Finding the best foundation for dry skin is a top priority year-round, but particularly ahead of the winter months. This is when skin tends to itch, crack, and break more than usual—especially sensitive skin. “Winter is a tough time for people who suffer from dry skin. Harsh cold weather, combined with dry heated air, can make normal routines of daily showers one more complicating factor in keeping skin supple,” says dermatologist Paula Bourelly of Olney Dermatology. While this makes a huge difference in cooler temperatures, keeping this mindset daily makes all the difference in makeup and skin care.
Vogue’s Favorite Foundation for Dry Skin
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Those with dry skin should double down on hydrating face masks, radiance-boosting serums, and rich creams to keep flaky spots at bay. “Having a proper skin care routine that’s very hydrating and finishing it off with a hydrating foundation adds longevity and a more flexible, wearable finish that ages best over time,” makeup artist Marcelo Gutierrez says. “Keeping the skin fresh and moisturized keeps your glam stretchy, luminous, and effervescent.” While Gutierrez reaches for Pat McGrath’s Skin Fetish foundation “for its serum-like texture and healthy finish,” there are, luckily, many more formulas to choose from. Read on to discover the best foundations for dry skin, according to pro makeup artists and Vogue editors.
Best for Mature Skin: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
- Why We Love It: This foundation features light-protective pigment and antioxidants that lessen the damage caused by pollution, free radicals, and blue light. It’s also made up of 40% water, which helps to keep the skin hydrated. Les Beiges is coveted for its light-to-medium coverage that delivers a weightless, glowing finish for up to 12 hours. Of the best foundations for mature skin, celebrity makeup artist Meredith Baraf noted it as one of her favorite formulas.
- Shades: 35
- Key ingredients: Dimethicone, glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil
- Size: 1 oz.
- Finish: Radiant finish
- Coverage: Medium
Best Clean Beauty: Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation
- Why We Love It: Though many of us might already love Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint, it might be worth giving its foundation a try. Vogue editors and celebrity makeup artists like Carolina Dalí-Trites are known fans of the formula. The appeal of the Serum Foundation is its blend of niacinamide, allantoin, and aloe that come together to enhance the look of skin. Over time expect improved skin texture, tone, and moisture. With a weightless feel and medium skinlike finish, you might forget you’re wearing it.
- Shades: 30
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, allantoin, aloe, jojoba seed oil, rice hull powder, squalene
- Size: 1 oz.
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium
Most Weightless: Clé de Peau Radiant Fluid Natural SPF 25
- Why We Love It: “This foundation comes in beautiful shades and feels weightless on the skin while creating a flawless, luminous finish,” explains celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles. Infused with hyaluronic acid and SPF 25, this buildable liquid foundation should leave your skin glowy and supple.
- Shades: 24
- Key ingredients: Silk extract, sodium hyaluronate, peptides, zinc oxide/ titanium dioxide (SPF)
- Size: 1.2 oz
- Finish: Radiant
- Coverage: Lightweight, buildable
Best Buildable Coverage: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation
- Why We Love It: “This has always been my go-to for various skin types—the formulation works on so many skin types and is moisturizing during the winter months,” says celebrity makeup artist Ariel Tejada of the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation—an oil-free, buildable option that’s inspired by charmeuse silk. What does makeup artist Denika Bedrossian love about it? “The color range, the long wear, and the finish. I love to use a fluffy brush to buff it into the skin.” The beloved oil-free formula features the brand’s Micro-fil technology to create a satin, skinlike finish perfect for everyday.
- Shades: 40
- Key ingredients Water, glycerin, silicone
- Size: 1.0
- Finish: Satin
- Coverage: Medium
Best Radiance: Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation
- Why We Love It: “My favorite foundation for dry skin is the Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation,” says celebrity makeup artist Troye Antonio. “I love this foundation because it keeps dry skin luminous and never loses the initial moisture while applying. This foundation is buildable while still keeping the skin looking fresh and natural, in my opinion!” Layer on as much as you’d like for a sheer-to-medium finish—all while knowing a mix of polymers, amino acids, and Diamond Core Powder Technology is working to smooth and condition skin simultaneously.
- Shades: 36
- Key ingredients: Water, glycerin, silica, dimethicone, vitamin E titanium dioxide (SPF)
- Size: 1.2 fl oz
- Finish: Satin
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
Best Foundation Stick: Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick
- Why We Love It: Stiles describes the Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick as “a dreamy foundation with the softest hint of sheen, which adds a lovely subtle glow to the face. I find that I don’t need powder when I use this on drier skin types.” While a stick foundation may not seem like the easiest choice for those with dry skin, this is seriously creamy and formulated with a selection of nourishing ingredients (think squalane, BerryFlux Vita extract, camellia seed, and coconut oil) to soothe and calm skin for all-day wear.
- Shades: 21
- Key ingredients: Vegetable derived squalane, camellia seed oil, berryflux vita extract, coconut oil
- Size: 0.31 oz.
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
Best for Oily Skin: Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF 30
- Why We Love It: This SPF-infused foundation is designed to sink seamlessly into the skin and enhance its texture and tone. Basically, your skin but better. Pro makeup artist Janice Daoud is a fan “due to its lightweight, buildable coverage that lasts all day long. I especially love its natural finish with a subtle glow, which keeps the skin looking fresh and youthful.” What’s so cool about the formula, powered by Shiseido’s ActiveForce technology (alongside polymers, corrective powders, and wild-thyme extract), is that it works with your skin to resist heat, humidity, oil, and facial movements. Meaning your skin should still look good hours later.
- Shades: 30
- Key ingredients: Mica, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, titanium dioxide (SPF), silica, orange peel oil, jojoba esters, vitamin E
- Size: 1 fl oz.
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
Best Full Coverage: Dermablend Cover Creme Full Coverage Foundation
- Why We Love It: Dermablend’s foundation delivers all-day hydration through a smooth, creamy formula while protecting the skin with SPF 30. The coverage stays on for 16 hours and works well even over acne, rosacea, and vitiligo. We think this is an excellent choice for someone partial to applying foundation with their hands; the texture, after all, is similar to that of your favorite face cream. Feel free to buff in with a makeup brush and set with loose powder too.
- Shades: 21
- Key ingredients: Water, glycerin, dimethicone, vitamin E, mica, titanium dioxide (SPF)
- Size: 1 oz.
- Finish: Matte
- Coverage: Full
Best for Photos: La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20
- Why We Love It: “I love creating breathable, fresh skin for all my clients,” explains celebrity makeup artist Wendi Miyake. “I know when I use La Mer’s Soft Fluid Longwear Foundation, it will look skin-like and gorgeous on the red carpet and in photos.” Available in 28 shades, this buildable foundation is crafted to plump the skin and diminish the look of fine lines and pores.
- Shades: 26
- Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide (SPF), seaweed extract, sesame seed oil, alfalfa seed powder, sweet almond seed meal, eucalyptus leaf oil
- Size: 1 oz.
- Finish: Radiant
- Coverage: Medium
Best for Sensitive Skin: Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
- Why We Love It: An acclaimed skin care–makeup hybrid, this Nars foundation delivers a host of complexion benefits. Dryness, skin texture, hyperpigmentation, and redness are all concerns the formula addresses through a cocktail of oat, cacao peptides, milk thistle, and Japanese lilyturf. This not only aids the skin barrier but veils skin in a medium, buildable coverage for breathable wear. Not to mention it’s suitable for sensitive skin and shouldn’t clog pores.
- Shades: 36
- Key ingredients: Water, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, peptides, mica, biomimetic oat, Japanese lilyturf, milk thistle
- Size: 1 oz.
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Buildable
Best Medium Coverage: Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation
- Why We Love It: Those tapped into social media trends will already know that Lady Gaga’s Haus Labs foundation is a fan favorite. Wanna know what makes it so good? Users rave about its amazing (medium, buildable) coverage and lightweight finish—perfect for full glam or daily wear. The brand’s patent-pending fermented arnica is the star here, which helps reduce redness and even skin tone. More than 20 skin-care ingredients are included, too, from squalane and marine algae to tiger grass and chamomile flower.
- Shades: 51
- Key ingredients: Water, BioFerment 7 complex (Fermented arnica, shiunko, green tea, licorice root, marine algae, tomato leaf extract, and squalane)
- Size: 1 oz.
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
Best for a Dewy Finish: Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation
- Why We Love It: The Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation comes at the recommendation of makeup artist Liz Castellanos. “I have been using this dewy foundation for several years now and am obsessed with it! The newly revamped formula is more beautiful than before. The payoff is a youthful, healthy-looking finish that lasts.” Not only is this formulated with jojoba oil and vegetable collagen, but it also contains rich water content that allows the foundation to transform from a cream to a liquid as you apply—a dream for those with dry skin.
- Shades: 12
- Key ingredients: Water, glycerin, jojoba seed oil, squalane, shea butter, willow bark extract, silica
- Size: 0.7 oz
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
Best Luminous Finish: Dior Forever Skin Glow Hydrating Foundation SPF 15
- Why We Love It: This Dior foundation is a viral beauty pick for a reason—it boasts up to 24 hours of wear (surviving even the latest of nights out on the town). Rather than creating a caked-on, heavy makeup look, the skin appears naturally radiant and hydrated by botanical extracts while protecting against damaging sun rays.
- Shades: 43
- Key ingredients: Water, glycerin, silica, mica, vitamin E, sodium chloride, sodium hyaluronate, orange peel oil, octisalate (UVB filter), titanium dioxide (SPF)
- Size: 1 fl oz.
- Finish: Radiant
- Coverage: Medium to full
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
- Why We Love It: A favorite in Vogue beauty writer Concetta Ciarlo’s makeup bag, Kosas’s skin-improving foundation is her go-to. “I learned the hard way that adult acne is all too real. My Kosas foundation leaves a natural finish without clogging my pores. Plus, the skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide and peptides soothe my pre-existing irritation. The addition of hyaluronic acid and squalane helps keep my skin moisturized without an uncomfortable heavy feeling,” says Ciarlo.
- Shades: 36
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, squalane, vitamin B5, arnica, caffeine, mineral reef-safe SPF, artemisia flower extract
- Size: 1 oz.
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium
Best Skinlike Finish: Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation
- Why We Love It: Glossier puts skin first in each of its formulations—and for those who prefer a your-skin-but-better glam, look no further than the brand’s Stretch Fluid Foundation to use as a base. It boasts up to 12 hours of smudge-free wear while delivering a seamless, skin-like finish.
- Shades: 32
- Key ingredients: Aqua, squalene, glycerin, wild rose berry extract, plankton extract, rosa canina fruit extract
- Size: 1 oz.
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Light to medium
What makes a good foundation for dry skin?
When searching for the perfect foundation for dry skin, it’s essential to prioritize hydration and skin-friendly ingredients. Bicoastal celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard says that after proper exfoliation and skin prep, the key is to pick a foundation that offers nourishing properties, otherwise, foundations tend to emphasize flaky or textured patches. LA-based professional makeup artist Sean Harris echoes this, sharing his tricks of the trade: “A good foundation for dry skin has hydrating ingredients and a dewy or satin finish. I also prefer some luminosity that helps the skin glow for a flawless finish,” says Harris. They recommend looking to formulas with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalene, or peptides to ensure skin can breathe, plus mica for its light-reflective properties for added radiance.
How to Choose a Foundation for Dry Skin
The experts agree, the trick to picking the best foundation for dry skin is all in selecting formulas that include nourishing ingredients to combat dehydration. The rest is up to your personal preference when it comes to finish, texture, and coverage.
