10 Hydrating Foundations That Won't Leave Your Skin Parched

With winter comes cranked interior heating systems and harsh winds, both of which leave the skin in a dehydrated state. Some of us, however, battle dry skin year round, regardless of the season. Whatever camp you fall into, know that you share common ground: If you wear foundation, you need a hydrating formula, one that won't remove a drop of water from your flake-prone complexion.

Of course, treating dehydration begins much earlier in your routine. "Dry skin is composed of millions of sloughing skin cells that 'catch shade,' making the skin look dull instead of dewy and emphasizing the appearance of wrinkles. If you have dry skin, it's important to keep skin hydrated. So, stay away from products that use harsher ingredients, like alpha hydroxy acids, because these can cause irritation," says Dr. Hilary Baldwin, a dermatologist in Morristown, New Jersey. Instead, look for ingredients that prevent water loss and repair the skin's moisture barrier, like hyaluronic acid, "arginine, and serine, which are known to capture water on the skin's surface and smooth and hydrate," explains Dr. Baldwin.

Therefore, the correct foundation with the best possible hydrating ingredients won't just make dehydrated skin look good, but will improve and soothe it, too. That's why we went ahead and sifted through all the formulas, from the tried-and-true to the latest on the market, to determine the true winners. So, whether your skin needs a lightweight formula, full coverage, or something in the middle, there's a product for you, here. Ahead, discover our favorite hydrating foundations that keep skin perfectly balanced and healthy.