If you have dehydrated skin, finding a foundation that won’t accentuate dry patches can be hard. We are delving into some of the best foundations for dry skin by looking at serum foundations and why they are the best option if you suffer from any form of dehydration whatsoever.
What is a serum foundation?
You may have heard serum foundations being referred to as “foundation fluids”, as they are generally water-based skin tints, rich in hydrating ingredients and perfect for dehydrated skin types. Although they have been around for a while, the trend for serum foundations is set to become huge thanks to their weightless and second-skin formulations.
Brands such as MAC have long-listed the benefits of water-based foundations, while newer brands like The Ordinary are tapping into the untold nature, and have released a foundation so fluid, it takes serious skill to apply, but once on the skin, looks incredible.
Who are serum foundations good for?
Serum foundations are great for all skin types, but especially for those which are particularly dry or dehydrated. Due to their super moisturising properties, they help to counteract signs of dehydration like flakiness and dullness to leave the skin looking naturally fresh and radiant.
10 of the best foundations for dry skin
- Yves Saint Laurent Youth Liberator Serum Foundation
- Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation
- The Ordinary Serum Foundation
- bareMinerals bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation
- Stila Aqua Glow Serum Foundation
- Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation
- MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation with SPF 30
- Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation
- Algenist Colour Correcting Anti-Ageing Serum Foundation
- Perricone No Foundation Foundation Serum
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Buy now with Lookfantastic UK Yves Saint Laurent Youth Liberator Serum Foundation
Buy now with free deliveryThis super lightweight serum foundation from YSL is perfect for anyone wanting to perfect their complexion without looking like they are wearing makeup.
The Yves Saint Laurent Youth Liberator Serum Foundation is perfect for both dehydrated and mature skin types as it contains the brands unique anti-ageing Glycanactif™ complex, which sinks into the skin straight away to soften the complexion and even out the skin tone.
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Buy now with Lookfantastic UK Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation
Buy now with free deliveryThis super dewy foundation from Bobbi Brown is perfect for dehydrated skin types as it has the fluidity of a serum, which sinks it to provide immediate coverage without highlighting dry skin patches.
Packed with a blend of nourishing botanicals like lychee, cordyceps mushrooms and bamboo grass, the Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation keeps the skin moisturised throughout the day so it never creases or highlights any dry or flaky areas. With an SPF 40 and lightweight sun filters, it helps to shield the skin against environmental aggressors for a naturally healthy and radiant complexion.
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Buy now with Lookfantastic UK The Ordinary Serum Foundation
Buy now with free deliveryRaved about by beauty bloggers and editors, The Ordinary’s Serum Foundation might be one of the cheapest on the market, but it packs a punch when it comes to quality.
Both vegan-friendly and crulety-free, the formula has a medium coverage, which can be built-up without ever looking cakey or heavy on the skin. It has a lightweight and natural satin finish, but certain shades also have an additional S or G next to them which indicates they have metallic particles in them for a luminous and radiant finish.
This foundation has a seriously fluid texture so we recommend applying with a flat foundation brush as it won’t soak up as much of the product as a normal buffing brush. Work quickly into the skin to avoid streaking.
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Buy now with Lookfantastic UK bareMinerals bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation
Buy now with free deliverybareMinerals is a great brand to use if you have any type of troubled or sensitised skin, but the bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation is perfect for dehydrated and dry complexions thanks to its super hydrating formula.
Supercharged Lilac Plant Stem Cells and Vitamin C help to brighten up and even out the skin tone, reducing pigmentation and giving the complexion a flawless finish. Its ultra-thin and fluid formulation also glides onto the skin and doesn’t feel cakey; perfect if your skin feels a little uncomfortable and needs a foundation to cover without ever feeling heavy.
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Buy now with Lookfantastic UK Stila Aqua Glow Serum Foundation
Buy now with free deliveryHyaluronic acid, ionised water and minerals make up the base of Stila’s Aqua Glow Serum Foundation; making it a perfect foundation for dry skin.
Its lightweight formula melts into the skin to create an ultra-sheer veil that can be built-up to achieve a flawless complexion which looks naturally radiant and illuminated. Fragrance-free, it’s great if you suffer from any form of sensitivity as it won’t cause irritation or redness
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Buy now with Lookfantastic UK Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation
Buy now with free deliveryDelivering up to 8 hours of hydration on the skin, the Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation is one of the best foundations we have tried to combat dehydrated complexions.
Dermatologically-tested and non-comedogenic, the foundation won’t block pores or cause breakouts, making it great for anyone with combination skin. It’s enriched with argan oil, yuzu seed and antioxidant-rich wild thyme extract to nourish the skin as it covers, revealing a naturally dewy and luminous complexion.
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Buy now with Lookfantastic UK MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation with SPF 30
Buy now with free deliveryWith an incredible range of shades, and both oil and fragrance-free, this is one of the most versatile foundations for dry skin we have tried.
MAC’s Studio Waterweight Foundation delivers sheer to medium coverage which can be built-up for a more flawless finish. Infused with the brands unique Moisture-Fusion Complex, the foundation provides long-lasting hydration throughout the day without becoming cakey or looking shiny. Additionally, it also has an SPF of 30, which helps to shield against damaging UV rays and external aggressors.
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Buy now with Lookfantastic UK Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation
Buy now with free deliveryBourjois’s Healthy Mix Serum Foundation is a true cocktail of vitamins and antioxidants, rich in litchi, goji berries and pomegranate to brighten the skin and even out any form of pigmentation.
Keeping the skin looking fresh for up to 16 hours, the foundation covers all manner of imperfections and leaves the skin looking dewy, radiant and naturally healthy. We love to use this on days when we feel a little tired or under the weather as it immediately perks up dull and fatigued complexions.
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Buy now with Lookfantastic UK Algenist Colour Correcting Anti-Ageing Serum Foundation
Buy now with free deliveryHailing from cult clinical skincare brand Algenist comes their Colour Correcting Anti-Ageing Serum Foundation. A unique face base that combines skincare benefits with makeup, this foundation is packed with hydrating ingredients to counteract the effects of dehydrated skin.
Hypoallergenic and free from common chemical nasties, the foundation contains both microalgae oil and alguronic acid to lock in essential moisture and keep the skin looking dewy and fresh throughout the day.
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Buy now with Lookfantastic UK Perricone No Foundation Foundation Serum
Buy now with free deliveryA uniquely hydrating foundation, the Perricone No Foundation Foundation Serum hydrates the skin but dries down to a semi-matte finish; perfect for anyone with slightly oily or shiny complexions.
Enriched with broad spectrum SPF 30, the foundation helps to shield skin against damaging environmental and external aggressors, whilst also keeping it looking flawless and fresh throughout the day. It also has good buildable coverage, which means you can keep adding to the skin until you achieve your desired finish.
