Beauty & Balance

The 13 Best Foundations for Dry Skin, According to Pro Makeup Artists

Foundation can be dry skin's worst enemy — if you let it be. Instead of smoothing out parched patches and quenching flaky zones, the wrong formulas can cling, cake, settle, and pill in all the wrong ways. No, thank you. Our fix: hydrating, creamy foundations. (Yes, it's time to step away from the powdered ones. It's for the best, and these creamy foundations are just as lightweight. Trust.) We asked about a dozen Allure editors and celebrity makeup artists to share their go-to foundations for dry skin so foundation fear be a thing of the past with their picks. These formulas will leave your skin as supple and radiant as your favorite moisturizer. Scroll to find out which illuminating and moisturizing foundation Instagram's queen of glowy skin, Nam Vo, swears by, as well as the BB cream Allure's digital editor (and skin-care aficionado) Sarah Kinonen always keeps in her makeup bag.

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BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

BareMineral's Complexion Rescue won the Best of Beauty award for the mineral foundation category back-to-back two years in a row for a reason. "It feels like a gel moisturizer but gives skin the natural-looking coverage of a CC cream," says Devon Abelman, Allure's digital beauty reporter. "Plus, the finish is naturally dewy and not at all parched."

$30 (Shop Now)


Erborian BB Crème

"While I tend to steer clear of foundations in general — I find them too harsh for my sensitive skin — allow me to introduce my all-time favorite BB cream, the Erborian BB Crème," Sarah Kinonen, Allure's digital beauty editor, says. "Sure, this tinted lightweight lotion technically isn’t touted as a full-coverage foundation, but after two years of constant use, I can attest to its filter-like effects. Just a few dots dabbed across my cheeks and forehead is enough to cover underlying redness, breakouts, and dark spots — well past happy hour.”

$39 (Shop Now)


Clinique BIY Blend It Yourself Pigment Drops

Makeup artist Georgina Graham, who has worked with Alexa Chung, Chloe Moretz, and Jennifer Lopez, calls the Clinique BIY Blend It Yourself Pigment Drops because you can add it to your go-to moisturizer. "Depending on how many drops you add, you can build the coverage and intensity that you want," she adds. "You can go from the sheerest coverage to full coverage in a heartbeat."

$33 (Shop Now)


Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation

On Instagram, makeup artist Nam Vo has become the poster child for luminous, plump skin, which she calls the "dewy dumpling" look. On days when her skin (or that of the models she's working with) need some extra help in the hydration department, Vo uses the Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation as a concealer or all over the skin because of its brightening benefits. "Especially for the undereye, it's like a second skin," she says. "It's so moist and buttery."

$85 (Shop Now)


Dior DiorSkin Airflash Spray Foundation

"This super-light foundation can give even the driest skins a soft, healthy glow," says Lauren Swanson, Allure's commerce community manager. "The best part? You can get a full-coverage look with minimal product."

$62 (Shop Now)


Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35

"The optical pearl pigments infused into this multitasking product helps maintain your skin's moisture without causing your skin to be overly shiny," says Lauren Swanson, Allure's commerce community manager. "It also doubles as a stand-alone primer, too."

$42 (Shop Now)


Nars Radiant Cream Compact Foundation

Because of it's rich, creamy texture, makeup artist Quinn Murphy, who has worked with Karlie Kloss, Kate Upton, and Hailie Baldwin, says the Nars Radiant Cream Compact Foundation is the perfect match for dry skin. "It adds lots of moisture and glow to skin," he adds.

$38 (Shop Now)


Giorgio Armani Crema Nuda

"The Giorgio Armani Crema Nuda is super-hydrating," says makeup artist Vincent Oquendo, who has worked with Bella Hadid, Ashley Graham, and Paris Jackson. "I love how it blends and never settles into the lines. Plus, it comes in a great range of skin tones."

$200 (Shop Now)


Mary Kay CC Cream

For even the driest skin, Jessica Chia, Allure's executive beauty editor, has a solution. "The Mary Kay CC Cream will make it look absolutely glowy, and the coverage is great," she explains. "It’s the only one I’ve tried that fully covers breakouts or skin flakiness, if I’m dealing with either."

$20 (Shop Now)


La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation

If you have mature skin, La Mer’s The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation is ideal for you. "It’s packed with hydration and antioxidants including the famous La Mer Miracle Broth," explains makeup artist Robin Black, founder of Beauty is Boring. "The luxurious formula blends easily and leaves a seamless, refined, medium coverage, satin finish."

$110 (Shop Now)


Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation

Of all the foundation formulas for dry skin, The Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation is the one makeup artist Robin Black, founder of [Beauty is Boring](http://beautyisboring.com/, reaches for most often. "It looks completely natural on camera — and real life," she says. "This lightweight foundation is super moisturizing, plus it blurs fine lines and pores while evening overall skin tone."

$62 (Shop Now)


Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation

Makeup artist Mai Quynh, who has worked with Chloe Moretz, Mandy Moore, and Constance Wu, loves how the Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation leaves skin fresh and dewy, even when it's parched and patchy.

$52 (Shop Now)


Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation

Looking for an oil-free pick? makeup artist Molly R. Stern, who has worked with Reese Witherspoon, Lily Collins, and Bella Heathcote, calls herself a huge fan of the Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation. "It's rich with water and seaweed, so it really quenches the skin," she explains. "I've been using it for 15 years."

$78 (Shop Now)

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