14 best cushion foundations for dry skin that hydrate and brighten complexion

Cushion foundations are arguably one of the best inventions in the beauty world. They allow us to touch up on the go without having to lug around bottles of foundation, and their multi-functioning abilities make morning beauty routines so much easier.

However, if you have dry skin, you can definitely relate to the problem of having your foundation start appearing flaky, especially when you’re stuck in an air-conditioned office the whole day.

Not all cushion foundations can help to salvage the situation, and if you use one that is not suited for your skin type, you might even find your skin looking worse with every attempt at touching up.

Of course, not all hope is lost. Beauty brands have created cushion foundations for dry skin, with special ingredients to boost and maintain hydration levels, so read on and find out what they are!

1. Su:m37 Water-full CC Cushion Perfect Finish

As the name implies, Su:m37’s cushion is chock full of water, and it promises to deliver moisture the moment it touches your skin. In addition, you can use this to brighten your skin and cover skin imperfections.

A reviewer has said that the finish this cushion gives is slightly dewy, but not overly shiny or wet-looking. There is a pretty great balance between looking dewy and realistic, so your dry skin can look hydrated without you looking like you just have oily skin.

Su:m37 Water-full CC Cushion Perfect Finish retails between S$62.50 and S$67 (with one refill) on YesStyle, S$72 on Shopee, and at all Su:m37 counters.

2. Missha Signature Essence Cushion

A fan favourite on Soko Glam, this cushion claims to moisturise, soothe and protect your dry skin from harmful UV rays (SPF 50 PA+++). It is formulated with 42.6% moisturising essence to brighten skin and give you a clear and glowing complexion.

You can also find hyaluronic acid and birch sap in this cushion, both of which help to fortify your skin’s moisture level. No wonder this is one of the best cushion foundations for dry skin!

Soko Glam’s founder Charlotte Cho has given this a glowing review, saying that this product can be considered ‘the marriage between your favourite essence and the best BB cream you’ve ever tried.

However, as with most K-beauty products, the shade range is limited to fair and light beige skin tones, so do take note!

Missha Signature Essence Cushion retails for S$37.90 at all MISSHA stores.

3. NARS Aqua Glow Cushion Foundation

Formulated with NARS’ Triple-Force Anti-Pollution Complex and SPF 23, this foundation is water-enriched and provides your skin from damage caused by constant sun exposure.

It provides medium, buildable coverage in shades suited for Asian skin. It is also said to provide a natural cooling sensation that leaves the skin glowing and plumped without feeling bogged down by a heavy formula.

Reviews are generally positive, and most mention how this foundation could last you the whole day without needing to touch up as it is sweat-proof and does not oxidise easily in any weather.

NARS Aqua Glow Cushion Foundation retails for S$52 at all NARS counters and Sephora stores as well as online at sephora.sg.

4. Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion EX

Sulwhasoo’s bestselling product boasts exclusive, patent-pending Slim Fit High Coverage technology that prevents your foundation from clumping.

The Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion EX also contains nutrients, one of which is a powerful mushroom extract that binds moisture to your skin. In addition, you will find a blend of powerful ingredients (Solomon’s seal, white lily, Rehmannia, peony and sacred lotus) in its Jaum Balancing Complex.

Reviewer Bonnie Garner points out that this cushion doesn’t make pores and the dry areas more visible. It is also long-lasting, and fades nicely without looking blotchy.

For those who are particular about having fragrances in cosmetic products, do take note that there is a slight herbal smell in this, but it is quite pleasant.

Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion EX retails for S$80 at all Sulwhasoo boutiques and counters as well as online at Lazada.

5. The Face Shop fmgt CC Intense Cover Cushion

The Face Shop offers a cushion that is specifically targeted at people with dry skin. This fmgt CC Intense Cover Cushion is said to have the colour correction ability of CC creams, coupled with moisturising abilities.

It is formulated with an ultra-low molecular hyaluronic acid that provides deep moisture, and seven flower oil essences to create a radiant complexion. It has also been clinically proven to provide 25 hours of moisture and radiance!

Most fans love how lightweight and non-sticky this foundation feels, with some using it almost every day. However, reviewers have also pointed out that durability and blotchiness could be an issue for certain people.

The Face Shop fmgt CC Intense Cover Cushion retails for S$36 at all The Face Shop stores as well as online.

6. La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-in-Foundation

As the first compact foundation to be infused with Caviar Water for complexion perfection, it is little wonder that this is also the most expensive cushion foundation in the world. It is truly half makeup and half skincare in one – nourish your skin while having foundation on.

The caviar water-infused product is said to leave the skin with a natural but refined texture by blurring out pores and filling in fine lines. It boasts light-to-medium coverage, and SPF 25/PA+++ for sun and UVA protection.

Bloggers have pointed out that the shade range is very limited, catered predominantly to lighter skin tones. It is, however, very buildable, easily blended, and makes your skin look naturally radiant.

There are mixed opinions on whether it is worth the hefty price tag, but you can think of it as paying a little more than S$1 per day for one year’s worth of good skin.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-in-Foundation retails for S$370 at TANGS, and all La Prairie counters.

7. Hera Black Cushion

This cushion is a cult favourite that is highly raved about in South Korea, and it’s not just because of its sleek and beautiful packaging. It claims to be a cushion foundation with a lightweight texture, so that you can have comfortable and beautiful skin all day long.

The matte finish gel leaves the skin feeling soft and fresh without a sticky feeling, and gives a finish that is similar to powder applied on top of foundation.

According to online reviews, the finish for this is a little thick so it may not be suitable if you are looking for a more natural finish, but the coverage is medium to full, which is not commonly found in other cushion foundations.

Longevity is also a major plus point: blogger Sugar Peonies said that her foundation did not wear off at all even after 12 hours in the humid Singapore weather, making it one of the best cushion foundations for dry skin

Hera Black Cushion retails for S$75 at Hera boutique. 

8. Kosé Infinity Cushion Serum Glow

Kosé has formulated a cushion foundation with 80% serum and Rice Power® No. 11 to provide rich hydration even for dry skin, and protects it against air conditioning and other dryness.

This foundation also gives your skin a glowing translucency by removing skin dullness and discolouration. What’s more, it has a lightweight texture that goes on smoothly, and you don’t even need to apply a makeup base to make sure it can last you from dawn to dusk.

While reviews from Singapore are limited, this is a clear hit with Japanese fans who love using this to cover all kinds of skin problems, ranging from huge pores to red acne & inflammation.

Kosé Infinity Cushion Serum Glow retails for S$60 (refill) and S$22 (case) at all Kosé counters.

9. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Cushion Compact

It may seem like a tall order to promise skin-energising, glow-boosting coverage in an instant, but that is precisely what Bobbi Brown’s cushion foundation promises to deliver. The silky texture erases imperfections and unevenness for a perfectly natural look with just a few dabs.

Its formula combines sunscreen and an advanced antioxidant blend to protect your skin against UV damage and pollutants, and contains ingredients such as anti-inflammatory pink silk tree, caffeine, and lychee for healthier-looking skin.

Users generally agree that this cushion delivers on its promises of giving you glowing, dewy skin, but the coverage is quite minimal, so you will still require the help of a concealer to cover any blemishes and spots.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Cushion Compact retails for S$72 at TANGS and all Bobbi Brown stores. Refills are available at the aforementioned retail outlets as well as sephora.sg for $57.

10. Cremorlab Eau Thermale Serum Cushion

Cremorlab boasts a patented ingredient in all its products: the mineral-rich and ultra-hydrating T.E.N.™ water, which comes from hot springs found 1,100m below sea level and contains 300 times higher concentrations of minerals than other hot spring sources.

This cushion is no exception, and therefore Cremorlab can confidently say that their triple-function product will help with brightening, anti-wrinkle and sun protection.

Shade range is limited to just #21 and #23 on Qoo10, but if you are lucky enough to find a shade suitable for you, you can join the ranks of Korean beauty bloggers who love this cushion foundation.

Cremorlab Eau Thermale Serum Cushion retails for S$52.86 at Qoo10.

11. Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Cushion

Looking for a product that will give you seemingly transparent coverage and a silky soft, radiant finish? Guerlain’s Lingerie de Peau may be the answer. Besides evening out your complexion, it is clinically-proven to increase skin hydration levels by 37% within six hours.

Shimmer particles in the formula also help to boost skin brightness, while antioxidant-rich vitamin E shields against environmental aggressors. These properties make it one of the best cushion foundations for dry skin.

Satisfied users praise this cushion foundation for giving them a healthy glow without compromising on the coverage.

This product is particularly good for people with dry skin because it does not cake at all, which is a problem that frequently happens with dry skin. Its unique press-and-dispense plate also allows for easy and mess-free dispensing of foundation, so you don’t waste a single drop of this luxurious product.

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau retails for S$81 at TANGS and all Guerlain counters.

12. YSL Beauté Touche Éclat Le Cushion

We love a good foundation that can multitask, but how often have you seen a cushion puff that can serve more than one purpose?

YSL Beauté’s Touche Éclat Le Cushion does precisely that, with two halves for two finishes: the smooth half for a natural look; and the softer, raised half for fuller coverage.

In addition, the Touche Éclat name tells you that this will deliver the signature illumination, thanks to gold particles and radiant oils in the formula which will hydrate and brighten your parched skin.

Reviews say that this is not transfer-proof, but it definitely makes your skin look much better. Coupled with the patented fibre network (which dispenses the right amount of product), the luxurious gold packaging, and the YSL brand name, we would say that this is worth the price tag.

YSL Beauté Touche Éclat Le Cushion retails between S$85.50 and S$92 at all YSL counters and on Strawberrynet.

13. Make Up For Ever UV Bright Cushion SPF 35/PA+++

When it comes to long-lasting makeup that makes your complexion look great, you can definitely trust this pro-artist makeup brand to get the job done if you seek a cushion foundation for dry skin.

And this Make Up For Ever compact is a real multi-tasker: it provides good sun protection courtesy of ultra-fine titanium dioxide in its formula, keeps skin illuminated all day long with light-reflecting silica, and helps with skin’s moisture retention abilities with glycerin and polyol.

The lightweight cushion also contains three in-built filters to brighten, revitalise, and protect your skin, giving your skin a flawless matte-dewy finish.

According to beauty blogger Cheryl Chio, she loves how it’s a hydrating cushion that offers good coverage and creates a radiant, smooth complexion without oxidising or getting patchy.

Make Up For Ever UV Bright Cushion SPF 35/PA+++ retails for S$72 at all Make Up For Ever and Sephora stores as well as online at sephora.sg, but it’s currently out of stock.

You can submit your email address to have them notify you when it’s back in stock. Refills are available at the aforementioned points of purchase for S$32 as well.

14. Gucci Beauty Cushion De Beauté Compact Cushion Foundation

Don’t knock a luxury cushion foundation till you’ve tried it. Gucci Beauty’s first-ever cushion promises a luminous finish and delivers skin-caring ingredients for hydrated, radiant skin over time, making it one of the best cushion foundations for dry skin.

It’s formulated with high reflection index oils and mineral powders that naturally reflect light to give you the best skin ever. Glycol and glycerin deeply hydrate the skin for up to 24 hours, while Black Rose Oil offers stellar antioxidant protection that further bolsters its SPF 22 filters.

There’s also an anti-pollution complex made of lipochroman and butterfly bush extracts to shield your skin from the effects of blue light. Our only qualm about the cushion is that it offers a narrow selection of six shades, so we hope they’ll be expanding the range in the future.

Gucci Beauty Cushion De Beauté Compact Cushion Foundation retails for S$102 and S$72 (refill) on Sephora.sg.

Related read: 17 foundations for dry skin that won’t show flakes or go on patchy

Featured image credit: @guccibeauty and @herabeauty_official on Instagram