7 Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin in 2024

When you have dry skin, you want to give it all the moisture it can get. For dry skin, foundations imbued with soothing and moisturizing ingredients are suitable.

Below is a list of foundations that contain moisturizing properties and humectants like natural oils, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and draw moisture to it. These foundations effectively combat dryness, offer decent coverage, and are budget-friendly.

To determine which options, excel among their competitors, I relied on a combination of personal experience, online reviews, ingredient research, and expert recommendations. This approach allowed me to gather comprehensive information on the performance and formulations of each product.

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Price= $14 on Amazon

Packaging: The foundation is housed in a lightweight glass bottle that unscrews into a large doe-foot applicator like lipgloss has.

Pros:

• Provides a wear time of 6-8 hours.

• Provides medium coverage with a natural finish in a weightless water-gel formula, ensuring comfort throughout the day.

• Light-to-medium coverage, perfect for those seeking a breathable base, especially during summer.

• Effortlessly applies for a lightweight and seamless makeup look.

• Suitable for normal to combination/dry skin types, it neither exacerbates oiliness nor clings to dry patches.

• It’s kinda like “no brainer” makeup – you apply, blend, and go. It’s hard to mess up. Ideal for those seeking hassle-free makeup application.

• Infused with hyaluronic acid, a superb hydrating ingredient for dry skin.

• Suitable for those fair skinned people who struggle to find foundations with yellow undertones at the drugstore.

• Imparts excellent moisture without leaving a greasy or shiny residue.

• Blends seamlessly to offer a soft, natural glow.

• Does not settle into pores or fine lines, enhancing the skin's natural appearance.

• Oil-free and non-comedogenic.

cons:

• The finish is undeniably "natural." Those seeking a dewy, moisturizing finish may be disappointed given the name and claims of the product. If you desire deeply nourished and glowing skin, this foundation alone may not suffice; prepping your skin beforehand is necessary to achieve that effect.
• With only 10 available shades, the range is limited, and the distribution is uneven. While those with light-to-medium skin tones may find suitable options, individuals with deep, rich skin tones have only two choices available.
• Applicator is not very hygienic
• The consistency is like a gel that sets quickly.

Price= $21 on Amazon

Packaging. Packaged in a push-top pump bottles with plastic lids.

Pros:

• Available in 47 shades. You are sure to find your shade.
• 7-8 hours wear time.
• A medium-coverage liquid foundation that offers a skin-like finish and precise color match.
• The vegan formula is oil-free and non-comedogenic.
• Enriched with hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate the skin.
• Super-blendable (which lives up to the foundation claim), giving room for correction of errors
• The new formulation is not different from the old except the bottle now has a pump and there are more shades and Some shades wear just a tinge lighter than their former counterparts.
• Gives a gorgeous glowy finish.
• It’s fragrance and alcohol free which is great for sensitive skin.
• It looks natural, with a soft matte finish that just looks like normal skin.
• Comes well labeled with expiry dates
• Vegan and cruelty free

Cons:

• The pump/spray doesn’t reach the whole bottle.
• The consistency of this foundation is on the thinner side
• The L’Oreal True Match has SPF 17 which probably isn’t enough by itself.
• Not suitable for multiple coating. The coverage is medium, and you cannot build it up to full. you’ll need to layer with concealer if you have really dark or red spots you want to completely conceal.

Price: $10 on Amazon

Packaging: Previously, Revlon ColorStay Makeup Foundation was packaged in a seemingly difficult-to-use bottle, but it has now transitioned to a more user-friendly pump-style applicator.

Pros:

• Delivers a medium-to-full coverage and soft natural looking finish.
• Wear time 6-8 hours
• It photographs really well. So if you are a bride on a budget or don’t wear makeup a lot but need something for photographs, this would be a good pick for you!
• Revlon colorstay is a water-based foundation.
• Hydrating formula helps improve skin’s appearance by the day.
• Delivers a Comfortable and lightweight feel
• It does not settle into fine lines or wrinkles.
• Resists heat, sweat, and humidity.
• Rich in Hyaluronic Acid to help boost skin’s moisture for all-day hydration and a healthy-looking glow.
• Does not emphasize any dry patches on face.
• Broad-spectrum SPF 20
• Oil-free and Fragrance-free.

Cons

• Very watery and runny consistency
• Available in 24 shades which might not cater to all skin tones
• It dries quickly so you have to work fast.
• This is suitable for regular dry skin, not for excessively dry peely skin.

Price: $ 14 on Amazon

Packaging: The foundation comes in a glass bottle, with a pump, in the typical L’Oréal Foundation packaging. The bottle contains contains 30 ml of product

Pros:

• Offers a wear time of 7-9 hours.
• Available in 40 shades, predominantly in the light to medium range.
• Provides a natural, skin-like finish with medium coverage that can be built up to full.
• Features a lightweight formula.
• Perfect choice for those seeking a full-coverage foundation that won’t fade by 5pm.
• Does not oxidize, maintaining true complexion throughout the day.
• Buildable coverage for customizable results.
• Infused with Vitamin E to nourish and moisturize the skin.
• Contains SPF 25 for sun protection.
• Ideal for mature, dry, or combination/dry skin types.
• Does not settle into fine lines or pores.
• Loreal 24hr Infallible Freshware Foundation Is Water Based

Cons:

• The formula is very runny.
• Has a noticeable scent, though not overpowering.
• Glass bottle packaging is not ideal for travel.
• While suitable for dry skin, a good hydrating primer may still be needed underneath.
• The formula might feel heavy for those with very dry or exceedingly dehydrated skin.

Price: $5.47 on Amazon

Packaging: The foundation comes in a high-quality glass packaging with a screw-top lid, which adds to its luxurious feel. The applicator has a thin, paddle-like design that effectively distributes the product during application.

Price: $8 on Amazon

Packaging: The foundation comes in a plastic bottle with a pump packaging. Packaging wise it is really travel-friendly and sturdy.

Pros:

• Offers a very affordable price point.
• Features an ultra-lightweight, moisturizing formula.
• Provides buildable medium to full coverage.
• Lasts 5-6 hours; using a primer and setting spray can enhance its longevity.
• Infused with glycerin to maintain skin moisture and suppleness.
• Boasts a wide array of colors to suit different preferences.
• Particularly suitable for dry skin types.
• Enhances skin appearance by covering blemishes and imperfections effectively.
• Easy to blend wide color range and good coverage.
• Blends seamlessly into the skin, resulting in a luminous, dewy finish.
• cruelty-free.

Cons:

• Finding a suitable color match can be challenging; it's advisable to check the shades on Wet n Wild's website beforehand.
• Has a paint-like smell.Not recommended for those with sensitive skin; opt for fragrance-free foundation options from other brands.
• Not ideal for achieving a "no makeup" look; with this foundation it is obvious that you are wearing makeup.
• The packaging design could be improved; the paddle like applicator may introduce bacteria into the product after coming into contact with the skin or blemishes.

Pros:

• This foundation really gives a dewy full coverage finish to the face without making it look artificial.
• Super high coverage. It covers everything.
• It is supposed to be an illuminating foundation, so it definitely gives skin a lovely glow.
• Lasts 6-7 hours on normal-dry skin
• Available in 16 shades
• Formulated with vitamin E & vitamin C
• Hydrates and improves skin appearance
• Long wearing while providing an illuminating glow
• Lightweight feel for a flawless look
• Dewy finish, ideal for dry to normal skin types
• The cost for the amount of product you receive is good.
• Doesn’t look patchy on people with normal to dry skin
• Cruelty-free, paraben-free & vegan

Cons:

• The consistency of this product is very liquid-y. It is a very runny.
• Finding the right shade is hard. Shades lean a little too orange/red especially the darker ones)
• Not transfer proof
• It has a fairly strong synthetic scent which dissipates after application.
• This doesn’t really fully dry. You have to make sure not to touch your face when doing make up with this, and make sure to use a nice primer or cake lines appear quickly.

Price= $14 on Amazon

Packaging: It comes in a handy compact with sponge, perfect for throwing in your handbag for quick touch ups.

Pros:

• Offers medium coverage that can be built up to full.
• Lasts 5-6 hours without fading.
• Provides excellent coverage, especially suitable for dry, mature skin.
• Minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and imparts a youthful glow.
• Gives a beautiful, dewy finish.
• Enriched with a hyaluronic complex and vitamin C for healthier-looking skin.
• Convenient and lightweight for portability compared to bottled foundations.
• Moisturizing formula that glides over fine lines and wrinkles without settling into them.
• Contains SPF 28 for sun protection.
• Rich and hydrating, diminishing the look of fine lines.
• Easy to blend and touch up.
• The accompanying sponge is practical and optimized for use with the product.
• Affordable price point.
• Cruelty-free.

Cons:

• May cause breakouts for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
• Limited shade range (only available in 11 shades), making it challenging to find an exact match.
• Requires thorough skin preparation to avoid a cakey appearance.