Avoid cake face with these foundations made for dry skin
Discovering your perfect foundation is pretty much the makeup equivalent of finding your soulmate... minus the Hinge dates. But throw into the mix a complexion that's drier than the Sahara desert, and finding a foundation that stays dewy on dry skin can feel near impossible.
For those with an eternally thirsty complexion, foundation can often feel heavy, uncomfortable and make your skin look even more parched. But I promise, there are formulas out there to help combat this.
Top foundations for dry skin
What to look for in a foundation for dry skin
We really do expect a lot out of our foundations. First, the shade range has to be decent — I'm not messing around with limited shades and minimal undertones these days.
Next up, the formula needs to include plenty of moisturising ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, to keep the skin dewy and hydrated.
It also has to be a breeze to apply. Overzealous blending can aggravate your skin and make dry patches more noticeable, so a formula that is both blendable and buildable (harder to find than it sounds) is key.
Finally, it’s got to be long-lasting, non-drying, and never settles into fine lines or dry patches. Is a hydrating, weightless texture that can cover our blemishes and mask dryness too much to ask? Luckily not! There are tons of formulas out there to help you figure out your perfect match.
Scroll on to see the 21 best – there are lightweight skin tints, blurring creams, and even a flawless foundation for under a tenner (well, nearly).
The best foundations for dry skin...
Sheer Glow Foundation
This formula is for you if you want coverage and a semi-matte finish, but don't want to make your dry complexion even duller.
I don’t know how Nars did it but they nailed all of this with the Light Reflecting foundation. This works to minimise imperfections and blur pores whilst delivering a lit-from-within glow that doesn’t look greasy.
Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
Rare Beauty did not come to play with this foundation. 🙌 It continues to frequent my foundation rotation as it’s so breathable and pairs well with anything over and under it.
Despite it being serum-like, it really packs a punch with buildable medium coverage that lasts all day without drying out the skin or going cakey.
Glowy Super Skin Foundation
Many Saie products have my full attention, including my long-loved bottle of Super Gel, but I'll always have a place in my heart for this foundation.
The serum formula effortlessly glides on to give a gentle sheen of coverage, mastering the true-to-skin effect. There’s enough oomph to cover areas of pigmentation or redness but it’s a far cry from appearing cakey. The glow is unreal, and the skin compliments are plentiful.
Luminous Silk Foundation
It’d be hard to come across a best foundations roundup without seeing Armani Luminous Silk in the list because it’s a formula that never fails to impress.
It blurs imperfections with ease without clinging onto dry patches of skin and masks any redness without making skin look one-dimensional.
Lightform Extended Hydration Foundation
IMO, Morphe's Lightform Extended Hydration Foundation is an unsung hero. Frankly, I started using it as a temporary replacement to my L'Oreal True Match, but I'm afraid to say, Morphe has kicked L'Oreal off its pedestal!
The formula seamlessly sinks in and leaves a slightly airbrushed but natural finish. It's dewy but not overtly glowy: it simply makes you look like you have *unreal* skin.
Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin Foundation is dewier than most: it effortlessly glides across the skin and lends a glow that’s so sublime it seems illegal to obtain – unless you’re walking the red carpet or your name is Rihanna.
It evens your complexion and does a masterful job at concealing redness, yet still allows small blemishes and freckles to peep through. Plus, it claims to hydrate and plump the skin, which I’d say, ticks each box.
£39.00 at charlottetilbury.com
True Match Liquid Foundation
I have worked my way through many foundation bottles and this one has remained a firm favourite. With just a few light taps of a beauty sponge, it completely blurs my complexion and leaves a fresh finish without looking cake face-y. (Yep, dreamy).
My single bugbear is that the pump gets a little messy and leaves me with foundation fingers from holding the bottle – don’t know if that’s just me, or if the packaging needs an upgrade. But I can’t complain: it costs less than a tenner and gives a flawless, radiant and healthy-looking sheen.
Soft'Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation
Fenty Beauty paved the way for inclusivity when it launched the Pro Filt'R Foundation back in 2017, so we wouldn’t expect anything but greatness from the brand’s other foundations.
This one is exceptionally great as it’s hydrating with a non-greasy, luminous glow. Best of all? It feels oh-so comfortable on the skin.
Revitalessence Skin Glow
Shiseido’s Revitalessence Glow Foundation is simply gorgeous – seriously, I could write a love letter to this bottle. Since it landed on my desk, I have stayed devoted to its silky, ridiculously dewy and beautifully lightweight formula.
Offering the perfect amount of coverage, it will diffuse redness and areas of pigmentation, while keeping skin looking like, well, skin.
CC+ Nude Glow
I don’t know what kind of sorcery went into this formula, but all I can say is that it works. It’s light, airy and leaves the kind of coverage that looks like you’ve got 10/10 skin rather than an expensive foundation.
I’m also here for the skin-loving benefits too: it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to boost hydration.
Soft Glam Satin Foundation
Not only is e.l.f.’s Soft Glam Satin Foundation the brand’s first foundation in 7 years but it’s a total steal at only £8. If you, like us, love a breathable formula, then this foundation will be right up your street.
Pair with the brand’s TikTok viral Power Grip Primer and you’ve got a base that won’t budge, with a smooth, satiny finish.
Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation
Welcome to your special occasions foundation. That's right, it's an oldie but a goldie – and worth every penny.
Estée Lauder's Double Wear is the kind of foundation that every party-goer needs in their kit. It has a lot to live up to, promising to be sweat, heat and humidity-resistant, and I can attest that it ticks each box.
That's right, a packed dance floor and a SULA (sweaty upper lip alert) has got nothing on Double Wear. Try it and you'll be converted, trust me.
Stretch Fluid Foundation
If your skin's drier than my sense of humour, you need a bit of Stretch Fluid in your life.
Keeping to Glossier's skin-first mantra, this base is billed as 89% skincare so that it feels more like a serum rather than a foundation. It's infused with all kinds of goodies, including squalane and glycerin, to keep your skin hydrated for as long as you wear it.
As for the finish, it's the perfect balance between matte and dewy. No one will know you're wearing makeup at all.
Good Apple Full-Coverage Liquid Foundation
If you’re a full- coverage girlie (I see you), then this will deliver. This serum offers you a full-face look with a natural finish, plus it’s transfer-proof and long wearing.
The velvety, rich formula also feels super lightweight on your skin. Yes, the brand really did say ‘let’s do it all.’
Studio Fix Fluid
If you're a fan of soft matte finishes but still want something to keep your hopelessly dry skin hydrated, this is the foundation for you.
MAC reformulated its iconic Studio Fix Fluid to feature 87% skincare ingredients, providing a lighter feel with more hydration. Officially, it's a foundation I'd never be without.
Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation
I saw Pat McGrath using the Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation, so I bought the Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation – and thank goodness I did as it’s sensational!
The serum-like texture applies seamlessly to the skin for a weightless feel. The formula doesn’t settle into dry spots and looks just as good as when first applied (even if it’s been more than 8 hours).
It leaves the skin with a hard-to-miss dewy glow that’s sure to get you a compliment or two.
True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum
This budget-friendly bottle gives a stunning, iridescent pearly finish to the skin, evening out tone with natural-looking coverage.
So if it’s a fresh – but not full coverage – finish you’re after, then look no further, because this is the foundation to fake Hailey Bieber-esque glazed doughnut skin.
Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
So I'm cheating here a bit. Hourglass' Veil Hydrating Skin Tint isn't technically a foundation, but it's just too good to leave out of this edit. The silky formula blends seamlessly into the skin, providing a radiant finish without any cakey-ness.
It's my fave base to see me through the summer – and I know you'll love it too if you're keen on hydrated and glowing skin.
Seamless Skin Foundation
The formula of this Lisa Eldridge foundation is so naturally dewy-looking and long-lasting that a little really goes a long way (seriously, we mean it). It’s honestly one of our all-time favourites as the formula adapts beautifully to all skin types and concerns.
If you’re into lightweight formulas then this is the one for you. Plus, it’ll last you around the clock.
Skin Silk Luminous Serum Foundation
Let Revolution teach you a lesson in 'just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's less effective.' This formula truly deserves a place in your everyday makeup bag. It promises zero cakey-ness and zero excess shine but, still, with ample glow.
How to apply foundation with dry skin?
It's also crucial to make sure you’ve prepped your base correctly. To prevent flakiness during the day, couple a hydrating foundation with a moisture-packed skincare base and you'll never feel cakey again. After you've given your skin a thorough cleanse, go in with a hydrating moisturiser, primer and SPF to quell any dry zones before you apply your foundation.
While it's always a good idea to have a few blushes in your arsenal, a damp beauty sponge will come in handy if you have dry skin. The moisture will help melt the formula seamlessly into your skin and can prevent the foundation from clinging onto rough areas.
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