Consensus Among Makeup Artists and Dermatologists Top Foundations for Dry Skin
When it comes to makeup, the foundation is everything, especially if you have dry skin. Dry skin can be prone to flakiness, dry patches, and dullness, making it a challenge to find a foundation that doesn’t dehydrate your skin or cause creasing.
To help you find the best foundation for your dry skin, we’ve consulted with celebrity makeup artist Nikki La Rose and dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, MD. Below, they share their top recommendations for foundations that will give your dry skin a radiant, flake-free finish.
Best Foundations for Dry Skin, at a Glance:
- Best overall: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $69
- Best budget: L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation, $12
- Best splurge: Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Soft Radiance Foundation SPF 50, $150
- Best for full coverage: Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow, $58
- Best for light coverage: MAC Studio Radiance Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation, $42
- Best for medium coverage: NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation, $50
- Best tinted SPF: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, $48
- Best for acne-prone skin: IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum, $44
- Best for sensitive skin: Tower 28 Sunny Days Tinted Sunscreen Foundation SPF 30, $32
- Best for redness: IT Cosmetics Cream Illumination Full Coverage Foundation, $44
- Most hydrating: Dior Forever Skin Glow, $55
- Most sustainable: Kjaer Weis Invisible Touch Liquid Foundation, $48
What to Look for in a Foundation for Dry Skin
According to Dr. Ciraldo, it’s important to look for foundations that contain moisturizing ingredients such as ceramides, fatty lipids, aloe, shea butter, and botanical oils. These ingredients help to retain moisture in your skin, preventing it from drying out.
Both Dr. Ciraldo and La Rose recommend choosing liquid foundation formulas over powder formulas for dry skin, as they provide better hydration. La Rose also advises avoiding foundations that claim to have “24-hour wear” or a “matte” finish, as these are not ideal for dry skin. Instead, look for foundations that have keywords like “glowy”, “luminous”, and “dewy” in their titles.
The 11 Best Foundations for Dry Skin, According to Experts
Shades: 40
If you’re looking for the best foundation for dry skin, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is highly recommended by La Rose. It provides medium to buildable coverage and gives dry skin a healthy, glowing finish. With 40 different shades available, you can find the perfect match for your skin tone.
Sizes: 0.6 oz. and 1 oz.
Pros:
- Lightweight and hydrating
- Oil-free and suitable for all skin types
- Long-lasting
- Luminous finish
- 40 different shades
Cons:
- Pricey
- No skin-care benefits
- No SPF
2. Best budget L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation – $12.00
Shades: 30
The L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation is an affordable option that is highly recommended by Dr. Ciraldo. It provides coverage and gives the skin a youthful glow. It also contains skin-care ingredients like vitamin B3 and SPF 50 for extra hydration and sun protection.
Sizes: 1 fl. oz.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Lightweight and hydrating
- SPF 50
- 30 different shades
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons:
- Not as long-lasting as other formulas
Shades: 40
If you’re willing to splurge on a foundation, Dr. Ciraldo recommends the Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Soft Radiance Foundation. It provides medium to full coverage and is packed with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and botanical oils.
Sizes: 1 fl. oz.
Pros:
- Super hydrating
- Long-lasting
- SPF 50
- Infused with botanical oils
- Luminous, radiant finish
Cons:
- Expensive
- Might be too hydrating for oily skin types
4. Best for full coverage: Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow – $58.00
Shades: 32
If you’re looking for a full coverage foundation that won’t emphasize dryness, La Rose suggests Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow. It provides a soft blurred effect over lines, blemishes, and pores while feeling weightless on the skin.
Sizes: 1 fl. oz.
Pros:
- Lightweight and non-comedogenic
- Radiant blurred finish
- Sweat-, humidity-, and transfer-resistant
- Diverse shade range
- Infused with antioxidants to nourish the skin
Cons:
- Pricey
- No SPF
Shades: 30
If you prefer a lighter, more natural-looking coverage, La Rose recommends MAC Cosmetics Studio Radiance Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation. It’s a super lightweight, water-based foundation that feels like a drink of water on the skin. It’s long-wearing and waterproof, perfect for those with dry skin.
Sizes: 1.7 fl. oz.
Pros:
- Lightweight and buildable
- Sheer, natural-looking finish
- Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested
- Waterproof
- 32 different shades
- Oil-free
Cons:
- Pricey
- Sheer coverage may not be suitable for those wanting more coverage
- No skin-care benefits
- No SPF
Shades: 36
If you prefer a medium-coverage foundation, La Rose recommends NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation. It provides breathable coverage and strengthens the skin’s barrier to lock in moisture. With 36 shades available, you’re sure to find the perfect match for your skin tone.
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Pros:
- Weightless and buildable
- Hydrating
- Infused with skin-care ingredients
- Light-reflecting for a luminous finish
- Suitable for all skin types and non-comedogenic
- 36 different shades
Cons:
- Pricey
- Not as long-lasting as other formulas
- No SPF
Shades: 26
If you’re looking for a multi-tasking product, try Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint. It works as a sunscreen (SPF 40!), foundation, and hydrating serum that provides the moisture dry skin needs. It contains ingredients like shea butter, lipids, and hyaluronic acid for deep hydration.
Sizes: 1 fl. oz.
Pros:
- Lightweight and buildable coverage
- Sensitive-skin friendly and non-comedogenic
- SPF 40
- Infused with skin-care ingredients for nourishment
- 26 different shades
Cons:
- Pricey
- Sheer coverage may not be suitable for those wanting more coverage
Shades: 21
If you have acne-prone skin, La Rose suggests IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Foundation Serum. It provides lightweight, buildable coverage and is available in three different finishes. The glow formula is infused with niacinamide for brightening, hyaluronic acid and green tea extract for hydration, and SPF 40 for sun protection.
Sizes: 1 fl. oz.
Pros:
- Lightweight, buildable coverage
- Sensitive-skin friendly and non-comedogenic
- Infused with niacinamide for brightening
- Infused with hyaluronic acid and green tea extract for long-lasting moisture
- SPF 40
- Luminous, radiant finish
- 21 different shades
Cons:
- Pricey
- Sheer coverage may not be suitable for those wanting more coverage
9. Best for sensitive skin: Tower 28 Sunny Days Tinted Sunscreen Foundation SPF 30 – $32.00
Shades: 17
If you have sensitive skin, Tower 28 Sunny Days Tinted Sunscreen Foundation is a great option. It is specially formulated for sensitive skin, and it is the only foundation product approved by the National Eczema Association. It is hydrating, contains SPF 30, and provides protection against blue light and UV rays.
Sizes: 1 fl. oz.
Pros:
- Sensitive-skin friendly and non-comedogenic
- SPF 30
- Hydrating and long-lasting
- Infused with skin-care ingredients for extra protection against blue light and pollution
- Lightweight and buildable
- More affordable than other options on this list
Cons:
- Not as many shades as others on this list
Shades: 17
If your skin is prone to eczema flare-ups or breakouts, you can’t go wrong with Tower 28. This foundation is specifically made for sensitive skin, and it is the only foundation product approved by the National Eczema Association. It is very hydrating, infused with prickly pear extract and white sage extract for hydration and protection from blue light and UV rays. It also contains SPF 30 for sun protection.
Sizes: 1 fl. oz.
Pros:
- Sensitive-skin friendly and non-comedogenic
- SPF 30
- Hydrating and long-lasting
- Infused with skin-care ingredients for extra protection against blue light and pollution
- Lightweight and buildable
- More affordable than other options on this list
Cons:
- Not as many shades as others on this list
