People with dry skin often lament about their foundation or concealer highlighting the dry patches on their cheeks and the creases under their eye areas. Makeup flaking off or looking caked up after a long day is another major concern. As such, it might be time to switch to a hydrating foundation designed especially for dry skin. Cushion foundations are currently trending due to their convenient compact packaging that makes touch-ups on the go a breeze. Moreover, hydrating cushion compacts are great for dry skin as they often encompass moisture-rich ingredients to keep your skin supple and comfortable all day. Behold our top picks that will make cakey makeup a thing of the past.
Top Cushion Foundations for Dry Skin
YSL Touche Éclat Le Cushion Foundation Compact
This sheer, lightweight cushion foundation is ideal for building up coverage to hide imperfections while still looking natural. Enhanced with golden pigments and antioxidant Vitamin E, the Touche Éclat formula calms down stressed, irritated skin while boosting micro-circulation. In order to adhere snugly to the skin, the foundation is made with a liquid gel technology to give you a flawless finish. With a dewy glow, this foundation is perfect for dry skin types to endure long hours of wear.
Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Brightening SPF50+
This hydrating cushion foundation has long been well-loved among dry skin users, and for good reason too. A combination of Apricot Seed and Korean herbs soothes and plumps up dry skin. Coupled with a Mother-of-Pearl complex that diffuses light at every angle, this cushion will leave you with a soft, luminous glow. Users raved about the brighter and dewy coverage that does not feel heavy or wet on the skin.
Su:m37 Water-full Radiant Tone-up Marble CC Cushion SPF50+/PA+++
This triple-colored swirled cushion has multiple skincare benefits to provide you with a glowy, full-coverage finish. Its pink base consists of a pink tone-up essence to cover imperfections while the beige base is infused with the brand’s whitening ingredient to soothe redness and suppress pigmentation for improved skin clarity. The highlight of this ingenious cushion would be the blue base which is packed with an astounding number of 60 minerals, 21 amino acids, and 12 types of vitamins from Brown Algae and Giant Kelp Extract. As such, you can look forward to this foundation boosting your skin’s natural hydration levels under a veil of color-correcting pigments.
Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Cushion Foundation SPF25 PA++
This cushion is renowned for boosting your skin’s moisture levels by 37% even after hours and hours of wear. This achievement is due to the foundation’s hydrating and anti-fatigue formulation which pumps up your skin for a smoother and more radiant look. Being non-comedogenic, it is ideal for those with dry and sensitive skin.
Nars Aqua Glow Cushion Foundation SPF 23/PA+++
A list of the best hydrating cushion foundations would not be complete without this cult favorite from NARS. The water-enriched foundation provides your skin with a cooling sensation upon application to keep it comfortable and soothed. Besides keeping your skin hydrated, the foundation is equipped with SPF 23 to provide adequate sun protection in the office and at home. Coupled with the brand’s Triple-Force Anti-Pollution Complex, this is the go-to foundation for urban chicks to fight against pollution and other environmental stressors.
Giorgio Armani My Armani To Go Cushion Foundation
Its hefty price tag is well worth the price as the quality of this cushion foundation is top-notch. The lightweight essence-in-foundation packaged within the cushiony-soft compact offers a luminous, silky finish, thanks to the liquid Biron in its ingredient list. Besides functioning as a makeup tool to enhance your complexion, this formula is ideal for dry skin types as it is enriched with skincare essences to provide you with 18 hours of hydration and nourishment to the skin. The newly-designed applicator also allows you to easily reach every crook and cranny of your face for a flawless finish.
Biotherm Aquasource Evermoist CC Care-in-Cushion
More than just a hydrating CC cushion foundation for dry skin users, this compact is chock full of skincare benefits. The brightening Symwhite extract resolves discoloration issues, while the anti-aging Adenosine diminishes fine lines and crow’s feet. To gift you an immaculate look, the foundation is infused with Polymer Gel that has a pigment blur effect to soften the appearance of imperfections. Due to the mist-like sensation when the cushion is applied, the coverage feels airy and sits on top of your skin comfortably.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation SPF 50
Advertised as “Confidence in a compact”, this color-correcting cushion foundation aims to cover all your bases. It is formulated with a potent blend of anti-aging peptides and Collagen, hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and Niacin, as well as antioxidant-rich vitamins A, C, and E. Thus, this cushion not only moisturizes and relieves dryness, it also serves to protect your skin against aging effects caused by environmental stressors and pollutants. To top it all off, an innovative inclusion of the brand’s Drops of Light Technology™ will bestow you with a luminous, radiant glow upon application.
Ohui Miracle Moisture Chiffon Cushion
A prime choice for dry skin individuals that are looking for a lightweight and sheer foundation to achieve a “my skin but better” coverage. The foundation goes on smoothly and feels moist on your skin. It evens out your skin tone perfectly while maintaining a natural, no-makeup look. This is the go-to cushion on days when you want to run your errands but don’t want a face that’s too made up. Do note that the color does oxidize a little once applied to the skin, so be sure to choose the right shade for you.
Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion Foundation
The brand’s best-selling Dior Forever Foundation is now available in a convenient yet chic-looking cushion compact packaging, perfect for those who are constantly on the go. Utilizing an Activ-Mat Complex, it absorbs sebum and reflects light while settling down into a luminous matte finish that makes it ideal for dry skin users who desire a non-dewy look. The ingenious Color-Lock Technology ensures that your foundation remains budge-proof throughout the day without any color fading so that you look perfect from the start to finish.
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Cushion Foundation SPF 50
This long-wearing cushion foundation from Lancome is another great alternative for those who are looking for a base that will stay on for hours on end. The lightweight, oil-free consistency goes on your skin smoothly with a cooling sensation to revitalize tired and stressed-out skin. Due to its ultra-moisturizing formula, it hydrates your skin without accentuating dry patches and causing cakiness. As such, despite its slightly expensive price tag, the compact’s exceptional quality has become a crowd favorite among users.
Moonshot Micro Settingfit Cushion
Just like most Korean products with their cute and eye-catching packaging, Moonshot’s cushion foundation comes with a cool holographic cover on its front. Its innovativeness also extends to the internal aesthetics as the foundation’s cushion sponge is designed in a teardrop shape. This makes it way easier to dab on the liquid in hard-to-reach areas like the sides of your nose. However, the best part of this cushion has got to be its Water Cooling effect achieved by an infusion of 10ppm of hydrating Aqualicia Extract. You will also be glad to know that this cushion provides a matte, transfer-proof finish so that you never have to worry about your foundation looking streaky after a couple of hours.
Clio Kill Cover Ampoule Cushion
Like its namesake, this moisturizing cushion contains 52% hydrating ampoule to give you a luminous, dewy glow without looking overly shiny. While the first few dabs of the foundation may appear light and sheer, it is actually buildable up to a medium coverage to hide redness and hyperpigmentation seamlessly while still leaving your skin with a healthy, natural look. Its affordable price tag is also another great selling point of the cushion.
Wet ‘n Wild Megacushion Foundation
To amp up the hydration levels in your skin while giving you perfect coverage, this foundation is formulated with a moisturizing coconut derivative. It settles down to a dewy, luminous finish without any oily residue. The liquid formula glides on your skin smoothly and blends well for an immaculate look. Its lightweight texture allows your pores to breathe and is great for applying during the summer.
Hera UV Mist Cushion Cover SPF50+/PA+++
This brand leverages on the moisture-rich Mineral Clay Water that has been fortified with high-molecular hydrating ingredients to boost your skin’s moisture-retaining capabilities. A complimentary Hypertonic Radiance technology further enhances the hydration levels in your skin by drawing moisture to the outer surface. The end result is a plumped up, healthy complexion without any flakiness or tightness after long hours of wear. An added bonus is the high SPF in this foundation to protect you against sun damage and premature signs of aging.
With a myriad of hydrating cushion foundations that ranges from affordable to high-end, you will be spoilt for choices when it comes to choosing one for your face! But who says you should only limit yourself to one?
Dry Skin: 5 Beauty Tips To Make Your Makeup Last All Day
Besides incorporating a hydrating cushion foundation into your makeup regime, there are also other methods to keep your makeup looking fresh and immaculate at the end of a work day. To find out the best ways of extending the longevity of makeup on dry skin, we have spoken to dermatologists and beauty experts. Their answers are unveiled as follows:
- Face Mist: chock full of hydrating ingredients, face mists are a lifesaver for giving dry skin a boost of much-needed moisture. They are also unlikely to mess up your makeup due to the fine mist particles. Keep one in your handbag and at your work desk for a quick spritz whenever necessary.
- Hydrating Primer: look for a primer that is infused with hydrating ingredients to provide a smooth canvas for your makeup. Primers designed for dry skin will even out dry patches while some might contain skin-brightening extracts to correct dullness that is normally associated with dry skin.
- Use a Damp BeautyBlender or Makeup Sponge: wetting your BeautyBlender or sponge helps the makeup to go on more smoothly on your skin. This will then minimize any unsightly streaks and creases. A damp sponge can also create a dewy, airbrushed finish to hide dryness and rough patches.
- Mix Facial Oils with Foundation: if the foundation you have is too matte for your liking or you are looking for a dewy glow, add a drop of facial oil to it. Most facial oils also have the added benefit of nourishing and hydrating dry skin so that your makeup doesn’t get caked up after a few hours of wear.
- Setting Sprays Instead of Powders: powders are great for setting your makeup for a flawless look. Unfortunately, they also exacerbate the patches and creases that you want to hide. Try a hydrating setting spray instead which not only locks in your makeup but also adds a touch of radiance for a healthy-looking complexion.
These tips and tricks are more than enough to overcome the problems that dry skin users often face with makeup. Time to take on the world with your best face forward!
Wrap Up
If you have a dry skin condition and often feel troubled over how it messes up your makeup, it’s time to throw these worries away. Start by heaping on the moisturizing products in your skincare regime, and give the aforementioned beauty tips a try. Of course, the comprehensive list of hydrating cushion foundations specifically dedicated to dry skin types will ensure you never have to deal with a patchy complexion again when doing your makeup.