Best Foundations for Each Skin Type (Oily/Combination/Dry/Normal)

Finding the right foundation for your skin can be quite the hassle, and the fact that you need to consider the right foundation formula for your skin type as well as your skin shade only makes the task that much harder. If you are still struggling to find the perfect foundation for your skin type, fear not! Here is a complete guide to discover the perfect foundation for your skin and to discover what skin type you have.

What skin type do I have?

If you don’t know what skin type you have, here are a few ways to identify each skin type. If your skin has characteristics that match one of these categories, it is very likely that you fall under that category!

Credit: Skinive

  1. Oily

    • enlarged pores

    • thick complexion

    • shine on all areas of your face

    • blackheads, pimples, or other blemishes

  2. Combination

    • oily patches, especially in the T-zone

    • normal skin for the rest of the face

    • enlarged pores in some areas

    • shiny skin

  3. Dry

    • less elasticity in skin

    • dull or rough complexion

    • more visible lines

    • flakiness or redness in some areas

  4. Normal

    • no or few imperfections

    • barely visible pores

    • less prone to sensitivity or blemishes

    • neither too oily nor too dry

Now that we’ve established what skin type you are, here are our top recommendations for each skin type!

Best Foundations for Oily Skin

For a full-coverage glam makeup look, Make Up For Ever has got you covered. With its velvety waterproof formula, your oil will be held at bay and your pores will be covered away. The best part is that although it’s meant for full-coverage looks, you can customize it to be lighter coverage as well.

For those that struggle with acne, this is the foundation for you. This lightweight foundation is breathable on your easily-irritated acne prone skin and contains salicylic acid to tackle those pesky breakouts. It contains even more amazing ingredients like aloe vera gel to help calm redness and soothe skin and proprietary oxygen complex to help heal scarring.

Here we have a celebrity makeup artist favorite, well-known for its “Forever formula” that never budges. With this foundation, your skin will feel hydrated and healthy all the while maintaining flawless matte base all day long.

Best Foundations for Combination Skin

This medium coverage foundation combines skincare with makeup to create the perfect glowy finish. This foundation will hydrate, prevent shine, and smooth the skin, all the while maintaining a breathable and non-cakey consistency.

For combination skin, soft matte coverage is the way to go, and Fenty Beauty has definitely got you covered. This foundation is a Best of Beauty Award-winning product that gives you the best of both worlds: a glowy yet slightly matte finish that will keep your oily spots at bay.

This iconic foundation is known for the silky finish it’ll give your skin. With 40 shades and an easily buildable coverage, this foundation will make your complexion look absolutely flawless.

For those that prefer a more lightweight base routine, Ilia’s True Skin Serum Foundation will not disappoint. This foundation not only provides a silky breathable finish, but also contains niacinamide and allantoin to soothe your skin with each wear.

Best Foundations for Dry Skin

At such an affordable price, L’Oreal certainly does not disappoint with this newly formulated moderate-coverage foundation. This product contains panthenol, glycerin, and vitamin E, all of will keep your skin hydrated the entire day.

As we mature, our skin tends to mature along with it, becoming drier over time. For those with mature skin and want a foundation to smooths and evens out the skin without settling into fine lines and wrinkles, Pat McGrath is the way to go. This foundation is both hydrating and firming, containing vitamins to keep your skin as youthful as possible.

Though it’s named a CC cream, this product will give you a flawless and hydrating base just like any other foundation. This CC cream has a buildable coverage, so you can go as full-coverage as you want, and it blur your skin for a flawless finish.

Best Foundations for Normal Skin

For the lucky people with normal skin types, you are in luck because almost any highly-ranked foundation will help you achieve a beautiful base. It is up to you whether you want to go glowy or matte, so choose according to your own makeup preferences!

So, has this guide helped you find a foundation that could be your holy grail? If so, visit barbiepatel.com for more tips and advice on all things fashion and beauty.

Jacqueline Liu