The 9 Best Foundations for Combination Skin You Need to Try

Best Overall

"For combination skin, you need a foundation that’s both moisturizing and lightweight," explains Mytour fashion and beauty editor Hana Hong, who recommends this formula for combo skin. "Inspired by the feel of a sheet mask, its ultra-light texture absorbs instantly, feels weightless, and gives your skin a naturally radiant, 'I-woke-up-like-this' glow."

The formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid, which helps to plump and smooth the skin over time, making it a skincare treatment as well. It provides a natural, blurring coverage without clogging pores, leaving your skin with a radiant glow. "No matter if you have oily, dry, or combination skin like me, this foundation will quickly become your go-to," says Mytour beauty director Heather Muir.

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural and radiant | SPF: None | Size: 1 oz

Best Drugstore

Consider this tinted serum foundation as a more affordable alternative to our top pick. Like the Makeup Forever foundation, it contains hyaluronic acid for moisture and offers a light, airy finish. However, as a serum, it provides sheer coverage that’s buildable to a degree. If you prefer a radiant yet natural look, this foundation works well. It also helps smooth your skin over time. Keep in mind that it only comes in 14 shades, but since it’s a sheer product, each shade can suit a range of skin tones.

Coverage: Sheer | Finish: Matte | SPF: None | Size: 1 oz

Best Lightweight

Packed with aloe, squalane, niacinamide, and allantoin, this formula smooths uneven texture, calms irritation, reduces redness, and hydrates. Despite its nourishing ingredients, this foundation feels remarkably lightweight. Available in 30 shades with various tones and undertones, it offers buildable medium coverage and a dewy, natural finish.

Once again, it's incredible how lightweight this foundation feels! We also love the convenient pump that dispenses the product neatly. However, it’s worth noting that the formula has a distinct scent that may take some time to get used to. While this foundation is on the pricier side, its dual benefit of skincare and makeup makes it a worthy investment.

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | SPF: None |

Best Matte Finish

Matte finishes can be a challenge for combination skin, but this formula does it beautifully. It hydrates dry areas with hyaluronic acid and black rose oil while keeping oily areas shine-free thanks to bamboo powder. This full-coverage foundation hides nearly all imperfections without a heavy, cakey look. And it feels light, with a breathable, sweatproof finish that resists transfer.

If you thought the Ilia foundation was pricey, brace yourself for a higher price tag with this Gucci formula. While it’s an investment, it’s perfect for long-lasting wear on special occasions.

Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | SPF: None | Size: 1 oz

Best with SPF

One of the best ways to care for your skin is by protecting it from harmful sun exposure. If you're not keen on lengthy skincare and makeup routines, you can simplify your process with a foundation that includes SPF, such as this Shiseido formula with SPF 30.

Aside from its sun protection, we love that this buildable medium-coverage foundation delivers a radiant finish. Thanks to its "Responsive Sensor Technology," it creates a glowing effect that adapts to your skin's condition, tone, and texture. The result is luminous, youthful-looking skin that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Coverage: Medium, buildable | Finish: Fresh, natural | SPF: 30 | Size: 1 oz

Best for Sensitive Skin

bareMinerals is a reliable name in the beauty world, especially with their original loose powder foundation. This clean formula contains only five mineral ingredients, making it perfect for sensitive skin. What stands out about this foundation is its ability to deliver an airbrushed look with minimal product.

With a light hand, you can achieve a sheer finish that blurs pores. However, if you're after full coverage, the formula is buildable. Just remember, with loose powder, it’s easy to apply too much if you’re not careful—start light and build it up gradually!

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | SPF: 15 or 30 | Size: 0.28 oz

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Formulated especially for acne-prone skin, this oil-free foundation includes active ingredients designed to target blemishes. Salicylic acid helps clear pores and fight breakouts, while post-biotics like lactobacillus ferment, red algae extract, licorice, and caffeine work to reduce redness.

Offered in 24 shades, this foundation has a pore-smoothing, natural matte finish. However, its medium coverage won't completely conceal imperfections, so you might need to apply concealer to spot treat where necessary.

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural matte | SPF: None | Size: 1 oz

Best Powder

Ideal for summer, this foundation works wonders for combination skin. It offers SPF 20 protection, remains water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, and is reef-safe, making it an excellent choice for the beach. The refillable compact makes it portable, though you'll need to bring your own applicator since a powder puff is not included.

We also appreciate that this formula is packed with antioxidants that help strengthen your skin barrier, alongside soothing sea minerals to calm the skin. It's a versatile foundation that can be applied lightly for a sheer finish or built up to full coverage as needed.

Coverage: Sheer-to-full | Finish: Semi-matte | SPF: 20 | Size: 0.2 oz

Best Shades

Fenty has always set the bar for inclusivity in its shade range. This foundation offers an impressive 50 shades, ensuring an even distribution across the spectrum so no one, from the lightest to the darkest, is left out.

With its medium-to-full coverage and matte finish, this foundation might feel heavy, but it’s surprisingly lightweight. While it keeps oily skin shine-free all day, it can settle into dry patches and appear cakey on those areas.

Coverage: Medium-to-full | Finish: Matte | SPF: None | Size: 1.08 oz

Final Verdict

The Makeup Forever HD Skin Hydra Glow Foundation is our top pick for combination skin. With the addition of hyaluronic acid, it hydrates and plumps the skin while offering medium coverage and a radiant glow that our editors love. For a great drugstore alternative, the L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Foundation also features hyaluronic acid, ensuring your combination skin stays comfortable and nourished.

How to Shop for Foundations for Combination Skin Like a Pro

Coverage

Foundations offer varying levels of coverage, from sheer to full. Sheer coverage provides a natural, enhanced look, allowing your skin’s texture and tone to show through. Full coverage, however, conceals almost everything. If you want the flexibility to switch between light and heavy coverage, look for a buildable formula that allows you to adjust as needed.

Finish

Foundations come in various finishes, such as natural, matte, dewy, and radiant. Your choice of finish depends on your personal preferences, but matte foundations tend to work best for oily skin as they help control shine. On the other hand, dewy foundations give dry skin a healthier, more hydrated appearance. If you have combination skin, you may need to experiment with different finishes to find the one that complements your skin type the most.

SPF

Many foundations now feature built-in sun protection, with SPF 30 being ideal. However, SPF 15 or 20 can still provide sufficient coverage. The advantage of using foundation with SPF is that it streamlines your skincare routine, eliminating the need for a separate sunscreen application. If your foundation doesn't include SPF, don’t stress—simply layer your foundation over your sunscreen for complete protection.

Questions You Might Ask

What are the ideal foundation types for combination skin?

Because combination skin varies from person to person, there's no one-size-fits-all foundation. Vincent explains, 'Combination skin typically means you're prone to breakouts and may get oily throughout the day, especially in the t-zone. In this case, opt for matte or long-lasting foundations that won't move as easily as thicker formulas. Oil-free options can also help, though they may dry out your skin, which could highlight any dry patches.'

If your combination skin leans towards dryness, proper skin preparation before applying foundation is essential. Vincent advises, 'For those who need extra hydration on their cheeks, effective skin prep and the right primer will be crucial in making your foundation work best for your skin type.'

How do you determine the best foundation shade for your skin tone?

Matching foundation to your skin tone often involves trial and error, so it's smart to test products at a makeup store before buying. Vincent suggests, 'To find your ideal shade, assess the warmth or coolness of your face and neck. The inside of your wrist can also be helpful in determining your undertones. I recommend swatching foundation along the broadest part of your jaw, near your ear. Blend it down onto your neck. When the shade blends seamlessly with both your face and neck, you've found your match.' She also recommends testing foundation in natural light to ensure the perfect match.

How do you apply foundation to combination skin?

According to Vincent, 'The key to a flawless foundation on combination skin starts with using the right skincare for each specific area of your face. The better your skin, the better your foundation will look and last.' After addressing skincare, a primer is essential. If different areas of your face have distinct needs, like dry and oily spots, you might need different primers for each region.

Vincent shares, 'When applying foundation, whether on myself or a client, I prefer using my hands. The warmth from your hands helps blend the foundation more smoothly with the skin.' For areas that tend to get oily, she advises applying foundation sparingly to avoid a heavy look. For areas that are more normal or dry, you can use more coverage as it’s less likely to slide off.

To set your foundation, use either pressed or loose powder, paying extra attention to oily areas, particularly the t-zone.

How do you prep combination skin before applying makeup?

Vincent explains, 'For combination skin, I use both a mattifying primer and a hydrating primer. Start with your regular skincare routine, then apply the mattifying primer to the t-zone first, followed by the moisturizing primer on the drier areas, like the cheeks and neck.'

Trust Us

This article was written by Stefanie Waldek, a writer with ten years of experience in home, travel, and lifestyle writing. To create this list, Stefanie researched many products, factoring in elements like coverage, finish, size, price, and customer feedback. She also consulted celebrity makeup artist Dani Kimiko Vincent for expert application tips and shopping advice when selecting foundation options.