Best Foundations for Dry Skin | LOOKFANTASTIC Blog

Last Updated 12/01/2024

Looking for formulas that won’t flake? If you have dry, dehydrated skin, finding a foundation that won't accentuate those dry patches and fine lines can be difficult. To help support you in your quest to find the best hydrating formulas, we are delving into some of our top foundations for dry skin that will work with your skincare to help replenish moisture levels whilst offering flawless coverage for a smooth, radiant base!

What Foundation Format Should You Choose if you Have Dry Skin?

The best formats to opt for are liquid and cream foundations in sheer or satin finishes, particularly those with a light coverage. Look out for formulations that are oil based, as these will leave your skin looking dewy while covering flaky areas. Alternatively, if you have dry skin prone to breakouts, then serum or water-based formulations are better suited.

Top Tip: Applying a face primer before you put on your foundation as this will not only hydrate your skin, but create a smooth base for flawless application.

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Our Picks of the Best Foundations for Dry Skin

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Which Hydrating Foundations are Best for Dry Skin

To help you get the perfect glowy finish, we've rounded up 10 of our favourite hydrating foundations for dry skin, from light to full coverage that won't cake, crease or flake.

1. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 30ml (Various Shades)

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RRP: ~~£46.00~~Current price: £34.50

A cult favourite for it's radiance-boosting benefits, the Gorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation helps to add a natural luminosity to the skin whilst covering with a sheer and even veil of pigment. The award-winning foundation is infused with gylcerin, a humectant that helps to retain moisture levels in the skin, providing all day hydration whilst adding a flawless glow.

Finish: Satin Finish
Coverage: Medium, Buildable
Why we love it: Adds radiance and offers buildable coverage
Read what our customers say here

2. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF50 32ml (Various Shades)

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RRP: ~~£36.50~~Current price: £27.40

Ideal for mastering the ‘no makeup-makeup look’, the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream is designed to hydrate the skin whilst promoting a flawless, airbrushed finish. Although labelled as a ‘CC’ cream, this base perfector is a real multitasker, acting as both a full-coverage foundation and corrective concealer – perfect for when you’re in a rush! Enriched with hydrolysed collagen, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides and vitamins, the formula works to improve the look of fine lines, pores, dark circles and uneven skin tone whilst supporting a radiant glow.

Formulation: Liquid-based
Coverage: Full Coverage
Why we love it: An all-in-one product, enriched with skin-loving ingredients.
Read what our customers say here

3. The Ordinary Serum Foundation with SPF 15 by The Ordinary Colours 30ml (Various Shades)

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Raved about by beauty bloggers and editors, The Ordinary's Serum Foundation might be one of the cheapest on the market, but it packs a punch when it comes to quality. Both vegan-friendly and crulety-free, the formula has a medium coverage, which can be built-up without ever looking cakey or heavy on the skin. It has a lightweight and natural satin finish, but certain shades also have an additional S or G next to them which indicates they have metallic particles in them for a luminous and radiant finish. This foundation has a seriously fluid texture so we recommend applying with a flat foundation brush as it won't soak up as much of the product as a normal buffing brush. Work quickly into the skin to avoid streaking.

Formulation: Serum-based
Coverage: Medium, Buildable
Why we love it: Affordable and effective
Read what our customers have to say here

4. L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation with SPF and Hyaluronic Acid 30ml (Various Shades)

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RRP: ~~£10.99~~Current price: £8.79

Formulated with hyaluronic acid, an ultra-hydrating ingredient that holds up to 1000x its weight in water, the L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation with SPF and Hyaluronic Acid is perfect for both dry and sensitive skin types. The lightweight foundation blends into the natural skin tone effortlessly, moisturising and guarding against any creasing or caking. Enriched with glycerin, aloe vera, B2, B5 and SPF17, the powerhouse blend of hydrators and antioxidants keeps the skin supported and nourished, promoting overall health and a natural glow.

Formulation: Liquid-based
Coverage: Buildable
Why we love it: Feels comfortable and lightweight on the skin
Read what our customers say here

5. Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturising Foundation Makeup SPF45 (Various Shades)

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£42.00

Free from any drying alcohol or mineral oil, the Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Makeup SPF45 is a dermatologist-approved foundation designed specifically for dry skin in need of a moisture boost. The breathable foundation contains an ion-charged water complex and soothing probiotics that help to maintain healthy moisture levels and keep the skin balanced for comfortable wear all day. Buildable and non-comedogenic, the foundation adds a luminosity to the skin, helping to even out the tone and texture.

Formulation: Liquid-based
Coverage: Medium to Full Coverage
Why we love it: Won't clog pores, minimising breakouts
Read what our customers say here

6. Shiseido Revitalessence Glow Foundation 30ml (Various Shades)

RRP: ~~£49.00~~Current price: £39.20

The newest foundation launch from beauty powerhouse Shiseido, Revitalessence Glow Foundation is designed to offer even the driest of skin a luminous glow, with its skin tint and serum-inspired formula. Lending a ‘glass-skin’ effect, the lightweight formula blurs the lines between makeup and skincare through combining fermented kefir with niacinamide to nourish the skin barrier and create a must-have dewy glow.

Formulation: Liquid-based
Coverage: Buildable Coverage
Why we love it: Creates the ‘glass-skin’ effect & perfect for dry skin types
Read what our customers say here

7. MAC Studio Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation 50ml - Various Shades

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£35.00

With an incredible range of shades, and both oil and fragrance-free, this is one of the most versatile foundations for dry skin we have tried. Boasting a wide range of shades, this oil-free and fragrance-free foundation is one of the most versatile formulas for your skin. The lightweight foundation delivers sheer to medium coverage which can be built-up to your preferred coverage. Ideal if you are looking for comfort, as the barely-there formula contains a special blend of emollients designed to blend seamlessly into the skin and instantly hydrate.

Formulation: Liquid-based
Coverage: Sheer, Buildable Coverage
Why we love it:Lightweight and versatile formula
Read what our customers say here

8. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF30/PA+++

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RRP: ~~£38.00~~Current price: £30.40

The NARS Cosmetics Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF30/PA+++ is a true cocktail of vitamins and antioxidants, blended with botanicals, kopara and mineral-rich seawater to revive, soften and brighten the complexion. Helping to correct the skin's tone whilst boosting moisture levels, the oil-free formula is a lightweight veil of coverage that also protects against sun damage.

Formulation: Oil Free
Coverage: Buildable Coverage
Why we love it: Reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots
Read what our customers say here

9. Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator 35ml (Various Shades)

RRP: ~~£32.00~~Current price: £22.40

Suitable for vegans, the Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator helps to quench dry, dehydrated skin whilst adding a dewy, even finish. Staying in place for 24 hours, the blend of kombucha filtrate and marula oil help to nourish the skin, keeping it naturally healthy-looking and adding a boost of medium coverage, minimising the look of pores and blemishes.

Formulation: Vegan, Liquid
Coverage: Buildable, Medium Coverage
Why we love it: It offers long-lasting coverage and hydration
Read what our customers say here

10. Rimmel Kind and Free Skin Tint Moisturising Foundation 30ml (Various Shades)

RRP: ~~£9.99~~Current price: £7.49

Fragrance-free, the Rimmel Kind and Free Skin Tint Foundation creates a smooth, flawless finish, blurring the look of imperfections. A buildable blend of vitamins E, B5 and aloe vera, the foundation is intensely moisturising for the skin, resulting in a dewy, hydrated-looking finish. Formulated with 77% natural ingredients, the foundation is suitable for sensitive skin types and vegans.

Formulation: Vegan, Liquid
Coverage: Sheer, Buildable Coverage
Why we love it: Fragrance-free so doesn't irritate sensitive skin
Read what our customers say here

Tara Stevenson-Smith Writer and expert

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been interested in all things beauty as I used to watch my mum do her makeup and hair all the time and then I would try and use her products! I now love finding the best beauty buys out there and then recommending them to my friends and family to find out there experience with using them. To me the beauty industry has no limits, you can use different products or even just one product to create a variety of looks and through using different tools it can be made into an experience tailored to you. For me, perfecting my base is my fave thing to do and play around with, as I like it to last me all day whilst still looking flawless! So a handful of high quality products that I can rely on to achieve my natural yet airbrushed effect daily look is an essential as it gives me the confidence to be bold. As I am always trying and testing out new foundations, concealers, powders, primers and setting sprays I feel like I have a handle on the best makeup products out there. I am an advocate in using products that make you feel FANTASTIC as well as LOOKING FANTASTIC! I am currently loving the NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in the shade 'Orgasm' as it adds the perfect sheen of colour onto my lips whilst also moisturising them!

The Best Foundations for Dry Skin That Leave You Glowing

Last Updated 12/01/2024

What Foundation Format Should You Choose if you Have Dry Skin?

How To Prevent Dry Skin On Your Face

Our Picks of the Best Foundations for Dry Skin

10 of the Best Concealers for Dry Skin

Which Hydrating Foundations are Best for Dry Skin

1. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 30ml (Various Shades)

2. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF50 32ml (Various Shades)

3. The Ordinary Serum Foundation with SPF 15 by The Ordinary Colours 30ml (Various Shades)

4. L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation with SPF and Hyaluronic Acid 30ml (Various Shades)

5. Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturising Foundation Makeup SPF45 (Various Shades)

6. Shiseido Revitalessence Glow Foundation 30ml (Various Shades)

7. MAC Studio Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation 50ml - Various Shades

8. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF30/PA+++

9. Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator 35ml (Various Shades)

10. Rimmel Kind and Free Skin Tint Moisturising Foundation 30ml (Various Shades)

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