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10 Of The Best Foundations For Dry Skin

From water-weight serums to new-gen sticks, these are the base products that really make skin glow.

Headshot of Roberta SchroederBy Roberta Schroeder
best foundation for dry skin

Finding a foundation that doesn't turn cake-like come lunchtime is rarely easy, but when you’ve got dry skin, it’s a truly tricky endeavour.

You can bathe in hydrating serums and slap on the most quenching moisturiser (which is Weleda Skin Food, FYI), but if your foundation isn’t formulated with dry skin types in mind, you’ll likely be dealing with flaky patches and powdery pores as the day goes on.

'Dry skin should be tackled from the base; primers and moisturisers are a great start,' advises pro make-up artist Nikita Baffour. However, the best results really depend on the foundation formula you choose: it’s best to avoid mattifying ones and instead opt for something designed to hydrate: many good options contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.'

Baffour uses water-based foundations on her clients with dry skin, and recommends ‘sheer or medium-coverage textures that deliver a softer, luminous finish.’ (Don’t panic: you can always employ a concealer to cover any breakouts or red patches.)

Another great move it to consider the new school of serum foundations, which generally come with more humectant power and less pigment, delivering a touch of coverage without the cake.

Whether you’re looking for a light, everyday glow or searching for something more substantial for full glam days, see the foundations we recommend for eternally thirsty skin here.

The Best Foundations For Dry Skin

1
The Tretinoin Hack

MAC Studio Radiance Face And Body Radiant Sheer Foundation

Studio Radiance Face And Body Radiant Sheer Foundation
1
The Tretinoin Hack

MAC Studio Radiance Face And Body Radiant Sheer Foundation

£32 at MAC Cosmetics
Credit: .

Anyone who has used a tretinoin product before will know that the dryness is almost impossible to cover: even the most moisturising formulas highlight flakiness.

Well, MAC’s recently made-over Studio Radiance foundation is the solution. The light, watery texture skims over those peeling patches, making everything look hydrated and happy – even at close range.

It won’t cover blemishes or thread veins, but will deliver that glowy, glass-skin effect on skin that's so dry it's literally flaking away. It’s too viscous for a brush, so apply with fingers for the best results.

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2
The All-Rounder

Saie Glowy Super Skin Foundation

Glowy Super Skin Foundation
2
The All-Rounder

Saie Glowy Super Skin Foundation

There's at least one member of team ELLE that has worn this every single day since it landed on the desk. The ultimate dewy-skin shortcut, Saie's aptly named new launch is essentially a milky hydrating serum packed with skin-brightening colour: think of it as pigmented skincare, and you're on the right track.

As for application, fingers will suffice, but if you're planning on building it up over areas of redness, the brand's stubby Base Brush is worth investing in.

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3
The BB cream

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect BB Cream

Age Perfect BB Cream
3
The BB cream

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect BB Cream

Credit: .

The best high-street base product to have landed on our desks for quite some time, this silky BB cream packs in a surprising level of pigment, making skin look both unified and mega-hydrated.

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4
The Scribble-On Stick

Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick

Vital Skin Foundation Stick
4
The Scribble-On Stick

Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick

Credit: .

An investment worth making, Gucci Westman’s foundation sticks are raved about by just about every beauty editor we know.

A far cry from the stick formulas of old, they’re creamy enough to sink into thirsty skin, bringing life to sallow patches and masking redness with ease.

Use yours as the revered make-up artist would: to strategically cover specific areas of the face, rather than blending all over.

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5
The Fan Favourite

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Super Serum Skin Tint
5
The Fan Favourite

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Credit: .

Ilia's skin tint combines surprisingly high coverage with SPF 30, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. It's definitely the dewiest of the whole bunch – so much so, we're surprised there are no oils involved. One use, and you'll fully understand why it's Sephora's bestselling base product in the States. The only downside is the smell: it's not artificially fragranced, so does have a bit of a musty aroma.

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6
The Crowd-Pleaser

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation

Beautiful Skin Foundation
6
The Crowd-Pleaser

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation

Credit: .

It’s a bold statement, but we think this is Charlotte Tilbury’s best base product yet. Lighter and creamier than the original Magic Foundation, it delivers easily buildable coverage without ever veering into cakey territory – even on the driest of complexions.

A densely packed brush works best for everyday – the brand’s own Hollywood Complexion Brush is ideal – but try it with a beauty sponge for that red carpet airbrushed effect.

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7
The High Street Winner

L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation

True Match Liquid Foundation
7
The High Street Winner

L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation

Now 20% Off
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L'Oréal is on fire at the moment – the brand has released so many outstanding complexion products. For light and luminous skin, the True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum still wins, but anyone looking for a little extra coverage should try the newly reformulated True Match Super-Blendable Foundation. It’s soft and satiny, but cleverly contains a tiny amount of reflective pigment, meaning you get the radiance without compromising on longevity.

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8
The Tinted Moisturiser

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF30

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF30
8
The Tinted Moisturiser

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF30

Credit: .

Ok, so this isn’t strictly a foundation, but if you’re dry-skinned and haven’t tried NARS’ cult tinted moisturiser, you’re really missing a trick. As hydrating as a face cream but satisfyingly well-pigmented, this all-in-one winner softens and quenches while unifying skin – it’ll even mask those pesky dark circles, leaving your concealer obsolete.

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9
The Water Weight Tint

Sisley Phyto-Teint Nude

Phyto-Teint Nude
9
The Water Weight Tint

Sisley Phyto-Teint Nude

Credit: Space NK

This one definitely falls into the ‘treat yourself’ camp, but boy is it worth it. Sisley’s most raved about foundation really does make skin look amazing: think, fresh and luminous, not plastered in product. The water-based formula is comfortable to wear and undetectable on skin – ideal for anyone who finds most foundations tend to settle in their pores.

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10
The Special Occasion Base

Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation

Intensive Skin Serum Foundation
10
The Special Occasion Base

Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation

Now 10% Off
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This rich, creamy serum foundation is heaven on persistently dry skin. Apply it over a decent moisturiser (and SPF, of course), and you'll get light-reflecting radiance alongside proper coverage that doesn't slip and slide after a few hours.

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