Finding the right foundation when you have dry skin isn't as easy as it may seem. Aside from the obvious — making sure the foundation comes in a wide enough range of shades to match your skin tone — you'll want to go for a foundation that's moisturizing, but not greasy, so look for formulas that contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, aloe, vitamin E, or squalane. And the best foundations for dry skin tend to come in cream, liquid, or mousse forms; powders are better suited for people with oily skin, so avoid those. The last thing to consider is your preferred level of coverage, but that's pretty self-explanatory, since most foundations will indicate what type of coverage they provide right on the label. If you don't love heavy coverage, though, consider opting for a BB cream instead, which tend to be inherently lighter-weight and more moisturizing.
When you have dry skin, prepping your face correctly is just as important as making sure you're using the right foundation. Moisturizer is nonnegotiable, though you can also find some great moisturizing primers that do two jobs at once. (Depending on how dry your skin is, you may want to apply a hydrating serum pre-moisturizer, too.) And here's a useful tip from makeup artist Carola Gonzalez: For a more radiant, dewy finish, apply your foundation right after prepping your skin, while if you prefer a matte look, wait about 10 minutes after moisturizing before applying foundation.
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