Best foundations for dry skin 2022: from Boots, Superdrug, MAC, NARS, Charlotte Tilbury, Maybelline and more
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When it comes to foundation, it takes time to find the right one - and it’s not just finding that elusive perfect shade that can be tricky.
It’s important to get the right one to suit your skin type too.
What type of foundation is best for dry skin?
When you have dry skin, you’ll notice that if you buy a foundation that doesn’t suit your skin type it will make the dryness even worse, with the formula sticking to - and highlighting - any flakes of skin.
You end up frustrated, it ends up in the bin and you’ve wasted your time and money.
If you have dry skin you want a foundation that’s also going to look after it and help it to feel hydrated and well cared for, as well as giving you great coverage and a natural-looking even skin tone of course.
In a nutshell, you want coverage, moisture, radiance, and longevity all in one formula. We know that’s really difficult to come by, but we’ve scoured the shops and found the best formulas that provide just that, so you never have to waste your money or have a bad make-up day again.
All the foundations we have included are liquid based because these are the best for moisturising, plumping and hydrating the skin.
What’s the best way to apply foundation?
You can either apply your foundation using a make-up sponge, make-up brush or your fingers, and how you choose to do it is up to you.
Some prefer to use their fingers because this way the foundation gets warm and this can help to get a smoother and easier application, while others prefer a brush or a sponge because it gives them more control and a lighter touch.
How you apply for foundation does make a difference to the coverage achieved, so we suggest experimenting with a brush, sponge and your fingers to find out which one you prefer.
Whichever tool you choose to apply, you should dot small amounts of foundation on your t-zone, cheeks and chin before using your tool to smooth it out and blend in to your skin. This gives the most even and lightweight coverage which you can slowly build if required.
What other make-up can I buy?
We also have round-ups of the best mascaras UK 2022 along with the best SPF products for faces and the 10 best retinols, plus the best eyebrow products to give you that perfect overall make-up look.
Be sure to keep an eye on the fashion and beauty page of our Recommended section.
This moisturising foundation gives a flawless, natural finish and a healthy all-day glow.
It’s designed to provide medium coverage and all day hydration, so your skin will be left feeling refreshed but also well covered. Ideal if you’ve also got dark circles or any reddening of the skin to hide.
It’s also got SPF15 so it will help to keep you skin protected in the sunlight.
Available in multiple shades.
This is gel-based foundation that offers medium-to-full coverage with a natural finish. This is the foundation for you if you want to be able to choose between sheer coverage and fuller coverage, depending on the coverage.
It’s been created to deliver luxurious hydration, while instantly revitalizing the look of dull and dry skin. It also offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with SPF 15.
Available in various shades.
Help your skin to glow with this foundation, which will give you a natural looking finish.
Complete with skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, it leaves skin hydrated, softer, and smoother.
Available in 40 shades so there’s one to suit every skin tone.
As the name suggests, the airbrish flawless foundation provides the full coverage you need in a gorgeous matte formula.
It promises to stay on all day and be sweat proof, humidity proof, transfer proof and waterproof so it really can withstand anything and everything the day brings.
It moisturises the skin too, as well as enhancing the skin’s natural colour, so it will protect and hydrate your skin.
It comes in 41 neutral, cool and warm shades so there’s one that’s made for every skin tone.
As the name suggests, this foundation will hydrate your skin instantly. It’s formulated with IonCharged Water Complex, probiotic technology and chia-seed extract so it both soothes and plumps the skin.
It also protects the skin with SPF 45 broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
It will also give you an instant, radiant glow. You can build the coverage from medium to full, and no matter what it’ll give you a flawless finish.
Available in multiple colours.
This foundation has been created specifically for normal to dry skin, and it has a hydrating formula which melts onto the skin to achieve a naturally luminous and radiant finish.
It also helps to protect the skin from sun damage with SPF 18 sunscreen.
Available in multiple colours.
This is an award-winning foundation which glides on the skin seamlessly and features exclusive Micro-fil technology to help sculpt and brighten the complexion.
It is suitable for all skin types, including dry skin, and the oil-free, glycerin-infused formula provides all-day hydration, allowing you to recreate the iconic ‘Armani Glow.’
The silky texture and dewy finish really help this product to stand out.
Available in multiple shades.