Are you struggling to find the best foundation for combination skin? The perfect foundation will leaves your combination skin looking flawless. If you’re fed up dealing with patchy, uneven coverage or super-oily areas throughout the day, it’s time to switch up your makeup routine. The right foundation can make all the difference in achieving an even base – and we’ve got just what you need! In this guide, we’ll be uncovering exactly which foundations are best suited for combination skin. Read best primers for combination skin.
We’ll explore: the types of formulas most suitable; application tips; and our top picks on sale now! By following these recommendations — and finding yourself the right shade match –your combo skincare problems will soon become a thing of the past. So read on for some helpful advice on navigating tricky complexions!
Whether you need something light or full coverage, something matte or a dewy finish, there’s something out there just for you.
Which is the best foundation for combination skin?
1. Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
Maybelline Fit me matte foundation is one of the best drugstore foundation for combo skin. For those with combination skin, it can be tricky to balance between finding a product that controls excess oil, whilst preventing your skin from becoming overly dried out at the same time.
Not to mention, the T-zone of the face (the nose and middle of the forehead) can often be tricky when the excess oil production, control it comes to pore-clogging, thanks to the extra oil production in these areas.
Luckily, you can be sure that this foundation won’t leave your pores clogged, and it’ll help to conceal the appearance of your pores, too, giving you’re a flawless base.
2. NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
If you’re looking for a foundation for combination skin types that’ll take care of your skin, too, this is perfect. This flawless formula from Nars contains fruit extracts to improve the elasticity of the skin, helping to create a plump, smooth base for you to work with.
Not to mention, this long-lasting formula will provide best full coverage foundation for combination skin all day long without budging, even in areas of oily skin. Not to mention, the clinical trials even reported an improvement in skin’s texture, making it one of the best full coverage foundations for combination skin.
3. MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation
Not only is this foundation an oil-free formula, but it also contains oil-absorbing powders to tackle oily areas during the day and leave your skin with a natural, matte finish.
As well as that, this full coverage foundation uses clever technology to ensure it’ll last for up to 24 hours on your skin without caking or flaking, by controlling excess oil.
The formula really does what it says – it leaves the skin with a soft, velvety finish that helps to even skin tone as well as working harmoniously with combination skin.
4. Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Medium Coverage Foundation
If you’re looking for radiance from your foundation, look no further than this medium coverage foundation, from the queen of flawless glowing bases herself – Charlotte Tilbury.
If you’re going for a lit-from-within look without looking to wrestle with your combination skin, this is perfect for you. The formula contains hyaluronic acid, which is great for areas of dry skin on the face (particularly in the winter).
At the same time, this lightweight foundation for combination skin also contains ‘Bix-Activ’ technology, which helps to blur pores and reduce shine. It’s the perfect balance for combo skin!
5. Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
Of course, the first great thing we notice about this foundation for combination skin is its SPF rating, which will help your skin when it comes to sun protection. Not to mention, the sunscreen is reef-safe, too, so you can even wear this to the beach without worrying about wildlife.
While the additional SPF 25 is a great feature, we would also recommend applying a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating beneath your foundation during the summer months, too.
One of our favorite things about this foundation is its clean formula, which uses natural ingredients which have been responsibly sourced. It was even Allure’s 2022 Clean Beauty Winner!
6. Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation
One of the first things worth pointing out about this formula is one of its featured ingredients: niacinamide. This powerful, multi-tasking skincare ingredient is great for keeping breakouts at bay as well as helping to smooth texture and tone.
As well as this, you can also find aloe and allantoin on the ingredient list, too, which are both great for helping to soothe the skin and reduce redness on the face.
This oil-free foundation is packed with goodness for your skin and also leaves a natural finish which moves with your skin throughout the day and makes it the perfect choice.
7. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation
Lancome are an iconic brand, and they’ve been a favorite feature in many makeup bags for years. If you’re a fan of their high-quality products, you won’t be disappointed with this one.
Being an oil-free formula, this full coverage foundation is perfect foundation for acne-prone skin. It is also great for anyone who finds their T-zone tends to be oilier than the rest of their face, as this product won’t exacerbate this.
Not to mention, this product is breathable, transfer-resistant and comes with a matte finish for velvet-like skin. Check out our blog post for best undereye concealers to cover blemishes.
8. MILK MAKEUP Foundation Flex Foundation Stick
If you’re looking for a foundation in a slightly less conventional format, meet the flex foundation stick from Milk Makeup. This foundation for combination skin comes in a convenient stick, which makes it easier to apply, and less messy.
Thanks to its clean, easy and convenient application, it’s perfect for applying on the go to foundation everywhere, or topping up throughout the day, as it’s easy to control. All you need to do is apply the foundation to certain areas of the face and blend with a sponge or brush.
Not to mention, there’s no need to worry about spillages, and you can even use this product to spot conceal or top-up for makeup throughout the day.
It’s also worth noting that this foundation has a medium coverage, and will leave you with a soft, natural finish.
9. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation
Full coverage foundations for combination skin can be a nightmare sometimes, as they tend to be the most prone to patchiness and separation in oily areas, as well as flakiness on drier areas of second skin on the face.
However, with this full coverage foundation from Fenty Beauty, there’s no need to worry about how the product will sit on your skin, as it features technology to ensure it’ll sit flawlessly on your face.
Not to mention, the product is pore-blurring and has buildable coverage, allowing you to achieve a medium to full coverage, with a soft matte finish.
10. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Like the name suggests, this luxurious matte foundation that sits perfectly on the skin, leaving your complexion with a smooth, silky, flawless finish, that’s sure to get you plenty of complements.
Not to mention, this is one of the best foundations for combination skin as it has an oil-free, lightweight formula that won’t clog your pores or separate throughout the day. This makes it great for acne-prone skin, too.
Don’t just take our word for it – this product is a community favorite on Sephora’s website, along with over four thousand great reviews and even winner of Allure’s 2018 Best Beauty Award.
11. Catrice HD Liquid Foundation
For just $10, a good drugstore foundation doesn’t get much more affordable than this, so this is a great option for anyone shopping on a budget or reluctant to cash out on an expensive product that doesn’t do what it promises to.
Luckily, this is one of the best foundations in its price range and comes with a unique dropper design for easy dispersion of product around the entire face part.
This product comes with a full coverage, semi matte finish, and claims to stay on your skin for 24 hours. At the same time, you can be sure to feel comfortable with its lightweight formula and it’s perfect for oily skin, so you don’t need to worry about how it’ll sit around your T-zone.
12. LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation
If you’re looking for a serum foundation for combination skin, make sure you don’t miss this one. Not everyone likes a thick, full coverage product on their skin, and this is a perfect match for a more natural finish more coverage one.
Aimed to combat dullness and texture on the skin, this foundation is infused with skincare ingredients, too, working like more of a hybrid between skincare and makeup.
Some of the featured skin care ingredients include hyaluronic acid, popular for its powerful hydrating capabilities, as well as turmeric, which brightens the skin tone and offers protection against antioxidants.
The product even contains Ashwagandha, which is a powerful Indian herb proven to fight signs of ageing and help to calm and soothe the skin.
13. Dior BACKSTAGE Face and Body Foundation
If you’re looking for a foundation that offers great coverage, for more than just your face, this is the perfect product for you. Designed with models and performers in mind, this cult favorite foundation is a makeup artist favorite, too.
One of our favorite features about this professional product is its very buildable formula and coverage. You can apply like a true makeup artist, starting with a low coverage and building the product up in areas where you wish for a little more camouflage.
Of course, makeup should be a skin enhancement, not a mask, and that’s why we love how seamlessly this blend with the natural skin. Not to mention, being suitable for the body too, feel free to apply to the décolletage for additional coverage beyond your face.
Plus, this product is sweat-resistant, so it’s perfect for the hot summer days and months.
14. Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35
At the moment, the beauty industry is loving the ‘no-makeup’ makeup look, and natural bases are the way to go. Whether you’re on the hunt for a glowing natural base or just something light enough that’s comfortable for everyday use, this is perfect.
Suitable for all skin types, this Slip Tint tinted moisturizer is more of a skincare product with the added benefit of low coverage.
The product offers SPF 35 sun protection, which is great alone for most days, however we would recommend applying an additional sunscreen beneath when your skin is exposed to more intense UV rays.
Alongside this, it also contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize areas of your skin that need it, and liquorice root extract, an ingredient aimed to brighten and freshen up the complexion.
15. Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
Finally, this is the second foundation on this list from Nars, but what can we say? The brand really does know how to master a good face base product.
When it comes to this foundation, as the name suggests, it has a specific focus on taking care of the skin, improving the complexion and skin texture all whilst you wear it.
Essentially, it works like a foundation whilst also correcting your natural skin at the same time.
Its various skincare ingredients, including biomimetic oat, Japanese lilyturf and cacao peptides, help to protect the skin’s moisture levels from environmental aggressors, blue light, antioxidants and many more, as well as boosting hydration and balancing oil levels.
Conclusion
Combination skin can be a tricky type of skin, but with proper care and the right products, it can have an amazing appearance. With today’s market featuring endless foundation options, it is important to find one that works for your unique combination skin type.
We hope this blog has provided you with the knowledge and insight to determine what foundation will work best for your combination skin. From mineral foundations to water-based liquid formulas, there are plenty of promising products to test out and enjoy.
Show off your beautiful face by wearing a foundation that truly caters to your needs and tastes. So now that you know the top foundations for combo skin, what will you try? Comment below!
FAQ
Which foundation type is best for combination skin?
Foundations is made with hydrating formulas and nourishing ingredients that keep combo skin hydrated while controlling excess oil. Powder foundation powder foundation can improve dryness. It offers light coverage giving you matte texture on your skin. Serum Foundation: Serum foundations use liquid foundations that contain the serum. These types of bases are skincare and cosmetic hybrids.
Is matte or dewy better for combination skin?
Most matt foundation has oil-free properties to prevent clogging pores and causing a bigger surface to develop. It is ideal for all skin types including combination skin and acne-prone. Best for avoiding imperfections. Its matte finish lets little reflected light which helps hide breakouts and large, clog pores too.
What to look for in a foundation for combination skin?
Look for foundation that is made with hydrating formulas and nourishing ingredients that keep combo skin hydrated while controlling excess oil.
