9 Drugstore Foundations That Give Even the Driest Skin a Luminous Glow

Choosing the best foundation for dry skin can be tough, especially during winter when it's easiest for your drier areas to be accentuated. Luckily, with the right skin prep, type of foundation, and expert artist advice, you can keep your complexion from looking overly patchy.

While this sounds easy enough, dewy, luminous foundations that give you the ultimate glow and a boost of hydration don't always come cheap. That's where our good friend the drugstore comes in. Don't underestimate the power of a $5 foundation—there are so many you can pick up at the drugstore that perform just as well as high-end options without breaking the bank.

If you're looking for dermatologist- and makeup artist–led advice on choosing the best foundation for dry skin, keep scrolling. We're breaking it down ahead along with the best options you can snag at the drugstore.

Three Rules for Choosing Foundation for Dry Skin

After talking to some dermatologists about this dilemma, we learned that there are three important rules for choosing a foundation when you have dry skin. One, you should think about the texture of the formula. Two, look for certain ingredients that can benefit the skin. And three, you'll need to think about what you can do to manage the dry skin before application.

Foundation Texture

There are so many foundation textures and formulas out there. You've got liquid, powder, stick, and even serum now. "I would recommend liquids, creams, or stick foundations, depending on what coverage you are looking for in your foundation," says Robyn Gmyrek, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Park View Laser Dermatology. "I would not opt for powders, as they will not moisturize as well and can absorb oils from the skin, especially if they contain clay or talc, and contribute to further dryness."

Celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay agrees but doesn't always recommend cream formulas for dry skin types. She says, "When shopping for a foundation with dry skin, look for packaging that says 'hydrating' or 'luminous.' I'd personally stay away from cream foundations, as they can sit on top of dry skin and give off a patchy effect. I'd also forgo [mattifying] foundations, as they can dry out skin even more. The goal is to plump, hydrate, and correct at the same time without drawing attention to any dry patches."

Board-certified dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, MD, also adds that it might help to purchase a foundation with noncomedogenic skin oils that can hydrate, smooth, and allow for a better base for makeup application.

Foundation Ingredients to Look For

Today's foundations are packed with some good-for-the-skin ingredients. So this is the perfect opportunity to use that to your advantage and choose a product that has something that can nourish your skin as well. Think of it as a two-for-one. And who doesn't love multitasking products like that?

Take a look at this list of dermatologist-recommended ingredients that can help your dry skin:

Glycerin: It's a humectant, so it will draw water into the skin, Gmyrek says.

Dimethicone: It's hydrating.

Niacinamide: This ingredient is hydrating, has anti-inflammatory properties, and helps the skin barrier.

Ceramide: A hydrating ingredient that also repairs the skin barrier.

Hyaluronic Acid: This powerhouse is ultra hydrating.

Oils: Gmyrek says sunflower, argan, coconut, and jojoba oils can help.

Vitamin E: This antioxidant can soothe skin and has anti-aging benefits, Del Campo adds.

Foundation Ingredients to Avoid

There are also some foundation ingredients that won't do your dry skin any favors. Here's what to avoid:

Alcohol: This is a surefire ingredient that will dry out your skin.

Vitamin A: Board-certified dermatologist Brooke Jackson, MD, says you should be careful with vitamin A (or retinol) because it can be drying.

Bismuth Oxychloride: Del Campo says this ingredient can be irritating.

Clay or Talc: Gmyrek adds that some matte-finish foundations will have clay or talc, which can soak up the skin's natural oils.

How to Prep and Apply Foundation for Dry Skin

Get your skin in check before applying product. "Foundation will sit better on smooth, hydrated skin, so start by addressing the dry skin," Jackson explains. Some of this involves making some changes to your lifestyle or daily habits based on the season. Jackson advises people to stay well hydrated, especially in the winter months. She also recommends investing in a humidifier if you're dealing with a dry environment.

"Review all of your products and make seasonal changes. Often, the products we use in the summer may be too drying for the winter months," Jackson explains. "This may also mean talking to your dermatologist about any topicals that you are using, which come in different formulations. You may need to change to a more moisturizing formulation in the winter months."

When it comes to application, prep the skin with a moisturizer and hydrating primer to smooth and prevent the foundation from settling in the dry cracks of the skin. When choosing a primer, you can use the above list of ingredients, too. "Remember, the higher up on the ingredient list something is, the more the product contains," Gmyrek says.

Del Campo recommends using a slightly damp sponge applicator to ensure that the formula is applied uniformly.

Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin

If you're on a budget or just don't want to splurge on a foundation for your dry skin, there are plenty of drugstore and affordable options for you. This can be clutch if you only deal with dry skin a couple of months out of the year and don't want to empty your wallet for two expensive foundations. Below are some picks recommended by dermatologists and editors.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Silk Foundation Elixir

Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation

Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation

L'Oréal Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation With SPF 50

Burt's Bees Goodness Glows Liquid Makeup

Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin SPF 20

No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Foundation Stick

More Foundations Makeup Artists Love for Dry Skin

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.