, such as UV Natural sunscreen. Some cosmetic sunscreens can be worn right under your makeup, without that greasy feeling.