Finding the perfect foundation can be harder than finding your soulmate, and it’s especially hard to find great foundations for dry skin. I understand the struggle first-hand which is why I’ve compiled a list of the best foundations for dry skin.
If you have dry skin, then you already know the struggles. You put your foundation on only for it to stick to dry patches on your face. You do everything you can to blend it out but nothing works. I’ve been there and I’ve tried so many foundations so that you don’t have to! Keep reading to discover the best foundations for dry skin!
Best Foundations for Dry Skin
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ is a fan favourite and it’s no wonder why. It’s a CC cream, so it feels weightless on the skin, but it’s also buildable. It’s the perfect product for everyone because it’s light coverage, but can be built up to your desired coverage.
The product lasts all day without creasing or drying up on your face, and it is super hydrating. If you’re not into products that make your face look glowy, don’t worry because there is also a matte version of this CC cream.
The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream also has SPF in it which means it’s working overtime to protect your skin from the sun.
The only downside of this product is that it doesn’t have a wide range of shades. There are only 12, which is disappointing. I am extremely pale and am typically the lightest shade in every foundation line, which would be the shade fair in the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream line. However, even the lightest shade has orange tones in it which makes it a tad too dark for me during the winter.
I highly recommend trying this out if you’re looking for something natural that can be built up for full coverage as well.
The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream retails for $52 CAD
Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation
If the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream sounds appealing, but you can’t find your shade then the Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation is for you.
I went into Sephora looking for a tinted moisturizer and they recommended the Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation. I was a bit skeptical at first because I wasn’t looking for a foundation, but this product is a miracle.
Technically, it’s a foundation, but it feels so lightweight that you wouldn’t even guess it’s a foundation. It is really liquidy which makes it thin, but you can build it up to your desired coverage. It is also waterproof which makes it great for mid-day workouts and long days.
If you apply it super lightly, it looks like a second skin. If you build it up, your skin will have a beautiful full coverage finish. The one flaw to the foundation is that it does have perfume in it which gives it a noticeable scent. If that’s not your thing then I wouldn’t recommend this foundation for you. I don’t mind the scent, but I know it’s a dealbreaker for some.
The Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation comes in 40 shades so there is something for everyone. What I love about this line is that there are different undertones for every shade. For example, I bought the shade 0 Neutral, but the shade 0 also comes in 0 Cool Rosy and 0 Warm.
The Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation retails for $50 CAD.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation is the BEST medium coverage foundation for dry skin. I have been using this foundation for two years now and I absolutely love it.
It is longwearing, hydrating, and evens skin texture. I have never had an issue with it drying up on my skin or getting patchy. It also lasts all day long without sliding around or creasing.
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation comes in 50 shades, so it has a wide range of diverse shades. It is technically a medium coverage foundation, however, you can build it up to be full coverage. I typically use this foundation for long work days or glam looks.
It does feel heavier than the previous foundations I’ve listed, but it’s not heavy in the sense that you’ll feel like your skin is being weighed down. Again, it is super hydrating which is why it is one of the best foundations for dry skin. I’d recommend this if you’re looking for a foundation that can be worn for any occasion.
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation retails for $50 CAD.
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
The Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation is a great option if you’re on a budget. It is the least expensive foundation that I’ve found at Sephora that works great for dry skin.
It is a medium coverage, natural finish foundation and it’s great for dry skin because it doesn’t cling to texture or dry patches. It is also natural looking. It can be built up for more coverage, but I find it doesn’t build up to full coverage.
There are 48 shades in the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation line. I find that most of the lighter shades have extremely rosy or orange undertones so watch out for that if your skin tone is more cool toned.
The Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation retails for $38 CAD.
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation
The Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation is one of the best foundations for dry skin that I’ve ever tried, however, it is on the pricey side.
This foundation is another fan favourite because of its luxe feel. It is a medium coverage foundation, but buildable so you can get high coverage if you desire it. It has a natural and radiant finish which I love.
There are 40 shades in this foundation, which is a wide range. For once, I didn’t buy the lightest shade in the range. I bought shade 5 which was what was recommended by Sephora’s shade finder. It is a bit too dark for me, but it still works once blended. It will be a great match for me in the summer, but for now I mix it with the Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation to make it a bit lighter.
There are so many shades and they all look similar so I recommend going into the store and getting matched. I highly recommend this foundation, and I would encourage everyone with dry skin to purchase it if it works within your budget. It is my absolute favourite foundation I have tried based on the silky finish and texture.
The Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation retails for $82 CAD.
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What is your favourite foundation?
This is so helpful! I am going from a humid to a dry climate so dealing with dry skin is a newish issue for me, so I appreciate this guide. I use It Cosmetics CC cream but I have not tried this particular one. I cannot wait to try it! I also did not know you could build it up to full coverage, so I will give that a try. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I have to give the IT Cosmetics cc cream a try again! I got the wrong shade last time and didn’t feel like trying another lol. I really wish they had more shades! A great dupe for it is the Colourpop Cosmetics hyaluronic acid tinted moisturizer – it’s AMAZING for dry skin!
I recently purchased a cc cream and haven’t used it yet. I was a bit hesitant, so thank you for the insight!!
I hope it goes well for you! I love CC creams! They are so great for a natural look.
Super helpful as I have dry skin!
I’m glad this post was helpful for you!
I have dry skin also and I am always looking for the best foundation. The problem of the ones you mentioned is that they are expensive…..
As someone with dry skin, I appreciate this post so much! I love the It Cosmetics CC cream but really want to try Rare Beauty’s foundation as well! Thanks for this awesome post.
The It Cosmetics CC cream can’t be beat! It’s so incredible. But the Rare Beauty one is nice for an actual foundation as compared to a CC cream.