10 of the Best Foundations for Combination Skin
Words by Maya Avram and Nasreen Osman
Striking the right balance between hydration and oil control is a key consideration for those with combination skin – especially when it comes to foundation. The right formula doesn’t just provide coverage for your complexion; it helps your look stay fresh from morning to night. Here, discover 10 of the best foundations for combination skin, each offering seamless coverage, staying power and peace of mind for breakout-prone areas.
Firstly, what is combination skin?
Combination skin is part oily – usually around the T-zone – and part dry, often around the cheeks and jawline. The challenge is to deliver deep moisture to dry areas but without congesting pores or stripping your skin. From redness to shine, irritation to dryness, combination skin can show up differently from person to person, and from season to season.
What is the best foundation for combination skin?
Not all foundations are created equal, especially when it comes to combination skin. Liquid and cream foundations are often a safer bet as they provide a more seamless application over both oily and dry areas. In contrast, powder formulas can emphasise dry areas, which is less than desirable.
The good news is you can achieve a dewy or glass skin finish with combination skin. The same goes for a velvety matte look. All it takes is the right skincare prep and foundation formulation to make your base last all day long.
How can you make foundation last longer on combination skin?
The key to finding a harmonious make-up middle ground lies in your skincare prep. Choose a moisturiser designed for combination skin that is non-comedogenic and offers hydration where you need it most. Then, apply a sunscreen like Paula's Choice Resist Youth Extending Daily Fluid SPF 50 for a silky, non-greasy finish.
A well-chosen primer can make all the difference. Opt for a formula that strikes a balance – providing a matte finish to control shine in oily areas without dulling your natural glow. Our top pick? Mac’s Studio Fix Mattifine 12hr Shine-Control Primer grips your foundation and stays put all day long.
Regular exfoliation goes a long way in ensuring your base make-up looks smooth and even. Look out for cleansers and exfoliators with BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) such as salicylic acid to sweep pores clear of acne-causing bacteria.
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Best Foundation for Controlled Radiance
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Foundation SPF 50
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: RadiantÂ
Tom Ford’s Shade and Illuminate Foundation proves that balance and brilliance go hand in hand, delivering skincare benefits alongside buildable coverage. Hyaluronic acid ensures lasting hydration, while anti-inflammatory actives help regulate oil for a harmonious complexion. When it comes to pigment, advanced elastomers and light-diffusing powders create a smooth, soft-focus finish that controls shine without masking radiance.
Best Foundation for a Soft-Focus Finish
Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: NaturalÂ
Hourglass’s formulations are notoriously good at capturing and diffusing the light, and the Ambient Soft Glow Foundation is no exception. Antioxidant-rich actives help protect and condition the skin, while innovative pigments smooth texture and create a soft-focus effect. Offering buildable coverage and comfortable wear, this foundation delivers long-lasting performance – ideal for those seeking radiance and oil control.
Best Cushion Foundation for Combination Skin
Sisley Phyto-Blanc Le Cushion Foundation SPF 50+
Coverage: Medium Â
Finish: NaturalÂ
The appeal of Sisley’s Phyto-Blanc Le Cushion Foundation lies in its enduring skincare benefits, enhancing the complexion while delivering lasting coverage. Brightening actives and soothing botanical extracts help balance the skin, keeping it comfortable and managing oil levels for a harmonious finish. Its cushion format delivers a featherlight, buildable application, complemented by light-reflecting pigments for a luminous, soft-focus effect.
Best Foundation for Buildable Coverage
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
Coverage: Medium
Finish: SatinÂ
Pat McGrath Labs’ Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation is designed to enhance, rather than mask, the complexion. Powered by the Vita-Serum Complex, it delivers moisture thanks to hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Meanwhile, Diamond Core Powder acts as a real-life filter, diffusing and blurring for a smooth, luminous effect. The silky texture glides on effortlessly, offering buildable coverage and a breathable, non-comedogenic finish that balances radiance and oil control, making it a considered choice for combination skin.
Best Foundation for Long-Lasting Coverage
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation SPF 10
Coverage: Medium to fullÂ
Finish: MatteÂ
Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation is a modern icon, celebrated for its ability to deliver seamless coverage that lasts all day. The oil- and fragrance-free formula is ideal for combination skin, offering a natural matte finish that balances shine without compromising comfort. Infused with SPF 10 and designed for 24-hour wear, it withstands heat and humidity without creasing or caking. Often praised for its featherlight texture and buildable coverage, it looks even better as the day goes on.
Best Foundation for a Second-Skin Finish
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
Coverage: Full
Finish: MatteÂ
As soon as you glide on Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation, you’ll understand why it’s a brand bestseller. The oil-free formula delivers a natural matte finish that manages shine without feeling heavy or drying, making it ideal for combination skin. Enriched with glycerine and vitamin E, it creates a delicate veil that blends seamlessly and maintains comfort throughout the day. With impressive staying power – even in challenging environments – this versatile base offers a polished, balanced complexion with ease.
Best Foundation for Bracing the Outdoors
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF 30
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Radiant
Shiseido’s Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF 30 is built to last, resisting heat, humidity, oil and movement to keep you looking fresh from first application. The oil-free, fragrance-free foundation is ideal for sensitive combination skin, while SPF 30 and antioxidants protect against UV and free-radical damage.Â
Best Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin
Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Natural
Created with acne-prone skin in mind, Chantecaille’s oil-free gel foundation delivers a cooling sensation that instantly soothes irritation. The formula is enriched with calming botanicals including aloe, chamomile and arnica. Rosemary, green tea and rice bran extracts enhance the skin’s natural immune defences to help keep oxidation and future acne flare-ups at bay. Vegan and cruelty-free, it also contains light-reflective pigments that offer a natural radiance on your skin.Â
Best Foundation for a Satin Skin Finish
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Luminous
Armani’s cult Luminous Silk Foundation is a lightweight icon for combination skin. Micro-fil technology plumps fine lines and ensures that make-up never gathers or creases. Moisturising yet oil-free, it strikes a harmonious balance in terms of texture and wear for combination skin. Pair with a touch of highlighter on your cheekbones to amplify luminosity.Â
Best Foundation for a Weightless Feel
Gucci Eternité De Beauté Matte Foundation SPF 15
Coverage: Full
Finish: Matte
This high-end foundation for combination skin doesn’t just look chic on your dressing table – it delivers exceptional coverage, effortless application and lasting wear. A thin veil of this lightweight liquid foundation is all you need for a healthy, not too shiny finish – apply it with a brush for a polished effect and take on the day knowing your base won’t budge. No need for powder – this all-in-one base does it all..Â
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