Dry Skin? Don't Apply Your Foundation Without One of These Hydrating Primers

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(Image credit: @michellaccc)

Dry skin got you down? I feel you. Dealing with dryness or dehydration in your skin can take a toll, especially when it comes to applying makeup. I've struggled quite a bit with dehydration, and there was a point when I couldn't even use primer or foundation because my skin would start to crack within a few hours. Don't worry, though. There's hope! While a hydrating skincare routine can do the trick, it helps to use a primer specifically designed for dry skin so you don't make matters worse.

Tons of great formulas are designed to be magical antidotes for dry and uneven skin. And many are loved by makeup artists who use them every day. I asked a celebrity makeup artist to give me a breakdown of her favorites, along with some tips to choose the best one for your dry skin. Keep reading! There's good stuff ahead.

What to Look for In a Primer When You Have Dry Skin

Celebrity makeup artist Elizabeth Seropian has a few tips for those with dry skin who need a good primer. "Those with dry skin should look for a hydrating primer that moisturizes and nourishes the skin," she explains. "Choose primers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and botanical oils for added hydration. Opt for primers with a dewy or luminous finish to create a healthy, hydrated base for makeup."

Seropian says there are also a few ingredients commonly found in many primers that those with dry skin should avoid. "Avoid primers that contain drying ingredients such as alcohol, fragrance, and harsh chemicals," she says. "These ingredients can further strip the skin of moisture and add to your dryness. Additionally, silicones and mattifying agents may not be the best choice for dry skin as they can create a barrier that prevents hydration from reaching the skin's surface. It's best to look for primers with nourishing and moisturizing ingredients that are gentle and soothing for dry skin." 

Keep scrolling for Seropian's top makeup primers for dry skin and some WWW favorites. 

Best Overall: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer - Hydrating

E.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Face Primer

Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Face Primer

Pacifica Skin Solve Hydrating & Blurring Primer

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Primer Moisturizer

Koh Gen Do Mainfashi Makeup Color Base

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer

Ren Clean Skincare Perfect Canvas Clean Primer

Bareminerals Prime Time Hydrate & Glow Primer

Nyx Professional Makeup Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer

Glossier Priming Moisturizer

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Associate Beauty Editor

Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer at Who What Wear and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.