The Best Foundations for Dry Skin

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My skin is already dry and prone to redness at the best of times – but in the colder months, it gets about ten times worse.

Now that autumn is finally here, I need a foundation that’s more forgiving over dryness and skin texture, but that still has a decent amount of coverage. For reference, I have fair skin with neutral undertones. I’m quite pale but struggle with skin redness, and sometimes find that using something a little darker helps even my skintone better… which means matching myself can be a bit of a pain in the arse. However, the Revolution F1 shade is a pretty safe bet. Here are my top five affordable dewy foundations:

5. The one that lasts all day.

If you struggle with dry patches and skin texture, the CYO Long Lasting Lifeproof Foundation*, £7.50 (my shade: 101) is a great product to try. It glides over the skin and blurs pores beautifully, while still giving a decent medium coverage. The one gripe I have about this foundation (and the reason why it’s not higher on the list) is the shade range. It’s absolute trash. The palest shade is two shades too dark, and they could definitely improve their selection of darker shades as well. Hopefully this is something they’re working on. Watch my full review here.

4. The one with extreme coverage.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the Dermacol Make Up Cover Foundation*, £12.99 (my shade: 208) if you’re looking for an everyday foundation – but on special occasions or to dot over stubborn blemishes, it’s a dream. This is a seriously full-coverage formula, so believe me when I say you really won’t need very much product. A pea-sized amount will cover your entire face, and leave a flawless and dewy finish. See it featured in this video.

  

3. The one that’s really quick to apply.

I love the Revolution Fast Base Foundation Stick*, £5 (my shade: F1). It’s a creamy, yet pigmented foundation stick; perfect for busy mornings and on-the-go touchups. Again, less is definitely more with this foundation stick, as it can start to look a bit cakey if you go overboard. Blend in with a sponge for a perfect, medium-coverage finish. Watch my full review here.

2. The old-school favourite.

The Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation*, £8.29 (my shade: 001 Fair Porcelain) is so close to being perfect. It’s a dream to apply, looks beautiful and natural on the skin, and lasts reasonably well. It has light-medium coverage, so it’s a nice everyday option. The undertones are either far too warm or way too pink which is a bit of a pain, but if you don’t have a neutral undertone like me you might really fall in love with this. Watch my full review here in their previous lightest shade, Light Porcelain. (Light Porcelain is more pink, Fair Porcelain is more orange.)

1. The one that can smooth over anything.

I’ve actually used up an entire bottle of the Maybelline Dream Satin Foundation*, £8.99 (My Shade: 03 True Ivory, or 02 Fair Beige), which is a serious accomplishment when you remember how much makeup I actually own. It’s not the longest lasting foundation in the world, and the undertones are a little warm for me; but I’m willing to work with it because I love how my skin looks when I wear this. It blurs skin texture beautifully and leaves a flattering, dewy finish with a light-medium buildable coverage. Watch my full review here (shade 02 Fair Beige).

What are your favourite foundations for dry skin? Let me know in the comments.