10 Best Drugstore Foundations For Combination Skin, As Per A Makeup Expert
Prepare your skin up for perfection with these non-greasy, lightweight formulations.
Lorrie Pearson is a professional makeup artist who has been creating her signature natural makeup looks for 20+ years. She began her career working behind the cosmetics counter that helped her strengthen her skills in application. Ms. Pearson received her esthetics license from the Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics where she taught skincare and makeup.
Read full bio of Lorrie Pearson
Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.
Read full bio of Srijita De
Experience: 3 yearsRajeshwari is a dedicated fitness and lifestyle enthusiast, deeply committed to enhancing our readers’ well-being and vitality. She has a master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Calcutta.
Read full bio of Rajeshwari Das
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It is indeed quite a challenge to find the perfect foundation for combination skin. If you haven’t yet, you should look for the best drugstore foundation for combination skin because you may be missing out on many gems stacked on the shelves. As combination skin involves an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and normal to dry cheeks, you need to find a product that’s designed to suit this skin type.
The cosmetics world today is tuned to understand your necessities and has innumerable choices of great drugstore foundations for combination skin type. From a natural or dewy finish to full or medium coverage, they come equipped to give you the perfect finish, a non-greasy experience, and durability. Amidst all the options, it may get a little tricky to pick the best one. We feel you and that’s why we have got you a list of the top 10 drugstore foundations formulated for combination skin. These foundations have garnered positive reviews from customers on various forums, thanks to their use of high-quality ingredients and their ability to provide exceptional coverage to the skin. Scroll down to check them out.
In This Article
10 Best Drugstore Foundations For Combination Skin
1. Best Lightweight:REVLON ColorStay Makeup Foundation – 200 | Nude
It’s quite difficult to find a long-wearing foundation for combination skin, isn’t it? To solve that problem, this drugstore foundation formula with an intense staying power for up to 24 hours, settles with a mattifying effect without making your skin feel greasy. This foundation from a celebrity-endorsed brand has almost 15000 reviews on Amazon and it imparts a sheer matte finish. With an oil-free formula, you will experience comfortable wear with medium to full buildable coverage. The shade of this foundation, 200 Nude, is suitable for medium skin tones and for those with a tan with warm olive or golden undertones. The formula is infused with the nourishing goodness of mallow extract, lily bulb extract, and grandiflorum flower extract among others for a healthy glow. Take a look at this video detailing a tester’s experience with this foundation to learn more about it.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Controls shine
- Value for money
- SPF 15 sun protection
- Available in 43 shades
Cons
- It contains paraben
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 16,911 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
2. Best Waterproof:NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation – Warm Vanilla
If you have a light skin tone with golden undertones, the Warm Vanilla shade of this cult-favorite drugstore foundation is what your combination skin needs. While minimizing T-zone oiliness and controlling excess sebum and shine, the creamy liquid foundation offers silky smooth application, seamless blending, full coverage, and a matte finish, allowing your skin to feel comfortable and non-greasy throughout the day. Other than giving you a flawless complexion and smooth skin, this cruelty-free formula also stays true to color for up to 24 hours and is transfer-resistant. Although formulated for combination skin types it is also suitable for oily, normal, and sensitive skin types too. Check out this video to explore a reviewer’s experience with this foundation to understand its pros and cons.
Pros
- Vegan
- Long-lasting wear
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
- Richly pigmented
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Some users felt that the foundation appeared chalky after long hours of wear
Pro Tip3. Best Luminous Finish:CLINIQUE Even Better Makeup Foundation – Neutral
The CLINIQUE Even Better Makeup Foundation improves your skin’s health with every wear. With a creamy texture, this expertly crafted foundation helps even out skin tone and lends a natural finish with moderate to buildable coverage. Because of its natural skin look, the product has no less than 5,796 rave reviews on Amazon. The cream foundation boasts SPF 15 which protects the skin against sun damage. This super-blendable formula smooths skin and hydrates dry areas while reducing dark spots, discoloration, acne, and age spots in just 12 weeks. Infused with grapefruit peel extract, murumuru seed butter, and birch bark extract, your skin will receive antioxidant and moisturizing benefits for 24 hours. This foundation is also allergy-tested, so it will not irritate your skin or cause redness. To understand the nuances of the product in detail, you can check out this review.
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Stay-true color
- Luminous finish
- Lightweight formula
- SPF protection
- Humidity and sweat-resistant
Cons
- Some may find it slightly greasy
Quick tipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
With 5,849 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
REVLON ColorStay Makeup Foundation - 200 | Nude Best Lightweight | NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation - Warm Vanilla Best Waterproof | CLINIQUE Even Better Makeup Foundation - Neutral Best Luminous Finish | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Type | CombinationColor | All | Combination; Dry; Oily |
| Dimensions | 1.25 x 1.25 x 4.13 inches | 1.21 x 1.21 x 4.6 inches | 1.4 x 1 x 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 3.7 Ounces | 3.84 Ounces | 1 Ounces |
| Color | - | 06.3 WARM VANILLA | Neutral |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 16,911 | 12,667 | 5,849 |
| Price | $10.19 | $14.09 | $28.36 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
4. Best Travel-Friendly:Maybelline Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation – 10 | Porcelain Ivory
A unique gel-whipped formula by Maybelline, this foundation keeps your skin hydrated for 12 hours. The velvety-soft foundation glides smoothly onto your skin to reveal a soft-matte finish that will leave you with a brighter complexion. A gel-whipped foundation infused with a high percentage of water, this drugstore foundation formula provides medium to full coverage. If you want minimal or sheer coverage, applying the product on damp skin will get you the results you desire. It even has 2,299 Amazon reviews as it offers a wide range of shades that match every skin tone.
Pros
- Non-drying
- Lightweight
- Travel-friendly
- Hydrating
Cons
- It does not offer sun protection
Remember5. Best Breathable:Frankie Rose Cosmetics Matte Perfection Foundation – Olive
If you want to mask the appearance of mature skin, breakouts, dark spots, and blemishes instantly, this lightweight Frankie Rose Cosmetics Matte Perfection Foundation will come to your rescue. It instantly coverups dark spots and offers full coverage, you can also expect an even skin tone and spotless complexion all day long. Its silky texture glides smoothly and blends seamlessly onto your skin, giving you a matte finish and dewy glow. And if you have an olive skin tone with cool yellow undertones, this long-wearing shade is meant for you as it offers a natural look. There are 1,078 rave Amazon reviews for this foundation that talk about its perfect and long-lasting finish. The hypoallergenic foundation is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and combination skin, making it a must in your foundation collection.
Pros
- Breathable
- Gluten-free
- Easy to blend and layer
- Blurs imperfections
- Non-comedogenic
- Hydrating formula
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- Slightly expensive
6. Best Long-Wearing:Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation – Beige
Have you ever tried a foundation with healing properties? Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation is an expert-recommended product that protects and soothes your skin while offering buildable coverage. Its aloe vera base makes it a unique foundation that improves skin health while eliminating dead skin cells. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and combination skin, this antibacterial formula helps your skin breathe and promotes elastin and collagen-building peptides. Its oil-absorbing properties also make the foundation suitable for oily and dry areas. You will be able to blur dark spots and blemishes with this foundation that offers a sheer finish. It is water-resistant and non-transferable. What’s more? It is certified vegan and free of animal testing.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Long-wearing
- Paraben-free
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
7. Best Hydrating: e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation
The e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation is a lightweight and hydrating liquid foundation that naturally blends into the skin to improve uneven skin tone and texture. The shade sand is a light-medium color with neutral undertones that provides medium-to-full coverage and weightless, all-day wear. The formula is oil-free and enriched with glycerin to soften and hydrate the skin, leaving a semi-matte satin finish. This medium-coverage foundation can be mixed with a moisturizer or lotion for better coverage or glow.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Hydrating formula
- Smoothes skin texture
- Provides a satin finish
- Suitable for all skin types
- 100% cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
- Shade range may not be suitable for all skin tones
8. Best Long Lasting: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
The Estee Lauder double wear stay-in-place makeup is a natural, matte foundation that lasts for 24 hours. This award-winning foundation has a cool, rosy undertone the shade of 3C2 Pebble, which is perfect for those looking for a lightweight, long-wearing foundation that stays color-true and does not require touch-ups. The 1 oz liquid formula is oil-free and oil-controlling, making it waterproof, transfer-resistant, and perfect for humid weather.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Flawless coverage
- No touch-ups needed
- Lightweight
- Comfortable to wear
- Unifies uneven skin tone
Cons
- May not be suitable for extremely dry skin as the formula is oil-free and matte
9. Best Sweat-Proof:UCANBE Matte Pro Longwear Foundation – U06 | Deep Tan
If you are looking for a super lightweight foundation, it’s time to end your search and try the UCANBE Matte Pro Longwear Liquid Foundation. With weightless texture, this full-coverage foundation feels like second skin. Many reviewers agree that this smooth formula easily glides onto your skin and conceals wrinkles, pores, scars, and dark spots. Formulated with skin-fusion technology, this foundation is breathable, comfortable and does not cake or feel heavy even after wearing it for 24 hours.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Non-cakey
- Transfer-resistant
- Offers matte finish
- Sweat-proof formula
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- May not be suitable for extremely sensitive skin
10. Best Oil-Free:Lumene Matt Oil-Control Foundation – 0 | Light Ivory
Does your skin feel greasy after a few hours of applying foundation? If yes, you might want to consider an oil-free product like the Lumene Matte Oil-Control Foundation. It helps absorb excess oils from the skin to keep it shine-free all day, giving you full coverage and a matte finish. As the formula is infused with ultra-fine powdery pigments and mattifying agents, you can expect an oil-free and non-greasy look. And if you are wondering that this will cause dryness, this foundation is also formulated with hydrating Arctic spring water and skin balancing Arctic meadowsweet. They keep the skin intensely hydrated nourished and healthy, making this drugstore product ideal for combination and oily skin.
Pros
- Vegan
- Blends well
- Long-wearing
- Lightweight and oil-free formula
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- It might not be transfer-proof
Feeling confused? Go through our buying guide that will help you to choose the right foundation for combination skin.
How To Choose The Best Foundation For Combination Skin
- Oil-free
While choosing a foundation for combination skin, pick oil-free ones. These products help to absorb excess oils from your skin and keep it shine-free and non-greasy.
- Finish
With combination skin, you have the option to choose the finish. If your skin has more oily areas than dry spots, you should opt for a matte or semi-matte finish. And if it’s the opposite, you might like a shiny or glowy-finish foundation.
- Sunscreen
Try to find foundations with SPF as it will avoid an extra layer of product. This way your overall makeup will not feel heavy.
- Skin tone
Understanding your skin tone is really essential with any foundation. If the shade does not coordinate with your undertones, discoloration and uneven skin tone will take place. So, if you have a cool undertone, go for foundations with a tinge of pink, people with warm skin tones should opt for golden or yellow tint, and those who have neutral undertones should go with the combination of the two undertones.
- Texture
Pick a foundation that does not feel heavy on your skin and gives you the right coverage. The light texture product is comfortable wear for combination skin types and keeps your skin away from feeling greasy.
Infographic: How To Apply Foundation Seamlessly To Combination Skin
Combination skin demands a tailored approach when it comes to skin care and makeup. Achieving a natural-looking foundation base can be tricky for this skin type. You need to master the right technique to impart glow to your drier areas without making the oilier T-zone appear ultra shiny. Check out the infographic below to know more about the tips and tricks to ace the art of foundation application on combination skin.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
A good foundation can enhance your makeup looks, make your skin appear flawless, and impart a statement-making glow. Unlike normal skin, combination skin needs special products that balance the oiliness of your T-zone and normal skin without making you look greasy. These drugstore foundations are expertly crafted particularly for combination skin. They control excess shine from the T-zones, provide a smooth application, and make you look bright. The REVLON ColorStay Foundation in Nude is a classic and versatile option for those with medium skin tone, while the Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation in Beige is suitable for all oily and dry areas. The e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation offers both coverage and hydration, making it a popular choice for those looking to improve their skin’s appearance. These water-resistant, long-lasting, and lightweight foundations provide buildable coverage by hiding out blemishes and spots. All these are on a budget. Remember to read the reviews to understand which foundation will suit your needs the most and buy accordingly. Additionally, do not forget to conduct a patch test with the foundation that you have chosen to check for allergic reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which foundation brand is the best for combination skin?
Frankie Rose cosmetics is the best foundation brand for combination skin. Its foundations have a silky texture that offers full coverage to the skin. In addition, they contain hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic ingredients.
How do I choose the right drugstore foundation?
If you have oily skin, choose a mattifying formula but opt for a hydrating formula if you have dry skin. And if you have sensitive skin, side with hypoallergenic formulas.
Should your foundation be darker or lighter?
Neither. Pick a foundation shade similar to your skin tone to avoid looking artificial. However, if you wish to apply contour and bronzer as well, go a shade lighter.
How do I know what my foundation undertone is?
If you notice red or pinkish tones in your foundation, it has a cool undertone, and if it has a golden, peachy tone, know that it has a warm undertone. But, if the formula is a mix of both tones, it has a neutral undertone.
Do you put a foundation under your eyes?
Yes. Put a thin foundation layer under your eyes to lightly cover any hyperpigmentation there. Refrain from over-applying the product to avoid making the area patchy.
Do you match the foundation to the face or neck?
Pick a foundation shade that matches the side of your face and neck.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Srijita De, is a fashion and makeup enthusiast who loves to keep pace with the latest trends. She made it her mission to try different foundations available in the market and find the best drugstore foundations for her readers with combination skin. This carefully curated list of foundations features durable products that give you a perfect, non-greasy finish without burning a hole in your pocket.
Read full bio of Lorrie Pearson
Read full bio of Srijita De
Read full bio of Rajeshwari Das
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