How to Apply Makeup On Dry, Peeling Skin

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—and while there’s nothing quite like the holiday season, your skin may not be singing carols as it becomes a victim to the cold, dry weather. Winter is the season of skin concerns like dry skin and—even worse—peeling skin. Not only is peeling skin a hassle to deal with, it can also take a toll on your makeup routine. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice a stunning makeup look due to your skin’s misfortune. Keep reading to learn how to apply makeup on dry, peeling skin. 

When applying makeup to hide peeling skin, it all comes down to your skin care routine and how you prep your skin prior to your makeup application. Here are a few steps and tips to keep in mind on how to apply makeup on dry, flaky skin.

STEP #1: CLEANSE YOUR SKIN

Cosmetics tend to latch onto dry skin, which can accentuate your dry patches and lead to the appearance of an uneven makeup application. To help prep your skin for your makeup routine on dry, peeling skin, begin by cleansing your face. You’ll want to use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and other impurities from your skin without drying your skin out even further. Keep in mind that your cleanser should be hydrating and non-irritating. You can try a gentle micellar water like the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Waterproof. This all-in-1 bi-phase cleanser is powerful yet gentle to skin. The micelles capture and lift away dirt, oil and makeup without harsh rubbing, leaving skin perfectly clean and refreshed without over-drying. If you prefer a more traditional cleanser, try a cream cleanser like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Nourishing Cream Cleanser. This face wash gently yet effectively removes traces of makeup without over-drying for softer, smoother, more supple skin.

STEP #2: MOISTURIZE YOUR SKIN

After you’ve cleansed your skin, it’s time to layer on the moisture. Moisturizing can help improve the look of dry, peeling skin and reintroduce much-needed moisture to your skin. Pick a moisturizer that dries without leaving behind a residue. Since your skin is dry and flaky, a heavy-duty moisturizer can work so long as it doesn’t weigh down your skin. After all, you will be following up with makeup. We recommend Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, which offers continuous moisture replenishment for skin throughout the day, leaving skin feeling comfortable even in extreme weather conditions. After moisturizing, your dry, peeling skin should feel and look better immediately. If it doesn’t, you may not be using the right moisturizer for your skin type.

STEP #3: PRIME YOUR SKIN

Priming your face is another vital step when it comes to applying makeup—with or without peeling skin. There are primers that can even out your skin’s surface, blur the look of imperfections, prolong your makeup look, and more. We recommend the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Primer. This revolutionary, pore-erasing skin perfector instantly blurs the look of pores, fine lines, wrinkles and uneven texture while hydrating your skin. The velvety, weightless feel helps the formula glide onto the skin effortlessly to help create a flawless makeup look. You can also use a protective moisturizer, like petroleum jelly. This thick emollient can act as a barrier between your peeling skin and makeup. Apply a thin layer and allow it to absorb into your skin fully before applying cosmetics over top. 

STEP #4: USE THE RIGHT MAKEUP

When it comes to choosing the makeup you’re going to be using, be mindful of your skin and its current condition. Certain makeup products, like powder for instance, are known to reduce the appearance of excess shine and moisture for a mattified look. When your skin is dry and peeling, powder can cling onto dry patches and accentuate their appearance. When applying makeup, reach for cosmetics that can deliver a dewy skin look. This can often be achieved with cream cosmetics, including foundation, bronzer, blush, and more.

Foundation: We love Dermablend’s Cover Creme Full Coverage Foundation. This full coverage foundation provides all-day non comedogenic wear with a flawless and smooth-glide finish. The high-performance pigments provide the same coverage as a cream concealer.

Bronzer: To contour, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Foundation Shaping Sticks in a color that’s one or two shades darker than your normal skin tone. The foundation sticks provide buildable, medium to full coverage with a creamy, glide-on formula that doesn’t cake or drag. 

Blush: Add a natural flush to your cheeks with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Blush Shaping Sticks. You can apply it directly to your cheeks for a pop of color that goes on smoothly and doesn’t fade or transfer. The brightening pigments in this creamy, super-glide formula will flatter any complexion and won’t stick to the dry, peeling areas of your skin.

STEP #5: SET YOUR LOOK

After you’ve spent time prepping your skin and perfecting your makeup look, the last thing you’ll want is for your makeup to smudge or fade throughout the day. Help prevent this from happening by setting your makeup with a setting spray like Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray. This weightless spray can keep your makeup looking just-applied for hours—without melting, fading, or settling into fine lines.

While there are ways to use makeup to hide peeling skin, it’s important to know why your skin is peeling to begin with. If you’re not sure why your skin is peeling, click here for some common culprits to peeling skin you may not be aware of!