The Best Drugstore Foundations: 8 Picks for Every Skin Type

With all the shopping options available to us, it’s easy to forget that the drugstore is among the most convenient places to pick up new makeup. In the past, options may have been limited, but that’s no longer the case—these days, you can find everything from wallet-friendly lipsticks to luxe drugstore foundations, all with formulas that rival their pricey prestige counterparts. 

If you’re on the hunt for a new foundation but don’t want to blow your budget, keep scrolling. Ahead, we’re sharing a look at our best drugstore foundations for every skin type, plus tips on how to ensure your budget-friendly buy goes the distance.

What Is the Best Drugstore Foundation?

There is no singular perfect drugstore foundation; your best match will be a formula designed for your skin type and concerns, as well as your desired finish and level of coverage. Ahead, we’re sharing details on seven of our favorite formulas for every skin type, from water-based drugstore foundations for oily complexions to hydrating picks perfect for dry, mature skin. 

The best drugstore foundation for dry skin

Dry skin can often appear dull, so to give your skin a healthy-looking finish, we suggest opting for a hydrating foundation with a natural or radiant finish. Formulas that contain skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid are particularly beneficial, as they can help keep your skin feeling hydrated and balanced throughout the day. 

To perfect your base, try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation. This medium-coverage drugstore foundation comes in an impressive 47 shades, each made with up to six pigments for a precise color match. It boasts a hydrating formula that helps lock in moisture while leaving your skin with a healthy-looking, skin-like finish. Plus, it’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic, making it an excellent pick for those with sensitive complexions. 

Editor’s tip: If you need help finding your perfect match, check out How To Find Your Perfect L’Oréal True Match Foundation and Concealer Shades.

The best drugstore foundation for oily skin

Matte foundations tend to be ideal for those with oily skin, as they can help reduce unwanted shine in key areas, like the nose, chin, and forehead. However, it’s important to select the right formula—some matte foundations can make the skin look dry or cakey. 

For a soft matte finish that looks completely natural, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation. This light-as-air, creamy liquid formula delivers smooth, even coverage and works to control unwanted shine for up to 24 hours. Choose from 28 shades and apply with your fingers or a makeup brush for a flawless, velvety complexion.

The best drugstore foundation for combination skin

Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others. The best drugstore foundations for this skin type tend to be versatile formulas that can cater to these differing needs without making any part of the skin look too matte or shiny. 

For a balanced look and feel, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 32 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation. The ultra-thin liquid formula checks all of the boxes (and then some): it’s lightweight and breathable, but offers buildable medium-to-full coverage; it comes in 40 versatile shades; and it provides up to 32 hours of wear. Plus, the natural finish works well for a range of skin types. For lighter coverage, apply it to primed skin with a damp makeup sponge. If you prefer a fuller-coverage look, use a makeup brush and build up the foundation, blending from the center of your face outward.

The best drugstore foundation for sensitive and acne-prone skin

When you have sensitive or blemish-prone skin, a gentle, tailored approach is key—to keep your skin looking and feeling its best, it’s crucial to avoid anything that could trigger irritation or breakouts. Powder foundations are often well-suited for more reactive skin, as they tend to be gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types. In this category, we love the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder. The dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free formula applies like a liquid and blurs like a powder, delivering lightweight, breathable coverage that feels comfortable on the skin. It controls shine without looking flat or cakey and provides full, fresh-looking coverage that lasts up to 24 hours. Use the included sponge to build and blend for a smooth, long-wearing finish that resists caking, transfer, and fading.

The best drugstore foundation for mature skin

The best drugstore foundation for mature skin is one that delivers both skincare benefits and coverage, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF 50. The skincare-makeup hybrid features vitamin B3 and a hydrating serum to help balance age-related dryness, while broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen helps shield the skin from damaging UV rays. As far as coverage goes, think your-skin-but-better: It helps even skin tone without settling into fine lines or emphasizing texture, and provides a radiant finish for a natural, healthy-looking glow.

Editor’s tip: For an extra luminous look, swap your usual primer for the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion All-In-One Glow Enhancer & Tinted Moisturizer, which provides lasting hydration and leaves the skin looking glowy and fresh.

Best long-wear drugstore foundation

If you’re on the hunt for a drugstore foundation that can hold its own throughout a special event without budging, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Skin Ink Up to 48H Longwear 2-in-1 Foundation Concealer. This lightweight drugstore foundation boasts a fluid, ink-like texture that, once set, won’t cake, crease, or transfer for up to 48 hours. It’s waterproof, sweatproof, and humidity-proof; provides buildable medium-to-full coverage; and is suitable for all skin types from oily to dry. To apply it, shake the bottle for 10 seconds, then swipe the formula onto your skin and blend well with a brush or sponge. We recommend working in sections to ensure an even, flawless-looking finish. 

Best drugstore skin tint

Skin tints are a great option for days when you’d like some coverage without looking obviously made up. These hybrid formulas hydrate and provide lightweight coverage, often with a radiant or dewy finish that makes your skin look naturally glowy. If you’re interested in adding one into your routine, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glow Skin Tint. This water-based drugstore foundation is formulated with an 82% hydrating serum and light-reflecting pearls to give the skin a hydrated, healthy-looking glow. Blurring pigments, meanwhile, help minimize color imperfections and provide natural-looking coverage. Apply the breathable formula with the tool of your choice—fingers, a brush, or a sponge—and blend well for an even, radiant-looking complexion. 

Best sheer drugstore foundation

If you want a hint of coverage—just enough for no-makeup makeup days—try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. This sheer formula combines the hydrating benefits of a hyaluronic acid serum with the coverage of a sheer foundation, leaving the skin looking smooth, bright, and even—both immediately and over time. Because it’s a serum, you don’t need any special tools to apply it. Just find your shade match from the lineup of 14 shades, shake the bottle well, then blend the tinted serum onto bare skin for a fresh, healthy-looking complexion. 

Next Up: Powder Foundation vs. Liquid: Choose Your Perfect Base

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris