13 best foundations for dry skin, according to a beauty writer who’s sick of drying and patchy formulas

Since becoming a beauty journalist, I’ve made it my sole mission to hunt down the very best foundations for dry skin. As someone who has dry and sensitive skin, I can confirm that foundation is probably the hardest makeup product to shop for. Sure, there’s an abundance of formulas to choose from, but trust me, not every foundation ticks all the boxes for those of us whose skin is on the drier side. My fellow dry-skinned makeup lovers will confirm that there’s nothing more frustrating than having to layer your makeup on top of a patchy base.

First and foremost, you need a formula that’s infused with skin-loving ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid) that will leave your skin nice and hydrated throughout the day in order to avoid dry patches, creasing and that cake-y finish. For day-to-day wear, I recommend reaching for the likes of tinted moisturisers, BB creams or CC creams, but if sheer coverage isn’t for you, there’s nothing wrong with opting for a foundation instead. From trial-and-error, I found that skin-like radiant finishes work best (think “your skin, but better”), but that’s also not to say that there aren’t options for those of us that are team matte through and through.

Coverage-wise, theres lots of options available, from lightweight to full coverage. My advice? Stick to medium and buildable coverage formulations to have the flexibility to control your look no matter the occasion. You’ll also do well by remembering not to skip moisturiser, face sunscreen and a hydrating primer before applying foundation. After all, there’s no such thing as a skin that’s too nourished and moisturised, right?

Best foundations for dry skin at a glance – our top picks:

1. Best foundation for dry skin overall: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, WAS £45 NOW £40.50, LookFantastic
2. Best foundation for dry skin for a natural, luminous finish: HAUS LABS Triclone Skin Tech Foundation, £42, Sephora
3. Best foundation for dry skin for a skin-like finish: Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation, £39, Il Makiage
4. Best affordable foundation for dry skin: L’Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation with SPF and Hyaluronic Acid, WAS £10.99 NOW £9.99, LookFantastic

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

HAUS LABS Triclone Skin Tech Foundation

Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation

L’Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation with SPF and Hyaluronic Acid

Luckily, I’ve scoured more than my fair share of foundations for dry skin that genuinely fit the bill. One of my personal ‘ride-or-dies’ is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (the name clearly speaks for itself). I’ve sworn by it for nearly a decade, and can confirm that the hype around it is very much deserved. Sure, the £45 price point makes it a proper investment, but it will definitely be one that you won’t regret. Not only is it super hydrating, but it also delivers a very impressive level of coverage with a stunning skin-like finish, making it perfect for special occasions. Heck, it might just be my top choice for a wedding foundation.