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Thinking about what you really need from your foundation can help you to make the right choice and save yourself money. Do you need a hydrating foundation that’s going to keep your makeup looking fresher for longer? Do you need a mattifying formula that will keep the shine under control and stop your makeup from moving? Well, if you are someone with dry skin, it’s likely that you’ll need the former.
You may or may not already know that oil-based foundations can work wonders on your skin. More so than silicone-based drugstore foundation. The main reason for this is that an oil-based foundation will usually be packed with more ingredients that will boost your skin’s collagen, repair dry and flaky skin and keep you looking hydrated. Natural oils are also frequently used within oil-based foundations today to maximise the benefits of these ingredients for the skin.
Examples of this include: argan oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil and many more. Thousands of years of beauty practices have likewise shown time and time again that these oils can help to repair the skin and keep it looking healthier. It’s no wonder, then, that oil-based foundations are such a good choice for those with dry skin concerns. If you are someone who is currently struggling with dry/dehydrated skin and feel like your foundation is looking cakey and flat, switching to an oil-based formula could be the answer to your problems.
So, whether you have tried oil-based foundations in the past and haven’t quite met your match yet. Or even if you are yet to give them a go, we’ve got the list of the best oil-based foundations to try out now.
The RMS Beauty ReEvolve Natural Finish Foundation delivers seamless, buildable coverage with a weightless feel. It’s clean, organic formula that nourishes skin while providing a natural, radiant finish that lasts all day. Perfect for all skin types, this foundation blends effortlessly without caking or settling into fine lines. Ideal for achieving a flawless, healthy-looking complexion with minimal effort.

The YSL Touche Eclat Teint Foundation is luxury personified and the perfect foundation for anyone who deals with dry and flaky skin. With its medium buildable coverage, the Touche Eclat promises a light-weight feel and hydration of up to 24 hours so that you can really get the best out of your foundation at all times. Above all else, YSL prioritise that healthy glow finish that will undoubtedly leave you feeling your best at all times.
It is also non-comedogenic, so it will not cause your pores to become blocked and subsequently cause you to break out. It instead leaves your skin feeling light and hydrated, without that unnecessary sticky feel that many oil foundations used to give off back in the day. As someone with dry skin, you can also be reassured that the YSL foundation will not settle into your fine lines nor become cakey or dried out.

It’s hard to compete with L’Oreal when it comes to purse-friendly foundations that offer a high-performing quality. L’Oreal also have something for every skin type, which makes them all the more attractive. Their True Match Foundation is a firm favourite for many and especially those who face particularly dry skin challenges. The foundation aims to be true to the wearer’s skin, offering an even tone and plenty of hydration. With a hold of up to 24 hours, you will be able to get that fresh look, no matter what your skin goes through during the day.
Their latest formula is infused with hyaluronic acid, which not only keeps your skin looking healthy whilst wearing the foundation but also aims to help improve the general appearance of the skin and target areas of concern with frequent wear. So actually, you’re moisturising your skin whilst wearing your foundation!

The Nars Sheer Glow Foundation is the perfect foundation if you are looking to splurge on a good quality product. The buildable coverage allows you to play around with natural and glam finishes, while always treating your skin with the care it deserves. This is thanks to the innovative NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, which works to improve the appearance and texture of the skin with regular use.
Your complexion will look smoother, brighter, softer and healthier. Of course, if dryness is a major concern for you, the formula also aims to help you glow and stay hydrated for longer. The foundation, which is also packed with anti-oxidants and plant extracts, helps to keep your skin safe from further damage and radicals. You’ll look and feel radiant, which is what you want when you buy a new foundation, right?

The Ilia Beauty True Skin Serum Foundation is like skincare and makeup in one bottle. This lightweight foundation feels like a serum but covers imperfections naturally. It contains moisturising ingredients that keep skin hydrated all day while giving you a healthy, glowing look. Easy to blend and buildable, it’s perfect for beginners wanting natural coverage that actually improves their skin.

Oil-based foundations aren’t for everyone. If you have oily skin or more areas of oily skin than not, then this type of foundation probably isn’t going to work as well for you. If, however, your skin is dry and you do have areas of concern, such as dry patches or dehydrated and flaky skin, an oil-based foundation might just be a good solution to these issues.
This type of formula can help to hydrate, brighten and keep your skin looking healthier. But which foundation should you go for? In our opinion, we’re all for YSL Touche Eclat if you are looking for that ‘treat-yourself’ purchase. For a budget option and an all-rounder product in general, we adore the L’Oreal True Match Foundation.
It is a hero foundation that will hydrate your skin and help improve its texture of with regular use. We love to see it! If you’re curious about water-based foundation, check out our top picks for 2025!