Finding a foundation that works across combination skin without making dry areas look flaky or oily zones appear greasy feels nearly impossible. The balancing act between providing flawless coverage while still letting skin breathe can seem more precarious than walking a tightrope. However, the right formulas are out there – you just have to know what to look for. With a dizzying array of foundations now catering specifically to contradictorary combination complexions, achieving gorgeously even coverage without suffocating skin is happier reality rather than pipedream. Read on for the 15 best foundations for combination skin that also provide customizable coverage for every imperfection while still feeling weightless.
This lightweight powder foundation from Laura Geller provides buildable coverage with a demi-matte finish. It is formulated with antioxidant protection and soft focus properties to even out skin tone and texture.
This powder foundation is a great option for those with combination skin. It provides natural looking coverage while controlling shine in oiler areas. The lightweight texture won’t emphasise dry patches. The color correcting pigments help to create an even, balanced complexion.
This lightweight liquid foundation from Clinique provides sheer to moderate coverage with a natural finish. It is formulated with antioxidants and SPF 15 to protect combination skin.
Clinique’s Even Better foundation is great for combination skin as it offers lightweight coverage with a natural finish. The liquid formula won’t cling to dry areas yet provides oil control across the T-zone. It helps even out skin tone while providing protection from environmental damage.
This airbrush foundation provides customizable coverage with a hydrating, moisturizing formula. It can be used as a color correcting face primer or lightly sprayed over makeup for a waterproof matte finish. Includes several adjustable coverage nozzles.
The airbrushed finish of this spray foundation helps it flawlessly blur imperfections in texture and tone for those with combination skin. You can focus on adding lightweight layers to drier areas without exacerbating oiliness in the T-zone. Using it as a primer helps lock in moisture too.
Covergirl’s Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation features a nourishing, lightweight formula that delivers buildable medium coverage and an all-day healthy glow. It is vegan, cruelty-free and suitable for sensitive skin.
This lightweight, hydrating foundation is the perfect choice for combination skin. It provides medium coverage with a luminous finish that brightens dullness, without aggravating oilier areas of the face. The nourishing milk-like texture also prevents it clinging to any dryness or flakiness.
Dermablend Cover Creme delivers maximum coverage in a high-pigment yet hydrating cream formula that lasts up to 16 hours. It provides full coverage for imperfections with sun protection.
This foundation offers superior coverage for those with combination skin yet still feels lightweight and comfortable. It won’t cling to dry areas or feel heavy across the oilier t-zone. The SPF 30 helps prevent clogged pores or blackheads as it protects from the sun. You can be confident it lasts beautifully without fading, flaking or budging.
Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation offers medium to full coverage with a shine-free, matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours on combination or oily skin types. It also provides SPF 15 protection.
This liquid foundation is specially formulated for combination and oily skin types. It provides lasting mattifying coverage without becoming patchy or flaky on any dry spots. The lightweight formula blends easily to disguise redness and imperfections for a flawless finish that really endures on the oilier T-zone.
This Mistine Cushion Foundation provides buildable medium coverage with a breathable, natural finish. Suitable for combination skin, the oil-balancing formula contains nourishing beauty serum to care for skin while evening tone.
The serum-infused cushion compact helps provide the benefits of skincare while disguising imperfections, perfect for high-maintenance combination complexions. It feels light and comfortable without settling into fine lines or pores across both oily and drier areas. Touch-ups are quick and easy anytime too.
Maybelline Dream Radiant Liquid Foundation offers hydrating medium coverage with a luminous, natural finish. The lightweight liquid formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid and collagen.
This foundation is brilliant for keeping drier areas of combination skin nourished and glowing while not overdoing it on more lustrous zones. The medium coverage evens tone without being or looking heavy. Skin is left with a lit-from-within radiance wherever it strikes the right moisture balance thanks to those skin-plumping ingredients.
This lightweight e.l.f foundation provides buildable medium coverage with a lasting semi-matte finish. The oil-free formula contains protecting antioxidants suitable for all skin types.
Here is a great budget-friendly foundation option that provides photo-ready coverage for combination complexions without irritation or greasiness. It can be sheered out for a more luminous look on drier areas or built up to combat excess shine across the t-zone while remaining breathable either way.
FV’s Full Coverage Liquid Foundation provides maximumcoverage with a shine-eliminating matte finish that lasts all day, making pores appear smaller. Sweat proof and water resistant.
This is a must-have foundation in your kit if you have a combo complexion of very dry and very oily areas. It offers unbeatable coverage where needed without going thick and heavy on skin. Bonus is it won’t slip or budge through heat, humidity or face-touching all the while keeping excess oil at bay too.
FV Dewy Liquid Foundation provides sweatproof, medium coverage and a luminous yet natural finish. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil, the hydrating formula is suitable for dry and combination skin types.
This is the ultimate hybrid foundation for contradictory combo complexions. The hydrating ingredients provide a supple, glowing finish wherever your skin tends dry without exacerbating oiliness on the t-zone. It lets skin look luminous yet impeccably flawless no matter the climate or activity.
This UCANBE foundation offers medium to full coverage with a velvety matte finish and lightweight feel. The non-drying yet oil-controlling formula contains anti-aging ingredients perfect for combination and oily mature skin.
We love how this foundation delivers rich coverage with a flawless finish that somehow still feels breathable. Dry areas stay nourished while shine-prone zones remain matte as the day goes on. Anti-aging skincare ingredients also treat fine lines and keep complexion radiant without negating matte claims – genius!
Mary Kay’s TimeWise Matte Wear Liquid Foundation offers medium coverage and control shine for up to 10 hours on combination to oily skin. The non-acnegenic formula is oil-free, won’t clog pores and includes SPF 15 sunscreen.
Mary Kay’s expertise at catering specifically to combination complexions shines through in this foundation. It masters the balance of reducing shine without creating or clinging to dry patches. Skincare ingredients also keep skin looking fresh, balanced and healthy instead of matte and dull. Beautifully even coverage without cakiness is another win.
Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation offers medium to full customizable coverage with a lasting radiant finish. The lightweight liquid foundation is hydrating and won’t crease, transfer or smudge for up to 24 hours.
This smart combo complexion-calibrating foundation manages to create a flawless yet hydrated canvas without overdoing it on either oil or moisture. Impressive staying power also ensures coverage stays perfect in place without shifting over time regardless of activities or environmental exposures – from air conditioning blasts to mask wearing friction.
Maybelline’s Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation offers customizable medium coverage and mattifying finish that blurs the look of pores for normal to oily skin types.
This foundation is specially formulated not to over-mattify so it can work with combination skin that runs the gamut from dry to extremely shiny. It provides imperfection and shine reduction exactly where needed leaving a flawless yet customized finish – not flat, dull and exacerbating of any dryness. Those with visible pores or textural issues will also appreciate the smoothing and perfecting optical effects.
Product | Features |
---|---|
LAURA GELLER Baked Balance-n-Brighten | Buildable coverage, color correcting, antioxidant protection, soft focus |
Clinique Even Better Makeup | Lightweight, antioxidants, SPF 15, oil-free |
Airbrush Foundation Spray Makeup Set | Airbrush, hydrating, full coverage, matte, waterproof |
COVERGIRL Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation | Nourishing, medium coverage, lightweight, healthy glow, vegan |
Dermablend Cover Crème Foundation | Maximum coverage, lightweight, longwear, SPF 30 sunscreen |
REVLON ColorStay Face Makeup | Medium-full coverage, matte finish, oil-free, for oily skin |
MISTINE Cushion Foundation | Medium coverage, lightweight, oil-balance, contains serum |
MAYBELLINE Dream Radiant Liquid Foundation | Medium coverage, hydrating, lightweight, luminous finish |
e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation | Light-medium coverage, semi-matte, lightweight, oil-free |
FV Full Coverage Liquid Foundation | Maximum coverage, matte finish, conceals pores, sweatproof |
FV Dewy Liquid Foundation | Medium coverage, dewy finish, hydrating, hyaluronic acid, sweatproof |
UCANBE Matte Liquid Foundation | Medium-full coverage, matte finish, hydrating, oil absorbing, SPF 25 |
Mary Kay Time Wise Foundation | Medium coverage, shine controlling, oil-free, non-comedogenic, SPF 15 |
Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation | Medium-full coverage, hydrating, transfer resistant, SPF 30 |
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation | Buildable medium coverage, matte finish, pore blurring, oil-free |
When choosing a foundation for combination skin, consider the following factors:
There are a few foundation formulas that work especially well on combination complexions:
A. The best types of foundation textures for combination skin include liquid formulas, lightweight serum foundations that feel weightless, cream gel formulas that hydrate without oiliness, and powder foundations that can be layered lightly. Cushion compacts and stick foundations also work well to let skin breathe while evening tone.
A. Some of the best foundations for combination skin that is acne prone include oil-free, non-comedogenic formulas that won’t clog pores from Clinique, Neutrogena, CoverGirl or Revlon. Using a primer underneath also helps foundations last without settling into fine lines or pores which can lead to breakouts. Look for products labelled as suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
A. Using different application techniques and products for the different areas ensures makeup lasts flawlessly on combination skin. Apply a hydrating primer and luminous foundation on dry areas then set with a damp makeup sponge. Use an oil absorbing primer and/or mattifying foundation only on the t-zone and set gently with powder using a large fluffy brush.
A. Yes, using moisturizer under foundation helps makeup last on combination skin while still looking natural. Opt for a lightweight gel moisturizer before foundation application on any oily areas. On dry patches and zones use a hydrating, nourishing moisturizer containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or squalane first.
A. Overly matte, thick foundations emphasise dryness and can cake up on skin as the day goes on. Avoid powdering dry areas over matte foundation. Instead mix in a liquid illuminator or hydrating primer to sheer out overly matte formulas before applying to skin. Use a damp sponge forstreak-free blending then set carefully with just a hydrating setting spray instead of loose powder.
Finding a great foundation for combination skin that keeps both dry and oily zones looking flawless can feel difficult. But with so many formulas now made specifically to balance and perfect combo complexions, your makeup bag arsenal has the ability to rival that shiny-nose to flaky-patch ratio. Aim for luminous coverage on arid areas coupled with oil-controlling compounds across shinier territories. With the glow and matte strategically placed, may your face finally find foundation peace!
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