Piling on more foundation to “fix” dryness usually makes it worse. Like, way worse. The formula settles into every fine line you were trying to hide, and suddenly your face looks thirstier than it did bare. It’s a whole situation. The fix is mostly about prep, product choice, and a lighter hand. Below, 11 finds that actually play nice with skin that’s been around the block.
1. A Foundation and Concealer in One That Skips the Oil
Clinique Beyond Perfecting Lightweight Liquid Foundation +
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One container, two products. This is technically a concealer and foundation combo, but I would describe it as a foundation, but with more staying power. With an oil-free, more matte finish, and with aloe vera and glycerin, it won't dry out your skin like other foundations do. The shade "custard" looks warm neutral so it fits a lot of fair to light skin tones more than it seems. The coverage of this foundation is surprising, the texture is thin and almost watery, but once set, it resembles skin. I would recommend this foundation to someone who values coverage and comfort. It is everyday appropriate and good enough to apply to blemishes while going sheer on the rest of the face.
2. Refillable Brush That Doubles as Foundation, Powder, and SPF
jane iredale Amazing Base Refillable BrushSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
A brush that works for SPF 20, foundation, concealer, and finishing powder? Yeah… that makes my makeup bag almost empty. The formula consists of loose minerals and has a sheer-to-medium coverage, leaving a finish that isn’t too glittery and isn't too greasy. The coverage also softens redness, blurs pores, and won’t settle into smile lines. These bristles feel like a powder puff that has a handle and are way too soft. It’s refillable which is useful if you reapply makeup during work. The formula is also sensitive skin and acne-prone friendly and won't cause irritation after applying. You can tap, swirl, and go.
3. Pressed Powder With Tapioca and Aloe to Kill Shine
COVERGIRL Clean Fresh Pressed PowderSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Tapioca and aloe vera powder are safe, and instead of trapping oil in a flat chalky finish, they soak it up. The Puff has a foam interior, is fully vegan, and feels a hell of a lot softer than it has any right to. If you're going to be hugging coworkers or leaning over the printer, it matters that the coverage builds without going cakey. The Porcelain shade is neutral, leans fair. No talc, no parabens, no sulfates, and yes,it's leaping bunny certified. It doesn't really act like a drugstore powder, and that's kind of the whole point.
4. Liquid Foundation That Matches Your Undertone for a Disappearing-Act Finish
L’Oréal Paris Makeup True Match Super (1 Count)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Foundation is sold in drugstores and has been on the shelves for decades, which is basically the goal. It is affordable, and it works, and that encourages people to try different shades and undertones without having to see a specialist at a department store. Creamy Natural C3 is warm to neutral undertone. The formula is oil-free and has SPF, which is awesome for everyday use, and the texture is easily adjustable to build coverage at your discretion. You can apply it quickly by rubbing it in with your fingers, but if you want to look a bit more done up, you can use a sponge and then that should be more than enough to give real coverage. What is great about it is that it feels light and doesn't have the heavy mask feeling that other mediums are known to provide.
5. 24-Hour Matte Foundation That Survives Sweat, Heat, and Humidity
Estée Lauder Double Wear StaySee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Thanks to decades of unique advertising, this foundation has developed cult status and yes, it truly does withstand the test of time, humid hour-long commutes and even crying. The foundation's 24-hour slogan is actually one of the most accurate marketing slogans. It also comes with a matte finish which makes you able to build it up to full coverage while also covering imperfections like redness, blemishes, or uneven skin tone without it looking like you are wearing makeup after 8 hours. The formula is also oil free, won't cause acne, and is good for skin that is more normal to oily types. Also, this foundation comes in 55 shades. Including shades that do not get chalky on darker skin. Which is a standard that a lot of makeup brands get wrong. This shade of the foundation, 2C1 Pure Beige, is in the light to medium category and has neutral to cool undertones. It is super easy to apply this foundation too because all you need is to pump it once, blend it and it is done. You can even skip powder if you want!
6. Loose Mineral Powder That Builds From Sheer Veil to Full Coverage
Youngblood Natural Mineral Loose FoundationSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Loose mineral powder is often portrayed as complex and difficult to use but this is not the case. Simply tap some powder into the lid, swirl a brush and get ready to brush the powder on your skin. It is up to you how much coverage you would like to have. On good skin days you may want to go for a sheer look and on other days you may want to go for a fuller coverage look. It has a weightless feeling and you won't be able to notice it once it is on. It is also talc-free, paraben-free, vegan and PETA certified cruelty-free. If you like to look at the ingredient lists those last four are a good reason to read the list. Ivory is the shade. For those who develop a slight pinkish hue to their skin, this Ivory shade is a good choice as it is on the cool end of the spectrum. And yes, it’s non-comedogenic too.
7. Foundation With Invisiblend Tech That Blurs the Line Between Skin and Makeup
COVERGIRL truBlend Liquid Foundation Makeup Classic TanSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
They have twenty one shades which is pretty good for a drugstore foundation. Most of them have 5 shades at most. Classic Tan D4 sits in the warm deep family. The claim here is called Invisiblend Technology, which is a fancier way of saying the formula is thin enough to blend into your actual skin, rather than just sit on top and create a mask. Oil free, and buildable, and when you wear one layer it feels closer to a tinted moisturizer than a full coverage foundation. It's like water on the cheeks. If you want more coverage on a pimple or under eye situation, you can layer it with their Fixstick Concealer. That's what it is.
8. Lightweight Glow Foundation That Blurs Redness Without Going Cakey
Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous FoundationSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Foundations. Most formulas either slide off by lunch or settle into every line I didn't know I had, and I have feelings about it, mostly bad ones. This one acts different. It goes on liquid, and feels super light, almost like a tinted serum. The finish is skin, not makeup, which is the whole point right? Shade 230N is neutral undertones, medium range. It blurs redness, and doesn’t flatten your face. It holds up through humidity (a real test, trust me, I run hot), and feels nice on dry patches. Vegan, cruelty-free, no parabens, and 50 shades total. Honestly, super solid everyday choice.
