25 Best Foundation for Every Skin Type, According to Makeup Artists, Derms, and Editors

Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of New York City’s Mudgil Dermatology recommends NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation for oily skin types. “My sister and I are both extremely oily and have sworn by this foundation for years,” says Glamour associate beauty editor Danielle Sinay. "It’s full coverage and transfer-proof—my sister likes to says this foundation is so good it could cover a bullet wound.” Plus, it contains hyaluronic acid, micro-algae extract, and an anti-oxidation complex, so it keeps your skin hydrated while preventing oxidation and the production of excess oil and sebum.

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“For normal to dry or mature skin, try a foundation that has skin care properties like the HD Skin Hydra Glow Foundation,” says Eddie Duyos, a pro makeup artist and head of artistry and education at Make Up for Ever. “This lightweight, medium-coverage formula is great for added hydration and even smooths, plumps, and brightens your skin overtime. This formula is very buildable and does a great job at covering any blemishes and imperfections all while allowing your skin to still look like skin!”

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“My personal favorite foundation right now is the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint,” says licensed esthetician and makeup artist Ivey Rogers. “I like this one as an everyday foundation because it blurs the pores of my nose and cheeks, yet is super lightweight so I don’t feel like I'm wearing a ton of makeup. The coverage is buildable and has ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help keep my skin balanced and hydrated. I love that the finish is natural; however, I still set it with a powder to increase the wear throughout the day.”

Several Glamour editors tested the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint and loved the perfect color match. It’s also a favorite 2023 purchase of Glamour editorial assistant, Monique Wilson who says, “it provides the perfect amount of coverage while feeling lightweight.”

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“Between its buildable coverage, its beautiful finish, and how much my very oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin seems to love it, this has become my go-to face makeup when doing a full beat. I’ve worn it to the beach, at elegant dinners, and everywhere in between,” says Glamour's Sinay. Glamour contributor Bella Cacciatore agrees. “It has a light serum texture that doesn’t feel drying or heavy. In fact, it feels like I’m applying a hydrating serum instead of makeup, so I love it for days when my skin is really dry, or if I’m working from home but want a little something for a Zoom,” she says in her Kosas Revealer foundation review.

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A Glamour Beauty Award winner for best foundation, Dior’s Forever Foundation is beloved by pretty much everyone who tries it, especially Glamour’s Yaptangco, who says it’s the only foundation formula that’s been able to control her “midafternoon grease.” She says: “Full-coverage fans will love the blurring and matte finish," adding that it has survived 90-degree weather and 10-hour workdays without budging an inch. Another plus? Its 86% concentrated skin care base, which improves your complexion over time.

Makeup artist Sabrina Bedrani applied Dior Forever Foundation on Michelle Yeoh for the for a flawless base in her 2023 Oscars makeup look.

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Want medium coverage and moisture? Look no further than Huda Beauty GloWish Multidew Skin Tint. “It’s so, so hydrating and comfortable to wear,” says Glamour beauty contributor Sarah Y. Wu. “I reach for this on days when I want a little skin-smoothing action that I can easily apply with my fingers.”

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Rogers also points to Smashbox Always On Skin-Balancing Foundation as a fantastic option for more coverage. “It’s a 16-hour wear, and I love that it looks natural while hydrating the skin yet provides medium to full coverage,” she says. “Over the years, I’ve worked to even out my skin tone with facials and skincare products from USRx, so foundations like this one that provide skin care ingredients to help support my skin’s needs are a plus!”

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If you want a matte finish that won’t dry you out, check out Chanel Ultra Le Teint All-Day Comfort Flawless Finish Foundation. “I normally stay away from matte foundations because I have super-dry skin, but I love how this one wears,” says Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin. “It’s weightless and goes on so smooth—whether I use a brush, a Beautyblender, or my fingers. The coverage is a pretty light to medium, which I don’t mind, because with flakiness, more isn’t more. There’s also a subtle, luminous glow to the formula, which means everything to me and my Mojave Desert skin.”

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Get ready for your close up with Makeup for Ever HD Skin Undetectable Longwear Foundation. “When I need more coverage or to wear makeup to be photo-ready, I opt for this one,” says Rogers. “It’s great for photos and videos and gives skin a natural matte finish. I love that it is buildable and long-wear so touchups aren’t necessary especially if I apply their Mist & Fix Makeup Setting Spray! It works really well to ensure your makeup is transfer-proof.”

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“This has been my absolute favorite foundation for years,” says Wu of Armani Beauty’s cult favorite Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation. “It covers everything it needs to cover but still gives my skin that luminous finish so it never looks cakey or heavy.” Also of note? This is the only foundation my grandma has used since I have known her (which is obviously my entire life). It’s a classic for a reason!

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Glamour editorial assistant Monique Wilson points to Juvia’s Place I Am Magic Natural Radiance Foundation as a pretty much perfect foundation formula for a radiant finish. “I love this foundation because it’s lightweight but offers full and buildable coverage, unlike other foundations that are too matte or heavy on the face,” she says. “I also like that it’s a easy liquid product that isn’t hard to get out.”

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If you have dry or mature skin, Dr. Mudgil recommends Bobbi Brown’s Intensive Serum Foundation SPF 40/30. Infused with 75% skin-boosting ingredients like cordyceps and ginseng, this serum-foundation hybrid replenishes moisture levels to plump and soften the skin while diminishing the appearance of fine lines.

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“YSL’s foundation checks all the boxes and then some,” says Glamour senior West Coast editor Jessica Radloff. “SPF, 24 hour-coverage, hyaluronic acid, and 40 shades, which ensure you’ll find the perfect match. It goes on so smooth and 12 hours later, my skin still feels so supple and hydrated. Bonus: The packaging design is so gorgeous you won’t want to put this in your medicine cabinet.” It's also a favorite of Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle who likes to use it for special events when she needs a more long-lasting foundation.

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Look, Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation is a cult favorite for a reason. With an inclusive shade range (it offers 45) and proprietary vita-serum complex and diamond core powder technology, this foundation, that allegedly stayed completely intact on Taylor Swift's face throughout a thunderstorm, offers medium-to-full coverage and a beautiful, skin-like finish. Glamour contributor Kirbie Johnson tested this Pat McGrath Labs foundation and said it transformed her acne-prone skin.

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Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation promises to last for 24 hours, despite heat, humidity, and sweat, and whatever else life throws your way. That said, it’s still super lightweight and buildable, so it doesn’t feel heavy, clog your pores, or start to cake throughout the day. Translation? No matter how oily your skin might be, it has nothing on the mattifying and long-lasting power of this foundation.

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“I absolutely love this foundation,” beauty contributor Bella Cacciatore says in her review of Rare Beauty’s Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation. “It’s a weightless serum formula that truly feels like nothing on your skin, and while it doesn’t give much coverage right away, it can easily be built up to cover my acne scars without looking caky. I would almost say it’s a dupe for my beloved Pat McGrath foundation, thanks to the luminous airbrushed finish.”

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“I was already a huge fan of the original Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint, but once I heard it was launching in stick form, I jumped at the chance to get it,” says Glamour commerce writer Andrea Navarro. “I use a beauty blender to apply it, and I kid you not, it blends in seamlessly almost immediately. The consistency isn’t heavy at all, but you can build it to the point of full coverage. Some days, I don’t even feel the need to add concealer with this because it makes everything look so even on its own. It’s my new go-to everyday foundation.”

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“For combination to oily skin, foundation formulas that are ‘oil-free,’ waterproof, and/or a powder formulation might be a better option,” says Duyos. “For these specific skin types, I recommend HD Skin Matte Velvet Powder Foundation.”

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“I’m really picky about my foundation, because if you don’t use the right shade or formula, the rest of your makeup application suffers,” says Glamour’s Radloff, who was blown away by how much she loved Guerlain’s Terracotta Le Teint Healthy Glow Foundation. “I had no idea just how obsessed with it I would be. It’s a liquid to-powder formula that really does last all day and offer medium coverage, which is the sweet spot. It evens out any dark spots or acne scars, goes on seamlessly, and leaves me with a beautiful glow. Argan oil is the secret weapon here, so my skin never gets too dry or matte-looking, and with 30 shades, you’re destined to find your perfect match. 10/10. I can’t recommend enough.”

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Having blemished skin doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t use makeup; it just means you should choose your products wisely. When it comes to foundation in particular, Dr. Mudgil recommends Dermablend’s Liquid Camo Foundation, which offers medium-to-full buildable coverage that lasts up to 16 hours without smudging or transferring.

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If you want a full-coverage foundation that blurs all your imperfections and lasts all day, looks and feels like a second skin, and doesn’t clog pores or make you breakout, Sisley Paris’s Phyto-Teint Perfection Foundation is your foundation match made in heaven. But the best part? It does all of the above without budging, or, more importantly, getting all over your hands and clothes. It’s really, truly transfer-proof.

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A nearly brand-new release, About-Face’s Skin-Focused Foundation—which comes in 45 different shade in varying undertones—is already considered a staple. “One foundation that I’ve tried and fallen hard for is About-Face’s new Performer formula,” says Glamour's Navarro. “It’s on the lighter side and has a serum-like texture to it, so it sits super-comfortably on skin. My favorite feature is the doe-foot applicator, because it makes it easy to apply across my face without overdoing the amount. I normally apply two layers followed by a concealer for more coverage on my stubborn acne scars. Unlike a lot of other foundations, this range has plenty of options for olive undertones, which made shade matching a breeze.”

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Digital director Perrie Samotin swears by Makeup By Mario’s breathable, luminous, and buildable Surreal Skin Liquid Foundation. Formulated with grape seed oil, vegetal squalene, and perfecting powders, it hydrates and smooths the skin while offering a radiant yet long-lasting finish that won’t dry your skin out despite being smudge-proof.

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