“Dry skin? These are the dewy foundations I swear by during the winter months”
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Struggling to keep your skin’s moisture levels up during the chill? These foundations will help (and provide a glow too).
As the January weather forecast drops into sub-zero temperature territory, it can feel like we’re stepping out into the Arctic every time we leave the house. And the part of the body that takes the hit from these chilly mornings? Our skin.
You may have noticed that your moisturiser seems to be soaking in quicker, rough patches are starting to surface or you’re experiencing sensitivity caused by rapid temperature changes (from brisk chill outside to having the heating on full blast as soon as you step inside). This is our skin crying out for some extra moisture, which is why hydrating foundations really come into play at this time of year.
Thanks to these dewy formulas, you don’t have to compromise on coverage to give your skin the support it needs. While hydrating foundations might be too much for my skin when it’s hot and sticky, during winter, they’re all I gravitate towards. Especially on those days where it doesn’t matter how much moisturiser I put on, my skin still appears dull and dry.
A dewy foundation is the crucial step to gaining a glowy complexion during those months that you’re wrapping up in so many layers that you start to resemble the Michelin Man. Out of my vast foundation stash, these are the hydrating formulas I reach for the most to bring radiance back into my skin.
Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops
VB’s Foundation Drops isn’t your run-of-the-mill foundation. It’s designed to achieve that enviable ‘your skin but better’ look, while the Augustinus Bader-powered formula improves your skin underneath as you wear it. This is healthy skin in a bottle, and it doesn’t skimp on glow. It’s lightweight and therefore fairly sheer, but it does add an evenness to my skin tone that makes up for its translucency.
Shop Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops at Space NK, £104
Lisa Eldridge Skin Tint
This is the skin tint that made me fall in love with the lightweight formula category. Thanks to prickly pear oil and sunflower seed oil, this plumps, softens and moisturises parched skin, while delivering medium coverage. It’s easy to blend and doesn’t feel cakey or heavy on the skin.
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation
Looking for something that offers more full coverage? This is the foundation for you. Hyaluronic acid prevents your hydration levels from depleting, while the buildable coverage will help mask any redness or hyperpigmentation. It’s my go-to when I need fresh skin in a flash.
Shop Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation at Cult Beauty, £39
Shiseido Revitalessence Glow Foundation
This feels like a serum to apply, but it delivers an impressive amount of coverage. If my skin is looking dull and a bit lifeless, this is the one I reach for. The brightness and dewiness it provides are undeniable, thanks to niacinamide being a star ingredient in the formula.
Shop Shiseido Revitalessence Glow Foundation at LookFantastic, £49
Tom Ford Architecture Radiance Hydrating Foundation
One of the newest foundations to be added to my collection is this luminous offering from Tom Ford. It blends niacinamide with hyaluronic acid and offers SPF50 sun protection (I still apply my SPF underneath, but it’s nice to have a robust shield against any sun exposure). The silky formula helps to blur any prominent pores and leaves skin wth a candle-lit glow once blended.
Shop Tom Ford Architecture Radiance Hydrating Foundation at Cult Beauty, £76
Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation SPF30
If you like a low-fuss foundation that you can just swipe and glow, this one from Hourglass won’t disappoint. Super creamy, this blends with just a quick swipe of my brush and instantly adds a juicy glow to my cheeks. It’s also slightly tacky once applied, so it doesn’t feel like it’s moving around your face as you go about your day.
Shop Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation SPF 30 at Cult Beauty, £58
Image: Charlotte Bitmead; courtesy of brands
