9 Drugstore Foundations For Every Skin Type in 2024
Makeup doesn’t need to cost a lot to be quality makeup. Nowadays, it’s often hard to see the difference between luxury and budget makeup and that’s what I love so much about drugstore makeup!
I’ve put together some of my all-time favorite drugstore foundations for all skin types and concerns. Whether you have dry or oily, mature or uneven skin, there’s an affordable foundation for you and your skin type!
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- BEST FOR MATTE FINISH: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
- BEST FOR EXTRA HYDRATION: Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation
- BEST LONG-WEAR: L’Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation
- BEST OVERALL: e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Satin Foundation
- BEST POWDER FOUNDATION: Pur 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation
- BEST FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN: Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15
- BEST FOR MATURE SKIN: Covergirl Simply Ageless 3-In-1 Liquid Foundation
- BEST FOR DRY SKIN: Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation
- BEST FOR GLOWING SKIN: Nyx Cosmetics Born To Glow Medium Coverage Naturally Radiant Foundation
Best For A Matte Finish: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
IN A NUTSHELL
- Coverage: Medium
- Shades: 40
- Finish: Matte
- Key Features: Micro-powders control shine and minimize pores, lasts up to 12 hours, oil-free formula
- Cruelty-free: No
Is it for you?
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation is an amazing matte foundation for normal to oily skin in drugstore beauty.
Maybelline is a go-to for affordable drugstore makeup, and their Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation is a global bestseller. It offers a wide range of shades to suit every skin tone.
Extremely lightweight and comfortable, it’s a must-have foundation for those who love a matte formula and finish! It absorbs oil, controls shine and minimizes pores for a flawless foundation finish.
However, note that the formula can vary by country. For instance, in the UK, the foundation doesn’t contain clay, unlike in the US, where it does. Packaging also differs between regions.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte Poreless also features in my review on The Best Foundations with the Most Inclusive Shade Ranges
Best For Extra Hydration: Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation
IN A NUTSHELL
- Coverage: Medium
- Shades: 31
- Finish: Natural and lightweight
- Key Features: Antioxidants, anti-pollution and anti-blue light ingredients
- Cruelty-free: No
Is it for you?
Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation is the best drugstore foundation for medium buildable coverage and for all skin types and all ages, in particular, normal to oily skin types.
With medium coverage and a natural, lightweight formula, the foundation is easy to build up while maintaining a natural finish.
The texture is lovely and creamy and applies smoothly which is usually the case with cream foundations. The 31 shades come in cool, warm and neutral finishes, there is something for everyone.
This multi-functional foundation boasts an incredible amount of claims for an affordable drugstore product! Aside from the impressive coverage, this foundation is also infused with skincare ingredients, ensuring your skin stays moisturized throughout the day.
The skincare ingredients in Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation include:
- Antioxidants
- Anti-pollution ingredients
- Anti-blue light ingredients
These protect the skin against environmental damages that are all too common nowadays. Plus, it’s free from oils, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and fragrances.
The only negative I have to say about this foundation is that the deep shade range is somewhat lacking. They could do with some darker shades.
That being said, overall it’s an extremely impressive foundation. It has skin-like coverage, it doesn’t sink into lines and wrinkles and it doesn’t get oily or shiny over time.
Best Long-Wear: L’Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation
IN A NUTSHELL
- Coverage: Medium
- Shades: 40
- Finish: Natural and lightweight
- Key Features: Lightweight yet long-wearing, skin-like finish, SPF25, transfer-resistant, non-comedogenic
- Cruelty-free: No
Is it for you?
The L’Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation is ideal for those who want a long-wearing foundation that’s comfortable and doesn’t look or feel cakey. This foundation gives clear, smooth, natural-looking skin with hours of wear.
It’s hard to believe that the thin liquid formula of this foundation has staying powers for 24 hours! While I can’t vouch for 24-hour wear, I’ve worn it for an entire day and it lasted perfectly!
With medium coverage and a skin-like, natural-looking finish, it really is the real deal! If that’s not impressive enough, it also resists transfer and sweat and remains breathable all day.
This foundation is ideal for the budget buyer who wants a quality foundation. It’s natural looking, it applies smoothly, it lasts all day, it has SPF and it’s extremely comfortable!
Best Overall: e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Satin Foundation
IN A NUTSHELL
- Coverage: Medium-full coverage
- Shades: 40
- Finish: Semi-matte
- Key Features: Skincare ingredients, improve uneven skin tone
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Is it for you?
e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Satin Foundation has medium to full coverage and is for all skin types and ages, particularly oily skin.
The e.l.f. Flawless Satin Foundation is popular for many reasons, it applies smoothly and easily, blends beautifully, feels weightless and lasts all day without becoming cakey. It has a semi-matte finish, making it ideal for all skin types.
It’s infused with the skincare ingredient glycerin, which is a lovely ingredient for a hydrating foundation. This makes e.l.f. Flawless Satin Foundation is an ideal drugstore foundation for aging skin and the best full-coverage foundation for oily skin.
Comfortable and lightweight, it improves uneven skin tone and texture, giving the skin a flawless finish.
If you’re not happy with the shade you chose, e.l.f. has a shade match guarantee, buying online couldn’t be easier. Simply return it within 30 days for a full refund. With a luxury look and a budget-friendly price, the e.l.f. Flawless Satin Foundation has a perfect balance!
Best Powder Foundation: Pur 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation
IN A NUTSHELL
- Coverage: Medium buildable coverage
- Shades: 26
- Finish: Natural
- Key Features: SPF 15, 4 in 1 product, clean ingredients, hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free: Yes
Is it for you?
This drugstore foundation has medium coverage and is suitable for all skin types, particularly oily-prone skin. It’s also especially good for aging skin due to its anti-aging skincare ingredients.
Liquid foundations aren’t for everyone–for example, people with oily skin often prefer powder foundation. The Pur 4-in-1 is easily the best drugstore powder foundation! If you have oily skin, read my collection of the best power foundation for oily skin.
Called a 4-in-1 foundation because it has 4 benefits in 1 product. If you love multitasking products, you will love this foundation. Not only is it a foundation, but it’s also a concealer, setting powder and SPF.
In truth, the foundation should be called a 5-in-1 product, because, it also works as skin care. It reduces the appearance of lines, pores, dark circles, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tones.
Made from vitamin E and shea butter, it works to keep the skin soft and hydrated. But, the most exciting ingredient is retinol which helps promote cell turnover to give you younger-looking, smoother skin! Retinol is a great ingredient to help the skin stay youthful. While it’s not so uncommon to come across in skin care, in makeup it’s rather uncommon, but a lovely addition!
The foundation is clinically proven to help your skin, even after your makeup comes off! The foundation is lightweight and comfortable to wear, applies easily and is mess-free!
Best For Acne-Prone Skin: Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15
IN A NUTSHELL
- Coverage: Natural medium coverage
- Shades: 56
- Finish: Luminous
- Key Features: SPF 15, dermatologist and non-acnegenic, lightweight, longlasting
- Cruelty-free: No
Is it for you?
With a natural, medium coverage this foundation is ideal for dry, normal and combination skin. It’s the best drugstore foundation for those who want a more even skin tone.
If you suffer from uneven skin tone and dark spots, this foundation will become your holy grail! Give it 12 weeks and these dark spots will reduce and become less visible. It slowly improves your skin over time and helps with excess oil, making the Clinique Even Better Makeup Foundation the best drugstore foundation for acne-prone skin.
Available in 56 shades, this foundation has a shade for every colour and undertone! The foundation applies smoothly and easily, it’s as lightweight as a serum, but has the coverage of a foundation and gives the skin a lovely luminous finish.
Its stay-true pigment ensures the color never oxidises. Other impressive claims are that it lasts for 24 hours, it’s sweat and humidity-resistant and has SPF 15.
Best For Mature Skin: Covergirl Simply Ageless 3-In-1 Liquid Foundation
IN A NUTSHELL
- Coverage: Medium coverage
- Shades: 18
- Finish: Sheer
- Key Features: Fights aging, hydrating, doesn’t settle in lines
- Cruelty-free: Yes
Is it for you?
Covergirl Simply Ageless 3-In-1 Liquid Foundation is the best drugstore foundation for anyone with aging skin who wants a lasting foundation.
This 3-in-1 foundation by Covergirl is all about tackling aging. It reduces wrinkles, reduces the appearance of fine lines, improves skin tone, and hydrates and firms the skin. If you’re one of those people who think drugstore brands can’t do it all, this foundation will change your mind!
With ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, it tackles signs of aging and gives skincare benefits. The lightweight foundation has medium coverage and incredible staying powers, it literally doesn’t budge once applied. It goes on easily and smoothly, is non-greasy and blends beautifully for a flawless finish.
Not only is it easy to use and apply, but it also covers lines and wrinkles without settling into them. You’ve got to love foundations that are made with mature skin in mind!
The only negative about this foundation is that the shade range doesn’t look suitable for darker skin colours. All of the shades are light and medium shades. It would be nice if it were a little more inclusive.
Best For Dry Skin: Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation
IN A NUTSHELL
- Coverage: Medium coverage
- Shades: 20
- Finish: Dewy finish
- Key Features: Gives a filter effect, moisturizing, blurs imperfections
- Cruelty-free: Yes
Is it for you?
Ideal for normal to dry skin types, the foundation gives medium dewy coverage which is easily buildable to full coverage.
This foundation was uniquely designed to look perfect in photos. The Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation underwent major testing to ensure it’s picture-perfect in every lighting possible, giving the skin a ‘filter-effect’!
You could easily mistake this foundation for a high-end one. It has a lovely silky and creamy texture that blends into the skin seamlessly. With a moisturizing formula, it blurs imperfections and minimizes pores and imperfections. It helps with dry patches by giving a dewy finish to the skin that never dries it out.
A downside is that the applicator is on the weird side. While originality is great and all, a spatula can be hard to apply with and a little messy. But we think the good outweighs the bad;)
Best For Glowing Skin: Nyx Cosmetics Born To Glow Medium Coverage Naturally Radiant Foundation
IN A NUTSHELL
- Coverage: Medium coverage
- Shades: 45
- Finish: Radiant finish
- Key Features: Skin-like finish, lightweight, buildable formula
- Cruelty-free: Yes
Is it for you?
The foundation has medium and buildable coverage. It’s for all skin types, from dry to oily, and it works for all! It’s best for those who love a dewy glow.
Get beautiful radiant glowing skin with the Nyx Cosmetics Born To Glow Medium Coverage Naturally Radiant Foundation.
Easy to apply, it simply glides onto the skin and blends in smoothly and easily. Be careful when applying because the texture is thin and a little runny, but the results are worth the extra effort. It feels more like a BB cream or tinted moisturizer than a foundation. It gives a skin-like natural finish which is super lightweight and comfortable to wear.
This is one of those makeup products that prove drugstore makeup is not only affordable with a great price point, but also does the job perfectly!
My Thoughts
As you can see, drugstore foundations do not disappoint! These are only a few of the foundations that you can save money on and still get beautiful coverage.
Check out the best drugstore concealers for a full drugstore base! From light to full coverage, dry to oily skin and young to aging skin, there’s a foundation for every person and every skin type! As with any makeup and skincare product, before applying, always do a patch test first to make sure your skin doesn’t react to it.
Read more drugstore recommendations:
- The Best Drugstore Lipsticks For All Skin Tones
- The Best Drugstore Volumizing Mascaras
- The Best Drugstore Moisturizer For All Skin Types
Why Trust Beauty With Hollie
Hollie is an experienced writer in the beauty industry, has tested dozens of drugstore foundations and loves saving money! Hollie has been running Beauty With Hollie since 2016, where she covers all things beauty.
Hollie xx
About Hollie
Hi, I’m Hollie, and I’m passionate about everything beauty. Over the last decade and a half, I’ve tested thousands of products to bring you the best of the best! I also love bringing you fun and creative beauty looks. Learn more.
Beauty profile – 35, dry, aging skin, focused on aging well with a healthy glow and natural makeup look ✨
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase using these links, you don’t pay more, I simply earn a small commission!
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