If you have dry skin, finding a foundation that provides smooth, even coverage without clinging to dry patches can feel challenging (especially if you tend to prefer full coverage or matte formulas). But it is possible—you just have to know what to look for. Generally speaking, the best foundations for dry skin are those that contain hydrating ingredients in their formulas and help nourish the skin while they work to cover up imperfections and create a smooth, even base for the rest of your look. If you’re not sure where to start your search, keep reading. Ahead, we’re sharing a look at 14 of our favorite hydrating foundations perfect for dry skin, from budget-friendly buys to splurge-worthy options worth every penny. 1. Urban Decay Hydromaniac Hydrating Dewy Foundation Coverage: Buildable, medium Finish: Dewy Formula type: Liquid Some foundations for dry skin simply make your skin appear more hydrated—this one actually boasts skin benefits, too. The skincare-makeup hybrid contains marula oil and kombucha filtrate and offers up to 24 hours of hydration with a weightless, non-greasy feel. We suggest applying the luminous, buildable-coverage formula with a damp makeup sponge for a dewy, skin-like finish. If you want additional coverage, use a brush and add more product until you achieve your desired result. Just be sure to blend well for a seamless-looking finish. 2. Lancôme Renergie Lift Makeup Foundation SPF 27 Coverage: Medium-to-Full Finish: Luminous Formula type: Liquid This luxe foundation is an excellent pick for those with dry, mature skin. The hydrating foundation—which contains a blend of natural oils alongside vitamin E and caffeine—helps visibly even, smooth, and brighten the complexion, while micro-pearls in the lightweight formula give the skin a luminous-looking finish. We also love that it’s formulated with broad-spectrum sunscreen to help shield your skin from damaging (and drying) UV rays. 3. L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation Coverage: Medium Finish: Natural Formula type: Liquid If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly foundation to add to your lineup, try this medium-coverage option from L’Oréal Paris. The lightweight formula applies easily and delivers seamless coverage for a natural-looking, skin-like finish. It’s suitable for all skin types, but we think the formula’s hydrating feel makes it especially well-suited for those with drier skin. Choose your closest match from the collection of 47 (!) shades and apply it with a damp makeup sponge for a gorgeous, natural-looking finish. 4. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare Coverage: Medium Finish: Natural Formula type: Liquid In our opinion, the best foundations for dry skin do more than cover up imperfections—they help nourish the skin, too. This beloved formula, which the brand touts as a tinted moisturizer alternative, fits the bill. It’s infused with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, and vitamins E and B5 and provides all-day hydration plus a skin-like finish. The foundation has a medium-coverage liquid formula that’s plenty buildable, which means you can use as much or as little as you need to blur pores, even your complexion, add glow, and achieve your most flawless finish. 5. Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Natural Glow Foundation Coverage: Medium Finish: Glowy Formula type: Liquid Oftentimes, blurring foundations can emphasize dry patches, but that’s far from the case with this splurge-worthy formula. It’s made with an 89% skincare base and helps hydrate the skin, both immediately and over time (with continued use, it also leaves the skin looking smoother and plumper). Use your fingertips to dot the medium-coverage formula onto your face, then blend out the pigment using a dampened makeup sponge for a smooth, natural-looking glow. 6. Maybelline New York Dream Radiant Liquid Hydrating Foundation Coverage: Medium Finish: Radiant Formula type: Liquid Hyaluronic acid and collagen are friends to anyone with dry skin—and they’re also key ingredients in this beloved drugstore foundation. The lightweight formula gives the skin a long-lasting boost of hydration while it helps to camouflage blemishes and uneven pigmentation with a radiant, medium-coverage finish. Best of all, the foundation is easy to blend out and build up using your fingertips, a makeup brush, or a beauty sponge. You can choose from 20 shades of the buildable foundation to find your ideal match. 7. YSL Beauty All Hours Foundation Coverage: Full Finish: Matte Formula type: Liquid If you’re searching for a matte foundation that won’t leave your skin looking dry or flat, this splurge-worthy pick is worth checking out. It boasts a blurring, full-coverage formula that provides up to 24 hours of breathable, weightless wear. In addition to its impressive coverage, the waterproof foundation is formulated with hyaluronic acid and provides day after day skincare benefits to help promote softer, smoother-looking skin over time. If you want a skin-like finish, the brand recommends applying the foundation with your fingertips. You can also use a brush or sponge for a more precise and fuller coverage application. 8. L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Coverage: Light Finish: Natural Formula type: Serum This affordable drugstore buy is among our top picks for no-makeup makeup days. The hyaluronic acid-infused formula—which, as the name suggests, is more akin to a facial serum than a traditional foundation—is packed with luminous mineral pigments for sheer, lightweight coverage that looks like your skin (but better). The unique formula instantly brightens the skin’s appearance, while continued use leaves it smoother and more hydrated-feeling over time. And if you’re not one for a complicated makeup routine, you’ll love that you can apply the fluid formula with your hands—no tools needed. 9. NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation Coverage: Medium Finish: Matte Formula type: Liquid While many hydrating foundations are glowy or radiant, that’s not always the case. This budget-friendly foundation from NYX Professional Makeup delivers a medium-coverage matte finish that won’t accentuate dryness. Instead, the glycerin, matcha and niacinamide-packed formula helps nourish the skin while blurring the appearance of pores, lines, and other imperfections for up to 16 hours. Pick your closest match from the 24 shades in the range, then dot a small amount of product onto your skin and blend with your fingers, a brush, or a makeup sponge. It’s pretty pigmented, so take a less-is-more approach to start—you can always layer on more for additional coverage as needed. 10. E.L.F. Camo Hydrating CC Cream Coverage: Full Finish: Dewy Formula type: Liquid Neutralize the appearance of redness, pigmentation, and dark spots while giving your skin some TLC with this drugstore CC cream. According to the brand, the vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid, and tremella mushroom-infused formula helps hydrate your skin while providing a dewy, full-coverage finish that leaves the skin looking plump and smooth. For bonus points, the CC cream also has SPF 30, which is great for daily sun protection. Due to its thicker formula, the brand recommends using one to two pumps of the foundation and buffing it out with a makeup brush for the best results. 11. RMS Beauty ReEvolve Natural Finish Liquid Foundation Coverage: Medium Finish: Natural Formula type: Liquid RMS Beauty’s hydrating liquid foundation is another top pick for dry and mature skin. According to the brand, it’s formulated with nourishing vegetable squalene and organic aloe alongside TightenylTM, a natural retinol alternative that helps smooth, firm, and tone aging skin. Apply the medium-coverage formula with the tool of your choice and enjoy up to 12 hours of comfortable, water-resistant wear. 12. Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick Coverage: Light-to-Medium Finish: Natural Formula type: Stick Liquid foundations tend to be ideal for those with dry skin, but that doesn’t mean other types of base makeup are off the table. This multi-tasking complexion stick is an excellent example of a non-liquid foundation that works beautifully for dry skin. According to Merit, the creamy formula (which contains fatty acids and sea daffodil extract) provides buildable, light-to-medium coverage that helps hide blemishes while giving your skin a natural-looking finish. Pick a shade that matches your skin to even out your complexion, or opt for a slightly deeper hue to help contour and sculpt your features. 13. Juvia’s Place I Am Magic Natural Radiance Foundation Coverage: Medium-to-Full Finish: Radiant Formula type: Liquid This hybrid pick from cult beauty brand Juvia’s Place ticks all of the boxes in terms of what you’d want from a foundation for dry skin. The hydrating formula blends easily, melts beautifully into the skin, and provides a luminous-looking medium-to-full coverage finish—without making the skin look cakey. Plus, per the brand, it’s formulated with antioxidant-rich acerola cherry ferment and helps improve the appearance of skin texture and tone over time. The brand notes that a little goes a long way with the pigment-packed formula—start by blending a pea-sized amount onto a clean, moisturized face, and add more product as needed to achieve your desired level of coverage. 14. LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation with Hyaluronic Acid + Turmeric + Ashwagandha Coverage: Light-to-Medium Finish: Natural Formula type: Serum This versatile foundation functions much like a hydrating facial serum—it has a lightweight liquid formula infused with tons of skin-friendly ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, turmeric, and ashwagandha. Of course, it packs plenty of pigment to effortlessly disguise blemishes and even your skin tone, too. Simply rub a few drops onto your face and marvel at the end result: A your-skin-but-better glow that’ll have everyone asking you to drop your skincare routine (they don’t need to know it’s makeup!). Frequently Asked Questions How should you select the best foundation when you have dry skin? When choosing a foundation, it’s crucial to consider your needs, preferences, and desired level of coverage. For those with dry skin, it’s generally best to opt for hydrating foundations that won’t emphasize dry patches or accentuate uneven skin texture. If you prefer a natural look, try a water-based tinted serum or light coverage foundation. For a more glam effect, a buildable natural or luminous-finish foundation may be your best bet. Of course, these are just guidelines—the best foundation for dry skin isn’t one-size-fits-all, and you should always feel free to use whatever you like best. What type of foundation is best for dry skin? Liquid and cream foundations are typically best for dry skin. Unlike powder foundations, which can sometimes highlight texture or make skin feel even drier, cream and liquid foundations melt into the skin for a natural-looking finish. For added benefits, look for a foundation that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin—these can help minimize dryness over time for a more balanced complexion. How should you apply foundation when you have dry skin? Skin prep is important for everybody, but especially for those with dry skin. Before applying any foundation, cleanse and moisturize your face (don’t forget SPF!), then apply a hydrating primer. The NYX Professional Makeup Plump Right Back Primer + Serum is a stellar option—it hydrates the skin and gives it a plumper appearance while creating a smooth surface for foundation and skincare to grip onto. From there, you can use your fingers, a makeup brush, or a damp beauty sponge to apply your chosen hydrating foundation. When you’re finished applying your makeup, you can always top it off with a setting spray to doubly lock in your look. For an added dose of hydration, reach for the Urban Decay All Nighter Hyaluronic Acid Dewy Setting Spray—it provides instant and all-day hydration while helping to keep makeup in place for up to 16 hours. Next Up: Should You Apply Foundation With a Brush or Sponge?
