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10 Best Foundations for Combination Skin
Feature: Long Read
Words by Nasreen Osman
Curating a skincare and make-up routine for combination skin can be a balancing act. On the one hand, your skin is craving hydration, on the other, you’re trying to control sebum levels. In the skincare world, your routine may hinge on fragrance-free products, non-comedogenic creams, and alcohol-free toners and in an attempt to thwart irritation, you may stay away from essential oils altogether. But when it comes to make-up and in particular, foundation, it's not so straightforward. From finish and formulation to skin prep and application, there are a plethora of factors to consider when building your base. Read on for your ultimate guide to the 10 best foundations for combination skin, whether you’re looking for a dewy finish, added SPF or simply need to nail your exact foundation shade.
Firstly, what is combination skin?
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.
How should you prep combination skin for make-up?
The key to finding a harmonious make-up middle ground lies in your prep. Choose a moisturiser that offers targeted hydration where you need it: top up with a protective SPF that will leave skin silky rather than greasy. From there, a primer that’s matte but not flat will give foundation grip without robbing skin of its glow. In addition to finding a moisturiser to suit combination skin, an at-home face mask session will help prep your skin for make-up and address its seemingly conflicting oily and dry demands.
Prioritise masks and treatments infused with hydrating skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid across the forehead and cheeks and spot-apply clarifying masks containing exfoliating agents like salicylic acid to sweep pores clear of acne-causing bacteria.
What kind of foundation should you choose for combination skin?
Although not every foundation is created equally, seeking out liquid and cream foundations can help ensure an even application as opposed to powder formulas which tend to cling to dry areas. Then there's the question of what kind of finish you're looking for. As trends teeter between dewy, glass skin and velvet matte finishes, there's no reason why balancing combination skin should hold you back from achieving either of these looks. All it takes is the right formulation.
Best For Sheer, Lightweight Coverage That Lasts
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.
Best For Full Coverage
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.
Best For A Luminous Finish With Skincare Benefits
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.
Best For Medium Coverage With Skincare Benefits
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.
Best For Quick Application And Daily Wear
Gucci Fluide de Beauté Fini Naturel Foundation, £46
A high-end foundation for combination skin that doesn’t simply look chic on your dressing table but also delivers in terms of coverage, ease of application and longevity. A thin veil of this light liquid foundation is all you need for a healthy, not too shiny finish – apply it with a brush for a polished effect and get down to your daily business, because it won’t budge. You can skip powder with this all-in-one base too.
Best For A Matte Finish That Isn’t Drying
Guerlain Terracotta Le Teint Foundation, £47
Yes, you can achieve a matte finish without it clinging to dry areas. Guerlain’s Terracotta Le Teint Foundation unites the skin-evening effect of a medium to full coverage foundation with the lightness of a powder for a finish that looks and feels fresh. Better yet, it’s formulated with 95% naturally derived ingredients and argan oil to keep dryness at bay and instead, maintain hydrated skin throughout the day. For a second-skin finish that emits a healthy glow, look no further.
Best For Medium To Full Coverage For Oily/Combination Skin
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.
Best For Built-in SPF And Antioxidants
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.
Best For Combination Skin With Acne
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.
Best For Giving Dry Combination Skin A Glow
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 go-to. 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.
Finally, consult our guide to the skincare ingredients you need to know before picking up the crème de la crème of face masks in The Beauty Halls, at H beauty or at Harrods.com.
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