9 Makeup Products Everyone with Dry Skin Should Own

Applying makeup over dry skin can feel like a seriously daunting task, since oftentimes makeup can make your complexion look even drier. Ugh, what’s the deal? Well, it turns out you may not be using the right makeup products for your skin type—or prepping your skin properly beforehand. When it comes to dry skin, it’s important to ensure you’re keeping your complexion hydrated so that your makeup goes on smoothly. And when it comes to what kind of makeup to use, it’s a good idea to pick products that have a radiant or dewy finish—that means matte powders are an absolute no-no! Here, learn a simple skin care routine for dry skin along with makeup products to try if you’re on the dry side.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU APPLY YOUR MAKEUP

Don’t go applying your foundation just yet! If you have dry skin, it’s important to cleanse and moisturize your complexion with products formulated for your skin type.

Step #1: Cleanse

Micellar water has been a French-favorite cleanser for years—and for very good reason. It’s powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup up and away from the skin. What’s more, micellar water doesn’t require any rinsing—all you have to do is saturate a cotton pad with some and wipe the pad across your face. Going one step further, micellar water can also help combat dryness. Just try the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser - Normal to Dry Skin, which hydrates and soothes. Since you don’t need to be anywhere near a sink to use micellar water, it’s a particularly valuable product for the gym or traveling. Throw one in your bag the next time you need to cleanse on the go!

Step #2: Moisturize

You should use a moisturizer daily—morning and night—regardless of your skin type. No matter how dry your skin is, you should be able to find a moisturizer for your needs. The following two water-based moisturizers are formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration—simply choose the one that’s right for you.

L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Dry Skin: Normal and dry skin faces external factors like pollution and UV rays that can damage the skin’s moisture barrier, increasing loss of moisture and causing it to become drier. As a result, skin's surface loses its natural glow, becoming dull. This moisturizer envelops skin with moisture to help it appear more radiant.

L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Extra Dry Skin: Extra dry skin has a very fragile skin moisture barrier that can easily be damaged by external factors like pollution and UV rays. Skin consequently loses its ability to retain moisture, becoming easily dehydrated, feeling tight and uncomfortable. This moisturizer envelops skin with moisture, providing comfort and soothing your complexion.

Step #3: Protect

Of course, in the morning it’s essential to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher over your moisturizer to help protect against UV rays. Look for one formulated for dry skin!

THE 9 BEST MAKEUP PRODUCTS FOR DRY SKIN

Ready to apply your face for the day? Here are our favorite makeup options for dry skin:

1. PRIMER

A good primer can help ensure that your makeup stays in place, as well as create a smooth canvas for face makeup application. When you have dry skin, it can often look dull, so reach for a primer that has illuminating qualities, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Lock Makeup Primer. This primer will give you a radiant, healthy glow that lasts all day.

2. LIQUID FOUNDATION

Powder makeup can settle onto your skin and make you look even drier. Who wants that? Instead, opt for a liquid foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation, which offers medium, long-lasting coverage with a radiant finish.

3. FOUNDATION BLENDER

Since you’re going to want to use a liquid foundation on dry skin, it’s time to invest in a makeup sponge to apply it with. Putting makeup on with a blender—rather than your fingers—allows for a more seamless look. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender has a pointed tip on one side and a rounded edge on the other. Apply a small amount of foundation onto the tip of the blender and bounce it all over your face using the rounded edge until you’ve reached your desired level of coverage.

Editor’s tip: Need to wash your foundation blender? Just clean it with a gentle soap and water, squeeze out the excess water, and store it in a cool, dry place until the next time you’re ready to use it.

4. LIQUID HIGHLIGHTER

Highlighter is one of those products that can help instantly transform your face. And if you have dry skin, you’re going to want to reach for a liquid one over a powder formula. The L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer is a multi-use product that can be worn alone, under your makeup, or applied to targeted areas (like the outer corners of your eyes, down the bridge of your nose, your cupid’s bow, and your chin, to name a few). This liquid illuminator comes in four shades—fair, light, medium, and deep—so there’s a match for every skin tone.

5. CREAM CONCEALER

When it comes to dry skin, we can’t reiterate enough how much you should stay away from powder makeup! If you’d like to wear concealer, reach for a creamy formula. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Concealing and Contour Kit is a palette containing four creamy flesh-toned concealer hues. Use them to cover skin imperfections after you apply foundation or use them to contour and highlight for a chiseled, totally on-trend look. You only need a little bit of concealer—there’s no reason to go overboard! In the case of concealer, less is definitely more.

6. CREAM BLUSH

Did we mention you should stay away from powders if you have dry skin? If you want to add a pop of color to your cheeks, opt for a blush with a cream formula. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Blush Shaping Sticks have a super-glide formula that will give your cheeks a long-lasting flush.

7. CREAM CONTOUR

Just like with blush, if you want to contour your face, stick with a cream formula. Use one of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Foundation Shaping Sticks in a color that’s one to two shades darker than your skin tone to sculpt your face.

8. CREAM EYE SHADOW

There’s just something oh-so-pretty about a shimmery cream eye shadow. Not to mention they’re great for those with dry skin. The easiest way to apply a cream eye shadow is to use your fingers. Just gently pat your color of choice onto your lids and you’re good to go!

9. GLOSSY BALM

Have dry lips? Then you know that applying a matte lipstick over your pout is not exactly the best look. Reach for a hydrating lip balm with a pretty tint instead of a lipstick. A glossy balm is the perfect way to rock some shiny color on your lips while staying low maintenance. Plus, they’re easy to toss in your purse and reapply as often as you’d like.

If you are interested in wearing matte lipstick—everyone’s doing it these days!—be sure to use a lip scrub beforehand to help exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface of your lips. Then, follow up with a hydrating lip balm before moving on to lipstick.

10. MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY

Want to help keep your makeup locked in place as you go about your day? Instead of setting powder, try a makeup setting spray like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray. To use, first shake the bottle well. Then, holding it eight to ten inches away from your face, spritz four to six times in an “X” and “T” motion. See ya later, midday touchup!

Want more dry skin tips? Head over to our article, Your Guide to Taking Care of Very Dry Skin.