Full-coverage foundation can feel like you are wearing a mask, but not the fun Halloween type, more like the type that makes it hard to breathe. That’s the good thing about the beauty world evolving. Skin like skin products are becoming more common like tinted moisturizer, lip & cheek stains , sheer balms, and five other products that don’t clump. I have 37 similar to this and they are perfect in every way. Sorry for the abundance, just scroll.
1. A Full-Face Palette With Two Baked Foundations for Mature Skin
LAURA GELLER Baked Icons Complete Full Face
See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Here’s the thing: most makeup palettes just have you for one shadow. This one has two baked foundations (Balance-n-Brighten for sheer days, Double Take for full coverage), a blush, bronzer, highlighter, and all the eyeshadows. One baked formula is a bit frosted and domed and creamy, not chalky when you swirl your brush across it. Jojoba oil and Vitamin E are amazing for the skin if you don’t like powder. Good for a hot bathroom and a hot Tuesday. Honestly, it replaces around four things I would have tossed in my bag.
2. Gentle Cleansing Wipes for Gym Bags, Glove Compartments, and Carry-Ons
Cetaphil Face and Body Wipes (50 Count)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
When considering all the different components of a gym bag, something that often gets overlooked are the cleansing face wipes. They remove whatever makeup that you may be wearing at the time and don’t even make your face feel a little icy as some wipes tend to do. Since they do not have soap or fragrance, the wipes will be dermatologist tested to make sure that they will not irritate your face if you tend to overreact. In addition to the above benefits, the wipes are contained in a durable pack made of a plastic similar to those used for first aid that allows 50 wipes to be stored and accessed, conveniently providing 100 wipes per purchase. Finally, these wipes are appropriate for use in almost any situation from after a workout to cleaning your face after a long drive or a long work day.
3. Swipe-On Toner That Sweeps Away Oily T-Zone Shine
Clinique Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3 200ml/6.7ozSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Combination-oily skin has its own unique issues. Oil by midday, dry patches that are hard to ignore, and breakouts that appear out of nowhere. This is the toner Clinique made for that specific problem. Salicylic acid does the real work by sweeping dead skin away and unclogging pores so that the rest of your skin care routine can actually work. After cleansing, use a cotton pad to apply the toner to your skin. You may feel a bit of a tingle, which honestly feels good and indicates that the toner is doing its job. The 6.7oz bottle is the larger size, which is important because if you use the toner twice a day, you will go through the smaller bottle very quickly. It’s decades old and still sits in people’s medicine cabinets. There’s a reason for that.
4. An Energizing Face Scrub That Doubles as Pre-Shave Prep
Jack Black Face Buff Energizing ScrubSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Guys either take pre-shave prep seriously or don’t do it at all. This scrub targets the folks who don’t do it at all. Exfoliating microbeads break the barrier of dead skin and grown stubble that transforms an ordinary shave into an angry, bumpy, and red experience. A slight menthol cooling effect is present after the rinse which is strangely motivating at 6am. Paraben free, tested by dermatologists, no artificial dyes. It feels more like a thick paste than a sandy grit, so you don’t have to worry about it feeling like you’re getting sanded. Use it 2-3 times a week and your skin will feel softer, the shaves will be smoother and your ingrown hairs will calm down. Overall, a small and sensible upgrade.
5. Pressed Powder That Blurs Pores Without Settling Into Fine Lines
COVERGIRL truBlend Pressed Blendable PowderSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Translucent powder is something you don’t think about when you need it. Just picture yourself on a Tuesday afternoon with the fluorescent lights… you’re a little too shiny in the T-zone. This powder is super fine and soft. It doesn’t settle into lines and offers a sheer look that feels like a miracle under ten bucks. The mineral formula is also good for sensitive skin so it won’t sting if you recently exfoliated or cried at your desk. It blurs pores, controls oil, and gives a soft brightness without any sparkle. It’s a 3 PM day-saver.
6. Moisturizing Lotion That Strengthens Your Skin Barrier in Two Hours
Clinique 3-Step Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Moisturizers are important for the winter skin creeping. During winter your skin can get tight and sometimes even crack. This is the time to use Clinique’s pink-tinged lotion that is plus version compared to the other Clinique lotions. This version is meant for dry skin or dry combination skin that needs extra moisture. Glycerin pulls moisture in, and urea keeps skin hydrated. Clinique claims that in 2 hours there is a 21% increase in skin barrier strength. Clinique’s lotion has a silky texture that is absorbed quickly by the skin. I appreciate it because I don’t want to wait for the moisturizer to dry. Also, it is fragrance-free and allergy tested. The type of review that is honest and straightforward.
7. Three Cherry-Flavored Lip Balms for Every Coat Pocket You Own
ChapStick Classic Skin Protectant Flavored Lip Balm (Pack of 3)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Cherry ChapStick has become its own personality, and everyone knows the iconic scent. The lip gloss glides on and quickly turns into a protective matte finish and it goes in every coat pocket, purse, and glove compartment. It’s a classic, just like the staples from a drug store. It’s satisfying to know that you can rely on it. To be honest three tubes is about right because one always seems to disappear to the depths of the couch. The formula is also paraben free and non tinted which means it’s perfect to wear on its own on a day when you have just given up. It’s middle school compliant, as it can no longer be seen under lipsticks. The formula is non tinted and lunchbox compliant. As it is also paraben free. It clearly does the job.
8. Vegan B-Complex Capsules That Help Turn Lunch Into Actual Energy
Solgar B-Complex “50”See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Before noon, it can be a bit of a struggle to even feel human and B vitamins are super helpful to accomplish this. This vitamin includes the complete lineup of B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, plus folic acid, and biotin. Its veggie capsules also mean you won’t get that awful vitamin taste stuck in your mouth. Also, with 100 servings per bottle, you’ll probably forget you bought it before you actually run out. Solgar has been in the vitamin business since 1947 and has been perfecting their craft. It’s also free of gluten, wheat, dairy, soy, yeast, and sugar and since it’s a vitamin, it’s kosher and vegan. The folic acid and B12 work on lowering levels of homocysteine, which is important for the health of your heart. Not the most exciting product but it is genuinely useful.
9. Glycerin-Rich Cleansing Bar That Skips the Harsh Detergents and Dyes
Neutrogena Original Amber Bar Facial Cleansing BarSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
There is something charming about the amber soap. From the first time I saw it I thought it looked like a little jewel. It is also made with glycerin which does not dry out your skin like other soaps do. Other soaps leave my skin feeling super dry and tight like crepe paper. This soap has a really light lather, and it does not leave the weird film residue that other bars leave (you know the ones). If you have ever washed your hands and felt that awful tightness, it won’t happen with this soap. Glycerin actually pulls moisture toward your skin instead of moisture which is even better! It is dermatologist recommended and is safe for daily use. To sum it all up it is good and I stand by that.
10. Fruity Amber Perfume With Mango, Rose, and Rock-n-Roll Edge
Ed Hardy Perfume for WomenSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Tropical mango on top, rose in the middle, and warm amber at the base? It’s a lot. On purpose. Ed Hardy doesn’t do quiet, and this one dives headfirst into the tattoo parlor and fruit stand mingling. The mango note is juicy enough without being full body spray and the amber base keeps it from being too childish after an hour on skin. Kind of like your favorite cocktail if it wore eyeliner. The 3.4 oz bottle is generous which is good because you’ll want to spray this a lot, definitely not a soft two-pump situation. Made in the USA if that matters. Best for people who are okay being noticed in an elevator.
11. Alcohol-Free Acne Pads With the Strongest Salicylic Acid You Can Buy
Stridex Medicated Acne Pads (55 Count)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The most concentration salicylic acid that the FDA allows to be sold without prescription is 2%, and that’s the whole point. These pads deliver the active ingredient without alcohol, so there’s no sting, redness, or tightening of the face like older acne treatment products have built their reputation on. The pads also have an interesting texture. One side is designed to be a little scrubby so you can use it on your T-zone if it needs a bit of exfoliation, and the other side is smooth so you can use that on the, uh, more sensitive, parts of your face. Start with one swipe a day and increase to three when you feel comfortable. They unclog pores, dissolve oil, calm existing blemishes, and prevent new ones from forming. Each pack contains 55 pads with 2 in each pack. Simple enough.
12. An All-in-One Face Palette With Baked Powders Made for Mature Skin
LAURA GELLER Baked Icons Complete Full FaceSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
This set includes an entire makeup routine in one small package. There are two baked foundation powders, one for light to medium skin tones and one for medium to full skin tones. Then, there’s a bronzer, blush, highlighter, and an eyeshadow. Everything you need to do your entire makeup routine, except your makeup bag. And, if you’ve ever tried to do a full makeup look in an airplane bathroom, you’ll understand how important that is. The real highlight of this set is the baked powders. They are creamier than other similarly formulated powders, and don’t settle into fine lines, making them as good for older skin as they are for everyone else. This palette is perfectly sized to be slipped into a small purse for a night out, and while the shade range is slightly on the warmer side, it contains nothing that is trendy or flashy, making it extremely versatile.
13. Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner That Doubles as Aftershave
THAYERS AlcoholSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Witch hazel toners have a lot to live down. Old versions at our local drugstores left us raw, tight, and even angry at times. This one, however, doesn’t use alcohol and substitutes aloe vera and glycerin instead. Their witch hazel comes from a family farm in Connecticut (I know, very specific but matter because they distill with water and not alcohol). It feels cool and slightly floral on a cotton round like a damp rose garden. It really does shrink the appearance of pores. It also works as an aftershave, which is a nice bonus if you share a bathroom. Eight bottles sell every minute, for what it’s worth.
14. Provitamin B5 Cream in a Blue Tin That Moisturizes Face, Body, and Hands
NIVEA Creme Body, FaceSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Since 1911, the blue tin has been on the bathroom shelf. Not every drugstore staple can say that. The formula starts off feeling a bit waxy and rich, but warms to the skin and almost becomes liquid when rubbed in the hands. As for the nourishing aspect, that comes from provitamin B5 (also known as panthenol), which will be especially helpful for those rough patches you forget about in the winter like your elbows, the knuckles, and the back of your heels. One tin is designed to handle your face, hands, and body, which is great if you want to stop pretending to have a skincare routine. It works, and with a faintly powdery smell, you can be sure that 13.5 ounces will last longer than your gym membership.
15. Lightweight Foundation That Lets Your Skin Actually Breathe
COVERGIRL Clean Makeup Foundation Normal Skin IvorySee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Drugstore foundations tend to overdo themselves in marketing. That is not the case for Ivory 105. It offers a lightweight formula with slight dewiness that is a so thin in consitency that it can be applied with your fingers if you find using a sponge too much of a bother. It also avoids that cakey look on your skin that often occurs after hours of wear. The coverage is light to medium which allows for some freckles to remain visible. It just looks natural with no fake airbrushing. You can set it with the matching Clean Normal Powder if you want to avoid looking shiny. It doesn’t really require much maintenance. This foundation isn’t a game changer or a miracle product. It’s just a dependable foundation for under ten dollars that isn’t cheap.
16. Classic Drugstore Hydrating Fluid That Soaks In Without the Grease
Olay Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid (Pack of 1)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Beauty fluid is a lightweight lotion in a fancy bottle that sounds better than it is. It looks like a lotion that might sit on your mom’s dresser. The good thing about beauty fluid is it absorbs quickly, and doesn’t pit makeup against it. Most lotions with glycerin can feel very slippy and coating, but this one pulls moisture into the skin without that silicone coating. The scent is very light and powdery, which gives it an old-school vibe. It has lasted this long for a reason. Even after trying the overpriced lotions, sometimes, the beauty fluid is the answer.
17. Pressed Powder That Blurs Pores Without Looking Like Makeup
Covergirl Trublend Pressed Powder (Pack of 1)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Translucent powders can easily go chalky on medium skin tones and settle into pores like an unwanted dusting of flour. This one doesn’t, mainly because the pigment is sheer enough to disappear but also tinted enough to actually match your skin. Gliding on silky, this powder sets the T-zone without that tight feeling, and it keeps your shine in check all through an 8 hour work day at a paper company. Pores and fine lines look softer and less noticeable. Your skin will look fabulous and you’ll be in disbelief that you just spent drug store prices because the formula is that good. It will keep you looking fresh way more than the makeup pretending to be skin. It’s lightweight, and the compact is slim enough to fit in your desk drawer next to the stapler so you can store it out of the way and forget about it. That’s exactly what you’d expect from a product like this.
18. Breathable Foundation in a Tan Shade That Looks Convincingly Like Skin
COVERGIRL Clean Makeup Foundation Classic Tan 160See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
So, this is the foundation my mom used and honestly, there’s something kinda nice about that. Classic Tan 160 leans warm without going orange, which is surprisingly difficult to find at the drugstore. The formula stays breathable, so it won’t settle into that weird mask situation by 3 p.m. when you’re just trying to push through the workday. It feels light on the skin, almost like nothing. Coverage is on the sheer-to-medium side so freckles still peek through, which I personally consider a plus. Pair it with the Clean Normal Powder for a little more staying power. Otherwise, it just sorta blends in. In a good way.
19. Sheer Classic Beige Foundation That Looks Like Better Skin
COVERGIRL Clean Makeup Foundation Classic Beige 130See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Classic Beige 130 is one of the foundations that you see at CVS all the time and it is there for a reason. This product feels super light and is almost like a tinted moisturizer. This product also does not sink into your pores and does not get all cakey around 3 p.m, which is the whole reason for this foundation. It has a natural finish and is not too matte or too dewy. It is great for warm undertones and is usually around $8. It is not pretending to be a luxury foundation, it is just a normal foundation. It is super reliable and breathable.
20. Mineral Pressed Powder in Honey That Brightens Without Caking
Covergirl TruBlend Pressed Blendable PowderSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Finding a good shade of honey at the drugstore can be quite the challenge. It can be too orange, too dark or just look too obvious. Thankfully, this shade is closer to its actual name. It has a warm undertone that does not create a weird sitting effect on top of foundations. The pressed powder feels softly cushiony when you press the sponge into it, and it picks up cleanly without creating that dusty cloud situation. The mineral pigments brighten a bit so the under-eye area won’t look flat after you set it. It also doesn’t clog your pores which is nice if you’re layering it on top of SPF and concealer. Honestly, this compact is great. It’s nothing too flashy but it gives a skin-like finish that is just a touch more polished than your actual skin.
21. An Exfoliating Gel Cleanser That Lathers and Polishes Away Dullness
Olay Regenerist Detoxifying Pore Scrub Facial CleanserSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Looking for aggressive cleansers can feel like a hassle. However, this one is gentle. The gel lathers into a soft, whipped foam and the smaller scrub particles mean that your face won’t feel like sandpaper. It’s indicated for normal to oily skin, so it might be good for you if you notice your T-zone getting shiny by 2 p.m. The exfoliating surface cell method is used to get rid of dead skin. The result is smaller pores and brighter skin. And since it’s a drugstore product, you can feel good about the price.
22. Day Cream With SPF 15 That Firms While It Hydrates
Lancôme Rénergie Lift MultiSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Most day creams with SPF are either thick and greasy, or chalky and dry. This cream is neither. The texture is smooth and somewhat slippery in a good way. It absorbs quickly, making application of foundation easy and avoiding makeup build-up. Vitamin E is the active antioxidant, and SPF 15 is good enough for incidental sun exposure, like walking to your car or sitting near a window. Lancôme promotes this product for firming and lifting, but those from promise from a moisturizer. Hydration (and 24 hour moisture), is the part of the promise you will actually experience. Apparently, it also works on sensitive skin, which surprised me.
23. Lightweight Peptide Serum That Firms Without the Heavy Feel
Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting SerumSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Most peptide serums feel super thick or too thin, but this one manages to do really well in the middle. It feels super creamy in the bottle and feels like a thin lotion, but then disappears into your skin, which is awesome. Amino Peptide Complex II is the note worthy active ingredient that’s doing the firming. It’s fragrance free so no weird smells around the eyes. I personally use it on my face and neck, morning and night. It even goes under sunscreen without pilling, I know that’s boring but if you’ve had a serum pill under your makeup then you get what I mean.
24. Soap-Free Foaming Cleanser With Lavender That Won’t Strip Skin
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel GentleSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Foaming cleanser that doesn’t contain soap is practically a mythical creature. Most foaming cleansers leave my skin feeling tight as if it has shrunk two sizes. This one is different. It has a light whipped consistency that rinses off nicely without that tight feeling afterward. Lavender and balm mint help your skin feel good, while citric acid (a mild AHA) helps slough off dead skin cells and explains why my skin tone looks a little more even. The herbal scent is not perfumed which I appreciate; I use it morning and night. At 16.9 ounces the bottle lasts a long time, which is good because my budget thanks me.
25. Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer Built for Dry, Depleted Skin Days
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance (1.7 Fl Oz)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
When skin feels tight even after putting lotion on, it’s dry and depleted and needs more than a basic lotion. This one has a lipid-rich formula to rebuild skin’s barrier. It hydrates skin’s surface with hyaluronic acid and fights free radicals with antioxidants. It also helps the microbiome, which most drugstore moisturizers ignore. The consistency is between a cream and a balm. It’s rich, but not greasy. It absorbs in one to two minutes and makes skin feel cushioned instead of feeling like there’s a layer of stuff on top of it. This is the part where I admit I always forget how nice a real barrier cream feels until I use one. It was a good reminder. I’m sure it will be nice in winter too.
26. Breathable Foundation That Looks Like Skin, Not Makeup
COVERGIRL Clean Makeup Foundation Tawny 165See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Drugstore foundations usually don’t get great reviews, but this one has been around for a really long time, which is a good thing! The shade Tawny 165 has a warm undertone that isn’t orange, which is great if you’ve tested a darker drugstore shade and the result was an awful fluorescent lighting transformation. The feeling of this foundation is really light compared to others, and it feels more like a tinted moisturizer than a full coverage foundation. Water based foundations usually don’t settle into your fine lines, and this one is no exception! It won’t settle into the lines around your nose even after four hours. If your T-zone gets oily, you should get the matching pressed powder. For less than $15 you get a simple, everyday natural foundation that doesn’t have a bunch of crazy ingredients, and is really just a reliable foundation.
27. Mineral Pressed Powder That Sets Makeup Without Clogging Pores
Covergirl TruBlend Pressed Blendable PowderSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Pressed powders can go one of two ways: cakey and obvious, or so sheer they basically do nothing. This one lands in the middle, which is honestly where I want to live, makeup-wise. The mineral formula has skin-brightening pigments, so it does a little bit of work beyond just mattifying, and it won’t clog pores, which matters if you, like me, get a forehead situation by 3 p.m. The finish is soft. Almost powdery-velvet, if that’s a thing. Translucent Sable is on the deeper end of the shade range and reads natural rather than dusty. Toss it in your bag for desk-drawer touch-ups. It’s under ten dollars. Sometimes the drugstore aisle just gets it right.
28. Classic Barbershop Powder That Soothes Post-Shave Irritation and Redness
Clubman Pinaud Finest PowderSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Most people are unprepared for the irritation that comes after shaving. As a result, people end up with a sore, blotchy neck. Luckily, there are products out there that help. This classic formula avoids talc and uses cornstarch as well as zinc and kaolin to calm the red patches that come up after someone has gotten a fade or shave. It dusts on silky, almost weightless with that traditional Clubman scent (clean, a little powdery, vaguely reminiscent of your grandfather’s bathroom shelf, in a good way). Also vegan friendly, which feels like a small win for something this classic. Good post shower too, especially in the summer when everything sticks.
29. Plum-Toned Blush That Stays Put for Hours
CoverGirl Cheekers Blush (Pack of 3)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Plum blush sounds scary, but True Plum 185 looks more like a cheek flush than anything dramatic, which is kind of the point. The powder is super lightweight and blends out easily with a fluffy brush in about 2 seconds – no patchy edges or clown stripe situations! The finish gives a natural look to your cheeks like they did it on their own. A three pack seems excessive, but think about how fast daily blush disappears. It’s dermatologically tested which is a plus for cheeks that react to anything with a scent. The little compacts are super handy cause they fit in basically any bag!
30. Translucent Tawny Powder With Brightening Pigments and a Natural Finish
Covergirl TruBlend Pressed Blendable PowderSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
You could even find it at a drugstore for around $3, and it somehow still manages to do its job well. The selling point is the finish: a mineral pressed powder with skin-brightening pigments, so it sets makeup without that flat chalky cast most powders leave behind and without a gross under-eye look by 3 PM. Translucent Tawny works on deeper skin tones without looking ashy. This powder also doesn’t clog your pores so it’s good to apply on top of sunscreen and moisturizer and whatever else many products you have on. The finish is super smooth and the brush feels silky. You don’t have to worry about animal testing either. It’s a sleeper pick for sure. It doesn’t have the most glam packaging, and it didn’t go viral on TikTok, but it’s just a small, dependable compact that’s perfect for your everyday bag.
31. Ceramide-Rich Night Cream That Tackles Fine Lines and Crepey Skin
Epionce Intensive Nourishing Cream – Rich AntiSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
This cream was created by dermatologist Dr. Carl Thornfeldt, which means it is serious. It’s meant for skin that has graduated beyond the lightweight-lotion phase. It has a thick, non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly so you can layer it under SPF without issues. Ceramides in the formula do the barrier-repair work, while squalene does the soft-not-tight finish, and glycerin pulls in moisture. Purposefully designed to target and treat fine lines, crepiness, and dullness across the face, neck, and (most moisturizers ignore this area) décolletage, it can be used once to three times daily. It’s fragrance-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic. This will be your go-to for February when your skin is staging a small rebellion against the radiator.
32. Full-Face Palette With Two Baked Foundations Made for Mature Skin
LAURA GELLER Baked Icons Complete Full FaceSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
One palette, complete look. That’s the pitch, and it actually holds up. The two baked foundations do the heavy lifting: Balance-n-Brighten for sheer days, Double Take when you want actual coverage. Both feel creamy in a way pressed powders usually don’t. Almost whipped with Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E that softens the formula so it doesn’t settle into fine lines (a real concern, speaking from experience). The baked texture blush, bronzer and highlighter, and eyeshadow colors layer instead of caking. It replaces about four products in your travel bag, which if you’ve ever wrestled a quart size Ziploc at security, you can appreciate. Thoughtful for mature skin.
33. A Designer Cologne for Men That Works for Any Gift Occasion
Blue Jeans By Gianni Versace For MenSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The blue denim bottle has a gold cap and looks like the type of thing that would have sat on a cool older brother’s dresser in 1995. The scent is a little on the woody side and has a sharper end. Dry down consists mostly of tobacco and musk. There’s a citrus blast at the opening which smells a bit like soap, but as it settles it becomes warmer and more grown-up. This fragrance is indeed nostalgic, but it still does the job. The bottle, at 2.5 ounces, is quite generous, and the price is definitely lower than what you would find at a department store for something similar. This fragrance makes for a safe gift that is certainly not boring for the man who has not updated his cologne selection since college. This would also be fitting for the man whose selection is also updated but still circles back to the same fragrances.
34. Pressed Powder That Blurs Pores and Keeps Shine in Check
Covergirl Trublend Pressed Powder (Pack of 1)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Let’s go with the drugstore pressed powder. I know it’s not the most exciting product, but it does have its perks. This translucent fair powder is sheer enough not to leave a white cast. It just sort of mattes things down without making you look like a donut. It leaves a nice matte finish and it actually controls oil, I checked my face at 3 pm and it was still clear. This powder also minimizes the look of pores. The packaging is also super slim and it has a little mirror that surprisingly comes in handy a lot more than you would think. Considering the price is around a latte, it definitely deserves a spot in the collection.
35. An Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer That Strengthens Your Skin Barrier in 2 Hours
Clinique 3-Step Dramatically Different Moisturizing GelSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Having combination skin is especially extra annoying in summer. Using too much cream makes you shine like a lightbulb at noon, but not enough makes your face feel like it’s going to crack. This gel is the best compromise. It is oil-free and absorbs quickly so it won’t feel heavy at 3pm when you are sweating and you don’t want to feel your moisturizer. This gel has hyaluronic acid and NMF, two ingredients that help keep water in the skin and keep the top layer of skin healthy and intact. Clinique claims that the strength of the skin barrier increases 17% in two hours. It is fragrance free and allergy tested and dermatologist developed so all of the boring stuff that makes it good. It really just does what you want it to do and disappears and that’s exactly what most people want.
36. Breathable Foundation That Looks Like Skin, Just Better
COVERGIRL Clean Normal Skin Foundation (Packaging May (Pack of 1)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Do you want to have an easy foundation that will not sit on your skin and feel like a mask? Well, if that is your target, then this foundation will tick all your boxes. It even feels like a moisturiser instead of a foundation. It blends so well into the skin to the point that it looks like you don’t have any foundation on. For warm leaning light to medium skin tones, Buff Beige is a good match, and the range offers shades from light to deep if Buff is not your match. Use it with the corresponding pressed powder for extra stay, or you don’t have to, i mean, it’s a Tuesday, this is a “swipe and run” foundation for sure.
37. Lightweight Water-Based Foundation That Skips the Cakey, Masky Look
COVERGIRL Clean Normal Skin Foundation,1 Count(Pack ofSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Unlike other drugstore foundations, this product doesn’t claim to be a serum, a skin-tint, or any other gimmick. Instead, it’s water-based like most other foundations, which is good news if you have ever panicked about a heavy foundation settling into your skin by midday. It offers sheer to medium coverage, which is perfect if you still want your freckles to show through. Of course it still looks like skin! It is also dermatologist tested and non-acnegenic which is a plus for anyone who has skin that tends to break out. The foundation goes on feelign cool and slightly wet but dries down to a soft natural finish. There aren’t any dramatic or bold claims here. Just a simple foundation that provides a clean and natural look.
