11 ultra-hydrating natural foundations for dry skin

As someone who suffers from dry skin, I can attest to the tightness, flaking, and peeling those with parched complexions often complain about. What’s more, as the winter weather approaches, the conditions get even drier with whipping winds and cold, almost frigid temperatures. Which means that my skin needs some serious TLC.

When it comes to picking the best foundation for dry skin, look to the ingredients label for a few key names. Jaimie Glick, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, suggests looking for a formula with hyaluronic acid (HAs, for short), she says. “HAs act as humectants and bind water, preventing transepidermal water loss, and improving the skin’s barrier and overall hydration.” Essentially, those HA molecules work like moisture magnets to hold water in the skin and prevent dryness.

Since we begin to lose naturally occurring HAs within our own skin as we age, Dr. Glick says that formulas containing hyaluronic acid can help stimulate growth or compensate for our declining natural levels, resulting in a happy, quenched complexion.

Dr. Glick says to look for other ingredients to look for include natural oil extracts, such as sea buckthorn oil, which is not only found in topical potions and lotions, but in a bevvy of new beauty supplements, too. “Sea buckthorn oil easily penetrates the skin and has numerous bioactive ingredients including several antioxidants, such as flavinoids, vitamin C, and vitamin E, along with both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids,” to hydrate and protect the skin, she explains.

What’s more, many oils —say, sweet almond or coconut—also contain linoleic and lauric fatty acids, “which have been shown to inhibit P. acnes bacteria as well as reduce inflammation associated with any pimples,” says Dr. Glick. Translation: Good-for-dry-skin ingredients can also help temper any zits that may pop up, which really makes these foundations serious multi-taskers. It’s almost like you can skip the entire skin-care thing. Well, almost.

Keep scrolling for 11 foundation formulas that’ll give dry skin some major love.

Try only picking one...

Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation $68

Antonym Cosmetics Skin Esteem Organic Liquid Foundation $52

Au Naturale Cosmetics Zero Gravity C2P Foundation $38

RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up $36

Vapour Organic Beauty Atmosphere Soft Glow Foundation $50

Lili Lolo BB Cream $22

Organic Glam Luminous Antioxidant Foundation $60

Hush+Dotti Organic Liquid Foundation $48

Gressa Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation $54

Alima Pure Liquid Silk Foundation $42

ILIA Beauty Sheer Vivid Tinted Moisturizer $42

Now that your foundation’s been figured out, grab some easy-to-use eyeshadows or maybe a beauty supplement to literally get a lit-from-within glow.