The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Foundation for Dry Skin

The Struggles of Finding the Right Foundation for Dry Skin

Foundation, when not applied properly, can highlight uneven skin texture, emphasize fine lines and pores, and look cakey. Dry skin types know this all too well—plus experience patchiness and flakiness that comes along with their skin type. “As soon as the foundation is applied, any existing dryness tends to become more visible, which can create an uneven or cakey appearance,” says seasoned makeup artist and beauty educator Erica Taylor.

Celebrity makeup artist Armando Kole notes that there are additional concerns dry skin types should keep in mind. “Although flakiness and patchiness are some of the biggest concerns for makeup on dry skin, the biggest issue, in my opinion, is the makeup starting to look too ‘cakey’ and appearing too thick and textured,” he says. “This outcome normally occurs when the makeup wearer is using products that are too matte for their skin or not hydrating enough before application.”

This leads us into the importance of proper skincare prep before foundation application. Both experts stress how critical this is to achieve a natural-looking, long-lasting finish. “It’s important to create a cushion of hydration to help prevent foundation from settling into texture or emphasizing dry areas. A well-prepped base makes a noticeable difference in how makeup wears throughout the day,” shares Taylor.

So what should your skincare routine look like if you have dry skin? Kole breaks it down. “If you have any dry patches, I recommend using a soft exfoliating pad first to smooth out any dead skin. Moving from that, I like to keep the skin prep routine very hydrating but also simple to avoid too many steps, and also avoid the skin prep from pilling. After exfoliation, I always apply a plumping and smoothing serum, a rich emollient cream, an eye cream, and lastly a lip oil,” he says of his routine. Taylor seconds this, sharing that, “at a minimum, [you should use] a barrier-supporting serum that includes ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramides.” We like BYROE Oat Yogurt Moisture Barrier Cream in our pre-makeup skincare routine.

What Dry Skin Types Should Look for in a Foundation

If you thought all hope was lost when it comes to finding the best foundation for dry skin, it’s definitely not. You just need to be a bit more selective when it comes to scoping out the right foundation for your skin type. Taylor says to “look for formulas that offer hydration, radiance, and a luminous finish.” Both makeup artists stress finding a foundation with skincare ingredients in it to help with a glowy, dewy finish. These ingredients include hyaluronic acid, squalene, glycerin, peptides, ceramides, and lipids, because they “support a healthy moisture barrier,” says Taylor. Who continues, “Peptides contribute to skin firmness and elasticity. Squalane assists in reinforcing the barrier and allows the foundation to glide on smoothly. Ceramides and lipids are essential for maintaining moisture and keeping the skin plump, while also helping to retain the skin’s natural protective barrier. Hyaluronic acid acts as a powerful moisture binder—capable of holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water—making it a must-have for sustained hydration.”

There are also ingredients that dry skin types should avoid. Taylor says to avoid products that are oil-free because dry skin “needs natural oils to maintain balance and hydration, and stripping those away can lead to more dryness.” So this means matte foundations likely aren’t going to be your go-to product formula. Instead, you want something hydrating, flexible, and blendable. This often comes in the form of cream and liquid foundations. Taylor says to steer clear of powder foundations, “as they tend to dry out the skin further and emphasize texture and fine lines.” This is why Kole doesn’t recommend full-coverage foundations for dry skin, saying, “Coverage-wise, I like to lean towards a foundation with more of a 'buildable coverage' rather than a full coverage, as most full coverage foundations on dry skin can create a very thick appearance.” Minimal to medium coverage is ideal for dry skin, so it doesn’t emphasize flakes or other uneven skin texture. And while matte foundation may be out of the question, a matte finish isn’t. Kole explains, “You can still achieve an overall matte finish within the rest of your routine by applying a ‘skin-like’ or ‘natural’ finish foundation, and setting your T-zone and glowier areas with a soft powder.” Which brings us to the application process.

Application Tips for a Natural Finish

Again, makeup application for dry skin starts with skincare. “You can’t skip this step and expect your makeup to deliver a truly natural, flawless finish,” says Taylor. “Proper prep lays the foundation, quite literally, for how your makeup will wear and look throughout the day.” Start with the DR. BOTANICALS Coffee Superfood Renewing Facial Exfoliator to gently buff away dead skin and flaky bits of skin, while also hydrating and calming your complexion. Next, apply the MZ SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum to reinforce your skin’s barrier and reduce inflammation. Then finish your routine off with BYROE Kale Hydrating Gel Moisturizer for a seamless application. The BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream SPF 30 is also a great option if you want something with sunscreen in it, too.

Before you apply your foundation and after your skincare comes primer. Once again, you want to focus on primers that have hydrating properties. We’re fans of the ACE BEAUTÉ Hydrating Face Primer because it hydrates dry skin and also mattifies grease on oily or combination skin. The WHATS UP BEAUTY Posytivity Lightweight Hydrating Face Primer is another great option because it leaves skin quenched and delivers a tacky finish that helps makeup stay put— meaning no more foundation or concealer creasing.

When it comes to applying the foundation, our experts have a few tips and tricks. Kole says to start with a half pump of foundation at a time and work in layers. “I like to apply the foundation first on the back of my hand, and work it into my brush evenly before applying. Repeat these steps until you reach your desired coverage, and I guarantee you'll have the most flawless and skin-like base.” Taylor is a fan of using a damp makeup sponge, saying, “It helps to achieve the most natural finish by blending foundation seamlessly into the skin without emphasizing texture.”

Our Top Foundations Picks for Dry Skin

1. YENSA BEAUTY Super Serum Silk Natural Glow Hydrating Peptide Foundation

This serum foundation features skin-loving peptides and an age-defying complex of vitamin E, C, ferulic, and bakuchiol oil to help brighten, firm, and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, while also providing full, flawless coverage. One Ipster with dry, mature skin raves, “This foundation is different from others. I feel at my best with it.” It’s like your skin but better with this foundation.

2. IT COSMETICS CC+ Cream with SPF 50+

Courtesy of IT COSMETICS

Taylor is a huge fan of this full-coverage formula for its skincare benefits. It features hyaluronic acid, collagen, and peptides to moisturize, plump lines and wrinkles, and minimize the appearance of pores. The CC cream is also great for those with acne-prone or oily skin, with one Ipster sharing, “It doesn't dry my face and doesn't get oily throughout the day. It's got great coverage for pores and uneven coloring of the skin.”

3. HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation

Courtesy of HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA

Kole is a supporter of the HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA foundation for all skin types, though he especially loves it for dry skin types. “This foundation is a skincare-based formula that has many ingredients meant to hydrate and nourish the skin. I've also had many clients in the past who have had dry skin due to rosacea. What's amazing about this foundation is that it has fermented arnica in it, which can directly soothe rosacea and also just common redness.” Kole also loves the blurring properties of this foundation, so you don’t have to worry about it accentuating any lines, wrinkles, or uneven texture with its weightless formula.

4. TARTE™ Maracuja Tinted Hydrator

Courtesy of TARTE™

Formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and smoothing maracuja oil, this tinted moisturizer provides 12 hours of dewy, light coverage for everyday wear. Our Ipsters swear by this product for days when they don’t want to wear a full face of makeup but want some light to medium coverage.

5. PATRICK TA BEAUTY Major Skin Crème Foundation & Finishing Powder Duo

Another recommendation from Taylor, this duo is the dream team for dry skin. The cream foundation melts into the skin to offer medium coverage, while the silky setting powder locks the cream into place and helps blur the look of pores for a smooth, flawless finish. Ipsters love that the foundation and powder combination sits nicely on the skin without becoming cakey. Plus, you get two products in one—what more could you want?

6. HOURGLASS COSMETICS Ambient Soft Glow Foundation

Featuring light-reflecting pigments, this weightless foundation offers 16 hours of wear and delivers a lit-from-within glow that looks oh-so-natural. Start with a pea-sized amount and build up from there until you achieve your desired coverage. Though less really is more with this product, which is why our Ipsters love it so much.

7. LYS BEAUTY Triple Fix Skin Tint Blurring Foundation Stick

A best-seller for a reason, this skin tint stick offers three benefits: skincare, primer, and foundation. You’ll receive a natural, skin-like finish thanks to green tea extract that soothes, watermelon seed extract that hydrates, and rosehip oil that brightens. While it works for all skin types, many rave about its benefits for dry and sensitive skin types, including our Ipsters. There’s an extensive shade range that will suit almost any skin tone and undertone. 

8. CHARLOTTE TILBURY Beautiful Skin Foundation

If you’re hoping for something that offers medium coverage while still feeling like your skin, this is the foundation for you. CHARLOTTE TILBURY has cracked the code with this skincare-infused foundation, which features ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, rose complex for brightening, and Bix-Activ for shine and pore size reduction. The reviews appreciate how gentle this formula is on their skin.

9. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Courtesy of NARS

For a natural-looking finish that hydrates and evens your skin tone, try the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. Available in 40 shades, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the right shade for your skin tone. It’s best to use this product in the evening when you want a little more coverage but also don’t want to skip on skincare.

10. ARMANI BEAUTY Luminous Silk Glow Foundation

Courtesy of ARMANI BEAUTY

Favored by dermatologists for dry skin types, this pick mimics the look of your skin while delivering powerful hydration for 24-hour wear. We’re talking melting into the skin, blurring, and smoothing texture to leave you with a natural, glowy finish. We think it’s well worth the investment.

11. HUDA BEAUTY GloWish Multidew Vegan Skin Tint Foundation

Made with squalane, Damascus rose oil, and red bell pepper extract, this skin tint helps instantly brighten your complexion and blur pores for a soft-focus, dewy finish. One Ipster raves about the skincare ingredients it contains. “It does have some great ingredients for skin, like glycerin and squalane, rose oil and rose water, and hydroxyacetophenone, which is a great antioxidant.” Your skin is in good hands with this foundation on it.

Final Tips: Your Foundation Should Be Your Dry Skin’s BFF

Finding the right foundation for dry skin may feel like a chore, but as long as you’re looking for something that’s hydrating with skincare ingredients, you should be good. Using anything that’s too heavy or matte will exacerbate your dry skin, especially if it’s already irritated. Follow the expert advice and choose from our list of foundations for dry skin. Better yet, don’t forget to explore IPSY’s curated foundation options to make the selection process that much easier. Your perfect formula is eagerly waiting for you to add it to your cart.