Best Drugstore Foundation for Dry Skin

It’s true that some drugstore foundation brands are better than others for dry skin, but the real reason your skin is dry is probably due to the products you’re using (or not using) before and after applying your makeup.

That’s right: your skincare products make a huge difference in how well you wear your makeup.

In addition to highlighting the best drugstore foundation for dry skin in our guide below, we will also be showing you what to look for in your skin care products so that they don’t strip your skin of valuable nutrients.

We reveal all of the secrets to you here!

Be Realistic!

You have to be realistic when searching for a drugstore foundation because finding a product in this price range that doesn’t contain ingredients that dry your skin out is difficult.

As you’ll see below, we will discuss some of the biggest skin-drying ingredients found in skin care products (and provide you with some solutions), which allow you to get by wearing these drugstore brands.

The more expensive department store brands may be ideal, but in our table, we do have a few quality options in the drugstore category if you want to spend less.

The Do’s When It Comes to Wearing Foundation

Here are a few tips when it comes to choosing the best drugstore foundation for dry skin:

• Think Tinted Moisturizer. Anything with the word “moisturizer” in it should definitely be on your face.

While tinted moisturizers do provide you with lighter coverage, they are probably the most skin-friendly option for those of you with dry skin.

• Use a Great Primer. If you’re not using a primer already, then you need to start using one.

There are plenty of affordable options if you don’t want to spend tons of money: Aloe Vera gel and milk of magnesia are some natural alternatives that are better for the skin and cost less than some of the name brands!

• Check the Brand’s Label. Many brands offer a line of makeup with different formulas. Revlon, for example, has their Colorstay Makeup in the Combination/Oily formula and Normal/Dry Formula, and you’ll find that many other brands also offer the same options.

Liquid and creamy foundations are usually best if you have dry skin (and if they have quality ingredients), but if you use a great primer that keeps your skin moisturized, then powders are OK, too.

Your Skincare Routine Matters

It’s true that some foundations and other makeup products will dry your skin out, but you can prevent them from doing so if you pair them with the right skincare products.

So many of the popular brands of skin care products contain ingredients that are NOT skin-friendly.

• Face Washes. Be careful of the alcohols used in face washes, as some of them can strip the skin of everything they need.

If your current face wash contains rubbing alcohol or ethyl alcohol, then it’s time to stop using it. These are bad for you skin.

Cetyl alcohol is ok because, when derived from plants and used in small quantities, it is actually good for the skin. Benzoyl peroxide is another ingredient that will suck all of the moisture out of your skin, so try substituting it with another natural acne fighting ingredient if you’re dealing with breakouts.

Natural and organic face washes make a huge difference in the overall quality of your skin. The more plant extracts and natural ingredients they contain, the better.

• Moisturizers. Same thing goes with moisturizers. Avoid products that have labels packed with chemicals: keep it safe and simple with natural ingredients!

Here are two wonderful organic moisturizers that you can try. These are natural and pure, to of the most important characteristics if you’re going to keep your skin hydrated.

• Toners. Those bad alcohols we mentioned above are usually the main ingredient in toners, so eliminate them and start over with something natural and affordable: Apple Cider Vinegar.

You can start with a 50/50 mix of organic apple cider vinegar and water, and adjust from there to get the right ratio for your skin type.

The apple cider vinegar will help balance your skin’s pH, it will remove dirt and grime from your pores and, most importantly, it won’t dry out your skin! It’s worth a try, isn’t it?

Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Top 5 Best Drugstore Foundation for Dry Skin

1. COVERGIRL and Olay Tonerehab 2-In-1 Foundation

CoverGirl teamed up with Olay to create this unique foundation that will provide you with a good dose of the moisture that your dry skin needs.

This is basically a tinted moisturizer, without being labeled as such, that provides you with a higher amount of coverage than a regular tinted moisturizer would. This formula will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, it will even out your skin tone and help firm the skin.

We like that it comes in a hygienic pump bottle, too.

Here are their shades (Nude Beige is featured in our table):

The color options are noticeably on the lighter side, so if you didn’t find your shade here, check out the next great products on our list!

2. Revlon ColorStay Longwear Liquid Foundation

As we mentioned earlier, Revlon offers their ColorStay line in an Oily/Combination formula and this Normal/Dry skin formula. You need the second one! You don’t want the oily/combination skin formula because it will dry you out even more to make sure to double check the label to make sure you picked up the right one.

This also come in a hygienic pump bottle that is mess-free, this will provide you with a semi-matte finish and the added benefit of SPF.

Out of all of the drugstore brands for dry skin, this is definitely our favorite, but if you can’t find your shade match, then you should have a look at the next one.

Here are their shades (True Beige is featured in our table):

3. Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation

Milani definitely has a better range of shades, with a good mix of in between colors and a few chocolate/brown shades to choose from.

They created this formula to act as a corrector and concealer all in one, especially the under eye circles. It provides you with heavier coverage than a tinted moisturizer thanks to the pigmentation, but it is a bit thick and goopy.

If you’re in need of heavier coverage and you find your color match, we’d say that it’s a pretty good find in the drugstore brands.

Here are their shades (Light Beige is featured in our table):

4. Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation

Just like the Revlon line above, Maybelline has their Fit Me! foundation for both combination/oily skin and dry skin. You want the “Dewy+Smooth” formula if you have dry skin.

This is a smoothing concentrate that is designed to hydrate the rough patches on your face while providing coverage. It is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, two things we like to see in a product meant for dry skin.

If you’re looking for a liquid foundation with a wide range of color choices, then this is an excellent choice.

Here are their shades (Natural Beige is featured in our table):

5. L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup

If you need a foundation that will help hydrate your skin and relieve itchiness and redness, then this is a good one to consider. For one, this product comes in a wide variety of shades, although only a couple are for darker skin.

L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup is very easy to spread, and its consistency makes it an easy blend. This foundation will provide you with medium coverage that can hide many scars, blemished, and wrinkles.

What stands out about this L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup is that it is loaded with vitamins and minerals, which are designed to produce healthier feeling and looking skin.