The 16 Best Foundations for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists
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Foundation is a makeup staple but some can leave your skin feeling rough and dry, which is especially difficult for those with dry skin. The best foundations for dry skin are infused with some skin-care ingredients that can help add moisture to your skin while providing coverage. SELF spoke with dermatologists for tips on how to find top-notch foundations for dry skin.
“Skin care is the most important part of helping dry skin on the face, but there are many foundations now that have moisturizing ingredients,” says Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, board-certified dermatologist and author of Beyond Soap. “Typically, ingredients that are emollient like ceramides, other lipids, and fatty acids, as well as humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, are great moisturizing ingredients for foundations.”
What ingredients to avoid in a foundation for dry skin?
Aside from finding the right foundation, you’ll want to take a look at the ingredient list on the packaging. For those with dry skin, there are some ingredients commonly found in foundations that you’ll want to steer clear from.
“Avoid ingredients that are potentially drying or irritating like clay, salicylic acid or other hydroxy acids, or retinol,” says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology. King suggests avoiding mattifying formulations and opting for cream or lotion formulations, which are typically more dewy and moisturizing than powder ones.
Below are 16 of the best foundations for dry skin recommended by dermatologists that you may want to add to your makeup routine. You can pick up top-rated foundation brands like Neutrogena, Make Up Forever, Bare Minerals, and more from Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta.
The following four foundations are favorites of Dr. Skotnicki for their moisturizing properties. This foundation tint recommended by Dr. Skotnicki hydrates with its hyaluronic acid formulation and offers all-day coverage. Over time, your skin will look and feel more supple, plump, and moisturized while remaining a staple of your makeup routine each day.
Add this serum foundation recommended by Dr. Skotnicki to your cart and bask in the lightweight formula designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and achieve firmer and even-looking skin. Sometimes those with dry skin can experience uneven skin texture and this foundation helps with the appearance, making it look soft and smooth.
With its new formula, this Make Up For Ever foundation recommended by Dr. Skotnicki is made to look like your natural skin (under any kind of lighting) while offering a medium to full coverage finish. The best part? No need to worry about your face looking cakey as this foundation moves with your skin and doesn’t dry it out.
“This product is gentle, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic,” Dr. Farber says. “It has niacinamide, squalane, and allantoin to soothe the skin.” With such great ingredients, Ilia is also a great foundation pick for those with oily skin.
For a more natural-looking finish, opt for a skin tint like this water-resistant and fragrance-free one from Alastin. “It’s an all-mineral formulation that’s lightweight and hydrating,” Dr. King says. “It contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from pollution, I.R. rays, and blue light, and there’s no white residue.”
When it comes to the best foundation for dry skin moisture is key, and that’s the main goal of this tinted moisturizer. “It’s 100% mineral with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and it has a very nice light texture with sheer coverage,” Dr. King says. “You can apply more of the product or more layers if you desire more coverage so it’s nice to have that flexibility. Plus it’s non-irritating and moisturizing for sensitive or dry skin and non-comedogenic for acne-prone skin.
Dr. Michele Farber of Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia can’t say enough good things when it comes to this natural full coverage foundation. “It has dimethicone and hyaluronic acid to hydrate,” she says. “Added bonuses are that it comes in a wide variety of shades to match nearly any skin tone, it provides good coverage, and has sunscreen.”
In the market for a light coverage foundation? This vegan gel cream combines the best of skin care and foundation together for a light coverage look that leaves skin hydrated and moisturized. “This foundation is fantastic as it is mineral-based, which is easier on sensitive skin, and has hyaluronic acid and squalane to hydrate. The SPF 30 is also a plus,” Dr. Farber says.
“A liquid formula that is great for mature skin types,” says Dr. Paviol, board-certified dermatologist at Paviol Dermatology. “It’s made with diamond-core powder for some real ‘glow from within’ radiance.”
With a range of nearly 30 shades, this clean liquid serum foundation provides sheer coverage with a dewy finish. Dr. Paviol recommends it because it is formulated with skin-care ingredients like aloe and jojoba which make it great for both dry and sensitive skin types.
Dr. Neda Mehr, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Pure Dermatology Cosmetic and Hair Center, can’t get enough of this long-wearing foundation from La Mer. “This is one of my favorite foundations because it hydrates and nourishes skin with buildable coverage—and it’s long-wear,” she says. “This is a great option for dry skin as it hydrates, smooths imperfections, and enhances skin’s natural beauty.”
Get your hands on this infused foundation made to improve hydration and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It leaves skin feeling and looking plump, supple, and hydrated. “This a great option for those with dry skin who are looking for light to medium coverage,” Dr. Mehr says. “It features Camellia japonica to restore skin’s natural glow and smooth and firm skin for a full 24 hours.”
Dr. Jeannette Graf, board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, is a huge fan of this skin-care enhanced foundation. “I love this foundation as it’s mineral-based and blends into the skin while offering a range of colors for different skin tones,” she says. “It’s a great lightweight option for summer because it also acts as a broad-spectrum SPF 30 with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect the skin from sun damage. It also contains plant stem cells, antioxidants, and botanicals to nourish the skin.”
Looking for a satin, light, and dewy finish with your foundation? Pure Fruit’s water-based foundation is perfect for those everyday makeup looks while giving the skin the TLC it deserves.
“Many patients with dry skin find that traditional foundations contain harsh chemical ingredients that inflame the skin,” says Dr. Hayley Goldbach, board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic skin cancer surgeon at Brown University. “This foundation is a clean, PFAS-free formulation featuring green tea and soothing aloe, perfect for dry, irritated skin.”This medium coverage foundation adds a subtle glow and radiance to the skin. “This one by Maybelline contains hyaluronic acid and collagen,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-certified NYC dermatologist and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. “It helps keep your skin hydrated without being too heavy. Great coverage that won’t clog pores.”
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