It’s time to tackle some dry skin drama. I hear a lot of “my skin is too flaky to wear foundation” and “well if I use that, my skin will look too oily.” I have a couple of suggestions that may help improve the look and feel of foundation on your dry skin.

For starters let’s talk a little skin care. I highly recommend exfoliating only once or twice a week. Exfoliation is wonderful for your skin and keeps it glowing by removing dead skin cells on the surface, but use caution- you can have too much of a good thing. If you like using a scrub, try (1) Refined Finish Facial Polish by Benefit. It gives your skin a fresh feeling without scratching the surface (the scrubbing agents are perfectly spherical). Moisturize daily, and keep yourself well hydrated!

Using a primer is a great way to add moisture to your makeup routine. A great hydrating option is the (2) Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – Hydrating. The texture is smooth and not greasy. It hydrates and holds moisture all day, while battling environmental damage. It runs about $32, and a little goes a long way!

Don’t shy away from drugstores when looking for a foundation, they’ve got good quality products, too! One of the best for dry skin is (3) Revlon’s ColorStay Foundation for Normal/Dry skin. It has an extremely even finish, SPF 15, and is oil-free. The staying power of this foundation is remarkable, and only $12! I have found that a lot of women with “aging skin” have awesome results too. Something more middle of the road in terms of cost is the (4) MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation at $30. It has really good coverage, is very hydrating, and is water-resistant! Cool right? I also enjoy that it doesn’t feel heavy at all.

Lastly, Tarte has this brand new foundation that I am fangirling over for dry skin. It is their (5) Maracuja Miracle Foundation that has Broad Spectrum sun protection as well as SPF 15. The maracuja oil is so hydrating and soothing, and it keeps the skin super smooth and soft. I also just love that Tarte doesn’t use fakes and chemicals in their makeup! This foundation runs around $42.00.

I hope this helps some of you with dry skin blues! Let’s cross our fingers for a winter that’s not too dry or too cold. Stay hydrated, friends!

Do you have any recommendations for how to deal with dry skin? Let us know in the comments!

Written by Jamie Frasier