Your best foundation type is a cream or liquid foundation that offers full coverage.

"A good liquid can be layered to achieve a natural, yet full coverage look while creams will help add emollients to dehydrated skin," says Stern. "Use them with a light hand to avoid a mask look." Should you ever need to lessen coverage, mix it with a tinted moisturizer (Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, $42) or thin it out with a damp sponge. Look for moisture-rich formulas with ingredients like SPF, avocado and vitamin E to provide protection against environmental damage. Formulas to try: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Cream Foundation, $9.49; MAC Full Coverage, $27.

TIP: "If your skin is dry and flaky use a gentle exfoliant before you moisturize," says Bass. "Then give your face a couple of minutes to absorb the moisturizer before you apply foundation."