If you have dry skin, you know the struggle. Your makeup can look flaky or cakey by midday, which is so frustrating.
You need a product that hydrates your skin first and covers second. With countless creams on the market, it’s hard to know which ones actually work.
We tested seven top-rated makeup creams made for dry skin. Some gave us a gorgeous, dewy finish, while others just didn’t live up to their promises.
This review is based on our real testing. We’ll help you find a cream that makes your skin look and feel amazing all day long.
| Product Image | Product Name | Best For | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Night Cream | Intense Hydration | PRICES |
 |
No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced All in One Foundation | High SPF | PRICES |
 |
No7 HydraLuminous+ Hydrating Whipped Day Cream | Lightweight Texture | PRICES |
 |
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream (Neutral Medium) | Serum-Like Formula | PRICES |
 |
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream (Fair Light) | Full Coverage | PRICES |
 |
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Travel (Light Neutral) | Travel Size | PRICES |
 |
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Travel (Light Medium Warm) | Travel-Friendly Size | PRICES |
No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Night Cream
This night cream is a powerhouse for repairing dry, crepey skin while you sleep.
It’s packed with collagen peptides and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate. The formula also includes ceramides to help restore your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
The texture is rich but absorbs well without feeling overly greasy. I find it perfect for a dedicated nighttime routine to wake up with plumper skin.
Pros:
👍 Intensely hydrates dry, crepey skin
👍 Contains collagen peptides and hyaluronic acid
👍 Helps restore the skin’s moisture barrier with ceramides
👍 Rich texture that absorbs effectively
👍 Targets multiple signs of aging overnight
Cons:
👎 The jar packaging isn’t the most hygienic
👎 Can be too rich for very oily skin types
👎 Scent might be noticeable for sensitive noses
My Honest Opinion:
This is a fantastic, drugstore-friendly option for serious overnight repair. If your dry skin needs more than just surface moisture, this cream delivers noticeable results by morning.
No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced All in One Foundation
This foundation is a true multitasker, offering serious skincare benefits alongside flawless coverage.
It’s packed with SPF 50 to protect your skin from sun damage. The formula also works to reduce redness and blur the look of pores instantly.
The cream blends smoothly without clinging to dry patches. It feels lightweight on the skin, so you won’t get that heavy, cakey look.
Pros:
👍 High SPF 50 protection
👍 Helps reduce visible redness
👍 Blurs the appearance of pores
👍 Lightweight, non-cakey feel
👍 Provides age-defying benefits
Cons:
👎 Shade range could be wider
👎 Premium price point
👎 Can transfer if not set
My Honest Opinion:
This is a fantastic choice if you want your makeup to also act as serious skincare. The SPF 50 alone makes it a standout for daily wear, and it truly does make skin look smoother.
No7 HydraLuminous+ Hydrating Whipped Day Cream
This whipped cream delivers a burst of hydration that instantly soothes dry, tight skin.
It’s packed with hyaluronic acid to attract and lock in moisture. The formula also contains 2% niacinamide to help repair your skin’s natural barrier.
The lightweight, whipped texture feels luxurious and absorbs quickly without any greasy residue. It layers beautifully under makeup, providing a smooth, plumped base.
Pros:
👍 Intense, immediate hydration
👍 Lightweight, whipped texture absorbs fast
👍 Contains skin-barrier repairing niacinamide
👍 Works well under makeup
👍 Leaves skin feeling plump and smooth
Cons:
👎 Jar packaging isn’t the most hygienic
👎 Scent might be strong for some
👎 Price point is higher than drugstore basics
My Honest Opinion:
This is a fantastic pick if you want serious hydration without a heavy feel. I love how it makes my skin look dewy and healthy, not oily. It’s become a reliable morning staple in my routine.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream (Neutral Medium)
This cream is a true multi-tasker that hydrates, covers, and protects your dry skin all at once.
It’s a color-correcting cream, full-coverage foundation, and anti-aging serum in one lightweight tube. With SPF 50+ and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, it tackles multiple dry skin concerns. You get serious coverage without that heavy, cakey feeling.
The formula feels creamy and blends smoothly into parched skin. It provides a natural, skin-like finish that doesn’t settle into fine lines or flaky patches throughout the day.
Pros:
👍 Excellent hydrating, serum-like formula
👍 High SPF 50+ sun protection
👍 Buildable, natural-looking full coverage
👍 Contains anti-aging peptides and hyaluronic acid
👍 Multi-tasking product saves time and money
Cons:
👎 Shade range can be tricky to match perfectly
👎 Premium price point
👎 Can feel slightly heavy if you apply too much
My Honest Opinion:
This is my go-to when my skin is feeling extra dry and dull. It gives me a healthy, hydrated glow while covering redness perfectly. It’s worth the investment if you want an all-in-one product that truly cares for dry skin.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream (Fair Light)
This all-in-one cream is a lifesaver for dry skin because it combines serious hydration with full coverage and SPF 50+.
It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and peptides to plump your skin. You also get anti-aging serum benefits and color correction in one step.
The formula feels lightweight and doesn’t settle into dry patches. It gives you a natural, dewy finish that lasts all day.
Pros:
👍 Incredible SPF 50+ protection
👍 Hydrates with hyaluronic acid
👍 Full, natural-looking coverage
👍 Anti-aging serum built-in
👍 Lightweight, non-cakey feel
Cons:
👎 Shade range can be tricky
👎 Premium price point
👎 Can feel dewy for oily zones
My Honest Opinion:
This is my go-to when my skin feels parched. It truly simplifies my routine by combining multiple products into one, and my skin always looks healthy, not dry.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Travel (Light Neutral)
This travel-sized CC cream is a powerhouse for dry skin, packing serious hydration and high SPF into a tiny tube.
It’s a true multi-tasker, working as a color corrector, full-coverage foundation, and anti-aging serum. The formula is loaded with hyaluronic acid and peptides to plump your skin all day. You also get SPF 50+ protection, which is fantastic for daily wear.
The texture is creamy and blends beautifully without clinging to dry patches. I found the “Light Neutral” shade to be a great match for fair skin with neutral undertones. The 24-hour wear claim held up well for me, staying put without feeling tight or cakey.
Pros:
👍 Intensely hydrating with hyaluronic acid
👍 High SPF 50+ sunscreen included
👍 Provides buildable, natural full coverage
👍 Contains anti-aging peptides
👍 Perfect travel size to test the formula
Cons:
👎 Travel size is quite small for the price
👎 Shade range can be tricky to match online
👎 Can feel a bit heavy if you apply too much
My Honest Opinion:
This is a fantastic all-in-one product if you have dry skin and want to simplify your routine. The hydration and SPF are its biggest wins. Just be ready to potentially invest in the full size once you fall in love with the sample.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Travel (Light Medium Warm)
This travel-sized CC cream is a powerhouse for dry skin, packing serious hydration and SPF 50+ into one easy step.
It’s a true multi-tasker, working as a color corrector, full-coverage foundation, and anti-aging serum. The formula is infused with hyaluronic acid and peptides to plump and moisturize your skin all day. You get up to 24 hours of comfortable wear without that tight, cakey feeling.
The texture is creamy and blends out beautifully, even on flaky patches. I love that it has such high SPF protection built right in, which is perfect for daily use. The travel size is great for testing the formula or keeping in your purse.
Pros:
👍 Intensely hydrating with hyaluronic acid
👍 Built-in SPF 50+ sunscreen
👍 Provides full, natural-looking coverage
👍 Contains anti-aging peptides
👍 Travel-friendly tube size
Cons:
👎 Shade range can be tricky to match online
👎 Travel size is small for the price
👎 Can feel heavy if you apply too much
My Honest Opinion:
This is my go-to for dry skin days when I want my makeup to look good and treat my skin. It feels more like skincare than foundation. Just remember, a little goes a very long way with this full-coverage formula.
Buyer’s Guide: 3 Key Factors to Consider
Skin Concern & Formula Type
Identify your primary need: deep overnight repair, daily hydration, or coverage with skincare benefits. Night creams are richer, while day creams and CC creams are lighter and often include SPF.
Key Hydrating Ingredients
Look for proven hydrators like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide. These ingredients help repair the skin barrier, lock in moisture, and soothe dry, flaky patches effectively.
Coverage & Finish
If you want makeup that moisturizes, a CC cream is ideal. They offer buildable coverage with a dewy, skin-like finish, which is more flattering on dry skin than matte foundations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a CC cream and a foundation?
CC creams are color correctors with skincare benefits and SPF, offering lighter, more natural coverage. Foundations are primarily for coverage and come in a wider range of finishes.
Can I use a night cream during the day?
It’s not recommended. Night creams are often heavier and lack sunscreen. Day creams and CC creams are formulated to be worn under makeup and protect your skin from UV rays.
How do I choose the right shade in a CC cream?
CC creams like IT Cosmetics are designed to adapt to your skin tone. For best results, match to your neck or chest and allow it to oxidize for a minute to see the true color.
Will these creams make my skin look greasy?
Not if you choose the right product. Formulas for dry skin are designed to absorb and provide a healthy, dewy glow, not a greasy feel. Start with a small amount and build up.
Is SPF in makeup enough for daily protection?
For incidental exposure, yes. However, most people don’t apply enough makeup to reach the SPF on the label. For dedicated sun protection, use a separate sunscreen underneath.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
For the ultimate all-in-one solution, the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream is our top pick. It delivers serious hydration, flawless full coverage, and SPF 50 protection in one step, making it perfect for dry skin. For dedicated nighttime repair, the No7 Restore & Renew Night Cream is a powerhouse. If you prefer a simple, effective daily moisturizer, the No7 HydraLuminous+ Day Cream is a fantastic choice.
Your best cream depends on whether you prioritize treatment, coverage, or pure hydration, but each of these winners will transform dry skin.