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According to research, dry skin is prevalent among the ageing population. So, if your mature skin demands moisture and you crave an even complexion with diminished pores and spots, try a moisturising foundation that will work to achieve both. Settling for a foundation that doesn’t agree with your skin type and needs will result in a perpetual struggle of flaky patches and a cakey look. No, thank you.
You need a formula that will leave your skin looking smooth, supple, and radiant. Given the overwhelming options of foundations available in the market, choosing the one perfect for your skin can be tricky. We’re here to help you quell the dry spell and find the best picks that won’t crack, flake, or slip./p>
Before we proceed to show you the best full-coverage foundations for dry skin, let’s brush up on your basics so you get the application bit right.
How To Apply Foundation For Dry Skin
If you’re done with all those complicated video tutorials, here’s a quick guide on how to apply foundation on dry skin.
Step 1: First off, use a mild face wash to cleanse your face and get rid of dirt and impurities. Starting with a clean canvas is key to achieving a smooth base.
Step 2: Next up, apply a lightweight moisturiser. This step is important to prep your parched skin.
Step 3: Now it’s time to apply an even layer of face primer and follow it up with your trusted concealer.
Step 4: Now pick a bit of your hydrating foundation from the broader end of a makeup sponge and apply strokes of it all over your face. Using the sponge, blend it out well.
Step 5: Set your makeup base with a setting spray. To up the glam quotient, go ahead with eye and lip makeup.
Tips To Apply Foundation On Dry Skin
Applying foundation to dry skin is harder than it seems. Below, we share a few hacks to make the application process more smooth and seamless.
1. Use A Hydrating Primer: For a flawless, dewy base, consider applying a hydrating primer before slathering your foundation. Doing so will extend the wear of your makeup while helping the formula glide on smoothly. As per a study, a multifunctional primer designed to camouflage and curb pigmentation can improve dark spots and diminish fine lines associated with photoaging.
Dot & Blend: Dot your foundation along the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin, and blend using a damp beauty blender or foundation brush to prevent over-application or a cakey appearance. Using a slightly wet makeup sponge can help add a healthy dose of moisture to the skin.
3. Spritz A Hydrating Spray: To retain moisture, spritz a hydrating mist or setting spray throughout the day. It won’t solely lock your makeup but also maximise hydration, lending a dewy finish.
4. Boost Skin Luminosity: To amplify luminosity – and sustain moisture – opt for a liquid highlighter and highlight the high points of your face. Doing so will also draw attention to these areas.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Foundation For Dry Skin
When it comes to picking the perfect foundation for dry skin, you must consider the following factors:
1. Humectants: Choose a formula that contains ultra-hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalene, or nourishing oils such as jojoba oil to curb moisture loss and improve the appearance of your product once applied.
2. Formulation: Dry skin types should pick between a liquid or cream foundation that seals moisture and lends a dewy finish. Powder formulas tend to look blotchy on the skin and zap skin hydration.
3. SPF: To double down on sun protection, try looking for a foundation that boasts SPF 15 or more. An SPF-infused formula will also help shield the skin against photoaging and other signs of sun damage.
4. No-Nasties: To avoid the possibility of skin irritation, consider using a formula that is fragrance-free, dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic, and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals or additives.
5. Buildable: Lastly, invest in a foundation that offers buildable coverage – providing versatility for different occasions and ensuring the finish doesn’t appear cakey or too jarring.
Picking A Foundation For Dry Skin
If you think wearing foundation on dry skin means flaky patches or a cakey finish, you’ve got it all wrong, honey. You’ve probably been choosing the wrong formula which doesn’t cater to your skin needs. Here are the types of foundations you should pick from; stay away from all else.
1. Liquid Foundation
While liquid foundation makes for a great choice for people with dry skin, it’s also the ideal pick for makeup novices. Available in oil and water-based formulas, it can be easily blended, even without a makeup sponge. If you’re not tied down by oily skin and need a dewy finish, this foundation is the ultimate must-have in your makeup arsenal.
Nykaa Recommends:
2. Cream Foundation
Thicker than its standard liquid counterpart, cream foundation promises to last past the happy hours on your girls’ night. Highly pigmented with medium to full coverage, it is easy to blend on dry skin. The only downside? It can crease easily in humid weather, so avoid investing in one in that case. If you still can’t let go of the soft dreamy, creamy finish, you can mix the foundation with a moisturiser before application
Nykaa Recommends:
3. Mousse Foundation
Also known as whipped foundation, it makes for a great pick over its creamy counterpart, as it won’t give way to crease lines by the end of your 9-to-5. The formula contains microbubbles, making it lightweight, while offering sheer coverage. It’s perfect if you are just looking to even out your skin tone with a matte finish. If you’re still testing the waters with foundations, don’t start with a mousse formula, as it can be quite tricky to apply and requires practice.
Nykaa Recommends:
Ingredients To Look For In A Dry Skin Foundation
As a rule of thumb, for parched, dehydrated skin, turn to products that boast emollients and humectants. You’re likely looking for foundations imbued with soothing and moisturising ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalene, and natural oils. Meanwhile, steer clear of foundations comprising denatured alcohols, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and fragrances. Bear in mind that ingredients including glycolic and salicylic acid are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin types.
The Best Foundations For Dry Skin
Ace your base with the best foundations for dry skin to prevent patchy and cakey finishes.
1. Paese Cosmetics Collagen Moisturizing Foundation
Searching for a foundation with the right amount of tint to brighten up your face? The best foundation for dry, sensitive skin, Paese Cosmetics Collagen Moisturizing Foundation works behind the scenes to keep your complexion radiant with sheer-to-light coverage sans leaving an oily residue. When buffed into the skin, this product, infused with intensely moisturising Aloe extracts, quenches the skin, while evening overall skin tone. The fact that it’s safe for allergic skin is just the cherry on top.
Nykaa Recommends:
2. Note Luminous Moisturizing Foundation
On days your skin needs extra help in the hydration department, Note Luminous Moisturizing Foundation steps up to balance moisture levels while also providing all-day makeup coverage. Thanks to Sweet Almond Oil and Macadamia Oil, this highly moisturising formula creates a silky smooth base with a luminous finish. Oh, and it’s perfect if you keep forgetting to apply sunscreen, as this one comes with an SPF-infused base while ensuring sketchy ingredients like parabens are out. Goodbye, uneven, parched skin – and hello satiny glow.
Nykaa Recommends:
3. Revlon Touch & Glow Moisturising Makeup
A beauty filter in a bottle is the only apt way to describe the Revlon Touch & Glow Moisturising Makeup The water-based formula moisturises the skin for a flawless, dewy finish while concealing the tiniest imperfections without clogging pores. It evens skin discolouration, blurs fine lines, and looks completely natural on and off camera. Ideal, if you’re seeking full skin coverage sans feeling weighed down. Brownie points for blending well onto the skin without a cakey or patchy result.
Nykaa Recommends:
4. L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
Hoping to recreate a pearlescent glow you last saw in your favourite magazine? The L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation gives dry skin a natural glow that just doesn’t quit. Available in 13 shades, it caters to a wide range of skin tones to give a second-skin-like finish that feels moist and buttery. Add to that, its high coverage formula delivers a hydrating finish that lasts from dawn to dusk while also providing sun protection (hello, SPF 17).
Nykaa Recommends:
5. L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation
Who says you can’t have it all? Transfer-proof, waterproof, and sweat-proof, the best liquid foundation for dry skin – L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation – promises to stay put from conference room to club. It boasts a super lightweight formula – meaning you’re in for a dewy, breathable finish that can easily last up to 24 hours. Plus, we love how it blends to blur fine lines and pores while delivering a red-carpet-worthy glow. It’s available in 11 different shades, spanning across skin tones, so you will definitely find your true match.
Nykaa Recommends:
6. SERY Fix 'N' Click Foundation Stick
The SERY Fix 'N' Click Foundation Stick could be your end-all-be-all pick. Here’s why – its highly pigmented and weightless creamy texture blends seamlessly into the skin to cover dark spots and fine lines, taking you from desk to drinks flawlessly. We’re still not done. It does more than just your average foundation. Packed with Red Raspberries (a non-comedogenic moisturiser to keep the skin cells young and hydrated) and White Clay (a mild exfoliant to buff away dead cells for clear skin), it helps your face mimic the glow you’ve desperately been longing for. Oh, and did we tell you, it is self-setting?
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I make my foundation look good with dry skin?
- Exfoliate regularly to get rid of dry flakes and dead skin cells that can hinder the smooth application of foundation on your skin.
- Always hydrate your skin with a moisturiser prior to foundation application. This will ensure a natural, dewy result. Avoid petroleum-based moisturisers, as they can make your face appear greasy by the end of the day.
- Avoid matte finish or drying formulas. Steer clear of formulas that mention ‘oil-control’, as they can be overly drying. Choose foundations that assure a luminous, dewy or hydrating finish, as they will suit dry skin.
- How long does it take for a liquid foundation to dry?
Liquid foundation takes at least 3 to 5 minutes to completely set. When applying, use an egg-shaped sponge to press the product evenly for a streak-free finish.
- Is setting spray or powder better for dry skin?
Anything powder-based tends to absorb moisture, which is the last thing you need if you possess dry skin. Opt for setting spray over compact powder, as it will deliver a comparatively softer and dewy effect. A good setting spray will infuse your skin with moisture and keep it from getting dehydrated
Nykaa Recommends: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
- Is applying primer before foundation necessary for those with dry skin?
While using a primer before a foundation isn’t necessary for those with dry skin, a hydrating variant can help add a dewy glow to your look while extending the wear of your makeup.
Nykaa Recommends: Insight Cosmetics Prime ‘N Perfect Hydrating Primer
- Suggest the best foundations with SPF for dry skin.
SPF-infused foundations can help provide optimal sun protection while lending a clear canvas for makeup application. Try Lakmé Absolut’s Mattreal Mousse Foundation with SPF 8 or MyGlamm’s Super Serum Foundation boasting SPF 30.
- How do you blend foundation on dry skin seamlessly?
For effortless blending, dampen your makeup sponge before applying foundation. Doing so can help retain skin moisture and make the formula easier to blend. Besides, this will also prevent the product from being too heavily absorbed into the sponge.
