10 of the Best Foundations for Combination Skin

Word by Nasreen Osman

Striking the right balance between hydration and oil control is no easy feat when you have combination skin — and foundation can be the ultimate test. 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.

Combination skin is part oily - usually around the T-zone - and part dry around the cheeks and jawline. Typically, the challenge lies in delivering deep hydration to the dry areas without congesting pores. As for the oily areas, you're trying to address clogged pores without stripping your skin. From redness to shine, irritation to dryness, combination skin varies between each person and even with each season.

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.

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 and cling to dry patches – read: not ideal.

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. Find your ideal match in our curated edit below.

MAC Studio Radiance Face and Body Foundation, £32

The MAC Studio Radiance Face and Body Foundation is a longwearing, waterproof liquid foundation that has become a red carpet classic thanks to its barely there yet buildable formula. It's one of the best foundations for dry and oily skin as you can apply a little more to your T-zone, where you're likely to see more sebum and spots, then sheer it out on drier areas such as the cheeks and forehead. It's also a backstage staple when it comes to unifying skin tone on the body and it's transfer-free so won't migrate onto crisp white collars or that new party dress.

Shop Now

Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Liquid Foundation, £39

Huda Beauty's Faux Filter is one of the best full coverage foundations for combination skin, ideal if you're looking to even out skin tone and mattify oily areas without compromising on radiance. The light liquid foundation formula delivers high coverage without a chalky finish. Sweep it away at the end of the day with a luxurious oil or balm cleanser - just emulsify with water, massage your chosen cleanser into skin and gently ease off your make-up with a washcloth.

Shop Now

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation, £39

Next to the Flawless Filter, the Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation has won the hearts of professional MUAs and the online make-up community. And for good reason. This sheer foundation works on all skin types and imparts a natural, radiant glow that is bound to draw compliments. It's formulated with intensely hydrating hyaluronic acid and a bix'activ to help minimise the appearance of oil. In other words, it's the golden ratio for combination skin. From brightening your complexion to evening out texture, this versatile foundation is ideal for days when you want coverage but still want your skin to cut through.

Shop Now

NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, £39

For combination skin that still looks lit from within, this make-up artist favourite deserves hero status - and not just for its 31-strong shade range. Additionally, the natural watermelon, raspberry and apple extracts in the formula nourish and brighten skin with every wear, helping to improve skin texture and condition over time. Beauty journalist Ateh Jewel praises Nars for being "a solid player in the variety game," thanks to the founder's comprehensive understanding of the skin's undertones - it scores points for one of the best foundations for both pale and dark combination skin tones alike.

Shop Now

Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation, £41

If you prefer a powder foundation formula but still crave a creamy, non-drying texture for combination skin, Bobbi Brown's Weightless Powder Foundation will soon be your compact foundation go-to. The finely milled powder is cashmere-soft and easy to blend with the enclosed sponge - this is as low-maintenance as foundation gets. It's also adjustable depending on how much coverage you fancy on any given day. Apply it in fine layers for a full-coverage finish or swap out the sponge for a fluffy powder brush and buff over skin for a more sheer effect.

Shop Now

Shiseido Shis Synchro Refresh Foundation, £45

The Shiseido Shis Synchro Refresh Foundation is tenacious as it carries over to daily life, resisting heat, humidity, oil and motion to make you look fresh-faced from the moment of application onwards. The oil-free, fragrance-free foundation will suit sensitive combination skin down to the ground and SPF 30 combined with antioxidants protects your skin from both UV and free-radical damage. In short, this is very smart stuff If you do notice some midday shine creeping in, dab over the top of your foundation with Shiseido Oil-Control Blotting Paper to nip it in the bud without the risk of your make-up going cakey.

Shop Now

Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation, £80

Looking for the best foundation for combination skin with acne? This oil-free gel foundation can help calm inflammation and the cooling texture brings immediate relief to acne-prone and itchy, dry areas alike, thanks to soothing ingredients including aloe, chamomile and arnica. Rosemary, green tea and rice bran extracts enhance the skin's natural immune defences to help to keep oxidation and future acne flare-ups at bay, plus it's vegan, cruelty-free and contains light-reflective pigments to leave a natural radiance on your skin.

Shop Now

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £45

One of the best lightweight foundations for combination skin, the cult Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is about to become your goto. Micro-fil technology plumps fine lines and ensures that make-up never gathers or creases. It's also moisturising yet oil-free, meaning it strikes a harmonious balance in terms of texture and wear for combination skin. Add a highlighter to cheekbones on top of foundation to dial up the dewiness.

Shop Now