11 Best Expert-Approved Full-Coverage Foundations For Dry Skin – 2024
Blend these hydrating formulas onto your dry skin and get a lasting clean coverage.
Danielle obtained her cosmetology license from MTI College and continued with her education in Makeup Artistry at Bellus Academy. She then began session styling for weddings and special events, including celebrity occasions. With 14 years of experience, Danielle has made herself available in salons for color services and offers on location services, including professional fashion styling, in Southern California.
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Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.
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Experience: 3 yearsRajeshwari is a dedicated fitness and lifestyle enthusiast, deeply committed to enhancing our readers’ well-being and vitality. She has a master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Calcutta.
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Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.
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Investing in the best full-coverage foundation for dry skin is more of a necessity than a luxury for those with dry skin. Dry skin can be highly challenging to manage and keep healthy, given it gets flaky and pulls at every given opportunity. And likewise, finding makeup products that work to prevent dryness from aggravating can be equally difficult. This is why you need a foundation that is exclusively formulated with hydrating and moisture-retaining ingredients.
On winter days when you plan to go full-makeup, it is imperative that you choose the right foundation that works to give your skin an even tone while also ensuring that it stays hydrated for hours on end. Making this possible are various brands with their exclusive formulations for dry skin types. And we have curated a list of the 11 impressive full-coverage foundations for dry skin to save you the trouble of researching and help you flaunt that flawless, statement-making look. So, choose your fav out of the 11 products and get ready to say hello to healthy skin!
In This Article
Dry Skin Only Edition – 11 Full-Coverage Foundations Best Suited For Dry Skin
1. Best Lightweight:It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Color Correcting Cream – Medium (W)
To name a duo better than a high coverage foundation hand-in-hand with an SPF50+ might seem like a task unless you’re aware of this magic product. What’s better than to have a dermatologist tested tinted cream which not only covers your blemishes but is also boosted with humectants? The IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream works miraculously in prepping your skin for a fully-covered, no-crease look. In addition to that, your skin will be thanking you as this product is formulated with an anti-aging serum and hyaluronic acid, both which strive to provide you a dewy, youthful skin. And, to top it all, this CC cream comes with a pump dispenser, meaning, 32ml of product and no wastage! The cream glides on easily without any hassle, but the finish is what takes away the prize as it gives a full-glam look with just enough layer for your skin to breathe. Check this video to learn about the tester’s experience of using this product.
- Hydrating and creamy texture
- Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles
- Lightweight but high coverage
- All-day comfort
- Radiant glow
- Infused with anti-aging serum and hyaluronic acid
- Sun protection with SPF50+
- Could settle in fine lines
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 3,141 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
2. Best Anti-Aging Properties:Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless Wrinkle-Defying Foundation – Buff Beige
Want to go back in time and use the classic compact foundation? Well, you’re just in luck. Known to be a favorite amongst those with dry skin, the cruelty-free makeup brand Covergirl’s collab with drugstore’s favorite skincare line Olay sure is everything nourishing and hydrating, and more. Just a gentle swirl with a brush is going to help cover any unwanted spots and blemishes. As clichéd as it sounds, a little sure goes a long way. Crafted with power elements like hyaluronic complex and vitamin C, your face will not only look dewy but also experience the ultimate skin-plumping effect. Enriched with anti-aging properties and an SPF 28 to secure you from sunburns, this foundation is a vanity must-have. This video will help you learn about the reviewer’s experience of using this product.
- Smooth and dewy complexion
- Hydrates and plumps skin
- Restores skin elasticity
- Dry skin-friendly
- Does not crease
- Anti-aging properties
- Packed with hyaluronic complex and vitamin C
- May give a cakey look if attempted to build up
- May not be suitable for sensitive and oily skin types
Stylecraze Trivia3. Best Organic:Phoera Foundation
The Phoera Foundation is a delicate, non-transferable, matte liquid foundation. The 103 Warm Peach Foundation provides long-lasting full coverage to your skin. The foundation is made up of 100% natural ingredients like pineapple fruit extracts, Brazilian cocoa seed extract, sorbic acid, etc. The foundation provides a soft and smooth glow to your skin and gives you a flawless complexion. The foundation has an oil-controlling formula that leaves your skin non-greasy and matte. It also helps to correct skin tones and hide blemishes. The lightweight texture of the foundation spreads on your skin easily and does not adhere to the compact.
- Organic
- Flawless coverage
- Vegan
- Fragrance-free
- Gluten-free
- Allergen-free
- Preservative-free
None
Pro TipIt Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Color Correcting Cream - Medium Best Lightweight | Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless Wrinkle-Defying Foundation - Buff Beige Best Anti-Aging Properties | Phoera Foundation Best Organic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1.04 x 1.28 x 6.3 inches | 2.7 x 1.01 x 2.7 inches | 1.18 x 1.18 x 3.15 inches |
| Weight | 1.08 Ounces | 0.42 Ounces | 1.76 Ounces. |
| Skin Type | - | SensitiveColor | NormalColor |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 3,141 | 18,946 | - |
| Price | $47 | $13.97 | $9.99 |
4. Best Long Lasting:Revlon ColorStay 24HRS Foundation- Medium Beige
If you grew up watching tons of beauty YouTubers and eventually buying your first drugstore foundation, you’d know that Revlon has always been in the air among popular foundation brands. With its resilience to formulate and re-formulate their products, the ColorStay range sure is not a new name in the market. Except, it does the job of coming in 2 variants to satisfy those with either dry to normal or oily to combination skin types. Backed up with a lightweight formula to provide a medium to full coverage, the formula of this foundation almost feels that of a mousse when applied. If you’re on the look for a natural but radiant finish, do bring your attention to this marvel of a product.
- SPF 20
- Creaseless
- Boosts skin radiance
- Luminous and skin-like finish
- Doesn’t settle into fine lines
- Long-lasting
- Easily blendable
- Contains parabens and EDTA
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 1,249 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
5. Best Semi-Matte Finish:e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation – Lily
If your moisturizer could cover up blemishes and other marks while hydrating your skin, this product would be it. Let us introduce you to this wonder foundation which, as a matter of fact, boasts in pride to come in 40 different shades! Not only is its quick blend formula something to get wooed by, the coverage it provides is to die for. Promising to be fit for all skin types, this foundation is a beloved item from the dry skin community as it is packed with glycerin – a popularly known humectant. It is one of the full coverage foundations in the market. Plus, this beauty brand steers clear of testing its products on animals.
- Comes in 40 shades
- Boosted with glycerin to hydrate skin
- Semi-matte finish
- Blends into skin
- Medium to high coverage
- Buildable
- Consistency could seem thick to some
- Some may find the odor overpowering
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has received 2,385 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.
6. Best Buildable:Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint – Nude
You’ve heard of #MLBB, now’s your time to learn about #MSBB – My Skin But Better; and the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Tint exactly aspires to provide that to your skin. The product itself could seem like a miss-out for those who do not fall under the shades that are provided. Regardless, this foundation does more than just add tint to your skin as it lifts and brightens the skin tone while maintaining a fresh and healthy look. It is easy to blend and you have a lot of control on the coverage since it is easily buildable.
- Natural finish
- Buildable
- Doe-foot applicator
- Evens out skin tone
- Does not settle in fine lines
- Blemishes could poke through
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 8,502 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.
7. Best Easy-To-Blend:Dermablend Quick-Fix Body Makeup Full Coverage Foundation Stick – 80W Brown
Ever found yourself wondering if you could take your average foundation to the extreme? Well, this tiny bullet serves as a holy grail product for a high coverage not just on the face but anywhere on the body! With its extremely creamy consistency, this skin-quenching foundation provides maximum coverage for a smudge-proof and water resistant look for 16 hours straight. The dermatologist-tested foundation not only covers up any marks be it – scars, blemishes, birthmarks, or even tattoos – but it also sets into the skin leaving the effect of a well-done base. Many reviewers on Amazon lauded the product for its ability to render great coverage and stay throughout the day.
- High coverage
- Comes in a portable bullet stick
- Easy to blend
- Smooth and even application
- Moisture-locking properties
- Dermatologist-approved
- Contains no parabens or SLS
- Some may find the consistency thick
8. Best Sweat Resistant:Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Hydra Foundation – 2.15 Light
Here’s another cruelty-free foundation that promises to last for 24 hours without budging from the surface. Of course, we don’t recommend wearing a foundation or any kind of makeup for an entire span of the day but it sure feels convincing when a brand assures you of its longevity. Smashbox foundations have always been in the rave of hype and admiration, and their Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation too is one that is adored by most. With an immense spectrum of their shade range that accounts to 40 shades, this product aims to provide the perfect full-coverage finish with a hydrating glow.
- High coverage
- Blurs imperfections
- Transfer and sweat resistant
- Natural matte finish
- Comes in 40 shades
- Needs to be set with powder for a non-cakey finish
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 1,358 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
9. Best Sun Protection:Bella Terra Cosmetics Multipurpose Perfecting Powder – Ivory
We know that this article is directed for our dry skin beauties and mineral powder foundation is something they need to stray away from– but hear us out. The Bellaterra foundation, regardless of being a powder base, suits those even with dry skin! The simple trick is to either mix a bit of your moisturizer or hydrating primer with the powder foundation and then swirl it all over your face. With its barely-there feel and ability to last for a long time, you would need to use just a swipe or 2 to let it sit on your skin completely without moving.
- Lightweight on the face
- Long-lasting coverage
- Satin finish
- Does not settle in fine lines
- Offers sun protection
- Leaves a natural glow
- Slightly expensive
10. Best Hydrating:100% PURE Fruit Pigmented Water Foundation
This Fruit Pigmented Water Foundation from 100% PURE is a perfect pick for you if you have dry skin and want to achieve that dewy-looking glow. With the goodness of aloe vera, alpha lipoic acid, and resveratrol, a type of antioxidant, this hydrating foundation gives your skin anti-aging benefits and a dose of nourishment. The foundation gets its shade from natural fruit pigments such as peach, apricot, and acai berry, which make the foundation gentle. The foundation is free from heavy metals, easy to apply, highly blendable, and results in a natural-looking complexion. In addition to that, this clean beauty brand does not test its products on animals.
- Natural formula
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Toxin-free
- May set on fine lines
11. Best Talc-Free:Youngblood Liquid Mineral Foundation – Capri
We saved the best for the last; this high-end foundation comes from the land of Australia. Infused with a hydrating complex which is deemed beneficial for its antibacterial properties, this foundation easily becomes the must-have product for those with dry skin. The expert-recommended product is also highly enriched with skincare agents like squalane, green tea leaf extract, willow bark extract, etcetera. The ingredients of the product serve to provide maximum hydration, and soothe the skin. The product has garnered positive reviews for being lightweight and for offering great coverage.
- Extremely hydrating
- Infused with skincare ingredients
- Cruelty free
- Vegan
- Talc-free
- Paraben-free
- Contains EDTA
We know that as the beauty industry grows, so do their products list with new informed formulae. We also recommended some of the foundations which have been in the beauty community since long, and because they still make up quite the rave, we chose to revisit the past. All of these foundations stand at their best while being different in their own ways, and buying just the one foundation may not be the most easy thing to do, thus, we now provide you a few steps to remember when buying a foundation suitable for dry skin, one that is hydrating and smooth.
How To Choose The Best Full Coverage Foundation For Dry Skin
- Type of finish
As you would know most matte finish foundations are suitable for those with oily skin. Therefore, researching on demi-matte finish foundations or hydrating foundations should be something you must look out for. If you have dry skin which is on the sensitive side, it’s best to opt for formulas that are dermatologist-tested to avert any potential allergic reactions on the skin.
- Undertones
Foundations with “C” refers to those with “cool” or bluish undertones, while those with “W” and “N” are referred to those with “warm” or yellowish-olive and “neutral” or creamy-peach undertones.
- Consistency
Many times, the thicker the product, the higher the coverage. However, that isn’t the case for a few other foundations. A highly hydrating foundation could easily be of a watery consistency while providing a medium to high coverage.So, pay close attention to the consistency, coverage, and opt for one that offers an impressive coverage without caking up.
- Ingredients
Look for hydrating and moisture proofing elements like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E, or emollients like squalane. Humectants and emollients are elements which provide excess hydrating features – you would also find them used extensively in skin care products.
- Invest in a hydrating setting spray or mist
No matter the high amount of hydration you get from your foundation, always try to set your base makeup with an optimal amount of setting spray to not only set the look but also lock the dewy effect.
Now that we are sort of well versed with the kind of foundation to be on the lookout for, the obvious curiosity now turns to the method of applying a high-coverage foundation.
How To Apply A Full Coverage Hydrating Foundation
Step 1:
Make sure to prep your freshly washed face with either a moisturizer or a hydrating primer.
Step 2: Since full coverage foundations have the tendency to appear cakey or shift when applied on the skin surface, a primer would help provide a firm finish look.
Step 3: Wait till the moisture is absorbed into the skin, if you apply the foundation before, chances of it not being able to blend properly are possible.
Step 4: Now,pump out a bit of the foundation and dot or stroke the pigment all over your face.
Step 5: Use either a foundation brush– preferably a flat top brush or a beauty sponge. You could also use your fingertips.
Step 6: With gentle pressure, dab or pat the tint on to your skin and softly brush out the edges to remove the look of harsh effects.
Infographic: Ingredients To Look For & Avoid In Full-Coverage Foundations For Dry Skin
Finding foundations for dry skin is easy if you know which ingredients are beneficial. Besides knowing what your right shade is and the finish you want for your dry skin, learn about the good and harmful ingredients. Check out the infographic below to understand these ingredients and look out for them when searching for a foundation. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Dry skin can be challenging to manage as it can easily get flaky. You need full coverage foundations that can hydrate and retain moisture. Especially during the colder days of the year, a hydrating foundation is a must-have for every woman dealing with dry skin. These products are formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C provide exceptional results and leave you with a no-crease flawless look. They are lightweight, long-lasting, and provide high coverage. The It Cosmetics CC+ Cream is one of the best out there with its multi-functional benefits and the Revlon ColorStay Foundation works well for dry to normal or oily to combination skin types. But, if you are looking for something with a long-lasting formula and hydrating glow, try the Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation. However, some products might have a thick consistency and overpowering fragrance. Remember to patch test or pick up the products approved by the dermatologist. Avoid products that have a cakey effect.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Srijita De, is a makeup enthusiast. She loves to explore and review makeup products and spends hours grabbing the information on the latest trends. After extensive research, she compiled the list of best full coverage foundations for dry skin. The products included in the list contain ingredients with moisture-retaining effects and provide you with a flawless makeup look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of foundation is best for dry skin?
Any full-coverage foundation with hydrating ingredients is suitable for dry skin. The foundation must moisturize the skin, impart a lovely dewy finish, and prevent the skin from looking cakey.
How do you prep dry skin for makeup wear?
Here is how you can prep your dry skin to wear makeup that does not look cakey.
• Gently cleanse your skin.
• Use a hydrating toner/mist.
• Apply a hydrating antioxidant serum.
• Slather on your moisturizer.
• Apply a hydrating primer.
What ingredients to avoid in a foundation for dry skin?
If you have dry skin, avoid using drying ingredients, such as alcohol, artificial fragrances, and exfoliating acids in your foundation.
What are the benefits of using full-coverage foundation for dry skin?
• It offers long-lasting coverage that hides your blemishes effectively.
• It does not dry out the skin.
• It does not settle on the skin or create cracks.
• It leaves a dewy finish on the skin that looks natural.
How do I get full coverage on dry skin without looking cakey?
• Prep your skin well before using a foundation.
• Exfoliate your skin and moisturize it.
• Use a hydrating primer to set the base.
• Use a hydrating, full-coverage foundation suitable for dry skin type.
• Apply foundation with a damp sponge.
• Set only your oily areas with a powder.
• Use a setting spray to mesh the makeup.
• Use cream based-products like blush, bronzer, or concealer.
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