Our Best Foundation for Dry Skin

When you’ve got dry skin, you know how hard it can be to make your skin look a little more glow-y. Although the goal of face makeup (and foundation in particular) is to help you get a flawless-looking complexion, when you have dry skin, that may feel entirely unattainable. But who says it has to be that way? We’re here to let you in on a little secret—with the right foundation formula and a few application tips, you can create the appearance of luminous, radiant skin. Yes, really. We’re sharing our best foundation for dry skin, plus a step-by-step guide to applying foundation to dry skin, below.

OUR BEST FOUNDATION FOR DRY SKIN

Matte finishes may be trendy but they probably won’t do you any favors if you have dry skin. Due to its flat finish, matte foundation can accentuate dryness—which we're betting is the opposite of what you want. If you have dry skin, a foundation with a radiant finish is often a better bet. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation is our best foundation for dry skin, thanks to its radiant finish, medium coverage, and air-light texture.

HOW TO APPLY FOUNDATION TO DRY SKIN

Now you know our best foundation to use on dry skin, but what about how to apply it? Makeup application can be quite the struggle when you have dry skin, so don’t feel bad if you need a play-by-play on how to apply foundation to dry skin. Here, we’re sharing exactly how to do it, simply follow these steps to prep your face and apply your foundation:

Step 1: Moisturize

Whatever you can do to combat dryness prior to applying foundation should be done. That means moisturizing is a must! Smooth on a moisturizer formulated with aloe vera water and hyaluronic acid, like the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care Normal/Dry Skin or L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Extra Dry Skin. Of course, you shouldn’t just be moisturizing when you wear makeup. Be sure to moisturize twice daily—once when you wake up and again right before bed. Remember: Moisturized skin is beautiful skin!

Step 2: Conceal

Some of us might prefer not to admit it but everyone has an imperfection or two (or more!). That’s where concealer comes into play. Before breaking out your foundation, use a coordinating concealer to hide dark circles and any other imperfections you may want to cover. Apply the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Concealer anywhere your complexion is looking less than perfect, then blend out.

Step 3: Apply foundation

We’re as thankful for our hands as the next person—but when it comes to applying foundation to dry skin, fingers just aren’t going to cut it. In fact, it’s best to avoid directly touching your skin as much as possible. The next time you pick up your foundation, apply it with a makeup blender, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. Simply squeeze a little bit of your foundation onto the blender and use dabbing and rolling motions to blend it onto your skin.

Step 4: Powder to set your look

Want all your hard work to go to waste? We think not! If you want to help ensure your makeup lasts the rest of the day, which we think you do, you’ll need to set your foundation. Typically, face powder is thought of as a major no-no for dry skin, but that doesn’t have to be the case. If you stick with a powder with a luminous finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Powder, you should be safe. Use a fluffy makeup brush to sweep a light layer over your foundation and you’re all set (literally and figuratively).

HOW TO REMOVE FOUNDATION AT THE END OF THE DAY

This step is just as important as picking out the best foundation for your dry skin and applying it properly. In fact, it’s a good rule for anyone to follow, regardless of skin type! Here’s why: When you sleep in your makeup, it can mix with the dirt and oil on your face—and that can lead to clogged pores. When you have dry skin, you won’t want to reach for any old cleanser since the wrong formula could dry out your skin further. Try using a micellar water, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin, which removes makeup, hydrates, and soothes.

Foundation isn’t the only thing you have to worry about when you have dry skin. Your skin care routine is just as essential. If yours is lacking, check out our 8 Skin Care Hacks for Dry Skin.