Striking a balance between coverage and comfort without exacerbating the appearance of dry and flaky patches is one of the many challenges you’re probably familiar with if your skin leans towards dryness.
You can also probably guess that what your skin needs is a foundation that both conceals imperfections and evens out your complexion while also being nourished by gentle and non-drying ingredients.
But to save you from experimenting with various products before finding the one, I have compiled a list of 15 moisturizing foundations for dry skin that will blur imperfections and make your complexion look even, refined, and luminous instead of flat, dull, and flaky.
I’ve also categorized the products based on specific skin concerns that may accompany your dry skin to ensure you find the perfect foundation for your unique skin needs.
Milani – Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer
Best full coverage foundation for dry skin.
If you are on the hunt for a full-coverage foundation for dry skin that won’t settle into dry patches and exacerbate the appearance of imperfections, the Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer is an excellent option to consider.
Formulated as a 2-in-1 foundation and concealer, the product has a long-wearing formula that stays put throughout the day without caking or creasing, making it perfect for outdoor activities in warm weather or a night of partying where you want your makeup to stay put without constant touch-ups.
Maybelline – Instant Age Rewind Perfector 4-In-1 Glow Makeup
Best luminous foundation for dry skin.
If you are looking for a foundation that will give your complexion that extra luminosity while hydrating your skin and keeping it nourished, the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Perfector 4-In-1 Glow Makeup is the way to go.
This foundation is enriched with antioxidants and hydrating components such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid that help hydrate and brighten dull, dry skin while also providing natural-looking coverage with a radiant finish.
Fantastic for anyone dealing with dry, dull and flat skin, this foundation will leave you with a healthy, youthful glow that lasts all day.
L’Oréal – True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
Best foundation while on Accutane.
If you are currently undergoing Accutane treatment and are experiencing dry, flaky skin and irritated skin, the L’Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum is an excellent foundation option that will help even out your skin tone without irritating your skin and causing further discomfort.
This tinted serum is loaded with 1% hyaluronic acid and glycerin as well as vitamin E to help hydrate and nourish dry, sensitive skin while providing natural-looking coverage that won’t cling to or emphasize any flaky patches caused by the intense acne medication.
Bourjois – Healthy Mix Foundation
Best foundation for dry sensitive acne prone skin.
The Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation is a fantastic foundation for anyone dealing with dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin.
Formulated with a blend of vitamins and fruit extracts as well as hydrating glycerin and hyaluronic acid, this foundation helps soothe and nourish dry, irritated skin while also providing medium to full coverage.
The lightweight formula is also non-comedogenic and doesn’t clog pores or cause breakouts, making it suitable for those with acne-prone skin.
So, if you are looking for a foundation that will provide coverage and nourishment and won’t irritate your sensitive skin or cause acne down the line, the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation is definitely one to try.
Urban Decay – Hydromaniac Tinted Moisturizer
Best long-lasting foundation for dry skin.
The Urban Decay Hydromaniac Tinted Moisturizer is a product with a surprisingly buildable coverage that reminds more of foundation than a tinted moisturizer.
The formula contains nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and coconut water that provide intense hydration to dry skin while also delivering a glowy, radiant finish that lasts up to 24 hours.
Additionally, it is also vegan and cruelty-free, making it suitable for those who prefer clean beauty options without sacrificing quality.
ILIA – Super Serum SPF 40 Skincare Foundation
Best serum foundation for dry skin.
Made with natural, skin-loving ingredients, the ILIA Super Serum SPF 40 Skincare Foundation provides a light to medium coverage and blends seamlessly into the skin for a natural finish and long wear.
Boosted with brightening niacinamide, skin-softening squalane, soothing aloe, as well as zinc-based SPF 40 to safeguard from harmful UV rays, this serum foundation is perfect for those with dry skin looking for an everyday complexion perfector with skincare benefits.
NARS – Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
Best NARS foundation for dry skin.
With a buttery formula that glides seamlessly on the skin and blends into a natural, velvety finish, the NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation is perfect for dry skin in desperate need of nourishment.
The buildable coverage allows you to customize your look, making this foundation suitable for any occasion, no matter the time of day.
The additional nourishment and hydration provided by the advanced skincare formula features various antioxidants and skin-softening ingredients to help refine skin texture and get rid of dry patches that can disrupt your makeup application.
Finally, the NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation also contains light-reflecting pigments that provide a radiant, illuminated finish without making your skin look greasy or emphasizing fine lines and other imperfections.
NARS – Sheer Glow Foundation
Best sheer foundation for dry skin.
The NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is another fantastic NARS foundation for dry skin that enhances radiance and provides a light to medium coverage to even out the skin tone and give your complexion a natural but better look.
Enhanced with several skin-brightening antioxidants, including turmeric root extract as well as vitamins C and E, this foundation nourishes and hydrates the skin while also helping improve skin texture and reduce dryness.
Moreover, the non-comedogenic formula of the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin, making it a versatile option for those looking for a sheer coverage foundation with skincare benefits.
Kosas – Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
Best foundation for dry textured skin.
The Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation is a fantastic option for anyone dealing with dry and textured skin, such as enlarged pores, flaking, and rough patches.
Enriched with hydrating glycerin, plumping hyaluronic acid, skin-softening squalane, and texture-refining niacinamide, this foundation not only provides buildable coverage but improves the overall skin condition over time.
The lightweight and buildable formula blends seamlessly into the skin and creates a natural, radiant finish without emphasizing any dry patches or settling into fine lines.
Lastly, the foundation also contains SPF 25 provided by zinc oxide, making it a multi-tasking product perfect for everyday wear and suitable for dry and sensitive skin.
Glossier – Stretch Fluid Foundation
Best foundation for dry sensitive skin.
The Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation is a buttery, liquid foundation with light to medium coverage designed to protect dry and sensitive skin from environmental aggressors and external irritants.
Packed with antioxidants, including vitamin E and ectoin, an extremolyte or a stress-protection molecule that safeguards the skin from environmental aggressors, this foundation helps strengthen dry and sensitive skin and suppress inflammatory reactions.
Moreover, the buttery formula also contains hydrating glycerin and skin-softening squalane to smooth out the complexion, refining rough, dry patches in the process and leaving a beautifully radiant glow behind.
Estée Lauder – Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation SPF 45
Best foundation for very dry mature skin.
The Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation provides medium-to-full coverage with a creamy formula that glides on the skin like butter and smooths out fine lines and wrinkles while setting on the skin’s surface.
Enriched with soothing cucumber extract, brightening amino acids, and skin-firming caffeine, this foundation not only hides signs of aging but also improves the overall appearance of dry, mature skin while providing broad-spectrum SPF 45 protection for a more youthful-looking complexion.
Fenty Beauty – Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation
Best moisturizing foundation for dry skin.
If you’re looking for a moisturizing foundation for dry skin but also want a product that provides medium to full coverage, the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation is an excellent option.
Formulated with grape seed oil as well as glycerin and hyaluronic acid to soften and plump the skin, this foundation not only provides hydration but also improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Moreover, its long-wear formula ensures your makeup stays in place all day without clinging to dry patches or settling into existing fine lines.
Kosas – Tinted Face Oil
Best foundation for extremely dry skin.
The Kosas Tinted Face Oil is the best foundation for dry skin in winter or extremely irritated and parched skin, as it is formulated with nourishing plant oils that provide deep hydration while softening and improving the overall texture.
The lightweight and breathable formula also offers light to medium coverage, leaving a natural-looking radiant finish without emphasizing dry patches or fine lines.
Moreover, the use of clean ingredients and lack of potential irritants make this lightweight foundation safe for sensitive skin types.
Westman Atelier – Vital Skincare Dewy Foundation Drops
Best light coverage foundation for dry skin.
The Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Drops is a cult favorite among those with dry skin due to its nourishing, hydrating, and lightweight formula.
Infused with soothing plant-based ingredients like squalane, avocado oil, and antioxidant bisabolol, this foundation provides weightless coverage that evens out the complexion while also improving the overall skin health.
Moreover, the buildable formula can be tailored to your desired coverage level, making it suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions.
So, if you’re someone with dry skin who loves a natural, dewy finish, this foundation is definitely worth trying out.
Estée Lauder – Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Makeup SPF 19
Best high end foundation for dry skin.
If you are looking for a good high end foundation for dry skin, the Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Makeup SPF 19 is worth considering.
Not only does it provide buildable coverage with a natural, dewy finish, but it’s also packed with hydrating and antioxidant ingredients such as fruit extracts to keep the skin moisturized and plump throughout the day.
Additionally, the long-wear yet lightweight formula contains SPF 19 to provide extra UV protection while lasting through busy days without settling into dry patches or emphasizing fine lines and wrinkles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dry Skin?
Dry skin is a skin type characteristic of the lack of sebum and characterized by symptoms of flaking, itching, cracking, and exacerbated skin texture.
Dry skin can occur for a variety of reasons with the most common one being genetics. This is a skin type that’s typically present since birth, and you have probably inherited it from your parents.
What Causes Dry Skin?
Dry skin can be caused by several factors other than genetics, including:
- Cold Weather: Skin tends to be driest in winter when temperatures and humidity levels drop. But the season may not always matter as excessive sun exposure can also dehydrate and dry out your skin, leaving it tight and uncomfortable.
- Heat: Central heating, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, air conditioning, and space heaters reduce the humidity in the air and exacerbate skin dryness. When exposed to prolonged and excessive heat, the skin can’t draw moisture from the atmosphere and starts to feel tight and uncomfortable.
- Cosmetics: Cosmetic products containing harsh and stripping ingredients such as drying alcohol and irritating fragrances can dry out the skin and compromise its barrier. This will exacerbate moisture loss and lead to symptoms such as flaking, redness, and irritation.
- Skin Conditions: Inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis are prone to constant inflammatory reactions and dry skin.
How to Treat Dry Skin?
Here are some useful tips to get rid of dry skin:
- Hydrate your body: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
- Use a gentle cleanser: Avoid harsh soaps that can strip your skin of its natural oils. Opt for a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser that is suitable for dry skin.
- Moisturize regularly: Apply a moisturizer immediately after washing your face or taking a shower. This helps lock in moisture. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides which are known for their hydrating properties.
- Use a humidifier: Dry air can worsen dry skin. A humidifier can help maintain moisture levels in your home, especially during the winter months when indoor air tends to be dry.
- Avoid hot showers: Hot water can strip your skin of natural oils leading to dryness. Instead, use lukewarm water when bathing.
- Exfoliate carefully: While exfoliating can help remove dead skin cells, doing it too often or using harsh scrubs can irritate and dry out your skin. Stick to gentle exfoliation once or twice a week.
- Protect your skin: When going outside, protect your skin from the sun and wind by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen and dressing appropriately.
- Eat a balanced diet: Foods rich in omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, like fish or flaxseed, can help keep your skin healthy and moisturized.
My name is Simone and I am a certified skin specialist. I created this website to teach my readers how to take great care of their skin and I also like to occasionally share my honest opinions on skincare products I’ve tried. You can learn more about me here.
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