5 hydrating foundations to try this winter

“I can get dehydrated skin come winter, so I always reach for every moisturising product I can to stop me looking like I’ve just returned from trekking through the Sahara Desert. Too Faced Dew You Foundation is infused with watermelon and cucumber extract so it’s super hydrating, and it also contains sodium hyaluronate to lock moisture in (it's the salt form of hyaluronic acid, except it has a smaller molecular weight so it can penetrate into skin easier). I love that this liquid foundation has a cool gel-cream formula that’s incredibly easy to apply and has a luminous finish – so no brush or sponge required!”

“My weapon of choice in winter is La Roche-Posay Toleriane Teint Hydrating Water-Cream Foundation. I was introduced to it by a makeup artist on a shoot one time and honestly, it's one of the best foundations I've tried. Expect a balmy texture that melts into skin (even when you apply it with a foundation brush) that looks natural and believeably glowy, and can keep your complexion looking plump and juicy. I also love the level of coverage this hydrating foundation has - it's a medium coverage that's not too full on and not too sheer, so it’s great for days in the office.”

“When winter rolls around my whole I-have-the-driest-skin-ever situation escalates BIG time – and I’m usually stuck trying to find a foundation that won’t make my face look like a dry/flaky/patchy mess. But then I tried Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation, and it hurts that we didn’t meet sooner. It’s pretty much everything you’d ever want in a foundation – it’s a liquid foundation that's creamy, buildable, has a long-wear finish and makes my skin look silky and radiant.”

“I love the soft glow that Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation gives my skin – very necessary in winter when my complexion is looking a little dull and lacklustre! The moisture-rich formula, which contains a hyaluronic acid derivative, is also a bit creamier and more full-coverage than the foundations I use in summer, and it can make my combination skin look fresh and dewy. The added bonus is that the foundation also features vitamin C, which offers a brightening effect in the long-run.”

“I really love Chantecaille’s Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser for the winter months. I have dry and sensitive skin so during winter I really need something that’s non-irritating and isn’t going to make my skin drier than it already is. This tinted moisturiser is really a mix between skin care and makeup - it contains sodium hyaluronate and antioxidant-rich green tea and honeysuckle extract – ensuring my skin stays hydrated and protected against irritants and environmental pollution. I prefer to apply this with my hands to warm up the product a bit before application and this usually gives me light coverage with a natural finish, but it can be built up to a medium coverage using a dense stippling brush if you’d prefer. This little guy also contains broad-spectrum SPF 15 for those overcast winter days when you can’t be bothered to chuck on sunscreen.”

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What’s your favourite winter foundation, and why? Let us know in the comments below.

Main image credit: Sevak Babakhani