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Your skin can become dry for a number of reasons. We've all been there; I know I have. Whether your skin is dry due to changing seasons, pool water, air conditioning, or harsh soaps, a moisturizing foundation will help revive your glow and even your complexion for a flawless look. The top foundations for dry skin in 2024 integrate natural, nourishing formulas and anti-aging properties to ensure your skin gets the best care. Instead of causing extra dryness or a cakey look with the wrong application, keep your skin nourished, smooth, and radiant. Whether you are looking for a dark or light foundation shade for dry skin, we’ve listed our favorite medium and full-cover picks below to get you glowing.
Comparing the Best Foundation for Dry Skin of 2024 in Detail
Revlon ColorStay Foundation — Best Overall
Key Features
- Oil-free liquid foundation
- SPF 20
- Available in 24 shades for all skin tones
- Medium to full coverage
- Long-lasting day and night wear
Revlon ColorStay is a liquid foundation formulated for dry to normal skin to create a natural, flawless look void of dry or flaky patches. The foundation comes in a 1 Fl Oz (30 ml) bottle with a dispenser pump and is available in 24 shades from light and medium to deep warm tones. With buildable medium to full coverage and built-in sun protection, the liquid coverage is designed to keep your skin vibrant all day, without fading or transferring. I could see myself using this on a hot summer day when I want sun protection with a makeup that won't sweat off. Because of its SPF, oil-free properties, and 24-hour coverage, we chose this as our best overall.
Dermablend Foundation — Best for Sun Protection
Key Features
- Liquid foundation for dehydrated or normally dry skin
- Smooths skin appearance, covers redness, uneven tone, and hyperpigmentation
- Fragrance-free and allergy-tested
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Phthalate and triclosan-free
Dermablend’s smooth liquid camo foundation is designed to hydrate and protect dry skin with SPF 25. The liquid coverage comes in a 1 Fl. Oz (30 ml) squeezable tube in 15 shades, for a variety of skin tones. Start with medium cover and build up in layers to achieve a full cover as desired, maintaining a natural all-day finish. I also like that this product is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores and cause acne. Dermablend provides a handy 'Find Your Shade' chart that allows you to find your undertone and determine the best shade for your skin.
Youngblood Foundation — Best for Sensitive Skin
Key Features
- Liquid foundation for normal to dry skin
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Natural extracts to facilitate skin hydration and nourishment
- Buildable light to medium coverage in 17 shades
With seventeen shades in light, neutral, and warm tones, Youngblood liquid mineral foundation is available in a bottle with a dispenser pump for mess-free application. I particularly like that this foundation has been formulated for sensitive skin types and can be applied to any skin condition. Ideal for dehydrated skin, the liquid cover includes nourishing ingredients such as cucumber and chamomile extract, cactus flower, plantain leaf, green tea leaf, magnolia bark, willow bark, and grapefruit. Build your coverage from medium to full as desired for all-day nourishment and a healthy tinted glow.
Mary Kay Foundation — Best Collagen-Building Foundation
Key Features
- Moisturizing and collagen-building formula for younger-looking skin
- Available in 23 shades
- Humidity and transfer-resistant
- 1 Fl Oz squeezable tube
Mary Kay’s age-fighting liquid foundation comes in a squeezable tube in 23 different shades for a perfect match to any skin tone. Formulated with jojoba, the moisturizing complex is suitable for sensitive, dry, and normal skin. In addition, the foundation is infused with vitamin E as well as a blend of collagen-building peptides to promote firmer, younger, and healthy-looking skin, reducing the visibility of wrinkles, pores, and fine lines. I just love a good anti-aging product, don't you? Smooth out imperfections and stay radiant all day with its anti-transfer and humidity-resistant properties.
100% PURE Foundation — Best Anti-Aging Formula
Key Features
- Antioxidant-rich with anti-aging benefits
- Contains pomegranate and acai oils minimizing dryness and flakiness
- Full coverage liquid foundation available in 9 shades
- 1 Fl Oz bottle with dispenser pump
- Cruelty-free with emphasis on a low carbon footprint across manufacturing
100% Pure fruit pigmented foundation harnesses all the goodness of nature to promote soft, vibrant-looking skin. Neutral 2.0 is a full-coverage liquid foundation for normal to dry skin pigmented with antioxidant-rich fruits instead of synthetic dyes. What stands out most to me about this product is that its formula contains a host of nourishing natural ingredients with anti-aging benefits such as red wine resveratrol, alpha-lipoic acid, and green tea, while superfruit oils and aloe vera hydrate the skin.
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Right Foundation for Your Dry Skin
Applying the wrong foundation on dry or flaky skin can sometimes exacerbate its appearance and create a patchy look. Definitely not what you want for your job interview, date night, or business meeting, right? I know I wouldn't. There is hope, though. If you are prone to developing dry skin as the seasons change or have sensitive skin in general like me, using a foundation specifically formulated for dry skin will not only serve to create an even complexion, but it will also hydrate your skin for a smooth and supple look all day long. Here’s your ultimate guide to choosing the leading foundation for dry skin and how to apply it for the best moisturizing benefits
How to Choose a Foundation for Dry Skin
Skin type
The degree of dryness and cause thereof can influence the type of foundation that will be best for you. Generally, dry skin types require a moisturizing foundation but something that isn't oily. You also want to avoid matte-finish foundations, as these can intensify the look of flaky patches.
If you have mature skin, you may also experience some dryness, so you will benefit from anti-aging products with moisturizing properties. Many of these types of foundations include added vitamins, minerals, and collagen-boosting formulas.
For combination skin that only sometimes displays dry patches, you’ll want an oil-free but nourishing product. A medium finish that you can build is a great option, as it offers the option for full coverage on dry areas while allowing oilier patches to breathe.
Types of foundation
A powder is not something you want to use on dry skin, so stick to one of the below options when choosing a foundation for dry skin.
Liquid Foundation: Liquid foundation is a great choice for most people since it is simple to apply, easy to blend, and comes in oil-free, waterproof, and long-lasting varieties. Plus, it offers a smooth finish from light to full coverage.
Cream Foundation: Cream foundation is thicker than liquid and is intended for long-lasting full to medium coverage. It is highly pigmented so make sure you get the right shade for your skin tone. One thing to keep in mind is that this type of foundation is not the best choice for humid conditions, as crease lines may appear. If you love the creaminess of this foundation but find it too thick, you can blend it with a little moisturizer before applying it.
Mousse Foundation: Mousse or whipped foundation is a good alternative to a cream foundation since it doesn’t cause crease lines when you’ve been on the go all day. The tiny bubbles make it a light consistency and, thus, easy to even out your skin tone with matte light coverage. If you’ve only recently started using foundation, skip mousse options until you are more comfortable with what suits your skin, as it can be trickier to apply.
Coverage
Foundation can be applied as a light cover for a natural glow and to even out your skin tone. You can also opt for medium-cover foundations, which still offer a natural look but cover more imperfections and spots while allowing breathing room.
Medium coverage foundations can often be built up to full coverage or you can purchase a thicker full coverage product. This type of thick foundation will cover all spots, redness, and scars without leaving your natural complexion exposed. It essentially creates a flawless blank canvas for whatever look you wish to create.
Foundation finish
A foundation's finishing look is generally classified as dewy, satin, velvety, or matte. Although it is mostly a choice of personal preference, certain finishes do work better with specific skin types. Matte or powder foundations are best avoided if you have dry skin, as they can cling to dry areas and cause a patchy texture. Your best bet for a plump and even texture is a dewy or satin finish, as these offer a healthy natural glow.
Foundation shade
The shade of the foundation you need may change with the seasons. You may require a lighter foundation for dry skin in winter with a slightly darker tone for combination skin in summer. You can blend colors to match your tone exactly with great success. The best way to find the right shade is by applying a small amount at the center of your face and blending it outwards towards your cheek and jawline. Foundations will show up a little darker the longer it is on your face and as it interacts with the natural oils on your skin. Make sure you test the shade in good lighting and remember that you can always adjust it slightly with a bronzer, so always choose the lighter shade if you are unsure between two similar colors.
How to Apply Foundation for Dry Skin
Only apply makeup to clean skin, otherwise, dirt will get trapped, pores will clog, and breakouts will occur. Once you have exfoliated dead skin cells and washed your face or undertaken your usual cleansing routine, apply a lightweight moisturizer. It is important to hydrate your skin after cleansing and before applying foundation, especially with dry skin. Wait for 5 to 30 minutes for the moisturizer to be absorbed before starting makeup application. Apply a hydrating primer, followed by a foundation with a dewy finish, and set your makeup with a setting spray.
