Best CRUELTY FREE foundations for VERY DRY SKIN?

[Meliths]

Hey all, I've been pondering this question for quite some time and it's irritating me. I've had Fenty Beauty's Pro Filt'r Foundation, Too Faced's Born This Way and Kat Von D's Lock it Foundation on my mind for quite some time. I've never bought a foundation from Sephora before, and I've been all over Youtube but everyone has oily skin or combo! So it doesn't help!
Those three foundations look and sound amazing so far, but I don't know what to do or buy. My skin is very, very dry. I get flake spots on my chin and the sides of my mouth, especially my forehead. My skin itself has a very dry texture and is a bit gritty. I use face scrubs and blackhead prevention face washes and moisturizer to help stop the flakes and peeling skin (I know, it's gross). Only my nose is oily, but it flakes up and peels with dead skin too. 

I'm not interested in spending over $55 for foundation or any foundations/beauty brands that test on animals. If any of the foundations I've listed here might work, please let me know what you think.

Of course I am going to prime and set my face, moisturize it before hand after giving a nice wash with my scrubs/creams and peels. My skin has minor redness around my cheeks and I'm getting a few pimples/zits. When I say my skin looks gritty, I mean it is far from perfect. It looks dry and brittle, splotchy kind of and things like waxing (unfortunately) tend to leave red-ish marks around my face for a little while. My complexion sucks. 

I like medium to full coverage, because I've tried drug store brands (nope, not anymore, cruelty free!) and it's all been sheer and really awful formulas that feel heavy on my face but don't cover up ANYTHING. I can't even seen my highlighter on them. I know Kat Von D's is full coverage but honestly, anything at this point to even out my skin tone and make it look nice and smooth. I don't mind a matte finish, I like it. 

Please let me know what you think!

[sezzy2018]

Can I just say.. I also have the worst dry skin! I just discovered Antipodes skincare range and I have so much confidence with bare skin ! P.s don’t exfoliate if you have dry sensitive skin, it can make your skin worse! Stick with cleansers xx

[MCSSavvy]

I know this isn't on your list but you may want to check out CoverFx. I have sensitive and somewhat dry skin due to a variety of factors. I've had good luck with the brand and it was recommended to me by several make-up artists at Sephora.  They have a mattifying primer and their liquid foundation is good.   I use the calming primer after I moisturize and then utilize their liquid foundation which has buildable coverage.  I also like to use setting powder and again I use CoverFx.  Their products are cruelty free and I believe most are vegan.

[ChristineR07]

I have incredibly dry and dehydrated skin due to medication.  I love the way the Born This Way foundation works with my skin, especially with the Hangover primer.

[DaisyMaryjane]

If you are looking for cruelty free makeup I recommend Milk Makeup

[ChristineR07]

I have heard great things about Milk.  It just doesn't come in a shade close to my skintone.  Very disappointing.  Hopefully they expand their shade selections.

[uzi1234]

@Meliths I also heard of people mixing the Fenty foundation with their favorite facial oil which shouldnt dilute the coverage. Regarding your skin I would stop the exfoliating and moisturize with a heavy cream such as Cerave. The Cerave mositurizing cream that is packaged in a tub is soooo good for flaky skin. Apply it heavily overnight and you can also ise in during the day lightly of course as a mositurizer and primer in one.

[myinsidevoice]

Would never have thought to mix the Fenty foundation with a face oil - makes sense; will have to try it.  Thanks, @uzi1234!

[myinsidevoice]

@Meliths,

I echo @Mcakes comments regarding Fenty foundation - for those of us with dry skin, it's a lot harder to work with; I mix it with my moisturizer but then that will dilute the coverage. 

The Too Faced primer and foundation that @Mikaylakelley mentioned have worked for me and my dry, dehydrated skin.  The Too Faced foundation, like the primer, contains coconut water and is hydrating even as it provides coverage. 

My skin is less dry than what it was a year before - when it was at its driest- dry patches, peeling, redness in the cheek area, etc., I used as a primer the Hourglass No. 28 Priming Serum and IT Cosmetics CC cream.  I found the Hourglass primer to be extremely hydrating on my skin - I would leave it on my skin for 10 minutes after applying so it would sink in and so it would not be too slippery when I applied my foundation.  Word of caution - it does contain a lot of essential oils which, if your skin is also sensitive, certain oils may not work with your skin.  On me, it worked well with the CC cream and I suspect it would work well with the Hourglass foundation that @Mcakes recommends as well. 

[Mcakes]

Hi @Meliths! I understand your frustration with having very dry skin and still wanting a medium to full coverage foundation. Of the three foundations that you mentioned you are interesting in trying, I can only offer a review of one- the Fenty Beauty. I found that even though I tried to wear it on top of different primers it still clung onto dry patches. It also left a different finish than what I usually go for (natural). 

If cruelty free is a priority for you then I have 2 I can recommend. One is high end and one is drug store. 

Drugstore would be the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation. It has really good coverage! A dense brush or a beauty blender are my preferred application methods with this foundation. I do use a more hydrating base for this foundation like the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil: https://www.sephora.com/product/photo-finish-primer-oil-P404235?skuId=1783224

High end would be the Hourglass Veil Fluid: https://www.sephora.com/product/veil-fluid-makeup-oil-free-broad-spectrum-spf-15-P193231?skuId=10985...

I prefer to apply this foundation with my fingers. 

A little goes a long way with both of these foundations and they are buildable. 

[Mikaylakelley]

I have dry skin as well and have just started testing out the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation paired with the Hangover RX Primer which is super hydrating and so far, I love it!