Few things in life offer us more delight than a must-have drugstore product, especially if it’s a foundation. As one of the most difficult makeup things to acquire, it’s one thing to find the best drugstore foundation product you like—let alone one that doesn’t break the bank. But there are some fantastic best drugstore foundations out there; you just have to know where to search. A good benchmark, according to makeup artist Jasmin Lo, is anything that “blends effortlessly, looks natural, and wears well throughout the day without seeming heavy.
A few items will depend on whether your skin is oily or dry, but we’ve done the legwork and curated the finest for all complexions, and listed them below for your purchasing convenience.
Top 12 Best drugstore foundations For All Skin Type 2021
Many women are apprehensive to use the best drugstore foundation products. The most vital component of a cosmetic look is, without a doubt, the foundation. It is, without a doubt, the product that has the greatest interaction with your skin. An Improper foundation may have terrible effects on your complexion, causing dryness, breakouts, and caked makeup. However, price does not necessarily equate to quality, and the same is true for the best drugstore foundation. Your local drugstore has a plethora of low-cost foundations that won’t cause breakouts and provide comparable coverage to higher-end brand formulations for much less.
1. Best Overall: L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup
For good reason, this recipe is known as the GOAT. It provides all the best drugstore foundation should without breaking the bank, thanks to its natural satin finish, medium degree of coverage, and relatively affordable price range. It’s also oil and fragrance-free, making it suitable for the majority of sensitive skin types.
2. Best for Dry Skin: L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation SPF 25
It’s difficult to find a long-lasting, full-coverage best drugstore foundation that doesn’t dry out the face, but L’Oreal has done just that. Infallible Fresh Wear lasts all day without causing excessive shine (due to oil-absorbing spheres), doesn’t transfer, and feels light and flexible.
3. Best for Acne: Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup
Foundation is one thing, but the best drugstore foundation for acne-prone skin is quite another. But, happily, Neutrogena has endowed our complexions with this solution that not only conceals but also treats imperfections. It is not only oil-free, but it also includes salicylic acid, aloe vera, and retinyl palmitate.
4. Best for Mature Skin: Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Makeup
Thicker best drugstore foundations can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, but Maybelline’s Age Rewind offers a radiant finish that keeps you looking young all day. Caffeine and goji berries are also used to tighten and level the skin.
5. Best for Dark Skin: Black Opal True Color Mineral Matte Crème Powder Foundation SPF 15
This cream-to-powder composition glides over the skin and gives a wonderful matte finish. It’s silky smooth and surprisingly lightweight. It wears nicely, and the colors were created with people of color in mind, so there are no greyish, ashy undertones. It may be worn alone or as a setting powder for liquid foundation.
6. Best Stick: Iman Cosmetics Second To None Stick Foundation
Because of its great coverage and adaptability, this oil-free stick makes the cut. It may be used as a spot concealer or all over the face for complete but fresh coverage because it is creamy and pigmented. It’s also a big benefit that it won’t leak through our bag.
7. Best for Olive Skin: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation
Maybelline’s Dewy and Smooth rendition of the classic Fit Me scent best drugstore foundation is ideal if you want lightweight, radiant coverage. It’s radiant and fresh, yet not greasy, for a natural, healthy finish. It works best on drier skin types, and the yellow-skewed shade range is ideal for individuals with a warm, olive complexion. “It has a blendable consistency that dissolves into the skin, and the glowy finish ensures it won’t crease or settle,” Lo says of this one.
8. Best drugstore foundation for oily skin: Covergirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All Day Foundation
Do you notice that your skin seems glossy within a few minutes after you apply your best drugstore foundation? You’ll need a matte product with shine control, like Covergirl’s. It’s surprisingly blendable for a full-coverage product, and it appears to dry down beautifully and stick to the skin effectively. The finest thing is that it does not oxidize and is low in grease.
9. Best Cream: Milani Cosmetics Smooth Finish Cream To Powder Foundation
Milani’s Cream-to-Powder recipe is famous for being loaded with antioxidants like green tea, vitamin E, and bamboo extract. The rich product requires some mixing but softens to a beautiful, touchable matte finish—ideal for anybody looking for a long-lasting foundation.
10. Best drugstore foundation for oily skin: Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation
Do you want to go full Kardashian-style glam? This Catrice liquid product applies like a dream and dries to a genuine matte second-skin finish. Because it’s so pigmented, a little goes a long way—try blending it in with your fingertips or a sponge.
11. Best Shade Range: ColourPop Pretty Fresh Foundation
ColorPop’s Pretty Fresh Foundation gets five stars from us since it comes in 42 different tones. It’s loaded with hydration like coconut water and hyaluronic acid, making it ideal if your foundation settles or dries out over the day.
12. Best for Fair Skin: The Ordinary Serum Foundation
Because of its light, radiant finish, and buildable coverage, The Ordinary’s Serum Foundation is a best-seller. A few drops will give you a sheer wash of color, or you may build it up if you wish. Despite its fluid nature, it lacks a glossy or oily finish. While the shade range is relatively broad, the fairer hues, in particular, are variable, making it an excellent choice for lighter skin tones.
Final Words
L’Oréal’s True Match Super-Blendable Makeup is our all-time favorite drugstore foundation. It’s been dubbed the “unicorn of the drugstore aisle” since it works on almost every skin type. It’s a terrific lightweight yet full coverage choice, and we appreciate that it comes in 45 different hues. Maybelline’s Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation is ideal for individuals with dry skin.
It’s radiant and fresh, yet it still looks and feels light on the skin. If you have oily skin, Colourpop’s Pretty Fresh Foundation (see at Colourpop) is a must-have. The light fluid consistency provides excellent coverage, and the soft matte finish keeps shine to a minimum.
What to Look for When Purchasing a Drugstore Foundation
Satin
There are formulations with matte and radiant finishes, but makeup expert Jo Levy recommends sticking with the middle-of-the-road satin finish. She notes that products with a satin finish are the best at replicating genuine skin and are less drying or cakey.
Undertones that are neutral
If you’re having difficulties selecting the correct hue, Levy recommends sticking with colors that state “neutral undertones” on the label—these tend to look best on most skin tones.
Mineral Oil-Free
Levy recommends reading the ingredient list to ensure that the product you choose is devoid of mineral oil, which has a high propensity for clogging pores.
Questions
What is the best way to apply the best drugstore foundation?
Skin prep, according to makeup artist Jasmin Lo, is the first step in applying equal foundation. Ensure that your skin is smooth, and exfoliate if necessary.”Hydrate your skin and apply moisturizer. I don’t usually use primer, but if you have a sparkling t-zone, you might want to try it.
When it comes to application, I prefer a moist beauty blender. I use a stippling motion, repeatedly bouncing the sponge. Begin with a tiny quantity of product, then layer to improve coverage. If you like, you might use a brush or your fingers.”
Do the best drugstore foundations last forever?
Each cosmetic has an expiration date. Once opened, liquid goods normally have a shelf life of up to 24 months, but check the label to be sure. A decent rule of thumb is to throw out anything that has altered aroma, texture, or separation.