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15 Best Foundations That Hydrate Dry, Patchy, and Flaky Skin 2021
CC creams (or “color correcting” creams) are a combination of skin care and foundation, that offer very lightweight coverage while perfecting skin. This Good Housekeeping Seal-holder is a standout for its moisturization abilities: In Lab tests, it boosted skin hydration levels by an impressive 36%. Bonus: Over time with continued use, the Lab found that it minimized the appearance of brown spots and pores. Its only pitfall? Its only available in one light shade.
We then recruited a panel of makeup artists to evaluate these 30 different high-end and drugstore foundations (with masked labels to remove brand bias). Our experts ranked each products performance on criteria like buildability, blendability, and smoothness. After tallying up and ranking data from over 990 questions, we found the best foundations for dry skin that wont crack, flake, or slip, including the best drugstore foundations for dry skin. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
The Good Housekeeping Institutes Beauty Lab regularly tests foundations for ease of use, coverage ability, and smoothness of application. To find the best foundation for dry skin, we rounded up over 190 products and narrowed down the field to 30 based on each products claims, price, and availability, with formulations ranging from liquid to powder to cream. For products that make skin moisturization claims (think BB creams, CC creams, and tinted moisturizers), we use a Corneometer, a device that measures changes in skins hydration, to see how well (and if) they really moisturize.
The Good Housekeeping Institutes Beauty Lab regularly tests foundations for ease of use, coverage ability, and smoothness of application. To find the best foundation for dry skin, we rounded up over 190 products and narrowed down the field to 30 based on each products claims, price, and availability, with formulations ranging from liquid to powder to cream. For products that make skin moisturization claims (think BB creams, CC creams, and tinted moisturizers), we use a Corneometer, a device that measures changes in skins hydration, to see how well (and if) they really moisturize.
This Shiseido foundation earned high scores for providing smooth coverage on skin (not streaky, patchy, cakey), and it smoothed well onto skin according to our testers. “Once I blend it in the skin it looks beautiful,” says one tester. Its buildable from sheer to medium coverage, and reviewers love it because “it goes on smooth, doesnt look heavy, and leaves my skin with a nice glow.”
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Best foundations for dry skin
This one delivers hydration you can feel alongside long-lasting satin-like coverage. Its radiant without veering into dewy territory, so perfect if you like to apply powder bronzers or blush on top. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
With hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and glycerin inside, this one boasts better moisturising properties than most. The coverage is moderate, and it excels in the longevity stakes, looking as flawless at 5pm as it did at dawn.
This is the lightest option in Diors stellar skincare-inspired Forever foundation line, and the one most suitable for dry skin. The coverage is low yet buildable, and never looks flat or cakey.
According to Coombes, it contains “caring wild pansy extract to hydrate and lock in moisture for 24 hours. It also has the added benefit of rose extracts to calm and soothe, which is perfect for drier skin as it tends to be more sensitive to the elements.”
“For dry skin, a good moisturising foundation is a must,” says Jamie Coombes, UK pro make-up artist. “I think most foundation wearers now prefer a ‘skin on skin effect with natural radiance or a glow,” he says, adding that “an overly matt complexion can make the structure of the face flat and lifeless.”