5 Best Medium Coverage Foundations For Dry Skin

Just like skin care, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all when it comes to foundations. Several factors go into finding the perfect foundation. Foundations come in all types of coverage levels and haven’t different ingredients that offer different results. Each skin type has its own needs in a formulation and finding the right foundation for dry skin can be a bit of a challenge. But the right foundation will not only even out your skin tone, your skin will look hydrated and fresh. In today’s post I am sharing the best medium coverage foundations for dry skin.

I prefer a medium coverage level in my foundations. I find the look very natural while still evening out my skin tone. They are also the most versatile foundation coverage level. Most of them are buildable and can provide more coverage like a full coverage foundation. They can also be thinned out for instances when you want a very natural look.

5 Best Medium Coverage Foundations for Dry Skin

Not only does the color need to perfectly match your skin tone, but dry skin needs a hydrating foundation. Dry patches are a common problem for those with dry skin and the wrong foundation can emphasize them. Each of the foundations below are great for dry skin. They provide great coverage and many have hydrating ingredients. Some of them have skincare-like ingredients that help improve your skin tone over time. I set all of the foundations below with a translucent powder, Bare Minerals Mineral veil is my favorite one.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin Foundation

Charlotte Tilbury just came out with Beautiful Skin Foundation. It is an ultra-hydrating foundation that gives your skin a glow. It is a foundation with skincare ingredients in it that may provide hydration, including hyaluronic acid and coconut extract. Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients for dry skin because it helps your skin hold onto moisture. Some of the other ingredients target dryness and dullness as well.

Using a brush or beauty blender, buff the foundation into your skin. I love this brush for all liquid foundations (see review). Start with the areas that need the most coverage. Because it is so hydrating, this foundation blends into your skin tone really well and gives the prettiest dewy finish. I consider this a long-wearing foundation because it lasts the whole day!

Beauty Counter Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation

If you are someone that likes the “you’re skin but better” look, the Beauty Counter Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation is the foundation for you. Although when applied it feels like one, this product definitely has more coverage than a tinted moisturizer. The coverage can be built from light to medium. It is also a lot more long-wearing than most tinted moisturizers. And with hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil, your skin will look plumped and be hydrating. Because it is so light and skin-like, this is a great foundation for Summer. It won’t feel heavy in the heat and melt off.

When it is applied the Skin Twin Featherweight foundation blends into your skin and truly matches your skin tone. While it is definitely not a matte finish foundation, because it is so natural it also doesn’t have a super dewy finish. This is definitely the foundation that people won’t know you are wearing but think your skin is naturally great!

Dior Airflash Spray Foundation

If you’ve ever had air brush foundation done by a professional makeup artist, you’ll understand what an airbrush finish is. The Dior Airflash Spray Foundation is the closest thing I’ve found that you can apply at home. The finish on this is almost like when you apply a filter to a picture, it covers a texture on your skin but still matches your skin tone. I think this product has true medium coverage but if you spray it really lightly you could probably get light coverage.

For the most “airbrush” like finish apply the product by spraying directly to your face with short light bursts. Wherever a little extra coverage may be needed you can spray a little into your palm and then apply the product with your finger or a small brush. Even though it may seem crazy to spray on your foundation, the Airflash really does apply evenly and perfectly matches your skin tone. It has a slightly dewy finish.

If I need a more precise application, I will spray the Airflash foundation on my make up brush and then apply. While the finish isn’t quite as “airbrush” like, it still blurs imperfections and matches my skin tone!

It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination

It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination foundation has the most coverage out of all of the foundations in this post. This one is definitely a medium to full coverage foundation depending on how much you use. It really gives beautiful coverage! It’s even a little thicker when it comes out of the tube. While it doesn’t feel thick on, the texture means it won’t settle into cracks or dry spots on your skin.

While there is a regular version of the foundation, I love the illumination version because it has a glowy and dewy finish. Besides having SPF 50 this product has a lot of great benefits. It has collagen, peptides, niacin, and hyaluronic acid which all keep your skin hydrated. I think this foundation is particularly great during the winter months. The skincare ingredients really protect you from the dry, winter air.

As you apply the water-based foundation you’ll see that many times you don’t need any concealer because of the level of coverage. I typically use one pump and apply it all to my face. Then I’ll use about a quarter of a pump to add a little extra coverage to my under eyes and around my nose.

Bareminerals Original Mineral Foundation

As one of Bareminerals original products, there is a reason this original mineral foundation has been around as long as it is. While it is a powder, it is still a great foundation for dry skin. It doesn’t settle on dry patches or emphasize any dry areas of your skin. There is a matte finish version of the powder, but I don’t recommend that one for dry skin.

The foundation comes in a bunch of shades so you can find one that perfectly matches your skin. To use, pour some of the powder in the lid and then swirl a brush, like this one, in the powder. Buff the foundation into your skin. It is one of the most buildable foundations I’ve ever used. For light coverage, buff in big circles to get a light layer of the product on your skin. To get more coverage, just add more product and buff in smaller circles, it’s so easy to customize the look.

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