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The 23 best foundations for seriously dry skin, tried and tested
With summer approaching, it's time to find your hydrating hero
Discovering your perfect foundation is pretty much the makeup equivalent of finding your soulmate... minus the Hinge dates. But throw into the mix a complexion that’s drier than the Sahara desert, and finding a foundation that stays dewy on dry skin can feel near impossible.
For those with an eternally thirsty complexion, foundation can often feel heavy, uncomfortable and make your skin look even more parched. But I promise, there are formulas out there to help combat this.
The best foundations for dry skin...
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Max Factor Miracle Pure Skin Revival Serum Foundation
Read review - 3
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Scroll on to see the 24 best foundations for dry skin – there are lightweight skin tints, blurring creams, and even a flawless foundation for under a tenner (well, nearly).
How we test...
As someone with chronically dry skin (I’m talking flaky, owns-a-lifetime-supply-of-moisturisers type of dry) I’ve become very well versed with the best foundations for dry skin. Each bottle in this edit I have tried and tested over *years* as a beauty writer and each has passed my test: they contain hydrating ingredients, feel weightless on the skin, offer a radiant finish and (most importantly) the formula keeps my skin plump without looking crusty by the end of the day. There’s also a formula for all budgets. No thanks needed.
Pros
- It gives full coverage with a lightweight feel
- The finish is natural with a radiant sheen
Cons
- Those after a day-to-day formula may find this too full coverage
I've had the pleasure of testing some spenny luxury foundations, but I'll always have a place in my heart for certain high-street heroes – I stay humble, I know.
A particular fave is the Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation. Growing up, I loved the Lasting Radiance formula for a glowy and medium-coverage result. This is essentially a step up, offering long-lasting, full coverage that keeps your skin hydrated for as long as you wear it (hey, hyaluronic acid!).
Key Specifications:
| Coverage | We’re talking buildable, full coverage with a satin finish – and it feels super lightweight, too. |
|---|---|
| Shade range | There are 30 shades to choose from. |
| Lasting power | If you’re looking for an evening foundation to last the night, this is a brilliant choice. Be it a dance floor or date night, it will stay put without fading. |
Max Factor Miracle Pure Skin Revival Serum Foundation
Pros
- It's super lightweight and hydrating to wear
- Even being a serum foundation, it still gives buildable coverage
Cons
- It has a limited shade range
I've been using this serum foundation pretty much every day since it launched and I've got to say I'm hooked. The lightweight fluid is perfect for daytime wear; it offers just enough coverage to even my complexion, while still looking natural and boosting glow. It's also a skincare-infused formula, so there's niacinimide and bisabolol to brighten and soothe.
As for the finish, you can expect a satin sheen that looks like your skin, only glowier!
Key specifications
| Coverage | This has a similar texture to a skin tint, so expect delicate coverage that can be layered. |
|---|---|
| Shade range | There are nine shades available, so there's certainly room for improvement. |
| Lasting power | Considering this is a serum foundation – they're known for fading throughout the day – its staying power is quite impressive. It won't last the entire day without looking slightly worn, but use a good setting powder and spray to help lock everything in. |
Pros
- The finish is super glowy and natural
- It lasts all day, without requiring powder
- The shade range is 10/10
Cons
- It doesn't offer loads of coverage, if that's what you're looking for
Rare Beauty did not come to play with this foundation. 🙌 It continues to frequent my foundation rotation as it’s so breathable and pairs well with anything over and under it.
Despite it being serum-like, it really packs a punch with buildable medium coverage that lasts all day without drying out the skin or going cakey.
Key specifications
| Coverage | Coverage is lightweight to medium with a breathable serum-like feel. No clogging or caking here. |
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| Shade range | This foundation has 48 shades with some really great undertones. |
| Lasting power | As a girlie who doesn’t like to powder unless she has to, I can confirm that this foundation doesn’t require any. The natural glow it gives when first applied lasts all day. |
Pros
- It's lightweight but can easily be layered
- The finish is 😘, offering a lot of glow and skin envy
- It has an impressive shade range
Cons
- Some may find it too glowy, so keep a powder on hand
Many Saie products have my full attention, including my long-loved bottle of Super Gel, but I'll always have a place in my heart for this foundation.
The serum formula effortlessly glides on to give a gentle sheen of coverage, mastering the true-to-skin effect. There’s enough oomph to cover areas of pigmentation or redness but it’s a far cry from appearing cakey. The glow is unreal, and the skin compliments are plentiful.
Key specifications
| Coverage | What stands out is that this foundation is billed as lightweight but can easily be layered to create your desired finish. |
|---|---|
| Shade range | There are 36 shades on offer. There is deffo room for more, but it has a great selection of undertones. |
| Lasting power | It manages to withstand a sweaty upper lip without budging, and if the glow gets a bit gleamy, it's nothing that a powder can't fix. |
Pros
- It contains great hydrating ingredients
- The liquid texture feels weightless on the skin
- The radiant, natural finish is perfection
Cons
- No comment – I love this foundation
Here’s the thing: I never thought I’d become obsessed with a Clinique foundation in 2025. Well, here’s my bingo card proving me wrong! I’ve been testing the entire Clinique foundation range over the past few weeks and I’m beyond impressed with the entire line-up, but the Even Better Makeup foundation hits differently IMO.
Key Specifications:
| Coverage | ... is just perfect. It has enough oomph to cover redness or post-acne scarring but still looks radiant and natural. For a big pimple however, you'll need to double up with a concealer. |
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| Shade range | There are 31 shades on the LookFantastic website. |
| Lasting Power | This promises 24 hour wear and, not that I've worn it for 24 hours straight, but the wear time is impressive! Just keep a powder on standby to blot away any shine zones. |
Pros
- It gives the perfect skin-like finish with buildable coverage
- 46 shades to choose from, hello!
- It's affordable
Cons
- The packaging can be a tad messy
I have worked my way through many foundation bottles and this one has remained a firm favourite. With just a few light taps of a beauty sponge, it completely blurs my complexion and leaves a fresh finish without looking cake face-y. (Yep, dreamy).
My single bugbear is that the pump gets a little messy and leaves me with foundation fingers from holding the bottle – don’t know if that’s just me, or if the packaging needs an upgrade. But I can’t complain: it costs less than a tenner and gives a flawless, radiant and healthy-looking sheen.
Key specifications
| Coverage | It’s lightweight enough that one layer will even your complexion, but you can easily dial it up to create a full-coverage finish. Either way, you’re always left with radiant, dewy skin. |
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| Shade range | There are 49 shades to choose from here (depending on the retailer). Considering it's a high street pick, I think that's excellent. |
| Lasting power | Feel free to hit the dance floor, leg it for the bus or pull an all-nighter – this foundation is sticking by you. Definitely, one to lean on if you know touch-ups are limited. |
Pros
- It offers medium coverage that is buildable
- It lasts day to night without fading
Cons
- In my personal experience, the pump is prone to jamming which = foundation explosion
IMO, Morphe's Lightform Extended Hydration Foundation is an unsung hero. Frankly, I started using it as a temporary replacement to my L'Oreal True Match, but I'm afraid to say, Morphe has secured the permanent spot.
The formula seamlessly sinks in and leaves a slightly airbrushed but natural finish. It's dewy but not overtly glowy: it simply makes you look like you have *unreal* skin.
Key specifications
| Coverage | I see this as the perfect day time foundation. With medium coverage, it gives enough to completely cover redness, discolouration and the odd pimple while still looking natural and not too done up. |
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| Shade range | It comes in with 36 shades with a variety of undertones, including warm, cool and neutral. |
| Lasting power | This foundation knows how to put in a shift. While I've only ever tested it using a setting powder and spray on top, I can confirm that the foundation sticks with me from morning to night with little budging. I'd happily use it for a night out, put it that way. |
Pros
- It easily sinks into the skin with a brush or sponge
- It's formulated with hydrating ingredients so it feels lightweight and nourishing on the skin
Cons
- You'll need to use a powder to set it, but no biggie
Dry skin? You need to get your hands on this foundation from Kosas The liquid consistency gives the same energy as my fave serum formulas, making it feel weightless and hydrating. It blends like an absolute dream and leaves a stunning luminosity that looks second-skin-esque.
Key specifications
| Coverage | The coverage is light, but it still effectively evens skin tone and areas of redness while giving a healthy radiance boost. |
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| Shade range | 36 on the Space NK website. What I do love is that each shade family (from light to deep) is available in a range of undertones including cool, neutral, warm and olive. |
| Lasting power | Its staying power does impress, as many lightweight formulas tend to slip n slide throughout the day. Being realistic you will get a few patches that fade over time, but rest assured the glow stays put. |
Pros
- It has an impressive shade range
- The finish is exactly as it sounds: luminous with a satin glow
Cons
- It may not have enough coverage for some
Let Revolution teach you a lesson in 'just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's less effective.' This formula truly deserves a place in your everyday makeup bag. It promises zero cakey-ness and zero excess shine but, still, with ample glow.
Key specifications
| Coverage | It's billed as 'light to medium coverage', and I'd agree on all counts. While it may not be pigmented enough to replace my evening foundation, it still offers plenty of coverage to counter redness or knock back the appearance of a pimple. |
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| Shade range | 40 shades (20 on the LookFantastic site) in a range of undertones. |
| Lasting power | Serum foundations can have a bad rep in this department, but I was rather impressed on this occasion. It sinks into the skin without turning cakey and locks in place throughout the day. |
Pros
- It's buildable, offers amazing coverage and looks natural on the skin
- It feels weightless and doesn't cling to dry zones
Cons
- It's one of the more expensive foundations in this edit
It’d be hard to come across a best foundations roundup without seeing Armani Luminous Silk in the list because it’s a formula that never fails to impress.
It blurs imperfections with ease without clinging onto dry patches of skin and masks any redness without making skin look one-dimensional.
Read our full review here.
Key specifications
| Coverage | Since the formula is so lightweight you wouldn’t expect it to have as good coverage as it does. It truly puts the work in to cover each and every blemish. |
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| Shade range | The shade range is good, coming in 40 shades, with varying undertones taken into consideration. |
| Lasting power | This one is going to last you all day and night long if you want it to. |
L'Oréal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum
Pros
- It's affordable
- If you're after fresh and glowing skin with minimal coverage, this is your gal
Cons
- It doesn't have a wide shade range
- It doesn't last the whole day without fading, so a touch-up is needed
This budget-friendly bottle gives a stunning, iridescent pearly finish to the skin, evening out tone with natural-looking coverage.
So if it’s a fresh – but not full coverage – finish you’re after, then look no further, because this is the foundation to fake Hailey Bieber-esque glazed doughnut skin.
Key specifications
| Coverage | Super sheer and glowy yet still non-comedogenic (aka, it won't clog your pores! Yay! |
|---|---|
| Shade range | Eight base shades. C'mon L'Oréal. |
| Lasting power | Smile lines and touch-ups were needed when testing out this formula but hey – those are the prices we have to pay for such a hydrating base. |
Pros
- It lends a natural, semi-matte finish while still feeling hydrating
Cons
- You have to buy the pump separately
This formula is for you if you want coverage and a semi-matte finish, but don't want to make your dry complexion even duller.
I don’t know how Nars did it but they nailed all of this with the Light Reflecting foundation. This works to minimise imperfections and blur pores whilst delivering a lit-from-within glow that doesn’t look greasy.
Key specifications
| Coverage | Coverage is medium and buildable so is a great one to consider if that’s your preference. |
|---|---|
| Shade range | There are 36 shades. |
| Lasting power | This has epic lasting power, especially if you prep well and lock in with a teeny bit of translucent powder in areas you might need it. If I want my makeup to last all day long without any touch ups, this is what I reach for. |
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
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