Archived Post

Hit List: Best Foundation for Dry Skin

What’s the Best Foundation for Dry Skin that you’ve tried?

Share your pick!  And don’t forget to share why 🙂

My top picks… MUFE Liquid Lift, MUFE Face & Body, MAC Face & Body, Guerlain Lingerie de Peau

69 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Denise Avatar

I have dry skin. These are my picks: Mac Face & Body, MUFE Face & Body, Bobbi Brown Tinted Balm, IT Cosmetics CC Cream, Garnier BB Cream (the original one), Smashbox CC Cream, Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream, Becca Luminous Skin, NARS Radiant Cream, NARS Sheer Glow. I know there are more that I like (I have a huge foundation collection) but can’t think of them at the moment! 🙂

Genevieve Avatar

I have dry skin and I love It Cosmetics CC cream- I haven’t tried the Smashbox Cc cream, but I did love their BB cream. I have NARS Sheer Glow too, but I haven’t ussed it in a long time- so, I might have to bust it out again. I have been thinking about the BB Tinted Balm, so I am happy to hear it has worked for you! I just ordered the Josie Maran Argan Match master foundation (the liquid one) and I am excited to see how that turns out! Another one that I like was L’Oreal Youth Code (?) BB cream- the one in the silver tube, I actually favor it over my much more expensive Guerlain Lingerie d’Peau BB cream.

Tanis Avatar

This has been something I’ve been trying to figure out this winter. I have sampled several different brands and types within the brands. So far the winner is my current try, Hourglass, Veil Fluid Makeup Oil Free SPF 15. My goal was simply to find a formula that did not cause dryness but was moisturizing without looking greasy. So many foundations that advertise that it’s for dry skin really appear shinny and feel as though its a slimy mess. This one feels amazing on my skin and makes me look flawless. The verdict is still incomplete as I am going to be trying Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation next.

Charlotte Avatar

Definitely Clinique’s Supermoisture makeup and also Mii Illuminating Face Base. That’s for proper, flaky dry days though. On less dry days, I can get away with Lancome’s Teint Miracle and MUFE F&B too.

Will be watching this post with great interest!

PigmenTex Avatar

YSL Youth Liberator Foundation. It’ emollient, “humid” like in the F&B Foundation, it clinges to dry patches but a looot less than other foundations I tried. The skin looks satin-like, moist and beautiful, it conceals pore like anything. Lasting power is average, it’s not a long-lasting foundation but it feels more than hydrating not drying and moist, comfortable. Also B10 is quite light. It’s a mix between a F&B with some type of gel-like foundation with a little bit more of coverage, more pore-concealing power and more dense texture, kind of. It’s runny but a lot less compared to MAC’s F&B per example.

I can’t use Sheer Glow, Skin Base, Colorstay…those are way too “dry” (specially Skin Base, but Sheer Glow makes me look like a mummy too…), this foundation is a lot more emollient-like, I think is targeted to mature skin but because of this the results on dry-with-patches skin is beautiful, at least compared to others I used. After this the best one for me has been MAC F&B, since it clings to my patches but less than others and beautifies the skin, but the YSL’ one I think is suited to more dry skin than the MAC’s one.

Helen Avatar

Pigmentex, sheer glow makes me look like a mummy too!! It works wonderfully for my mother but it makes me look unhealthy. Glad to know I’m not alone in this 🙂

Ellen Avatar

I thought I was crazy! Sheer Glow is neither sheer or glowy. It is more like a face mask, matte and flat looking. Its recommended in so many places that I thought there was something wrong with me. I like MAC Minerailize Moisturizing Foundation if you can find a color match. Clinique moisture surge tinted moisturizer. Clinique super moisture is super moistuizing, but again, not a large selection of shades. I just got the Ko Gen Do moisture makeup in the red tube. I’ll let you know.

xamyx Avatar

I’m still looking… So far, I’m pretty happy with Revlon ColorStay on top of Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream. Alone, neither product is ideal. The Olay BB Cream has absolutely no coverage, but the formula is HG. The ColorStay foundation provides the coverage, but is otherwise too matte in finish. Over the Olay, the Revlon appears more luminous & dewy, and the Olay provides a barrier that prevents my skin from soaking up any moisture from the foundation.

Although my skin is drier, I find MPFs to be my best option. My skin seems to just soak up any moisture from a liquid foundation, leaving the dry pigment & looking splotchy, and I don’t like wearing a primer all the time.

I’ve been doing some research, and my next purchase will likely be MAC Face & Body, or a gel-based foundation.

Rakshitha Avatar

I love Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich foundation, but it is light coverage. It photographs really well and is hydrating on my skin!
I use Nars sheer glow when I want higher coverage and it works well with my dry skin if I moisturize well before applying.

Eliz Avatar

I have extremely dry skin, so I am very excited to see everyone’s recommendations. I’m also very fair with cool undertones and am sensitive to way too many things to list, but fragrance, sunscreen, and some silicones are at the top of the list. So, finding foundation is a challenge. Up until recently, Chantecaille Future Skin in Porcelain was my go-to. And, it’s still great, but the coverage is minimal to light. Since trying it over the past 3-4 months, I’ve been loving Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Finish Creamy Foundation in Classic 60. It reminds me very much of Future Skin, but the coverage is buildable to almost full. The texture is similar to Future Skin (maybe a little heavier) and in between a mousse or gel. I can’t say it’s incredibly hydrating, but I do think it is at least slightly hydrating and definitely not drying. It also applies like a dream. Classic 60 is very light and neutral and should work for anyone at least NC/NW05. In a perfect world, it would be a little lighter, but it’s close. Can’t wait to read other recommendations.

Samantha Avatar

Have you tried Illamasqua in 115? It sounds like your skin tone is similar to mine. Illimasqua 115is very, very close to my skin colour, I just have to add a bit of MAC face and body in white for it to be perfect. You may want to consider mixing to get the best shade and finish. See my post below about the foundations I mix for my very dry skin.

Mimi Avatar

I have the same skin that you do! Perhaps you should try Armani’s Maestro in the compact. It has wonderful coverage but doesn’t feel like you have anything on. It makes my skin look flawless and very natural. It’s my favorite.

Lotus Avatar

Hi! I’m with hyperactive sensitive skin and trying to work through formulas to find which is best for me and I also tried the mia2 and got a reaction. I’m not sure if it’s now from foundations or that. I stopped using the Mia and am still searching for answers for my skin. Could you pleads maybe list all the ones you’ve tried but had negative responses to? If there are similarities with what I’m trying, it may help me to follow what you have found works for you. Thanks Eliz!

Katie Avatar

I like Rimmel’s Match Perfection and Benefit’s Hellow Flawless Oxygen Wow. If you count BB creams, I also like Bobbi Brown’s BB cream and Hado Labo BB Moist Cream.

Dolce Avatar

Would any of these be a good choice for acne-prone skin? I’m on accutane right now so it’s really drying me out, but I’m afraid to use a foundation that’ll break me out!

Molly Avatar

Hi Dolce. I was on Accutane in high school 3 times. In the end it was worth it for me, but man the dryness, redness, and itchiness was awful. I used mineral powder foundations such as Bare Minerals and Sheer Cover (now I like one from Laura Mercier) and they actually work alright for dryness I think, and didn’t break me out. I’m still dry from Retin-A and have hormonal breakouts, but I’m also really sensitive to skin products and easily get clogged pores/small pimples.
– Works for me in summer (less dry) but not winter: Revlon Colorstay Whipped and Vita Lumiere Aqua
– Great for hydration but gives me minor comedogenic breakouts: IT Cosmetics CC cream and Mac Face and Body
– Accentuated dryness: Revlon Nearly Naked, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind, L’oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder

Obviously I’m still looking! One thing that always helps my to keep the foundation looking better with dryness is using a setting spray. Also application with my hands or a damp sponge works better for me than a brush.

Sylirael Avatar

Hm, I haven’t tried many foundations, but my favourit brand so far is YSL. I get very dry patches on my cheeks, and the YSL pressed powder foundation and the YSL BB creme I have don’t dry me out or make dry patches look flaky! 😀

I really want to try Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, as I’ve heard good things about it, but we only get about 4 shades here (slight exaggeration, but not far off) and it costs like $89 😛 They don’t have samples in my (potential) colour either! *sigh*. I don’t wear a lot of foundation, so I’m not averse to an ‘investment’, but the process seems to be unnecessarily difficult…

Grace Avatar

I have dry skin and it sucks to find foundation because I find it makes my dry skin look even more dry, even with liquid base. With this polar vortex thing going on it’s even worse. So I mostly use a tinted moisturizer. One time in a Sephora order I chose a sample of Dr Perricone’s Photo Plasma and that stuff really helped with the foundation, but they don’t sell it on Sephora Canada. I wanted to try Mac’s face and body but the bottle looks huge, I’m not one who puts makeup on the body, seems odd to me.

Em Avatar

So, this is counter-intuitive, but Cover FX Pressed Minerals Foundation (a powder, clearly).

When I first started my retinoid regimen, my skin dried out and big portions started peeling off in large chunks. It also gave me an allergic reaction to every moisturizer on the face of the planet (I eventually realized I could use beauty oils to moisturize). And it was a bitterly dry Michigan winter. My skin was actually flaking off in patches, and the rest of me was parched. I went and tried motherloving everything: tinted moisturizer (Laura Mercier), liquid foundations (Becca, MUFE, NARS, Tarte), cream foundations (Cover FX cream), BB cream (Smashbox). In the end, the only thing I could get workable results with was my Cover FX Pressed Minerals plus my Sephora Classic Mineral Powder Brush. Instead of brushing it on, I lightly patted the foundation on, and that minimized the amount of foundation that clung to dry, flaking spots and gave me smooth, even coverage. This pat-on technique also let me put concealer on some of the worst small red spots, then pat foundation on over it without disturbing the concealer or getting the concealer or powder clinging to dry patches.

If your skin is medically messed up? Cover FX.

Maggie Avatar

This happened to me too due to skincare–my skin was oily AND dry. When it was drier, Graftobian HD Glamour Creme’s or Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation were my top choices. Now that my skin is more combo, Revlong Whipped Creme Foundation. I’ve also found that the Beautyblender is best for not accentuating any dryness.

xamyx Avatar

I constantly slather moisturizers & oils on myndry skin, so I don’t get dry patches, but my skin just drinks up any liquid foundation, leaving justnthenpigment in my pores. I find powder foundations to be my best option for every day wear.

beka Avatar

my skin isn’t super dry right now, but it does get dry and flakey. lately, i’ve been loving dolce & gabbana perfect matte. i thought it would dry me out, but it doesn’t. it’s not moisturizing at all, but it doesn’t make me drier either. i also like their creamy foundation. it’s more hydrating, it just doesn’t last as long as the matte. i reach for it on shorter days. when my skin is flaky, i like guerlain lingerie de peau compact, hourglass tinted moisturizer, the d&g creamy, or guerlain bb cream.

beka Avatar

forgot to mention that the beauty blender sponge has been the best thing for my drier skin. i can put a foundation on with a brush and will look dry and gross, then put the same thing on with the beauty blender and it looks great! i kept buying cheap “dupes” and couldn’t figure out why everyone loved using a sponge, because they did nothing for me. i finally broke down and bought the real thing and i’m sooooo glad i did. i got what everyone was talking about. it was money well spent!

Amanda Avatar

Favorites- Revlon Colorstay for Normal/Dry skin, Revlon Colorstay Whipped (I have to use a damp BeautyBlender for this one, not a brush), Revlon Nearly Naked and Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. With the help of Hourglass No28 primer/serum, I can also use Laura Mercier Silk Creme and MAC Studio Sculpt. A lot of foundations are too dark or pink for me so I haven’t tried many others but the Hourglass can REALLY help if you want fuller coverage but don’t want the product clinging to your drier spots. It feels like straight grease at first but once it’s absorbed, it’s super helpful.

Michelle Avatar

I bought a small sample of that hourglass No.28. It does seem to help retain the moisture in my skin and doesn’t stay greasy for long. My only problem is it doesn’t get along with my moisturizer and “balls” up sometimes. Then I have to tissue off all the clumps or start over.

Jowee Avatar

Some of the foundations that I LOVE with my dry skin is: Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation, NARS Sheer Glow, MUFE F&B, YSL Touche Eclat.

But the best foundation that I have ever tried that gives me that ‘glow’ and ‘lit from within’ look is Bobbi Brown EXTRA Repair Foundation SPF 25. It’s so moisturizing and gives me the most radiant finish! It never clings to dry patches and every single time I wear it someone compliments me on my skin. There’s not a lot of reviews on the foundation so when you get a chance to go to a Bobbi Brown counter try a sample!

Samantha Avatar

I have VERY dry skin, especially in the winter. On normal days (for me), I can use Illamasqua rich liquid foundation and two shades of MAC face and body mixed with MAC studio sculpt foundation. I can also wear MAC studio fix powder plus foundation occasionally. On dry days (which is most of the winter at least), I wear MAC studio sculpt foundation on its own-it is the only foundation I have ever used that is actually moisturizing (it simply is not made in a shade light enough for my skin).

No matter what the foundation, it is layered over moisturizer and primer.

Joyce Avatar

Hmm I have to say Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup! Not so much that it moisturizes, but it’s definitely one I use when my skin is drier and have no problems with!

Lauren Avatar

I have dry skin in the winter now (I used to be very oily but now that I’m in my mid-30s that has changed except for summer). I have been enjoying the Smashbox CC cream topped with Halo powder for weekends. For work, I am wearing Hourglass Mineral Veil primer with Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation topped with Halo powder. My usual picks are Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H, Hourglass Immaculate, and Estee Lauder DoubleWear (both regular and light). They are far to drying at the moment.

Kristine Avatar

I have extremely dry skin and nothing works better for me than Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. The texture is so light yet so smooth and moisturizing. Looooove.

Bree Avatar

I have yet to find one I really like. I want something that covers my redness yet still keeps my skin moisturized and slightly dewey. Unfortunately those two things seem impossible to find in a foundation!!!

Mac face & body is the best but it’s sheer. Laura mercier creme silk is good. Urban Decay Naked skin is just to dry, but I think it might be good for summer. Revlon Nearly Naked is good too but still a little sheer. I wish MAC would have a more pigmented F&B!!

Has anyone tried MAC mineralize Moisture? The new Becca foundation looks interesting.

Michelle Avatar

I’ve wanted to try this, but the MAC counter at Macy’s doesn’t do samples. How long does it wear? Does it transfer easily? I like my makeup to stay put all day and not get all over my clothes etc. Thanks!

Krista Avatar

I, too, like the MAC mineralize (liquid) . The colors are a little off– had to go a shade lighter than in their other formulas. I can’t wear foundation w/ fragrance– too irritating so it’s hard to find a foundation that doesn’t make me look like I’m wearing a mask. Also like NARS sheer glow– I mix it w/ my moisturizer and it’s perfect!

Ellen Avatar

MAC mineralize moisture has a divine texture but has had color problems. It oxidizes, so even the lightest shade, NC15 turnred too dark and yellow on me despite looking very pale in swatches. It was the lightest shade available, but they have just introduced new shades, on both ends of the spectrum, so I guess its a hit. For cool pale skin, they have added NW 13,15,18! I haven’t gotten to a store to swatch yet and and I can’t find swathes online, I’ll let you know when I get my hands on some. But if you can find a shade the matches you several hours after you apply it, then its a great find for dry skin!

Quinctia Avatar

I like Skin79 BB cream when my skin is feeling a bit dry. Though, in terms of oiliness, I have very normal skin–things have just been slightly less smooth than normal and I’ve required a bit more moisturizer this month, and I’ve had to go out on ALL of the days with the subzero temps.

Jan Avatar

I have found several items that I like. In no particular order:
Foundations: Revlon Colorstay, Shisheido Dual Balancing Foundation under eyes and areas that I
want to pull forward but still have a matte finish, MAC Studio Sculpt (use more like a concealer and
contour)

Tinted Moisturizer: Laura Mercier (the one for all skin types)

CC Cream: It takes 20 min to fully meld in with my skin, but once it does the It Cosmetics CC
Cream creates a nice matte finish that lasts for hours.

Jan Avatar

Oh – I forgot Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua under the Foundations category. I reserve it for
special occasions and only for 4-6 hour stints. The finish is silk-like. It’s great for days when I’m experiencing no-light patchiness. On days when I’m particularly patchy, I stay away from this one. There’s just enough luminescence to this one that it slightly emphasizes the problems.

Tensy Avatar

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Lancome Photogenic Lumessence (the one I wear daily), Chanel Vitalumiere, Guerlain Parure Extreme (unfortunately discontinued), Mac Face & Body (mostly wear in the summer for lighter coverage.)

Jesse Avatar

I have dry skin and my dryness varies from time to time. At the moment its not at its worst, but when it was, my top picks were Lancome Teint Miracle(deff #1 recommendation), Loreal Magic Lumi, Nars Radiant Cream Foundation, and recently I’ve been really liking the Smashbox Halo HD.

Julie Avatar

I’m very dry, and I really like wearing L’oreal True Match Lumi and Marc Jacobs Genius Gel foundation. I was totally surprised by how comfortable and hydrating the Marc felt on my skin. I also find Hourglass tinted moisturizer to have amazing coverage while being very hydrating, but it’s ridiculously expensive. When my skin feels really irritated, I use Maybelline Fit Me concealer under eyes and red areas and blend it out. Then I dust a little Hourglass Ambient Powder in Dim over shiny areas.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!