Dry, flaky skin makes it feel like an uphill battle to apply makeup. The foundation sticks to areas of roughness, the concealer gets stuck in creases, and the powders accentuate dryness instead of covering it up. But here's the catch with the proper products, prep, and techniques you can still end up with a perfect, radiant complexion.This guide will walk you through the best makeup tricks for dry, flaky skin so that you can get a smooth, hydrated, and glowing finish that will last all day.
Start with a Gentle and Moisturizing Skincare Regimen
The secret to great makeup starts long before you ever lay a brush or applicator on your face. It starts with skin care. Prep is what does the trick for dry skin.
Gently clean: Choose a cleansing product that cleans without removing natural oils. Avoid foaming cleansers or oil-free products which dry out the skin.
Gently exfoliate: Dryness often stems from the buildup of dead skin cells. Exfoliate once or twice weekly with a mild chemical exfoliant such as lactic acid or polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) to smooth out texture. Avoid harsh scrubs that can irritate sensitive skin.
Hydrate deeply: Apply a hydrating serum with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin to draw in moisture.
Seal with a moisturizer: Select a rich protective cream that provides a soft, plump surface for your makeup. Ingredients such as ceramides, shea butter and squalane assist in sealing in hydration.
Let your skincare absorb fully for around 5–10 minutes before makeup application. This provides a smoother base and improved blending.
Always Use a Hydrating Primer
Primers are the savior for dehydrated skin. They soften the skin and enable the makeup to glide on smoothly and stay on the skin.On flaky and dehydrated skin, apply a hydrating or illuminating primer rather than a mattifying primer. Opt for primers with vitamin E, aloe vera, or niacinamide, which moisturize and provide the skin with glow.Use primer in a uniform layer with your fingertips or a wetted makeup sponge. Take special care to use it on dry areas of skin—your cheeks and the area around your nose.
Recommended Primers:
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + Niacinamide
Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Hydrating Primer
Milk Hydro Grip Primer
Choose a Moisturizing Foundation Formula
When it comes to base, texture matters. With dry skin, skip matte or full-coverage formulas; these adhere to dry spots and accentuate roughness. Use moisturizing, dewy, or luminous foundations that give your skin a bright finish.Choose foundations that contain hyaluronic acid, squalane, or glycerin these trap moisture in the skin and repel tightness for the entire day.
Pro Tips for Application
Apply foundation with a dampened makeup sponge. The wetness helps blend the product for an even color and prevents streaking.
Mix one drop of facial oil or moisturizer with your foundation for an even texture.
Use thin layers and build coverage over time. Smothering dry skin with a lot of product may lead to patchiness.
Recommended Foundations:
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation
L’Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
Be Gentle with Concealer
Concealers can easily emphasize dry patches if it’s too thick or matte. Choose a creamy hydrating concealer that provides coverage without drying out the skin.Apply sparingly to areas that need it such as under the eyes around the nose or over blemishes. Use your fingertip or a small sponge to blend tapping gently rather than dragging.
Pro Tip: Mix a pinch of eye cream with your concealer before you put it on. This hydrates the area and prevents creasing.
Recommended Concealers:
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Kosas Revealer Concealer
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser
Treat Powder with Care
Powder dries out the skin and makes it look cakey and dull if applied wrongly. Instead of setting the whole face, apply powder wherever you need to, say the T-zone or the under-eye area.
Choose a light, finely milled translucent powder and dust it over with a fluffy brush. Don't apply too much product to the skin.If you prefer to have a dewy look, skip powder entirely and use a hydrating setting spray to set your makeup instead.
Recommended Setting Sprays:
Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Glow
Milani Make It Dewy
MAC Fix+ Original
Apply Cream-Based Makeup Products
Cream products are a lifeline for dry skin. Unlike powders, they smooth on and deliver a natural, healthy glow.Use cream or liquid versions of blush, bronzer, and highlighter. They melt into the skin beautifully, enhancing your sheen without highlighting dryness.
Tips for Applying:
Use your fingers or a damp sponge to apply cream products for an airtight, skin-perfecting finish.
Apply them base-first under powder products (if you use any) to avoid patchiness.
Recommended Cream Products:
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Cream Bronzer
Glossier Haloscope Highlighter
Apply a Radiant Glow
Dry skin lacks natural luminosity, but it is made easy to achieve with the assistance of the right highlighter or finishing product.Employ liquid or cream highlighters in place of powder highlighters. Apply on the top of your face—cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose—to give you a healthy glow.Avoid glittery or shimmery products because they accentuate dryness and texture. Instead, use products that leave a light, dewy glow.
Best Highlighters:
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (liquid)
e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Refresh Throughout the Day
Even after proper prep, dry skin will start to tighten during the day. To stop your makeup from becoming stale, carry a hydrating mist or facial spray with you. A spritz-and-go can revive your makeup and restore a dewy complexion.Youalso can dab a tiny bit of moisturizer or balm onto flaky zones to calm them out without shifting your makeup.
Best Facial Mists
Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Mist
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe and Rosewater
Evian Brumisateur Hydrating Facial Spray
Remove Makeup Gently
Removing makeup at the end of the day is just as important as putting it on. Break down makeup without drying the skin using a hydrating micellar water or cleansing balm. Follow up with your regular moisturizer or night cream to hydrate through the night.
Recommended Removers:
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
Banila Co Clean It Zero Nourishing Balm
Garnier Micellar Water for Dry Skin
Final Thoughts
Dry flaky skin needn't wreck your makeup look. With effective skincare moisturizing products and gentle application techniques you can achieve a silky stunning finish every time.Remember good makeup starts with good skin. Moisturize your face using cream-based products and achieve a natural glow. With these tips, your dry skin will be glowing healthy and beautifully buffed with no flakes.