These Are the Best Foundations for Very Dry Skin

Sadly, life is not lived on Instagram. While a tap or two in that virtual world lets you filter your way to flawless skin, getting a dewy, all-around glowy look IRL is a little more of a challenge — especially if your skin is dry.

“Dryness can make your skin appear very dull, so to combat this, my favorite products typically have various forms of glow, light reflection, or extra moisture,” says editorial and celebrity makeup artist Jared Lipscomb of his go-tos that won’t settle into lines or amplify flakiness.

Ahead, Lipscomb shares the tried-and-true foundations he uses on your favorite famous faces from shows like Vanderpump Rules and Orange Is the New Black.

Why Lipscomb loves it: “A lot of foundations that are anti-dryness have a more glowy, dewy finish by default. However, this is the rare foundation that has a matte finish without causing flakiness or dryness. Its natural ingredients and rich, creamy consistency provide enough hydration for a soft and subtle matte appearance without any flakes or cakes!”

Pro tip: “If you have combo skin — or excessive dryness in only certain areas — try mixing in some facial oil or moisturizer to the foundation and applying to the severely dry areas. The end result will still be a lovely matte finish but with some extra moisture to quench your dry skin all day long.”

Why Lipscomb loves it: “Don’t let the name fool you, this is not merely a tint, but a medium- to full-coverage foundation with a focus on skincare. Not only is it formulated with hyaluronic acid (helpful in plumping fine lines and gently tightening skin), it is moisture-rich and contains pearlized micro pigments that reflect light to create a lit-from-within glow. The glow replaces any sallow appearance caused by dry skin.”

Pro tip: “For an extra glowy look, skip the powders and opt for all cream or liquid products: blushes, bronzers, highlighter, and eye shadows. The luminosity from cream products will further mask any excessive dryness.”

Why Lipscomb loves it: “This cult favorite is often compared to Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation, but is vegan, cruelty-free, and costs nearly half the amount. My favorite thing about this is the skin tone selection. A difficult problem that goes hand-in-hand with dryness is discoloration. Skin can appear red on fairer tones and ashy on deeper tones. Face Atelier’s line of foundations have such beautiful undertones that can totally mask any discoloration caused by dryness. The coverage is full but settles softly on the skin giving off a hint of hydration.”

Pro tip: “This brand also offers a variety of ‘adjuster shades’ to blend in and customize your foundation. Find the right adjuster shade and create the most natural highlight and contour with only your foundation. This will lessen the amount of makeup you have to wear, plus there is nothing better than having a perfectly customized foundation. It’ll appear so natural!”

Why Lipscomb loves it: “Veil’s foundation is oil-free but water-based, which means it hydrates the skin thanks to good ol H₂O. This is a lighter weight foundation and is for those who need a little help but want to skip the full-coverage route. It is still HD safe though! Meaning, if it’s good enough for those HD TV lenses, it’s good enough for some flash photography on a Friday night out.”

Pro tip: “For a more sheer foundation like this one, try applying with your fingers. Blend in gently, focusing on the perimeter of your face then working your way to the center. Using your fingers also acts as a mini exfoliant, removing any dryness or flakes as you work the foundation on the skin.”

Why Lipscomb loves it: “I love Smashbox Cosmetics because their products are designed with makeup artists in mind. This foundation is no different, as it blends seamlessly into skin and photographs beautifully! It truly does exactly what is says: hydrates the skin and wears for a long time. This is perfect for those of us who need a foundation that can transition from day to night while maintaining hydration.”

Pro tip: “Apply this foundation like a pro by using a stippling brush. Stipple the foundation all over the face using the longer bristles, then swirl the brush in small circles to gently blend. This technique will give you a soft, barely there, airbrushed finish.”