Best foundation for dry skin: NARS to Charlotte Tilbury
FOUNDATION has the ability to make or break a make-up look, particularly for dry skin types.
The last thing anyone wants is a cakey-looking base, which is why finding the best foundation for dry skin can be a game-changer in a routine.
When it comes to my foundation, I'm usually someone who lives by the 'if it's not broke, don't fix it' mantra.
My dry skin causes the wrong foundations to look anything but flawless, so it can be a risk branching out - but there's been a surge in hydrating formulas in recent years.
Nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin are worth looking out for on your mission for the perfect foundation, along with products that incorporate skincare into their formulas.
Winter is the season when people are most likely to reach for foundation, whether to conceal uneven skin caused by harsh, cold weather or to create the illusion of a sun-kissed glow.
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Finding a hydrating foundation doesn't have to mean minimal coverage though, and I tried out some of the top-rated products with with sheer, full and medium finishes.
Best foundations for dry skin at a glance
- Best foundation for dry mature skin:
- Best foundation for dry skin and full coverage:
- Best dewy foundation for dry skin:
- Best hydrating foundation for dry skin:
How I tested
I tested all of the foundations for dry skin for at least a couple of days, while others have been in my 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 my usual skincare routine, 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.
6 best foundations for dry skin
Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation, £43
Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation, £43 at Look Fantastic
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 re-apply 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 where 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, £39
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 that'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, £39
MAC Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation, £39
Pros: Great coverage, glowy finish, small pump for accuracy, wide range of shades, accurate colour match
Cons: Product 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 make-up 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 on my high points before applying my foundation as a 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 that 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
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, £39
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, £39
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 it's 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 lead to some going to waist.
The screw-on lid also leaked slightly in my bag which was very annoying, 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-make-up 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 hydrolyzed 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 I 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 that want to keep their make-up 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 on to 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 where 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
How to apply foundation
Brushes and sponges are the most common applicators for foundation, and both make it easier to get an even finish.
A make-up brush gives a controlled application that works well for full coverage looks, while sponges are usually favoured for a natural finish.
Blending out foundation evenly is key for achieving a seamless look, and you can apply the product either directly to your face or on the back of your hand.
Work the product into the skin by gently pressing it down with a brush or sponge, and avoid swiping motions.
How to prep dry skin for make-up
To achieve the best foundation application, it's all about the prep.
Applying moisturiser 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 make-up to stay in place for longer.
What is CC cream?
CC cream stands for 'colour corrector' and 'complexion corrector', usually having a lightweight consistency.
Designed to be a hybrid between foundation and skincare, CC creams work to correct redness and dark spots, and can be used as an all-in-one in replacement for a foundation and concealer.
CC creams are a great option for those that want to achieve a subtle make-up look, as they often have a lighter coverage.
The lighter formula of a CC cream is generally considered to be hydrating, which is why they're a strong choice for dry skin.
CC creams usually provide more coverage than a bb cream (which stands for blemish balm), and less coverage than a foundation.
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Is water-based make-up good for dry skin?
Water-based foundations are usually hydrating, which is why they're the perfect for choice for dry skin.
Acne-prone and sensitive skin types are also likely to benefit from water-based products, as the formulas tend to be gentle.
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