The Best Foundation for Combination Skin that Work
Other skin types don’t truly appreciate the predicament of people with combination skin. Sometimes your skin is oily, other times it’s dry. Most of the time, it’s both.
Needless to say, finding the right foundation is not the easiest. Formulas that are too moisturizing can make skin look like it’s been sweating grease, and foundations that are too matte can make dry patches look like the desert.
The best foundations for combination skin create total harmony, eliminating excess oil without caking and adding moisture to the thirsty areas.
Every product below will give your skin what it needs while making your look gorgeous, of course.
The Best Foundations for Combination Skin in 2023
1. Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation w/ SPF 15
A full coverage, matte liquid foundation, it can revitalize the dullest-looking skin. A longwear liquid foundation that lasts up to 12 hours, it will never pill, cake or transfer to your clothes (or anyone else’s).
It contains sunscreen for skin protection and Amazonian clay which balances your skin’s complexion and maintains your flawless look. Truly full coverage, make sure you find the right color to avoid the dreaded under-chin makeup line.
2. Origins Stay Tuned Balancing Face Makeup
Get flawless skin with this full coverage foundation that uses algae to smooth uneven skin and control excess oil without drying out your face. The formula also consists of optical diffusers that disperse light away from fine line and blemishes for a more radiant appearance.
With other ingredients like vitamin E, bergamot, chamomile and spearmint, your face is protected against environmental stresses for an all-day feeling of freshness.
3. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream w/ SPF 30
Bridging the gap between a dewy and matte finish, this gel foundation is a huge win for combination skin of all skin tones, and even all skin types. A buildable foundation offering sheer to medium coverage, it seamlessly blends with dry and oily areas of the skin for coverage that looks great and isn’t cakey.
A multi-tasking gem that combines naturally radiant coverage with hydrating skin care benefits, skin is flawless, balanced and replenished.
4. Revlon ColorStay Makeup w/ SPF 15
Get all-day medium to full coverage with this drugstore cult fave specifically designed for combination and oil skin.
Thanks to the perfect amount of matte finish, it says put on patches of oily skin and never dehydrates the face’s drier areas. It also has enough shades to match a wide range of skin tones.
An affordable, longwear liquid foundation that controls excess shine without sucking the life out of dry skin, this Revlon product is hard to beat.
5. L’Oréal Paris True Match Foundation w/ SPF 17
A drugstore oil-free foundation, more well-known than the one above, this L’Oréal foundation contains the hydrating ingredients dimethicone and glycerin which minimize excess oil while keeping dry patches moisturized, not to mention sunscreen and vitamin E.
Suitable for all skin types, it is lightweight, provides medium coverage and has a dewy finish. Extremely blendable, not even your closest friends will be able to tell where the foundation starts or ends – a perfect option for those who prefer a more natural look.
6. NYX Total Control Drop Foundation
This professional formula comes with a dropper that helps you apply and build the foundation in the areas that need the most coverage. The sheer to full coverage makeup has a matte-finish that is velvety-soft. With the aid of its color-correcting properties your face has a smooth appearance with blemishes that are nowhere in sight.
Another beloved drugstore product that creates balance for combination skin, you’ll love the price and end results.
7. Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation
Twelve hours of perfect matte coverage are yours thanks to Stay Matte’s unique shine control complex. Light as a feather, this liquid foundation blends into the skin easily, giving you a natural look and a shine that never gets out of control.
Especially effective for people who want to minimize the appearance of fine lines or large pores, it comes in an impressive shade range (20 shades) so every skin tone can experience its unbelievably silky-smooth, poreless finish and all-day comfort.
A Buying Guide to the Best Foundations for Combination Skin
It’s no surprise that many people with combination skin tend to use foundation sparingly or stay away from it altogether. A lot of formulas are just too heavy, clogging the pores (especially the t-zone), causing breakouts and making you look like you’ve dunked your head in a vat of oil.
Now that foundations are being made with combination skin gals and guys in mind, you can get the coverage you need without compounding any existing skin problems.
After reading this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the best foundation for your skin that maintains (or improves) its condition and makes you look as good as you want to.
What makes a foundation good for combination skin?
The key to finding foundations that work for combination skin is its formula. In general, if you’re thinking about investing your time and money into a foundation, it should:
Be mattifying
Avoid extreme finishes. Wet and dewy finishes give that greasy feeling and ultra-matte finishes can dull out the areas of dry skin. Dry skin should look for hydrating matte formulas; for oilier skin, try a demi-matte finish.
- Have buildable coverage
- Be lightweight (even if it’s full coverage)
Though popular opinion says otherwise, powder foundations are not mandatory for this skin type. Whether it’s a foundation stick, cream, gel or liquid, lightweight formulas exist that work with your preferences
Essential ingredients in combination skin foundation
Having a combination of the skin probably means that you have unique. Most of the best foundations for your combo skin will have active ingredients that address different, yet common, skin issues.
Hyaluronic acid
A humectant, hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture. A natural presence in your skin, you produce less hyaluronic acid the older you get and one way to increase its levels it by using foundation containing it. This enhances the skin’s elasticity and hydration without causing breakouts.
Vitamin E
This ingredient has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that smoothens and hydrates.
Peptides
Amino acids that aid the body in producing more collagen and elastin, you’ll see an improvement in your skin’s texture and tone.
Vitamin B3
An ingredient that reduces hyperpigmentation, fine lines, blotchiness and wrinkles; it’s also referred to as niacinamide.
Sunscreen
Vital to protect the skin from harmful UV rays, foundation consisting of SPF guarantees your skin remains protected throughout the day.
Happy Combination Skin is Possible
The best foundations for combination skin have balanced formulas that meet the requirements of the skin combinations you have. Our list contains options that won’t cause further skin issues and provide you with the coverage you want.
You might also be interested in these foundations for other skin types:
- Best Foundations for All Skin Types
- Best Foundation for Acne Prone Skin
- Best Foundation for Dry Skin
- Best Foundation for Mature Skin
- Best Foundation for Sensitive Skin
- Best Foundation for Pale Skin
- Best Foundation for Dark Skin
- Best Natural Foundations
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