The 20 Best Foundations for Every Skin Type and Concern
A good foundation is the cornerstone of any well-rounded makeup routine, no matter how glamorous or natural. While you may reserve foundation for special occasions or a big night out versus wearing it every day, the best foundation is the one that ultimately enhances your skin and conceals any imperfections, making your complexion appear virtually flawless. Yet with so many different types of foundations available, ranging from liquids to creams to powders and ultralightweight to full coverage, the best foundation for you is the one that looks and feels like second skin.
Our Top Picks
Best for Mature Skin: By Terry Brightening CC Foundation Best for Large Pores: Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation Best for Full-Coverage: tarte Amazonian Clay 16-hour Full Coverage Foundation Best Dewy Foundation: Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation Best Powder Foundation: Glo Skin Beauty Pressed Base Powder Foundation Best for Acne-Prone Skin: jane iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation Refill SPF 20 Best for Rosacea: Dermablend Flawless Creator Multi-Use Liquid Foundation Best Liquid Foundation: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Best Lightweight Foundation: Estée Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation SPF 20 Best for Medium-Coverage: RMS Beauty ReEvolve Natural Finish Foundation Best with SPF: tarte Foundcealer MultiTasking Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Best for Dry Skin: Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation Best Stick Foundation: NUDESTIX Tinted Blur Foundation Stick Best for Textured Skin: Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup Foundation with SPF 25 Best Water-Based Foundation: Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation Best Cream Foundation: Dermablend Quick-Fix Body Foundation Stick Best for Light-Coverage: Glo Skin Beauty HD Mineral Foundation Stick Best Matte Foundation: BareMinerals BarePro 24Hr Wear Skin-Perfecting Matte Liquid Foundation Mineral SPF 20 Best for Acne: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15 Best for Oily Skin: BareMinerals BarePro 24HR Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation
Shop the Best Foundations
Best for Mature Skin: By Terry Brightening CC Foundation
$79.00
Mature skin has many demands, and reducing the appearance of discoloration and darkness ranks high. Packed with a handful of naturally derived skincare-based ingredients, including niacinamide, the clean, vegan formula also helps to hydrate so that the skin emerges dewy, glowy, and more youthful-looking while improving its texture and overall appearance.
Key Ingredients: Japanese rose extract, aloe vera, phytosqualane, shea butter, niacinamide
Texture: Liquid
Coverage: Sheer
Shades: 24
Beauty Insider Tip: To further enhance the skin and its natural radiance, apply a rosy blush to the apples of the cheeks for added warmth.
Best for Large Pores: Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation
Ideal for blurring away the look of enlarged pores and other imperfections, this long-lasting matte foundation never leaves skin looking dry or dull thanks to a blend of hyaluronic acid and phytoglycogen. The non-comedogenic, slip-free formula won't melt off the skin, separate, oxidize, or settle into fine lines and wrinkles.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
Texture: Liquid
Coverage: Medium to full
Shades: 25
Beauty Insider Tip: Pair the foundation with other liquid, cream, and powder makeup for a natural-looking finish that lasts up to 12 hours.
Best for Full-Coverage: tarte Amazonian Clay 16-hour Full Coverage Foundation
When you need your foundation to stay put for hours on end, this full coverage one, which offers a matte finish, is the one to reach for. We love that it wears for up to 16 hours with nary a budge or smudge in sight, yet it doesn't feel heavy or look cakey on the skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
Texture: Liquid
Coverage: Medium to full
Shades: 25
Beauty Insider Tip: Always sweep the foundation onto the skin using light, circular motions, starting at the center of the face and blending outward.
Best Dewy Foundation: Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation
42 reviews
$106.00
If layering highlighter over foundation seems like an unnecessary step you'd rather avoid, then a foundation that gives a dewy finish, like this one, will easily do the trick. This cult-classic formulation not only gives ample coverage to the skin but also makes it gleam and glow, like you just had a facial, due to sea minerals and special powders that hydrate, balance and keep the skin looking impeccable.
Key Ingredients: Gloss film powder, water-based minerals, moist drop powder, T3 oil
Texture: Liquid
Coverage: Sheer to medium
Shades: 10
Beauty Insider Tip: Suitable for wear on all skin types, apply thin layers of the foundation to the skin and build it up as needed.
Best Powder Foundation: Glo Skin Beauty Pressed Base Powder Foundation
315 reviews
$52.00
This mineral-based powder foundation does an excellent job covering up whatever you don't want on display with a flawless, natural finish. Formulated without nasties, like talc and other pore-clogging ingredients, it helps soothe red, irritated and compromised skin with antioxidants and skin-friendly vitamins.
Key Ingredients: Vitamins A, C, and E, green tea extract, triple-milled minerals
Texture: Powder
Coverage: Long-lasting
Shades: 24
Beauty Insider Tip: Consider this powder foundation gentle enough to use on the most sensitive skin and even post-procedure.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: jane iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation Refill SPF 20
632 reviews
$46.00
If you want smooth-looking skin, make sure to stash your makeup drawer with this pressed mineral foundation. Gentle on the skin and never one to clog pores or instigate breakouts, this does-it-all-in-one-step foundation also doubles as a concealer and daily sunscreen, leaving behind a semi-matte, natural finish while protecting the skin from environmental aggressors and free radical damage.
Key Ingredients: Sea mineral extracts, antioxidants, mineral pigments
Texture: Powder
Coverage: Sheer to full
Shades: 26
Beauty Insider Tip: Use just a little bit of the product to achieve light coverage or build it up to heavier coverage using a kabuki makeup brush.
Best for Rosacea: Dermablend Flawless Creator Multi-Use Liquid Foundation
61 reviews
$42.00
Concealing rosacea can sometimes be challenging, which is where this oil-free liquid foundation comes into play. Recommended by dermatologists, this full-coverage foundation effectively covers up redness, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone while leaving the skin feeling optimally hydrated.
Key Ingredients: Silica, dimethicone, titanium dioxide
Texture: Liquid
Coverage: Full
Shades: 21
Beauty Insider Tip: For a hint of color, mix a few drops into your favorite serum or moisturizer.
Best Liquid Foundation: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
147 reviews
$52.00
If you are partial to full-coverage liquid foundations that stay put all day, this natural-looking one should be in your makeup rotation. Perfect for concealing imperfections while evening out the skin's tone, the oil-free foundation holds up in heat and humidity and won't rub off or slip off the skin.
Key Ingredients: Iron oxides, mica, titanium dioxide
Texture: Liquid
Coverage: Full
Shades: 55
Beauty Insider Tip: The dermatologist-tested formula helps to control oil production as you wear it.
Best Lightweight Foundation: Estée Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation SPF 20
$55.00
Part makeup, part skincare, this lightweight serum-like foundation provides long-lasting coverage while imparting a natural radiant glow. Plus, it contains SPF and moisturizers to help improve the skin's health the more you wear the foundation.
Key Ingredients: Meadowfoam seed, calendula and rosehip oils, clay, glucosamine, trametes versicolor extract, saccharides, glycerin
Texture: Serum-liquid
Shades: 28
Beauty Insider Tip: To apply the foundation for a seamless finish, start at the center of the face and blend the serum outwards using your fingertips or a makeup brush.
Best for Medium-Coverage: RMS Beauty ReEvolve Natural Finish Foundation
2 reviews
$52.00
Perfect for everyday wear, this silicone-free liquid foundation is infused with good-for-your-skin ingredients to help hydrate, smooth, and firm. Super easy to blend, the water- and sweat-resistant formula won't clog the pores and always leaves a super natural finish.
Key Ingredients: Vegetable squalane, organic aloe, RMS adaptogenic herbal blend
Texture: Liquid
Coverage: Medium
Shades: 16
Beauty Insider Tip: The bottle's airless pump technology helps keep the foundation fresh, so continue to pump it even if it feels like it is not dispensing any product
Related Article: An Honest RMS Beauty Review, Tested and Approved By Our Esthetician
Best with SPF: tarte Foundcealer MultiTasking Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20
15 reviews
$42.00
Sunscreen is a skincare nonnegotiable but finding one that melds with your foundation isn't always easy. Take the guesswork out of which SPF will work best with your makeup using an SPF-packed foundation like this one. The customizable formula also nourishes, soothes, and hydrates the skin so it doesn't fall victim to today's most potent aggressors, which can damage and age the skin.
Key Ingredients: Babassu, sunflower seed, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Texture: Liquid
Coverage: Light to medium
Shades: 29
Beauty Insider Tip: To create a lighter coverage, apply one pump of the foundation to your fingertips and smooth it over the skin like a tinted moisturizer.
Best for Dry Skin: Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation
$59.00
Suitable for even the driest skin types, this medium-coverage foundation infuses a serious dose of moisturizing hyaluronic acid to plump the skin and leave it feeling supple, soft and nourished. It also gives the skin the most beautiful luminous finish, helping to camouflage the look of imperfections and improving the complexion's overall appearance.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, pearl pigments, jojoba seed oil
Texture: Liquid
Coverage: Medium
Shades: 16
Beauty Insider Tip: For a contouring effect, apply a deep shade of foundation instead of a traditional contouring stick.
Best Stick Foundation: NUDESTIX Tinted Blur Foundation Stick
$32.00
More of a skin tint than a traditional skin foundation, this stick-based makeup starts as a cream and morphs into a powder to improve the skin's appearance and give a natural finish. This cutting-edge multi-tasking makeup stick, which packs shade-adjusting pigments into the formula, blurs away the look of blemishes, dark spots and lines for a your-skin-but-better finish.
Key Ingredients: Mica, camellia sinensis leaf extract
Texture: Cream
Coverage: Light to Medium
Shades: 8
Beauty Insider Tip: Make sure to store the foundation stick at room temperature and away from sunlight to prevent it from melting.
Best for Textured Skin: Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup Foundation with SPF 25
13 reviews
$40.00
Foundation isn't limited to just the face. In fact, the body sometimes needs a little evening out, especially if you want to conceal varicose veins, stretch marks, and spots. That's just what this lightweight foundation does (and more) for smoother, better-looking skin.
Key Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, octisalate, octocrylene
Texture: Cream
Coverage: Light to medium
Shades: 12
Beauty Insider Tip: To keep the foundation in place and limit it from smudging or transferring, always set it with a loose setting powder.
Best Water-Based Foundation: Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation
9 reviews
$108.00
This cult-classic foundation, one of the first high-definition formulas ever created, boasts a high amount of rich water to provide an adaptable coverage that keeps skin soft while giving it a sheer finish. It's buildable; layer on more makeup for more coverage.
Key Ingredients: Mineral pigments, aloe extract, hydrolyzed yeast, jojoba oil, squalene, shea butter
Texture: Cream
Coverage: Sheer to medium
Shades: 11
Beauty Insider Tip: For the best results, always allow each layer of the foundation to dry down and set before applying another layer.
Best Cream Foundation: Dermablend Quick-Fix Body Foundation Stick
4 reviews
$32.00
Cream foundations are excellent for all-over coverage, spot-treating specific areas and mid-day touch-ups. This non-comedogenic cream formula provides coverage for up to 16 hours and stays put through water, sweat, and heat for flawless-looking skin.
Key Ingredients: Allantoin, Microcrystalline Wax, Titanium Dioxide
Texture: Cream
Coverage: Full
Shades: 10
Beauty Insider Tip: Use the safe-for-all-skin-types cream foundation on post-laser and post-surgical skin without compromising your results.
Best for Light-Coverage: Glo Skin Beauty HD Mineral Foundation Stick
5 reviews
$52.00
Like your skin but better, this lightweight, buildable, hydrating cream works as a foundation, concealer, highlighter, and contour, depending on how you apply it. Since minerals power the makeup, the look is always natural and light for a healthy-looking glow.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, natural mineral pigments, vitamins A, C, E, green tea
Texture: Cream
Coverage: Light
Shades: 12
Beauty Insider Tip: For a second skin finish and the sheerest coverage possible, apply the foundation with a damp makeup sponge and blend it in well.
Best Matte Foundation: BareMinerals BarePro 24Hr Wear Skin-Perfecting Matte Liquid Foundation Mineral SPF 20
$44.00
This full-coverage matte foundation works hard to keep the skin looking fresh and never shiny or oily, thanks to oil-absorbing minerals while offering comfortable wear. With its unique skin-tone-mimicking pigments, the makeup looks natural on the skin and also helps to improve discoloration and uneven skin tone in about one week's time.
Key Ingredients: Pomegranate peel extract, silicone complex, silica, silica microspheres, vitamin E, zinc oxide
Texture: Liquid
Coverage: Full
Shades: 40
Beauty Insider Tip: After applying the foundation, spray on a setting spray to help blend out the makeup.
Best for Acne: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15
23 reviews
$39.00
The OG mineral powder foundation is still our favorite for buildable coverage–go as light or heavy as you desire–to help improve the skin's health and clarity without clogging pores or leading to breakouts. Consisting of only five clean ingredients, the talc-free, non-comedogenic formula won't dry out the skin either.
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica, iron oxides, mineral-based pigments
Texture: Powder
Coverage: Sheer to full
Shades: 30
Beauty Insider Tip: To apply correctly, swirl a small amount of the powder into the cap until it disappears onto your brush, and tap away any excess. Then, buff the makeup into the skin using small circular motions until you reach the desired level of coverage.
Best for Oily Skin: BareMinerals BarePro 24HR Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation
$42.00
Even the oiliest skin doesn't stand a chance against breaking down this powder foundation. With a natural matte, full-coverage foundation, the transfer-proof foundation won't break down, shift, smudge, budge, or transfer from oil, water, sweat, heat, or humidity, so you can rest assured that your skin will look good hours after applying it.
Key Ingredients: Pineapple complex, licorice root, cocoa butter, shea butter, peony flower, squalane
Texture: Pressed Powder
Coverage: Full
Shades: 35
Beauty Insider Tip: Apply the foundation to the skin either dry using a sponge or brush or transform into a wet application by dampening the sponge or brush, which will make the powder turn more creamy
How to Find Your Foundation Shade
Finding the best foundation in a shade that works for your skin tone may take some trial and error, especially since makeup brands use different pigments. The key to finding the perfect foundation starts with understanding your skin tone (fair, light, medium, or dark) and the undertones (warm, cool, or neutral) to get the best match.
Once you have determined your skin tone and undertone, apply a light layer of the foundation shade you are considering to the jawline (not the inner wrist like so many of us were taught, which is not the same tone as the skin on your face). This part of the face gives the most realistic idea of how the makeup melds with your skin tone and if the shade works with it. It's also essential to test foundation shades with ample natural lighting so that the color match is accurate and not thrown off by harsh or artificial lighting.
Since the skin can read lighter in the winter and darker in the summer, consider the time of year you are looking for a new foundation. While the undertone of the skin doesn't change throughout the year, the overall skin tone can, which is why it's a good idea to have a few different shades of foundation to wear at any given time.
You'll know that you have found the best foundation shade for your skin when it blends in seamlessly, and you can barely tell where it is on the face.
How to Apply Foundation
Applying foundation to the skin may seem daunting, but it shouldn't be. The most important rule is to prep the skin with a good moisturizer and primer so that the makeup adheres better to it, giving a flawless finish.
Make sure to have the right makeup blending sponges and brushes on hand, which will make applying foundation that much easier. Different tools are necessary for various formulas; using the right ones makes all the difference.
If you are applying liquid foundation to the face, stipple it into the skin with a flat foundation brush with dense bristles so that the makeup buffs out evenly. You can also use a damp blending sponge to thin out the foundation for a more natural-looking finish. With a cream foundation, an angled brush helps to spread the product evenly, and you should always powder foundations with a fluffier brush for the ideal amount of coverage.
No matter what type of foundation you choose, apply it first to the back of your hand or a steel foundation palette and use the appropriate brush or tool to buff it into the skin rather than applying the foundation directly to the skin from the bottle.
FAQs
Does Foundation Cause Acne?
Not all foundations are created equally, and some, like those containing comedogenic ingredients and super heavy in texture, can clog the pores and cause breakouts. It's important always to find the best foundation that works for your skin type, and if acne is a concern, there are ones that cater to it so it doesn't worsen your breakouts. However, if you apply a new foundation and notice new pimples in the coming days after wearing it, chances are the formulation isn't a good fit for your skin. To limit acne caused by the foundation, remove it before going to sleep and prep the skin with proven anti-acne ingredients, like salicylic acid, before applying makeup to create a cleaner base, and always wash your makeup tools, brushes, and sponges.
Is Dewy or Matte Foundation Better for Dry Skin?
Dry skin tends to do better with a foundation that imparts a healthy, hydrated glow. The key is to read the ingredients in the foundation and understand what each one does so that dry skin doesn't read as dull or look dehydrated. If your skin is dry, opt for foundations that contain oils and humectants, which are usually more readily available in dewy foundations. These will help reflect light properly, making the skin look moisturized and healthy.
Which Foundation is Best for a Natural Look?
If you want your skin to look natural when wearing foundation, almost as if you aren't wearing any, stick with liquid and cream foundations that contain skin-friendly oils. It's also important to properly prep and prime the skin so that the foundation sits nicely on the skin without caking up or looking too heavy.
Does foundation cause clogged pores?
Any beauty product can clog pores, and foundation is no exception. But, there are a few tricks of the trade that you can follow to limit the incidence of clogged pores, helping to keep your skin clean and clear. For starters, use the correct foundation for your skin type and always select non-comedogenic or oil-free formulations, which are less likely to clog the pores. If your skin is prone to breaking out, avoid formulas with oil, too. And, of course, always remove your makeup thoroughly at the end of the day so that it does not get pushed deep within the pores and cause them to become clogged.
What is the difference between foundation and concealer?
Foundation and concealer go hand in hand, but the two are very different and serve different purposes. Foundation gives an all-over evening out of the skin and is meant to be worn on the entire face, whereas concealer is used only where needed, like under the eyes or to cover a blemish. Foundations also match the skin's natural tone as best as possible; concealers can be used to highlight or contour, so lighter or darker shades are appropriate for use. Most foundations also come in a wide array of coverage options, ranging from light to full, and can cover anything from scars to acne and even stubborn discoloration.
The Bottom Line
While the options for foundation are endless (and they are), finding the best foundation for your skin and its needs feels like winning the lottery. A good foundation can cover and conceal your most pressing skin issues and act as a confidence booster, making you feel better about your skin and yourself. Having various foundations in your makeup routine is also important since our makeup needs can change from day to day and season to season. No matter what type of foundation you choose to wear, always make sure that the color matches your skin as best as possible, and that feels good and comfortable when you wear it.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com
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