5 Best Foundation for Dry Skin: A Complete List

If you have a dry complexion, the best foundation on the market will make the skin appear like the texture is incompatible. The wrong foundation can show flakes, highlight your peach fuzz, or lodge in fine lines, resulting in patchy and uneven skin.

If you don’t really want to end up with a formula that leaves your skin looking rough and patchy, then try hydrating acid and oil-filled foundations. But, they will give you the flawless skin you’ve dreamed of.

Do your best to avoid powder foundation while your skin is dry, as it absorbs extra oil and accentuates flaky skin and dry patches. Instead, opt for liquid foundations, concealers, and BB or CC creams, which can help make the skin look more moisturized. A full-coverage foundation is a perfect match for dry skin if it is filled with hydrating skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalene, or vitamin E.

But, before we get to the right full coverage foundation for dry skin, let’s talk about the application.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR APPLYING FOUNDATION ON DRY SKIN?

If you have really dry skin, it is tough to apply the foundation. You want coverage, not cakiness, and applying a complete coverage foundation over dehydrated skin can be a nightmare formula. Luckily, we have a foolproof three-step guide on the correct way to apply the foundation on dry skin.

1. Exfoliate

The secret to a smooth, flawless foundation finish begins with skin preparation. Exfoliating any dry, rough spots (especially around the nose and chin) will help make your foundation smoother and longer.

2. Hydrating

If your skin is thirsty, it’s important to hydrate it first – before applying the foundation. Hence, choose a nourishing moisturizer or primer that will give your skin a much-needed drink and provide an even, soft canvas for foundation use.

3. Use tools

To give your foundation a perfect starting point, buff and blend it with a soft brush or a makeup sponge. Brushes and sponges are smoother on the skin and would not disturb any dry patches or flakes as your fingers might. 

THE BEST FOUNDATION FOR DRY SKIN

Ready to find the right foundation for you? These are our top preference of the best foundation for dry skin: 

1. WANDER BEAUTY Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation

Cost:40 

This dewy, liquid foundation with built-in coverage helps the skin look smooth and glossy while also offering a variety of hydrating benefits. The formula includes: 

• Hyaluronic acid
• Passiflora Incarnata extract
• Lotus extract
• And niacinamide 

All of these contain hydrating benefits and help the skin preserve improved moisture content.

It also comes with a doe-foot applicator for accurate application and coverage. To obtain full coverage, use the doe-foot applicator to swipe the product accurately around the face. Then use a foundation brush or a sponge to buff the product into the skin, moving from the center of the face to the outside. If small places require more coverage, use this unique applicator to apply more products to those areas quickly.

This foundation is a magic foundation for dry skin. It’s going too well and blends like a wonder.

2. Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation

 Cost: $7.99

This is the ideal foundation for dry skin. The Fit Me Dewy + Flawless Foundation by Maybelline is a moisturizing foundation to create a smooth, hydrated, and even skin tone. The foundation also features an SPF 18 sunscreen actually to protect the skin from sun damage. The end result is a nicely hydrated and flawless complexion with a foundation makeup shade that matches your skin.

Benefits:

• Dewy and glossy foundation with SPF 18
• This hydrating foundation smoothes the texture of the skin.
• Offers a naturally luminous and radiant finish
• Moisturizing foundation perfect for normal to dry skin
• The dermatologist has been checked. Allergy has been tested. Not-comedogenic. Free of fragrance.
• Contour, highlighter, & pressed powder to help you create a flawless canvas.

REMOVE MAYBELLINE MAKEUP WITH MICELLAR WATER: Use Garnier Micellar Water as a gentle makeup remover at night and as a face cleanser in the morning to ready the skin for Maybelline makeup.

3. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Longwear Foundation

Cost: $12.99

This is L’Oréal’s foundation for dry skin that offers breathable skin technology. Infallible Loongwear Foundation provides medium to full buildable coverage that stays more than 24 hours. It also helps the skin to breathe. The foundation absorbers 3 oil resist sweat, water, and transfer. The ultra-thin liquid keeps going smoothly to offer a fresh, healthy-looking complexion that lasts. Color stays real and blends evenly, so the makeup looks fresh & clean all day. Non-comedogenic and formulated with SPF, this foundation is ideal for all types of skin. For every skin tone, in 30 shades.

Benefits:

• Up to 24 Hour Fresh Power Staying
• Long-lasting foundation with the lightest, most breathable texture
• Waterproof, transfer-proof, and sweat-proof foundation
• Medium-to-full coverage foundation, natural finish

4. MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation

Cost: $36.00

M·A·C Studio Waterweight SPF 30 The foundation’s hydrating formula contains a moisture fusion complex to moisturize and quickly feed the skin. Protects with SPF 30 and is suitable for all forms of skin. It provides all-day wear and sheers to medium coverage in real stay color.

Benefits: 

• Long-lasting
• Offers instant and all-day hydration
• Provides a wide-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30
• Offers a true color
• Non-caking
• Non-striking
• For all types of skin
• Tested dermatologist

This foundation is perfectly suited to hydrated skin and has a smooth, even texture. 

5. The Ordinary Serum Foundation

Cost: £5.70

Serum Foundations are lightweight medium-covered formulations used in a wide range of shades spanning 21 shades. These foundations give a mild coverage that looks natural with a very soft serum texture.

The pigments used in this format are treated for a rich, highly-saturated effect. 

Benefits:

• 6.00-7.50 pH
• Cruelty-free & Vegan Free
• Does not contain any alcohol, gluten, nuts, oil, parabens, sulfates
• Evens the skin’s complexion and texture with uniquely dispersed pigments

The Bottom Line

The most important factor of dry skin foundation is that it should have moisturizing properties. This is a must, and under no conditions can it be ignored. Hyaluronic acid and ceramides are two of the ingredients found in skincare and cosmetics products.

A perfect moisturizing foundation improves or enhances the natural oils of the skin or has a built-in moisturizer. Moisturizing is important to dry skin, keeping the skin smooth, and providing the necessary moisture.