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  • 10 Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed 1
  • 10 Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed 2
  • 10 Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed 3
  • 10 Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed 4
  • 10 Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed 5

10 Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed

Whether you're an occasional or daily makeup wearer, no beauty kit is complete without a good quality foundation. It provides a base for the rest of your makeup, covering up blemishes and evening out skin tone for a healthy, dewy glow - or a smooth matte look if you prefer!


There are plenty of excellent foundations from drugstore brands such as L'Oreal, Maybelline, and Max Factor that are perfectly suited to drier skin, including formulas for patchy, mature, sensitive and acne-prone combinations too. Check out our top 10 favourites and feel the hydration! Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Marie Dancer for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver the best information.

Last updated 22/03/2024

Quick List - Top Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin

1

L'Oreal Paris

True Match Foundation30 ml
True Match Foundation

A Game-changing Hydrating Foundation Available in 40 Shades

2

Revlon

Colorstay FoundationNormal/Dry Skin (30 ml)
Colorstay Foundation

An Oil-Free Formula for Dry/Combination Skin That Won't Clog Pores

3

The Ordinary

Serum Foundation30 ml
Serum Foundation

The Best Day-to-Day Hydrating Foundation

4

Maybelline

Dream Cushion Liquid Foundation 30 ml
Dream Cushion Liquid Foundation 

All the Hydration of a Liquid in a Handy Cushion Applicator Compact

5

L'Oréal Paris

Infallible Pro Glow Longwear Foundation30 ml
Infallible Pro Glow Longwear Foundation

A Glowy, Long-Wear Foundation to Take You from Day to Night

Marie Dancer
Expert
Makeup Artist
Marie Dancer

As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.

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The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.

Table of Contents

Fact-Checked & Approved by Makeup Artist Marie Dancer

Fact-Checked & Approved by Makeup Artist Marie Dancer

As a professional makeup artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK, working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.


Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie, you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.

How to Choose a Drugstore Foundation for Dry Skin in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Dry Skin Types Should Opt for Liquid and Cream Foundations or Tinted Moisturisers
  2. Search for Hydrating and Moisturising Ingredients Such as Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and Vitamin E
1

Stick to Liquid and Cream Foundations or Tinted Moisturisers for Dry Skin

Stick to Liquid and Cream Foundations or Tinted Moisturisers for Dry Skin

Pick Liquid Foundation for Easy Application and to Fill Lines and Wrinkles

Dry skin tends to be more textured, and powdered foundations tend to not adhere properly to the skin. Their particles settle on the surface, enhancing fine lines and wrinkles instead. Liquid foundations are easy to apply with the fingertips, or using a brush or sponge. They allow you to gradually build up to your desired coverage and can be mixed or blended with other makeup and beauty products.


The coverage you desire, and the thickness of the product will determine which tool is best for the job. Fingertips create warmth that blends lightweight foundations and tinted moisturisers in seamlessly for sheer, natural coverage. If you want fuller coverage, a foundation brush will allow you to buff liquid formulas into the skin quickly, different densities will provide varying levels of coverage.


You can still achieve a natural look if you use a fluffy foundation brush, but you may need to use a sponge on top to even out any streaks. Not only are they the best choice for filling in visible lines and wrinkles, but they provide a protective barrier on the skin that helps to retain moisture - a much-needed benefit for dry and thirsty skin! 


To reduce the appearance of textures with or without makeup, remember to use a face mask for dry skin!

Try Creams if You Need Something Moisturising and Convenient to Apply on the Go

Cream foundations are available either in a solid or soft texture. Solid cream foundations usually come in stick form, similar to a concealer but in a larger size, and soft cream foundations will generally sit in a pot or compact. Both varieties are great for on the go or when you are in need of a quick touch-up. 


Cream foundations have fantastic emollient properties, making them one of the most moisturising foundation types for dry skin, and will still provide medium to full coverage.


Use fingertips to pat the cream into the skin for a seamless finish, or draw the stick directly onto the skin and buff out with a brush if you prefer more coverage. Cream foundations can also be used as a highlight and contour by choosing a lighter and darker shade to sculpt the skin.

Choose a Tinted Moisturiser or BB Cream for Light Coverage With Hydrating Properties

Tinted moisturiser works primarily as a facial cream with a small amount of pigment. Similarly, BB cream, or blemish balm, prioritises skincare in its formulation. Both tinted moisturiser and bb cream are great options for those who only want light coverage and some colour correction.


Tinted moisturisers often include SPF to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays which dry out the skin and cause premature ageing. The main ingredients are skincare driven so you can ensure your skin is completely hydrated throughout the day and not just in the morning. Available in liquid form, these foundations offer the most hydration and give a youthful, dewy look. They are also the most suitable for sensitive skin. 


Click here to browse our recommendations for the best stick foundations!

2

Look For Ingredients With Humectant and Emollient Properties Like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Vitamin E

Look For Ingredients With Humectant and Emollient Properties Like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Vitamin E

Those with dry skin will want to retain as much moisture as possible, namely because adequate hydration helps smooth the surface of the skin and prevents peeling and flaking. One of the ways to achieve this is to look for products that contain ingredients with moisturising, humectant and emollient properties.


Humectants attract and retain moisture from the air, whereas emollients create a protective barrier that prevents water evaporating from the skin. Both help maintain and regulate hydration levels for vibrant skin that looks and feels softer. Ingredients to keep an eye out for that possess these properties are hyaluronic acid, glycerin and vitamin E. 


Explore our favourite Korean moisturisers here!

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10 Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

L'Oreal Paris

True Match Foundation30 ml

L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation 1

A Game-changing Hydrating Foundation Available in 40 Shades

2

Revlon

Colorstay FoundationNormal/Dry Skin (30 ml)

Revlon Colorstay Foundation 1

An Oil-Free Formula for Dry/Combination Skin That Won't Clog Pores

3

The Ordinary

Serum Foundation30 ml

The Ordinary Serum Foundation 1

The Best Day-to-Day Hydrating Foundation

4

Maybelline

Dream Cushion Liquid Foundation 30 ml

Maybelline Dream Cushion Liquid Foundation  1

All the Hydration of a Liquid in a Handy Cushion Applicator Compact

5

L'Oréal Paris

Infallible Pro Glow Longwear Foundation30 ml

L'Oréal Paris  Infallible Pro Glow Longwear Foundation 1

A Glowy, Long-Wear Foundation to Take You from Day to Night

6

Revolution

Fast Base Stick Foundation31.8 g

Revolution  Fast Base Stick Foundation 1

Get Full Coverage in Seconds With This Solid Cream Stick

7

Max Factor

Miracle Match Blur & Nourish Foundation100 ml

Max Factor  Miracle Match Blur & Nourish Foundation 1

A Dewy Foundation for Youthful Looking Skin

8

NYX

Total Control Drop Foundation13 ml

NYX Total Control Drop Foundation 1

The Best Matte Option for Dry and Combination Skin

9

Garnier

SkinActive Classic Perfecting All-in-1 BB Cream50 ml

Garnier SkinActive Classic Perfecting All-in-1 BB Cream 1

All-In-One Skincare and Foundation Combo for Dry Skin

10

Avon

True Nutra Effects Radiance Tinted Moisturiser50 ml

Avon True Nutra Effects Radiance Tinted Moisturiser 1

A Dry-Skin Tint for People Who Don't Wear Makeup

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

L'Oreal Paris
True Match Foundation30 ml

True Match Foundation 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£8.89
High Mid
Reference price
£8.89
High Mid

A Game-changing Hydrating Foundation Available in 40 Shades

L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation is our favourite drugstore foundation for dry skin. The ultra-hydrating formula helps improve overall skin quality, with ingredients including hyaluronic acid, glycerin and vitamin E to lock in moisture and soothing aloe vera for chapped or peeling skin.


Available in 40 different easy to blend shades, you're sure to find the perfect colour match! The foundation applies smoothly and can be layered to your desired level of coverage, providing a natural glow. Best of all, this foundation is dermatologically tested and non-comedogenic making it a suitable choice for acne-prone or sensitive skin.

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Revlon
Colorstay FoundationNormal/Dry Skin (30 ml)

Reference price
£6.99
Mid

An Oil-Free Formula for Dry/Combination Skin That Won't Clog Pores

For those with combination skin, don’t think you need to buy multiple foundations. Revlon’s Colorstay foundation’s oil-free formula with hyaluronic acid is suitable for all skin types, hydrating without clogging pores to prevent excess oil and sebum production.


This lightweight foundation is humidity and sweat-resistant, keeping your skin looking flawless throughout the day. With only a small amount required, this product provides medium to full coverage and effortlessly conceals blemishes and skin discolouration

No.3

The Ordinary
Serum Foundation30 ml

Serum Foundation 1
Source:boots.com
Reference price
£5.70
Low Mid
Reference price
£5.70
Low Mid

The Best Day-to-Day Hydrating Foundation

This silky smooth serum from The Ordinary is made with the brand's proprietary "spreadability system", which ensures that it glides onto the skin like a dream. The lightweight formula has a closer consistency to a serum rather than foundation that sinks into the skin and dries down to a flawless, semi-matte finish. 


We love the unique formulation of this foundation the pigments look very natural whilst being able to provide a light to medium coverage. Plus, with SPF 15 sun protection and 21 shades available, we think this can be a great everyday go-to for a wide range of complexions!

No.4

Maybelline
Dream Cushion Liquid Foundation 30 ml

Dream Cushion Liquid Foundation  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£9.99
High Mid
Reference price
£9.99
High Mid

All the Hydration of a Liquid in a Handy Cushion Applicator Compact

Maybelline’s Dream Cushion foundation comes in a handy compact for on the go application, but it's much more hydrating than its powdery counterparts. Just slip it inside your bag or pocket ready for when you need a little touch up during the day.


The cushion applicator ensures you always get just the right amount, preventing unnecessary wastage and helping your product go further for longer. The creamy consistency gives dry skin a satin-like finish without the shine. 

No.5

L'Oréal Paris
Infallible Pro Glow Longwear Foundation30 ml

Infallible Pro Glow Longwear Foundation 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£15.95
High
Reference price
£15.95
High

A Glowy, Long-Wear Foundation to Take You from Day to Night

Fed up of tired, dull-looking skin? L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Glow foundation is all about giving you a healthy radiant glow. The smooth liquid formula glides over dry skin, providing enough coverage to hide imperfections without looking too heavy.


A perfect base for going from day to night looks, L’Oreal’s impressive foundation lasts up to 24 hours. So next time you get invited out for spur of the moment drinks after work, you won’t need to factor in time to reapply your makeup!

No.6

Revolution
Fast Base Stick Foundation31.8 g

Fast Base Stick Foundation 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£4.99
Low Mid
Reference price
£4.99
Low Mid

Get Full Coverage in Seconds With This Solid Cream Stick

If you like things bold when it comes to beauty, the Fast Base Stick from Revolution is here to give you full coverage, fast. This solid cream foundation stick is super easy to apply, whether you're using it as a base, as a concealer or for contouring.


It may look as hard as a wax crayon, but you’ll be amazed at how seamlessly the cream foundation melts into your skin. While the formulation may not contain any of our top key hydrating ingredients, when it comes to a full coverage foundation for dry skin we seriously recommend checking this one out! 

No.7

Max Factor
Miracle Match Blur & Nourish Foundation100 ml

Miracle Match Blur & Nourish Foundation 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£7.74
Mid
Reference price
£7.74
Mid

A Dewy Foundation for Youthful Looking Skin

For those with dry skin, matte foundations aren’t always going to be your best friend. Many matte foundations will only enhance the texture of the skin, that’s why we recommend giving a ‘dewy’ foundation a go instead.


Max Factor’s Miracle Match Blur & Nourish Foundation won’t leave skin looking wet or greasy, but fresh and youthful instead. The lightweight formulation blends with your skin tone to provide a flawless nude appearance, letting your natural beauty shine through!

No.8

NYX
Total Control Drop Foundation13 ml

Total Control Drop Foundation 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£12.77
High Mid
Reference price
£12.77
High Mid

The Best Matte Option for Dry and Combination Skin

If you’re looking to achieve the matte look without your foundation caking and flaking throughout the day, give NYX’s Total Control Drop Foundation a go! The liquid formula provides sheer to full coverage with a velvety matte finish that won’t look chalky or too heavy.


Available in 30 shades, we recommend this one for combination dry/oily skin or for those with normal skin who experience increased dryness during the winter months. NYX foundations are a little more expensive than other drugstore brands, however, the highly pigmented formulation and dropper applicator mean a little goes a long way. 

No.9

Garnier
SkinActive Classic Perfecting All-in-1 BB Cream50 ml

SkinActive Classic Perfecting All-in-1 BB Cream 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£5.00
Low Mid

All-In-One Skincare and Foundation Combo for Dry Skin

Looking to cut down time spent applying skincare and makeup? Garnier’s SkinActive All-In-One BB cream provides up to 24 hours of hydration with vitamin and mineral extracts to help repair and rejuvenate.


A great choice for moisturising dry skin without having to layer heavy products, this BB cream provides just the right amount of coverage to even out skin tone and neutralise redness for a radiant complexion. Unfortunately, this product has a very limited colour range as it's only available in a few shades, light, medium or dark. 

No.10

Avon
True Nutra Effects Radiance Tinted Moisturiser50 ml

True Nutra Effects Radiance Tinted Moisturiser 1
Source:avon.uk.com
Reference price
£5.00
Low Mid
Reference price
£5.00
Low Mid

A Dry-Skin Tint for People Who Don't Wear Makeup

Avon’s True Nutra Effects Radiance Tinted Moisturiser is a foundation for people who don’t like to wear foundation! It’s got everything you would expect from your regular daily moisturiser, but with tiny beads of pigment that burst to create a warm, even and smooth appearance. 


This hydrating blend gives much-needed relief to dry skin, as well as providing a subtle pop of colour to increase luminosity. Whilst it's ultra-light coverage is intended for multiple skin tones, it does only come in one shade, so for the best results, we recommend this one for fair to medium skin types.

Written and Researched by Wren Mann

Top 5 Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin

No. 1: L'Oreal ParisTrue Match Foundation30 ml

No. 2: RevlonColorstay FoundationNormal/Dry Skin (30 ml)

No. 3: The OrdinarySerum Foundation30 ml

No. 4: MaybellineDream Cushion Liquid Foundation 30 ml

No. 5: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Longwear Foundation30 ml

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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