FOUNDATION can make or break a make-up look, particularly for dry skin types.
The last thing anyone wants is a dry, flaky base, which is why finding the best foundation for dry skin can be a game-changer in a routine.
Especially as the seasons are changing, bringing cooler autumn air, less humidity and blustery winds.
This can strip the skin of its natural moisture, making your skin tight, flaky and dull.
The best foundations for dry skin don’t just provide coverage; they also deliver hydration, comfort and a healthy glow.
With the right formula, you can even out your complexion while keeping it hydrated and radiant, even as temperatures drop.
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I tried out some of the top-rated products with sheer, full and medium finishes, so keep scrolling to read my thoughts.
Best foundations for dry skin at a glance
How I tested foundations for dry skin
As The Sun’s Fashion & Beauty eCommerce Writer, it’s my job to thoroughly test beauty products.
I tested some of the foundations for dry skin for at least a week, while others have already been in my makeup routine for years.
While trialling the products, I took note of each foundation’s coverage, finish, longevity, and how they worked on my dry skin.
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After I used one of the best moisturisers for dry skin, I applied the foundations alongside my other make–up products, following up with a powder and a setting spray.
I wore the foundations for a full day to see if they would stay put for long periods, noting how they compared against one another.
7 best foundations for dry skin
Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation
Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation, £43 at LookFantastic
Pros: Silky texture, long-lasting finish, stays matte, SPF 15, 53 shade options
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 5/5
Bobbi Brown revamped its popular Weightless Skin Foundation in 2024, and it really does have everything a good foundation for dry skin needs.
Created with a light, velvety texture that blends seamlessly with a sponge, it’s one of the few foundations I’ve tried that feels completely weightless on the skin.
It’s water-based and oil-free, making it great for dry complexions.
The formula is made up of hyaluronic acid, glycerin and honey extract, all of which work to hydrate the skin rather than stripping it of moisture.
My T-zone usually gets slightly oily throughout the day, but the foundation’s matte finish (which uses Skin Balancing Technology) stayed put without the need to reapply any powder.
I love Weightless Skin’s new packaging, and it feels secure enough to feel safe carrying it in my bag.
It’s one of the few dry skin foundations that contains SPF, and while it wouldn’t replace my daily SPF, it’s nice to know that it’s protecting the skin on days when I forget to double up.
Bobbi Brown has a strong reputation for offering inclusive shade options, and with 53 to choose from, it should be easy to find a great match.
While the Weightless Skin Foundation is the most expensive on the list, it’s one I’ll be repurchasing.
Coverage: Medium, Finish: Natural matte, Shades: 53, SPF: 15, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Water based? Yes
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation, £39 at Cult Beauty
Pros: Lightweight texture, natural finish, a little goes a long way, great shade matching
Cons: May not be enough coverage for some
Rating: 5/5
I bought Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin Foundation soon after its release in 2022, and it’s been my go-to ever since.
It has a buildable coverage that makes it work for day and evening use, and it never feels heavy on the skin.
The formula is infused with hyaluronic acid and rose complex to keep the skin feeling hydrated, which is probably why I’ve never had any issues with it clinging to dry patches.
My favourite thing about the foundation is the natural finish, as it really can look as if you’re going make-up free.
Charlotte Tilbury is the queen of colour matching, and the website’s handy ‘try on’ tool makes it easy to try before you buy.
I also get some redness across my face, and the fact that the foundation bases the shades around the skin’s undertone has hugely helped to balance my complexion.
Despite the formula being buildable, I probably wouldn’t recommend this to someone who’s after a high coverage foundation, but it’s perfect for those after a natural glow that never cakes.
Coverage: Buildable-medium, Finish: Natural, Shades: 30 options, SPF: None, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Water based? Yes
MAC Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation
MAC Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation, £36 at MAC
Pros: Great coverage, glowy finish, small pump for accuracy, wide range of shades, accurate colour match
Cons: Product is likely to get stuck at the end of the bottle
Rating: 5/5
If MAC’s foundations weren’t iconic enough already, Studio Radiance was five years in the making to get it just right.
Released in 2023, the foundation is a hybrid between makeup and skincare, providing coverage while still leaving the skin hydrated.
It’s made of 80% skincare ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, jojoba oil and olive oil, with a satin, highly blendable consistency.
My favourite feature of the MAC foundation is how glowy it left my skin looking.
I usually use the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter on my high points before applying my foundation as I prefer a dewy look, but it really isn’t necessary with Studio Radiance.
As the formula is made up primarily of skincare, I was hesitant that it wouldn’t provide as much coverage and that it would melt away throughout the day.
I found that it actually gave higher coverage than other foundations I tested while still providing a natural finish – and it didn’t budge at all (I used it with a setting spray).
MAC also has an online colour match tool, which I used to find my shade, and with a huge 56 options to choose from, I was seriously impressed with the accuracy.
Coverage: Buildable, Finish: Natural, Shades: 56 options, SPF: None, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Water based? Yes
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick, £35 at Charlotte Tilbury
Pros: Glowy finish, quick and easy to use, travel-friendly
Cons: The sheer coverage may not be suitable for everyone, and some have referred to it as more of a primer
Rating: 4/5
I’m someone who doesn’t like too much make-up, so the Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick is perfect for me.
I found it gave my skin that ‘Paris filter’ finish, without feeling heavy or tacky.
The light formula is super blendable and easy to use, you literally draw it on like a crayon and blend, and you’re left with a glass skin, refreshed, natural look – what Charlotte calls the ‘ring light effect’ (something she’s famous for) in seconds.
It’s also packed full of skincare benefits to hydrate and improve the look and feel of your skin, including Plant Powered Collageneer, Multi-Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid, Daikon Radish Seed Oil, and Vitamin E.
I’ve been wearing it both alone and layered with the Flawless Filter, and have been impressed with just how glowy my skin looks.
This has quickly become my go-to base, and I can’t see it leaving my makeup bag anytime soon.
Coverage: Sheer to light, Finish: Natural, Shades: 20 options, SPF: None, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Water based? Yes
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, £39
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, £41 at Boots
Pros: Glowy finish, great coverage, easy to blend
Cons: Leaky bottle, lack of control over dispensing
Rating: 4/5
Nars’ Sheer Glow Foundation is one of the brand’s bestsellers, and it’s gained a solid fan base that includes Molly-Mae Hague and a long list of other influencers.
Released in 2009, the foundation is a cult favourite because of its satin coverage, which I can confirm beautifully glides across the skin.
While the sheer finish provides a lovely glow, I did feel the need to instantly pack the powder as the consistency didn’t feel as light as its alternatives.
The bottle doesn’t have a pump (it can be bought separately), which meant I had a lack of control over how much product I tipped onto my hand, and some went onto my wrist.
The screw-on lid also leaked slightly in my very annoying bag, so I’ll probably stick to taking a pump foundation with me when I travel.
On the whole, the Nars foundation for dry skin feels like a great option for dry skin as it’s definitely hydrating, but I didn’t find it to be quite as lightweight as other options.
Coverage: Medium, Finish: Satin, Shades: 40 options, SPF: None, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Water based? Yes
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, £39
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, £39 at Boots
Pros: High coverage, multiple functions, SPF 50+ sits nicely over skincare
Cons: Sinks into fine lines, may be too matte for very dry skin
Rating: 4/5
If you’re struggling to find a foundation that works with dry skin, it’s worth considering a CC cream.
Lightweight in texture, the creamy product usually works well for achieving the no-makeup look.
The full-coverage formula slightly strays from a typical CC cream, and I found it to be super effective for blurring out imperfections.
Infused with hydrolysed collagen, peptides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, the cream works hard to nourish and perfect.
What I love about this product (and why I think it stands up against foundations) is that it really does leave the skin looking flawless.
I’m not usually one for a matte finish, but I liked that my skin wasn’t crying out for powder like it usually would be.
I also used the CC cream around my eyes instead of concealer, so it would be a great choice for those who want to keep their makeup routine simple.
For me, the product didn’t feel as hydrating on the skin as other foundations, which could also be down to the matte finish.
Throughout the day, I noticed that it did begin to sink into my fine lines, and it did slightly transfer onto my clothing.
On the whole, the CC cream is definitely one that I’ll be reaching for, particularly on working from home days or when I want a flawless base without applying a full face of make-up.
Working as a foundation, concealer and a strong SPF, I’d also recommend it to beauty fans who want an all-in-one product.
As far as CC creams go, it’s definitely a game-changer, but it wouldn’t be my first choice for days when my skin is feeling extra dry.
Coverage: Full, Finish: Matte, Shades: 17 options, SPF: 50+, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Water based? Yes
Huda Beauty Easy Blur Foundation, £32
Huda Beauty Easy Blur Foundation, £32 at Cult Beauty
Pros: Strong coverage, doesn’t cake, blurs imperfections
Cons: Colour match inaccuracy
Rating: 4/5
Since the brand’s launch in 2013, Huda Beauty has had several of its products go viral – and Easy Blur had the same effect when it dropped in 2024.
Infused with skincare ingredients including niacinamide and pore-blurring silica, the foundation is designed to have a serum-like texture that still provides full coverage.
While I wouldn’t compare its consistency to a serum, the Huda foundation is lightweight and easy to blend.
It feels blurring on the skin, providing the perfect amount of coverage to feel flawless without looking cakey.
I used an online colour match, which unfortunately left me a couple of shades too dark, but other reviewers have praised the accuracy of their own shade matches.
Huda’s Faux Filter foundation is another bestseller, and while the matte, full coverage texture didn’t work with my dry skin, Easy Blur is a strong alternative.
Providing strong coverage without drying out the skin, it’s likely that the foundation will be the next Huda product to enter the beauty hall of fame.
Coverage: Medium, Finish: Natural, Shades: 30 options, SPF: None, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Water based? No
Foundation for dry skin FAQs
What type of foundation is best for dry skin?
We’d recommend choosing a foundation that provides hydration, a dewy finish and a comfortable feel throughout the day.
Look for liquid or cream formulas with moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, as they help to lock in moisture and prevent flakiness.
Avoid powder foundations, which can emphasise dryness and fine lines.
It’s best to apply foundation in light, buildable layers, which helps your skin to look smooth and gives you the coverage you want without looking heavy or cakey.
Make sure to apply a moisturiser and sunscreen (and a hydrating primer if you wish) before applying your foundation.
What ingredients should I look for in a foundation for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient as it’s a humectant, working to attract and retain moisture, keeping skin hydrated and supple.
Glycerin is another excellent humectant that helps lock in hydration throughout the day.
Natural oils such as jojoba, argan or rosehip provide nourishment and support the skin barrier, and antioxidants like vitamin E can protect against environmental stressors, while offering soothing benefits.
Check the ingredients list for high concentrations of alcohol (like ethanol), which can dehydrate the skin and emphasise dry patches.
How to stop skin from looking dry with foundation on?
The key is proper preparation and choosing your products wisely.
Gently exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant once or twice a week to remove flaky patches and smooth skin texture, and follow with a hydrating toner, serum and moisturiser.
In the morning, apply a hydrating sunscreen and/or a primer, and leave it to settle for a minute or so before going in with your foundation.
Apply a liquid or cream foundation with a dewy or satin finish (matte formulas can highlight dryness) with a damp make-up sponge, which gives a more natural, seamless finish.
Set only the areas prone to creasing (like under your eyes) with a finely milled, lightweight powder, or skip powder altogether if you prefer.
Finally, spritz a hydrating setting spray over your look to keep your skin looking fresh and hydrated.
What is the best foundation for dry, older skin?
For dry, older skin, the ideal foundation is hydrating and light-reflective to blur fine lines and impart a youthful glow.
Look for foundations with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin or squalane to help plump and hydrate.
Cream, liquid or serum formulas are your best bet, as they layer easily and feel comfortable without settling into any fine lines.
We’d recommend the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream or I tried the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation as some of the best foundations for mature skin, which both deliver a natural, flattering finish.
You can also check out these foundation tips for mature skin.
How to prep dry skin for make-up
To achieve the best foundation application, it’s all about the prep.
Applying one of the best moisturisers for dry skin before your foundation is key (whatever your skin type) as the formula works as a base to help your make-up glide on.
Foundation can sometimes pill if it’s worn over a moisturiser that’s too heavy, so it’s worth finding a nourishing product that will sit nicely beneath other products.
Primers are also great for acting as a middle ground between skincare and foundation, and they often give a tacky base that will help your makeup to stay in place for longer.