The Absolute Best Foundations For Dry Skin

Finding a truly great foundation for your skin type is incredibly personal—not all formulas work for everyone. While a matte finish might work for someone with combination skin, it's likely to go on patchy on drier complexions. But anyone can benefit from a hydrating base that leaves skin looking and feeling good year-round. The good news? The skincare revolution has reached the makeup aisle, and there's now a ton of options of dry skin foundations at every price point.

What should you look for in a foundation if you have dry skin?

A new crop of foundation formulas packed with skincare ingredients has changed the game. The best foundations for dry skin feature proven moisturizing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin, butters and oils. If you're skin is dry and sensitive, cica is another good ingredient to keep an eye out for when reading labels. Whether you’re looking for light, medium or full coverage, our picks will leave you dewy and hydrated.

Maybelline Lifter Plump & Glow Foundation, $20

Made with 90 percent skincare ingredients, this buildable light-to-medium foundation contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to plump skin and leave it looking brighter, dewier and healthier. It comes in 24 shades.

Lixr Beauty Skin Shake Bi-Phase Serum Skin Tint, $68

Squalane and jojoba oil are the star ingredients in this hydrating, light-coverage tint by Lixr Beauty, a Canadian brand that formulates waterless, skincare-packed formulas. It leaves skin looking natural, fresh and radiant, and comes in 20 shades, covering cool, neutral and warm undertones. 

L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glow Tint, $20

This lightweight tint contains light-diffusing pearls to amp up your glow and is made with over 80 percent serum to plump parched skin and keep the product from settling into fine lines. It comes in 16 shades to even out a range of skin tones.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $85

Celebs and their makeup artists swear by this foundation for over two decades. It’s best known for its satin sheen—which gives it the “lit-from-within” glow dry skin types covet—but the oil-free formula is an all-around crowd-pleaser and is suitable for all skin types. It was recently reformulated and now comes in 44 shades. 

Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation, $75

Formulated with niacinamide and a microbiome-boosting prebiotic, this stellar foundation boasts 24 hours of hydration. Over time, the skin-friendly ingredients work to smooth and brighten skin. The buildable, medium-coverage formula comes in 30 shades and is designed to stay put for up to 12 hours.

M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation, $62

This ultra-hydrating serum foundation contains a whopping 33 skincare ingredients, including a high dose of hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin. With 56 shades to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find your perfect match.

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, $65

Despite being incredibly lightweight, this oil-free skin tint by Vancouver-founded brand Ilia perfectly evens out skin. We love that it doesn't look thick, cakey or clings to dry patches while still being buildable enough to achieve different coverage levels. It comes in 30 shades and contains a powerful cocktail of skincare ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalane and a mineral SPF 40.

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream With SPF 50+, $53

If you’re after a full coverage foundation, this beloved cult favourite—available in 22 shades—is the way to go. It glides on the skin easily, camouflaging dark circles, blemishes and redness without drying out the skin, while protecting it with SPF 50.

Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Foundation, $72

An excellent pick for mature, dry, sensitive skin, this foundation is beloved for its ultra-natural second-skin look and feel. It contains fermented arnica to combat redness, which makes it perfect for those experiencing rosacea. The formula comes in an impressive selection of 51 shades.

The Ordinary Serum Foundation, $8

Ringing in at just $8, this lightweight foundation by Canadian skincare brand The Ordinary is a steal. It has the weightless consistency of a serum and delivers a sheer coverage that lets skin breathe. The formula comes in 36 shades, ranging from very fair to very deep.

Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick, $54

Need something you can throw in your bag for midday touch-ups? Give the stick version of Fenty Beauty’s popular Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint a try. Made with murumuru butter, the smooth, creamy formula instantly melts into the skin to blur redness, blemishes and hyperpigmentation. It comes in 25 ultra-blendable shades.

Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer, $56

A moisturizer-like foundation is best for dry skin. The perfect combo of skincare and makeup, this dewy tinted cream—which comes in 14 versatile shades—evens out skin for a radiant, light coverage finish. It contains licorice root to brighten skin for an added glow. 

Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint, $57

More skincare than makeup, this skin tint is perfect for dry skin types. It contains cica to soothe, glycerin and hyaluronic acid to boost moisture levels, as well as squalane and avocado oil to hydrate. Despite being available in just 12 shades, it works for an impressive range of skin tones.