If your skin tends to get dry in winter, you’re not alone. And while switching to a winter skin care routine will work wonders, your makeup choices can make a difference too. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and found the best hydrating foundations for winter, so you can continue to glow through the cold.
Whether you’re battling dry patches or looking to camouflage redness, there’s a formula to suit your skin concerns and your budget. The best hydrating foundations don’t just make dry skin look good but contain ingredients to help heal and protect your skin in winter, too.
So if your current base product isn’t cutting the mustard, you can rely on these reviews to steer you in the right direction…
The best hydrating foundations for winter
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
Best for: Full coverage
Review: “At the moment I wear a lot of tinted moisturisers and bb creams as I prefer a lighter coverage but for days where I need more coverage this is my go to! It does the same job as a full coverage foundation for me, without feeling to heavy on the skin! it evens out your skin tone and provides for a really good base. My favourite from this range is the illuminate one as it adds some glow to the skin, I love that it has spf 50 and it doesn’t dry out my skin. Highly recommend!” – lizziiexx
$71 at Adore Beauty
Read more IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream reviews
Maybelline FIT Me! Dewy + Smooth
Best for: Budget
Review: “As a dry skin gal, I’ve been through numerous ‘dewy’ foundations before I gave up and went to a BB cream. Then Fit Me came into my life and I haven’t looked back! Aside from the fact it doesn’t come with a pump it goes on smooth (both brush & sponge) and is buildable.” – Hoots
$12.99 (down from $25.99) at Chemist Warehouse
Read more Maybelline FIT Me! Dewy + Smooth reviews
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow
Best for: Long-lasting wear
Review: “This is my go to foundation! i have super dry skin and this is hydrating and last all day and night. Easy to find a color match and the packing is sleek. Doesnt irritate my skin at all. There is many different shades and it was extremely easy to find mine. You can add color drops to it to make it darker if need be. goes on creamy and doesnt look splotchy by the end of the day. Lancome has done a great job at making this inclusive for every skin tone and type. I recommend this to everyone. It is buildable yet sheer. its medium coverage but you can definitely make it full coverage easily.” – chelsey_gunn
$71 at The Iconic
Read more Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow reviews
Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20
Best for: A natural, semi-matte finish
Review: “The serum foundation makes my skin look plump, hydrated and dewy. It creates a more even looking complexion. I love the satin finish as it is not too shiny or too matte, it is just the perfect glowy in between. Best thing about this foundation is how light weight it is. It feels very nice on your skin.” – Beautybabe140194
$66 at Myer
Read more Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20 reviews
Eau Thermale Avène Day Protector Tinted
Best for: Sensitive skin
Review: “I love Avene because it is perfect for my dry and sensitive skin. This BB Cream has a light tint to it and matches my light skin tone. It has SPF in it and is perfect for days when I go to University. I find that it gives my face a nice glow to it, and it doesn’t break up. I do find that I need to use a fair bit of it on my face, but I do tend to overuse products.” – makeupwithcortney
$35.99 at Adore Beauty
Read more Eau Thermale Avène Day Protector Tinted reviews
Rimmel London Kind & Free™ Moisturising Skin Tint
Best for: Fragrance free
Review: “I have extremely dehydrated skin and most foundations look dry/cakey or feel uncomfortable on my skin. This is one of the very few drugstore foundations that leaves my skin glowing, and gives a decent amount of coverage for a skin tint (light to medium)! I didn’t need to use any concealer for scars or pigmentation marks. The product also has wonderful longevity, lasting all day, and I noticed minimal mask transfer.” – Sue177
$12.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Read more Rimmel London Kind & Free™ Moisturising Skin Tint reviews
Main image credit: Getty
Have you tried any of these foundations? What’s your favourite winter foundation?
Thanks for the info
I was able to try a sample of the IT Cosmetics CC cream and it was really good. Great coverage and dewy finish, unfortunately I thought the colour was just a tad too dark for me.
Nice to get a sample anyway.
I tend to mix two of the IT colours together to get my match – yep I had to buy two of them but it lasts twice as long
That’s a clever idea but how did you know which two were going to be the right mix?
Thanks for the info.
I’ve only tried the dewy and smooth fit me foundation, but definitely looking to give the IT cosmetics CC cream a go!
how did you find the fit me product Fullofbeauty?
I have tried Fit me.It is nice one.
LOVE the Bobbi Brown foundation!
Haven’t tried a lot of Bobbi Brown but what I have I have liked.
I must be the only person that doesn’t rate IT Cosmetics CC cream. The Ilia is on my wishlist though.
I had no success with the IT CC Cream either, @Miss_Lee.
I really liked the IT cosmetic cc cream, but I gave it up when I started a plant based diet. I’ve tried to swap my beauty products over to vegan alternatives but am still searching for my perfect everyday product. I might have to check out the Ilia as it seems promising. Thanks for the tips
I haven’t tried any of these. That Bobbi Brown one is so expensive! :O
yes Sally10 well over my budget
I use SuperBalanced foundation from Clinique and I’m quite happy with that 🙂
I dont often wear foundation so not really enterested in these.
love lightweight tints, easy to wear and apply
I tried Rimmel foundation, but not the new one.
I had no success with the IT Cosmetics CC Cream – thankfully I bought a deluxe sample not the full tube. I must be one of the few who doesn’t love this one.
Fit me sounds great and with a good price tag
They all sound great
I’d love to try the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow.
I would love to try the Avene and Clinique.
I would love to try the Avene and the IT Cosmetics ones – they sound great
The IT Cosmestics and Clinique didn’t work for me at all. I’d like to try the Rimmel and the Avene because I prefer skin tints rather than a foundation.
I want to try the Lancome foundation badly.
I’d like to try the Avene and Rimmel
I wish my skin got drier jn winter
The Avene is lovely
I haven’t tried any of these. I’m still searching for a foundation I am happy with. Tried many shades since my favourites have been discontinued but haven’t had any luck.
I wanna try the Rimmel London Kind & Free Moisturising Skin Tint
I haven’t tried any of these but I do need a more hydrating foundation in the colder months
I might try the It cosmetics CC cream – it sounds like it wouldn’t be too heavy.
ohhh i’ll need this! my skin hates cold winter air so much!
I moved away from foundation to BB or CC creams and find they work much better for me.
I am switching between a Dove BB cream, sunsense tinted moisturiser and sunscreen and the old favorite the Garnier BB Cream
I’ve not tried any of these but am interested in the Clinique one.
I have tried Maybelline Fit Me Foundation and it is decent for the price, good everyday foundation.
I don’t change my foundation in winter.
It doesn’t get very cold where I live.
Avene is the pick of these for me
Yes as per my review above I do love the Clinique foundation. It is perfect for my skin needs in winter.
very much needed
Love my it cosmetics cc cream
I dont use foundation often, but some really good notes to remember when applying foundation
they ltell you that the amount of product you use is not enough of the sunscreenm you need extra sunscreen too
I’m currently using the L’Oreal True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum which I absolutely love.
I’m looking old and wrinkly this winter – I think I need to up my hydration game.
I’d like to try the Lancome teint Idole and the Maybelline Fit me. That range has been around for years but I’ve never got around to trying it.
The Avene cream sounds really good.
Avene’s is my pick of these to try
Love the IT Cosmetics CC cream