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

It is never easy finding a perfect foundation because it takes a lot of trial and error, sometimes even across different brands. You have to match your skin tone and type with the foundation and also consider some other factors such as skin concerns.

For those who have dry skin but yet have to combat the hot climate of Singapore that can be unfriendly to overly dewy makeup, it is even more challenging to find the foundation that offers the right balance.

We have curated a list of foundations that are perfect for those who have dry skin here in Singapore, backed up by rave reviews from beauty bloggers, YouTubers, and beauty gurus out there!

1. Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 HR Foundation

For a skin-friendly liquid foundation that offers full coverage while caring for your complexion, look no further than the Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 HR Foundation. That’s because it contains a nourishing blend of vitamins A, C, and E as well as hyaluronic acid to boost skin hydration.

Raking in a near four-star rating from over 1,000 users on MakeupAlley, the SPF20 formula is said to be everything it promises to be: a lightweight makeup base that delivers a long-lasting finish that still remains comfortable and natural-looking.

For those who need to wear makeup all day long, you’ll also be happy to know that the creamy texture blends seamlessly on the skin and maintains a smudge-proof finish that is resistant to sweat, heat, and humidity, so you won’t have to worry about staining your mask anymore.

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 HR Foundation retails for S$24.90 at selected Watsons stores and online at Watsons and Amazon.sg.

2. Laura Mercier Silk Crème Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation

Laura Mercier Silk Crème Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation is a highly pigmented yet lightweight hydrating foundation that’s well-loved by makeup artists and beauty aficionados alike, scoring a 4.3-star rating on Influenster.

Offering medium to full coverage, the award-winning formula creates a flawless, radiant canvas that sits comfortably on the skin for up to 12 hours. Not only are hard-to-cover imperfections concealed, but your skin texture and tone will be visibly smoothed and evened out too.

Best part? You are going to love how easy it is to blend the formula with your skin using just your fingers.

Laura Mercier Silk Crème Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation retails for S$80 on Sephora.

3. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Stick Foundation

This stick foundation is one of those most raved about by many beauty lovers out there because of how long-lasting and hydrating it is.

Make Up For Ever’s Ultra HD Stick Foundation does not overly dry the skin as you might expect from a stick foundation. It can be easily applied and blends out smoothly with either a brush or a sponge.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Stick Foundation retails for S$72 on Sephora.

4. Chantecaille Future Skin Oil-Free Foundation

There is a reason why this award-winning foundation has had so many makeup artists rave about it – even celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Kristen Stewart are known to have used this foundation too!

The Chantecaille Future Skin Oil-Free Foundation is renowned for its skin-loving and vegan-friendly formula, packed with natural ingredients and antioxidants.

Chantecaille Future Skin Oil-Free Foundation retails for S$122.50 on LookFantastic.

5. Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Makeup

This liquid foundation isn’t new, but it says something about a product when it is still being raved about by many bloggers and YouTubers all the way till now.

The reason for that is because the Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Makeup has combined coverage, hydration, and longevity all together in one all-you-need product.

Online reviews say that not only is it not drying, but it also provides medium to full coverage – perfect for concealing blemishes! If you are someone who has dry skin and want a good high-coverage foundation, this may just be the one for you.

Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Makeup retails for S$83 at TANGS. 

6. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation is highly recommended for people with dry and sensitive skin.

It dries down to a “matte but not flat” texture, which is perfect for those who have dry skin but want something that’s not going to slip and slide around.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation retails for S$71 at all Lancôme counters and Sephora.

7. Espoir Be Glow Pro Tailor Liquid Foundation

Make way for award-winning Espoir Be Glow Pro Tailor Liquid Foundation! Unlike base makeup from other Korean brands, this foundation also features an additional plus point of coming in 11 different shades!

Not only is it hydrating, but the formula also gives a light and medium coverage with just one layer of foundation. The end result? A healthy dewy glow that won’t make you look like a greaseball.

Espoir Be Glow Pro Tailor Liquid Foundation retails for S$73.85 on YesStyle.

8. Dior Diorskin Forever Undercover Foundation

If you are someone with dry skin but prefers a matte finish rather than a dewy one, Dior’s Diorskin Forever Undercover Foundation may be the right one for you.

People with dry skin may tend to shy away from matte finish foundations because of the common conception that mattifying formulas dry your skin out. This is usually true, but Diorskin has formulated this baby to blend beautifully with your skin while also giving you the moisture you need for a shine-free finish.

It has buildable medium coverage which is also perfect for many beauty junkies in Singapore.

Dior Diorskin Forever Undercover Foundation retails for S$76 at all Dior boutiques and Sephora.

9. Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint

The Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint from Hourglass may be on the pricey side for some people but it contains Hyaluronic Acid which is super hydrating and awesome for dry skin.

Not only that, but it also has a powerful anti-ageing ingredient to give your skin some nourishment too! It’s no wonder that beauty guru Susan Yara believes this is the foundation that your dry skin will thank you for.

Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint retails for S$93 on Sephora.

10. Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation

More than just creators of the iconic Naked eyeshadow palettes, Urban Decay also has a line of Naked Skin products that have been a huge hit with beauty junkies all over the world.

The Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation ensures that the moisture is locked to your skin, thanks to the nourishing ingredients used in the formula.

The foundation dries down to a natural-looking finish that is not too matte and not too shiny – no wonder that people with dry skin love this foundation.

Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation retails for S$55 on Sephora.

11. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

You’ve got to give it to Bourjois for having foundations to suit all kinds of skin types, like the Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation for dry skin. It is developed with a vitamin-rich fruit formula that aims to nourish your skin and get rid of dullness.

This affordable drugstore foundation has received over 600 positive reviews on Influenster with an average of 4.4 stars out of five!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation retails for S$19.22 on Amazon.

12. Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation

Serum foundations may be messy during application at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be splashing it on perfectly in no time.

The Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation is a lightweight formula with an ultra-natural finish that makes you look like you didn’t put on makeup at all!

Beauty YouTuber Serein Wu highly recommended this as a daily foundation as it has ingredients that protect your skin from the sun as well as lychee, bamboo grass, and cordyceps mushroom extracts that provide dry skin with essential nourishment.

Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation retails for S$95 on Sephora.

13. M.A.C Mineralize Moisture SPF15 Foundation

This foundation from M.A.C is ultra-lightweight and looks really natural on the skin, so for those of us with dry skin who have been looking for an everyday foundation, this might just be the one you’re looking for.

M.A.C. Mineralize Moisture SPF15 Foundation retails for S$58 at all M.A.C stores.

14. BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

Beauty YouTuber Dacey Cash has named BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream as one of her favourite foundations for dry skin, so we’re not surprised that it has earned a spot on our list.

It is moisturising and nourishing on the skin, and the foundation also provides buildable medium coverage. Don’t worry about it clinging to dry patches either!

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream retails for S$49 on Selfridges.

15. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Prefer a foundation that brings out the best of your natural skin instead of one that offers full coverage? The Sheer Glow Foundation by NARS could be the right product for you.

This foundation gives a light to medium coverage, but it evens your skin tone out nicely and also gives you some luminosity to boot.

This is yet another of beauty YouTuber Dacey Cash’s favourite foundations for dry skin, and reviews from Sephora have also affirmed how popular this one is with users.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation retails for S$74 on Sephora.

16. Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion

Jung Saem Mool is one brand that is actually very well-loved by many Koreans. The price tag may be on the heftier side for a cushion foundation, but you’ll find out that it’s money well spent.

The dewy finish that Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion dries down to will replicate the healthy skin you see on Korean celebrities, but it also has very ample hydrating and coverage functions. Best of all? It doesn’t transfer easily, as tested by beauty YouTuber Soo Beauty!

Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion retails for S$60 on Escentials.

17. Clio Kill Cover Founwear Cushion XP

Clio has an entire line of cushion foundations for you to choose from but the Kill Cover Founwear Cushion XP is the one that suits people with dry skin the best!

It has a slightly thick consistency compared to others because of its high coverage, which will help you really hide all those blemishes and texture. For special occasions and events, this would be the go-to foundation for you.

Flawless coverage aside, it dries to a slightly dewy finish while keeping your skin moisturised. This foundation is also recommended by beauty YouTuber meejmuse as one of the best hydrating cushions she has ever tried.

Clio Kill Cover Founwear Cushion XP retails for S$35.99 on Amazon.