5 Hydrating Foundations to Help Keep You Moisturized All Day

April 21, 2021

By: Ariel Wodarcyk | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

I’m always on the hunt for the best hydrating foundations. As someone with dry skin, the wrong foundation formula can make lines mysteriously appear in places I never knew I had them, cling to flaky patches and leave a cakey finish that breaks the illusion of healthy, glowing skin I’m always striving for. I’ve found that hydrating foundations that pack a healthy dose of humectants, which attract moisture and are often found in skincare products, are best for minimizing texture and making my complexion glow. Read on for the best foundations for dry skin, with varying levels of coverage and degrees of dewiness.

1 / 5

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare

Pumped with hyaluronic acid, soothing aloe vera extract and vitamins E and B5, the Your Skin But Better Foundation is a thirsty complexion’s salvation. The formula has ingredients similar to what you would find in a good serum — only it delivers a medium-coverage finish in 40 shades.

2 / 5

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation

If, like me, you’re looking for a hydrating foundation that offers full coverage, Teint Idole might become a new mainstay on your vanity. Fragrance-free, oil-free and non-comedogenic, this buildable formula is gentle enough for sensitive skin, and it helps protect your complexion with SPF 15. Teint Idole is more matte than the other formulas on this list, but it still contains glycerin to retain moisture.

3 / 5

Maybelline New York Fit Me Dewy + Smooth

A drugstore classic, this SPF-infused foundation leaves a glow similar to one you would achieve from a quick walk outside on a warm day — not sweaty, just luminous. And it lasts, especially if you set key areas with powder.

4 / 5

NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Luminous Skin Serum

Some full-coverage foundations can cling to dry skin or lose their dewy finish throughout the day. The NYX Bare With Me Luminous Skin Serum contains tremella mushroom, which can help boost hyaluronic acid in your skin for a natural-looking glow that lasts. The five shades are sheer enough to adapt to most skin tones, making this tinted serum ideal for no-makeup makeup days.

5 / 5

Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Foundation

As you may have gathered from this list, the best foundations for dry skin often include a skincare component in addition to coverage. The Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Foundation contains two humectants, hyaluronic acid and glycerin, to pull moisture from the air into your skin and keep from settling into fine lines or dry patches.

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn

5 Hydrating Foundations to Help Keep You Moisturized All Day

Read more