There’s nothing so disheartening as finishing your meticulously applied make-up only to realise that your skin is dry and flaky. Dry skin can be difficult to deal with when it comes to wearing make-up, and if it’s something that affects you, then this might be a regular occurrence.

To help you keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated throughout a day of wearing make-up, we called in the help of top make-up artist Andrew Denton for his top tips. 

Dry skin types need to think about skin prep as being part of their routine because it’s so important to get the right make-up finish. Try to have a consistent skincare routine that includes plenty of hydration. If you feel like you’re doing this already but still struggle with dry skin, it’s worth visiting a dermatologist to get to the root cause. 

Having said that, everyone can experience dehydration at times for many reasons. Although it seems counterintuitive, if your skin is flaky, Denton suggests that exfoliation is key to creating that smooth texture before make-up (assuming, of course, that your skin isn’t sensitive and you’re not suffering from any conditions that can be worsened by exfoliating). 

The right kind of exfoliation is important because you don’t want to over-do it and compromise the skin barrier. Opt for a chemical exfoliation using a product containing polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) such as Medik8 Press and Glow Tonic or The Inkey List PHA Toner. Make sure you follow this with lots of hydration.

Exfoliation creates a smoother surface but also sloughs off those dead skin cells, allowing the skin to better absorb the hydrating skincare ingredients. Exfoliation aside, it’s down to personal preference as to how many prep steps you do ahead of make-up. If you like a more is more approach, use a moisture-packed serum followed by a moisturiser then a hydrating sunscreen. 

A primer isn’t necessary by any means, but “it can be a good way to lock in moisture”, Denton says.

“The formulations of hydration-enhancing primers aim to improve dehydration throughout the day and act as a barrier between your skincare and your make-up, ensuring that skin remains hydrated yet the surface of the complexion is ready for make-up application and doesn’t have too much slip,” explains Denton. There are dozens of hardworking hydrating primers out there but we particularly love Saie Glowy Super Gel and Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer.

If you’ve prepped your skin well, you shouldn’t find that it gets too dry throughout the day. But if you get that tight, uncomfortable feeling, Denton recommends carrying a face mist with you as a great quick fix for dehydration. However, says to make sure there are no dehydrating alcohols in the formula as this can further dry the skin out. We’re often spritzing La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Soothing Repair Spray and Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Face Mist. 

“I would avoid any water-based foundations and concealers. These will dry down, set and make the skin look dry,” Denton says. “Cream foundations and concealers will feel more comfortable and enhance skin radiance.” You can opt for skin tints over matte foundations, cream blush and bronzer over powders and lightweight, hydrating concealers. For skin tints, try Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint or Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer. For blush give Daniel Sandler Watercolour Liquid Blush a go. For bronzer, try Vieve Modern Radiance Cream Bronzer and for concealers, you can’t go wrong with Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer or Kosas Revealer Super Creamy and Brightening Concealer. 

Images: Getty