Dewy, Hydrating & Lightweight: 12 Best Makeup Foundations For Dry Skin

The SKINgenius by Nykaa is a hydrating and dewy foundation that comes in five shades catering to Indian skin tones. The formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid, which is mainly responsible for a moisture-ridden look. It also has polyfit technology with colour-adapting pigments that further enhances even coverage, giving you a hydrated, dewy look. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.2/5. Based on 9184 ratings & 1608 reviews

One of the more high-end options, Pat McGrath's Skin Fetish is an iconic brand that we've seen pretty much all youtubers and influencers swear by. It is known for its silky, serum-like formula that blends and builds seamlessly from a sheer, second-skin tint to a perfected medium coverage that can be worn comfortably for up to 12 hours. It settles in with a soft satin-like finish that's infused with ingredients known for their hydrating, smoothing and illuminating properties. Globally, the skin fetish comes in 36 shades, however there are only twelve available on Nykaa. Other than that, it is weightless, non-comedogenic and self setting.

Nykaa Rating: 4.3/5. Based on 37 ratings & 9 reviews.

A tried-and-tested foundation by a LBB crew member, the Kay Beauty Hydrating foundation comes in 20 shades for Indian skin tones, which is the most from a home-grown make up brand. The foundation gives off a natural hydrated dewy finish, locks in moisture, and is suitable for all-day comfortable wear. A little goes a long way, which justifies the price point too! For hydrating properties compatible for dry skin, the formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid, mango and avocado butter. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5. Based on 11243 ratings & 1529 reviews.

A brand that's been popping up on Instagram everywhere, the Ilana soft blur cream concealer and foundation comes with the goodness of SPF 50 and a creamy texture, making it suitable for dry skin. It is packed with 100 per cent naturally derived ingredients and 100 per cent naturally derived iron oxides with a clean, even application. For now, it comes in six shades that cater to Indian skin tones. We like this product for being multipurpose — with foundation, concealer and SPF all rolled into one. 

Another foundation that is more on the pricier side, the Smashbox studio skin foundation is known for its hydrating, natural, long-lasting finish that comes with 24-hour wear, is transfer, sweat, and humidity resistant and oil free. It has a buildable coverage that comes in 29 shades, it doesn't oxidise, is quite lightweight and works great on all skin types, including dry skin. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.2/5. based on 600 ratings & 136 reviews

M.A.C's Studio Fix Fluid foundation has a sacred place in every MUA's vanity for it's long-lasting finish and stunning coverage, but the only downside is the slightly matte finish that clings to dry patches so, we were over the moon when the brand launched their Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation last year! This one's a serum-based foundation that's hydrating, softly luminous and has skin-enhancing ingredients. It’s powered by an 80% skincare base with thirty-three skincare ingredients including a 10% hyaluronic acid solution, jojoba and olive oil, vitamin E that keep the skin hydrated throughout the day (claiming up to 24 hours)  with medium buildable, smoothing coverage that instantly evens out your complexion. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.3/5. Based on 178 ratings & 10 reviews.

Tati Westbrook, the famous beauty YouTuber kept raving about this Revlon foundation that's specifically formulated for normal and dry skin types and we must say this one took us by surprise. Loaded with antioxidants like vitamin E that keep the skin feeling refreshed, the foundation has a beautiful hydrating satin finish with medium coverage (can be easily built up to full) that looks super skin-like and natural. This one's perfect for hot sweltering summers when you want to wear a foundation that's as light as a skin tint but with considerable coverage. Plus, it's formulated with SPF 20 so you get added sun protection during the days. The only things we're not a fan of is that the shade range is limited to only five shades that are available in India as of now but here's hoping the brand launches the rest soon!

Nykaa Rating: 3.8/5. Based on 16 ratings.

All the makeup fanatics know how well-loved this bougie foundation from Dior has been since its launch. Formulated with an 86% skincare base, it is enriched with extracts of wild pansy for hydration, hibiscus for stimulating cell renewal, nasturtium for radiance and iris for its protective properties; so basically- this foundation not only works as a complexion coverage foundation but also works as a skincare base to simultaneously improve your skin quality. The end result is healthy-looking dewy skin that's visibly plumper and hydrated (in case you makeup it your everyday foundation).

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5. Based on 66 ratings & 12 reviews.

An oldie but a goodie, the L'Oreal True Match is one of the most top-rated foundations for dry skin in the drugstore realm. The formula is at par as any high-end foundation as it's super blendable and feels extremely lightweight and non-cakey on the skin. Also, the glistening finish it gives because of the finely milled shimmer particles is simply unbeatable! This one's a great medium coverage foundation that can be easily layered to turn into a full-coverage foundation for dry skin folks.

Nykaa Rating: 4.2/5. Based on 7786 ratings & 1589 reviews

This NYX foundation comes with a dropper so you have 'control' over how much foundation you want to use. It has an interesting dewy-matte finish which is neither too shiny or slippery on the skin, nor too mattifying- perfect for those with normal to dry skin. With this foundation, you can easily build up the coverage which is a good medium when you start and can be turned full coverage by using more drops. We wouldn't suggest this one if your skin is extremely dry or parched since it doesn't do much to help hydrate.

Nykaa Rating: 4.2/5 . Based on 1606 ratings & 473 reviews.

The Colorbar 24Hrs Weightless Liquid Foundation has honestly left us gawking at how much a foundation that costs just 1k can do! It's extremely hydrating, feels like putting water on your face, lasts amazingly well on the skin with medium to full coverage that look absolutely skin-like. The oil-free formula is infused with vitamin E (at this point, call it dry skin's bestie) that locks in moisture and hydration while being shine-free and sweat resistant. Additionally, it gives skin an instantly smooth, pore-diffused finish without feeling mattifying at all.

Nykaa Rating: 4.3/5. Based on 1196 ratings & 97 reviews

You are getting the goodness of three serums in this stellar foundation formula that is formulated with hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and vitamin c that make up for 86% of the foundation so you are basically using tinted skincare on your skin. The formula feels like nothing on the skin, blending it is a breeze, has an SPF of 20, plus it's sweat and humidity proof. It works like magic on the skin to give a long-lasting base with medium to full coverage. We wouldn't consider it a dewy foundation since the finish is more of a satin-matte so skip on it if your skin's as dry as a raisin.

Nykaa Rating: 4.3/5. Based on 99 ratings & 15 reviews