Say goodbye to dry patches and texture with foundations made for all-day wear.
From pastel makeup dominating the runways to the cream blush renaissance, beauty is all about having fun! If you suffer from dry skin, you know that having a good base layer is a key first step.
Finding a foundation that doesn’t emphasize flakiness or texture can be tricky. After all, walking around with a patchy layer of makeup is not cute. Prevent that ever-annoying scenario by knowing which foundation to use. We’ve found the best foundation for dry skin, evaluating each one on ingredients, finish and shade range.
With the right fit, you’ll have the courage to sport your beautiful base with an easy-to-follow eyeshadow tutorial.
What to look for in the best foundation for dry skin
Before you put any makeup for dry skin on your pretty little face, it’s important to take steps to ensure you find the right one for your skin. “Customers with dry skin should be shopping for foundations that contain humectants,” explains Stacey Heintzman, owner of Gingery Esthetic in Sola Salons.
“These ingredients help draw more moisture to the skin, so it maintains hydration. Look for are hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.”
When applying foundation, avoid formulas that settle into fine lines. “If your skin isn’t properly hydrated before application and you’ve picked the wrong foundation, it will look flakey and give the effect of looking older,” says Heintzman.
“When you moisturize before your makeup application, you’re plumping the skin with emollients and ceramides to smooth out the skin for a perfect makeup application.”
For best results, Heintzman suggests a solid skincare routine before applying foundation. “Hydrate your skin and allow the products to penetrate before makeup application and when applying your liquid-based foundations use a wet beauty sponge, this helps your skin to look dewy.”
The best foundation for dry skin 2024
Best overall
CoverGirl Smoothers Hydrating Foundation
Perfect for smoothing out unwanted lines and wrinkles, this hydrating foundation provides super-moisturizing coverage the instant you smooth it on. The fragrance-free formula is lightweight and features special light-reflecting ingredients that help blur away imperfections for a beautifully smooth complexion.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Ultra-hydrating
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight on the face like a tinted moisturizer
- Provides a natural look
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Vegan and cruelty-free formula
Cons
- Packaging varies depending on where you buy it
Best colour range
L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation
We’ve found 24-hour coverage in this lightweight foundation. With medium-to-full buildable coverage that lasts all day, your skin can breathe. The formula’s three oil absorbers resist sweat, water and transfer.
The ultra-thin formula goes on smoothly to give a complexion that lasts and blends in evenly, so your makeup looks fresh all day. The best part? It’s suitable for all skin types and is available in 30 shades.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Lightweight, breathable formula
- Stays up for up to 24 hours
- Ideal for every skin type
- Waterproof, sweat-resistant
- Natural semi-matte finish
Cons
- Takes some practice to find the right shade
Best budget
Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation
This high-performing foundation diffuses pores and blends seamlessly into the skin for a luminous finish. Its silky coverage is easily buildable from medium to full and helps to minimize the appearance of pores for a perfectly smooth, dewy look.
The foundation is formulated with a matte, light-diffusing complex, which helps to prevent white cast in photos and delivers a radiant-looking complexion in any kind of light. This foundation is best for dry skin that’s been pre-treated with a hydrating primer.
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight and moisturizing
- Provides a long-lasting, hydrating glow
- Helps minimize the appearance of pores
- Blends seamlessly and blurs imperfections
- Buildable coverage
- Cruelty-free and vegan formula
Cons
- Some reviewers say the formula creases with long-term wear
Best luxury
Dior Dior Forever Skin Glow Hydrating Foundation
This new-generation foundation from Dior is ultra-luxe and abides by a strict list of ingredients, including hibiscus extract and wild pansy extract, which both aim to increase hydration and the overall look of your skin.
The formula is heat- and humidity-resistant, delivers medium-to-full coverage and provides up to 24 hours of wear and hydration while also blurring the appearance of pores for a smooth, radiant complexion. Makeup artists love this creamy option, and we agree it is one of the best foundation formulas out there for a high-end finish.
Pros
- Maintains your skin’s hydration barrier
- It provides a radiant, natural-looking finish
- Up to 24 hours of wear
- Medium-full coverage foundation
- Available in 42 shades
- Recyclable packaging
Cons
- Might take some practice to find the right shade
Best buildable
Marcelle Flawless Luminous Foundation
This light-infused foundation enhances your natural skin while providing a luminous effect. Reviewers praise the product’s silky texture, that glides on the face for a natural look.
Enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid, provitamin B5, energizing vitamin C and caffeine, this foundation pairs well with your skincare products. For best application results, we recommend using a sponge or dense brush.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Ideal for sensitive skin
- Buildable coverage
- Natural finish
- Formulated with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free
- Works on a variety of dry skin types
- Cruelty-free formula
Cons
- The packaging is made of delicate glass
Best with skincare ingredients
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Serum Foundation
This lightweight, hybrid foundation contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and olive-derived squalane, which are known to balance hydration and moisture while protecting your skin’s barrier.
The best part of this type of foundation is the skincare ingredients and flawless finish. The skincare-hybrid formula has a medium, buildable coverage that effortlessly creates a natural-looking, skin-like glow. We love its nourishing formula tackles common skin concerns for comfortable, everyday wear.
Pros
- Hydrates and moisturizes skin
- Dewy and hydrated finish
- Reduces the look of fine lines/wrinkles
- Balances oil production
- Buildable coverage
- Available in 26 shades
- Refillable packaging
- Cruelty-free formula
Cons
- Somewhat pricier than other brands
Best rated
Maybelline New York Fit Me Hydrate + Smooth Foundation
While some foundations can make dry, rough patches appear more pronounced, Maybelline’s hydrating and moisturizing foundation contains a hydra-smoothing concentrate so dry areas become ultra-smooth, topped with a fresh dewy finish.
The formula is designed to smooth skin texture, hydrate and match your natural skin tone for a luminous, seamless finish. Not to mention, it’s oil-free and has been dermatologist-tested. We found this option to be best applied with a damp sponge or high-quality foundation brush.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Medium-full coverage level with moisturizing ingredients
- Smoothes skin texture
- Ideal for normal to dry skin
- Oil-free
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Some reviewers say the formula may cling to dry patches
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