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The Best Hydrating Foundations For Winter
By Franchesca Villar
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As the temperature drops, our skin often bears the brunt of winter’s chilly grip. Dryness, flakiness, and a general lack of glow can leave us feeling less than fabulous. This is where a good hydrating foundation becomes your skin's best mate.
Switching to a formula that adds moisture and radiance is key to battling those winter blues. We’ve rounded up the top foundations to keep your skin looking plump, hydrated, and utterly radiant through the colder months, alongside our tips and tricks to keep your complexion looking glorious no matter what chilly weather conditions you may be battling.
Why Hydration is Key in Winter
Cold air outside and central heating inside can strip your skin of its natural moisture, leaving it parched and dull. A hydrating foundation doesn’t just cover up imperfections; it helps lock in moisture and maintain your skin’s natural glow. Think of it as a skincare-makeup hybrid that gives you a dewy finish while nourishing your skin.
Top Features to Look for in a Winter Foundation
When hunting for the perfect winter foundation, there are a few superstar ingredients you’ll want on your radar.
- Hyaluronic acid is a hydration hero, drawing moisture into the skin.
- Glycerin and squalane are also brilliant for keeping skin soft and supple.
- As for texture, lightweight, buildable formulas are your top choice for creating that natural, healthy look without feeling heavy.
- Bonus points if your foundation comes with SPF to protect against those sneaky winter sun rays or has skin-soothing properties to calm any seasonal redness.
The best hydrating foundations for winter, as chosen by Cosmetify
Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation
£15.80 £43.00 (64% off)Beat the winter blues with Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation, a hydration-packed saviour for parched skin. This weightless, medium-coverage formula delivers a radiant, natural finish that keeps your skin glowing all day. With moisture-boosting ingredients, it smooths and hydrates while blurring imperfections.
Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation
£37.91 £41.62 (9% off)Charlotte Tilbury’s Light Wonder Foundation is like a winter skincare dream come true. This lightweight formula offers sheer to medium coverage, giving your skin a radiant, dewy finish. It’s packed with hydrating ingredients that keep your skin feeling fresh and glowing, even when the weather outside is frightful.
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self Refreshing Foundation
£13.91 £45.00 (70% off)Winter skin woes? Shiseido’s Synchro Skin Self Refreshing Foundation is here to save the day. This innovative formula adapts to your skin’s needs, providing hydration and a fresh, flawless finish that lasts up to 24 hours. It’s a saviour for those dry, cold days when your skin needs an extra boost of moisture, resulting in a natural, satin finish that keeps you looking radiant all day.
Urban Decay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation
£6.09 £31.00 (81% off)Urban Decay’s Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation is a winter essential for those in desperate need of lightweight hydration with all the coverage perks. This buildable formula evens out your skin tone and offers a demi-matte finish that feels like a second skin. Infused with nourishing ingredients, it keeps your skin hydrated and happy.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation
£26.20 £34.00 (23% off)MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid Foundation is your winter hero for a matte finish with added hydration. This oil-controlling formula keeps shine at bay while ensuring your skin stays moisturised, thanks to 87% of its formula being skincare ingredients including hyaluronic acid, even in the harshest weather. With SPF 15, it protects your skin from winter sun rays, giving you a flawless look and peace of mind.
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation & Skin Care
£20.85 £36.50 (43% off)Stay hydrated and flawless all winter with IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation. This lightweight, skincare-infused formula not only evens out your complexion but also improves skin texture over time. With buildable coverage and a natural finish, it feels like a second skin while delivering a serious hydration boost.
BY TERRY Hyaluronic Hydra Foundation
£31.34 £53.00 (41% off)BY TERRY’s Hyaluronic Hydra Foundation is a winter warrior, deeply moisturising your skin while delivering a smooth, even complexion. Infused with hyaluronic acid, it keeps your skin hydrated and plump, perfect for fighting off the dryness that winter brings. The lightweight, buildable coverage gives you a radiant, dewy finish, making it a cold-weather essential for dry skin.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
£42.26 £46.00 (9% off)Winter skin looking dull? The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is your ticket to a luminous, radiant complexion. Its silky texture glides on effortlessly, providing buildable coverage and a hydration boost that keeps your skin glowing. Fantastic for those colder months, it leaves your skin looking plump, smooth, and radiant.
Lancôme Teint Miracle Hydrating Foundation 11 Muscade
£19.88 £34.50 (43% off)Lancôme’s Teint Miracle Hydrating Foundation is a winter skincare gem, enhancing your natural radiance while delivering a much-needed hydration boost. This lightweight formula offers buildable coverage, just the thing for those dry, chilly days. Say goodbye to dull winter skin and hello to a luminous, hydrated complexion that lasts all day.
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation
£10.34Banish winter dullness with Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, your new best friend for a fresh, radiant complexion. Infused with a blend of vitamins, it not only boosts your skin’s natural glow but also keeps it hydrated all day long. The lightweight, buildable formula smooths and evens out skin tone, making it an ideal pick for those frosty days when your skin needs a healthy, hydrating boost.
Tips for Maximizing Hydration with Foundation
Start with a well-moisturised canvas. Slathering on your favourite moisturiser before applying foundation ensures your skin stays plump and hydrated. When it comes to application, using a damp beauty blender or a brush helps blend the product seamlessly into the skin. And instead of setting your look with a traditional powder, opt for a hydrating setting spray. It’ll keep your makeup in place while adding an extra dose of moisture.
Additional Winter Skincare Tips
Pair your hydrating foundation with other skin-loving products for the ultimate winter skincare routine. A hydrating primer can give you that extra boost of moisture before foundation. Rich moisturisers and overnight masks are lifesavers for tackling dryness.
And don’t forget to tweak your daily skincare routine to include more nourishing products - your skin will thank you! For more on how to care for your skin during these chilly climes, check out our lowdown on how to curate The Perfect Winter Skincare Routine.
Written by Franchesca Villar
With a love for all things beauty, Franchesca is a skilled beauty content and copywriter with expert knowledge of all of the latest beauty trends. She loves perfecting her bouncy blow-out routine (no matter how time-consuming), is on the eternal hunt for the best glow-boosting product, and is a lip-gloss addict.
