10 Best Makeup Artist-Approved Cushion Foundations For Oily Skin (2024)
Flaunt picture-perfect skin with a base that leaves your skin glowing from within.
Nyssa GreenMakeup Artist
Nyssa Green is an Emmy award winning makeup artist and a trusted beauty and lifestyle expert with over 20 years of experience. Her diverse portfolio of clients includes celebrities from all walks of life, like Alicia Keys, Bono, Jane Fonda,... more
srijita deMA (English & Literature), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in ... more
srijani roy chowdhuryMA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a ce... more
shatabdi bhattacharyaBSc
Experience: 2.5 yearsShatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has work... more
Image: Shutterstock
Cushion foundations are ideal for getting a flawless and glassy finish. They are ideal for oily skin and greasy t-zones. The best cushion foundations for oily skin offer buildable coverage, and they won’t feel cakey or heavy. These foundations blend effortlessly and even out the skin tone as the right amount of cream is released with each press. In addition, they are expertly crafted to offer a silky, smooth finish to the skin. These foundations come with a sponge, and you don’t need any makeup brush to apply the foundation. You can always get the extra coverage by dabbing the cushion harder. These foundations have a sheer and lightweight formula and are ideal for daily use. They offer a precise amount of coverage and are long-lasting. They can be used safely by all teens and adults.
Selecting the right cushion foundation may be tricky. You have to make sure that it matches your skin tone and the needs of your skin to get the desired finish. You will also need to look at its ingredients and see that they are more beneficial and less toxic. In this article, we have curated a list of the best cushion foundations that are suitable for oily skin. We have selected these products after carefully studying the reviews that they have garnered from customers. Check them out below!
In This Article
The Ultimate Battle Of The 10 Best Cushion Foundations Of 2024
1. Best Sun Protection:MISSHA M Magic Cushion – NO. 23
The basic elements of a cushion foundation are a sponge-soaked foundation and an application puff. The MISSHA Magic Cushion is a popular and refined cushion foundation with SPF 50+ and nature’s best ingredients like camelia leaf water, sage water, and Nucifera root water— all of which intensely hydrated the skin to keep it soft and supple. This stellar foundation from a celebrity-endorsed brand assures guaranteed longevity throughout the day without any smudging. The sponge is meant to last long without the need to turn it over as the foundation itself does not permeate. With its high coverage, the foundation covers blemishes and scars. For visual evidence and to know more about this product, check out this video detailing a tester’s experience with it.
Pros
- No greasing
- Infused with natural plant extracts
- Soft-focus effect
- Dermatologist-approved
- Supreme hydration
- Long lasting
Cons
- Fragrance may seem strong to some
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has received 2,500 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.
2. Best Buildable:Maybelline New York Dream Cushion Liquid Foundation On-The-Go – Porcelain
Maybelline, the house of every beauty teen’s first love and a company that sincerely cares about its customers, introduces its own cushion foundation. The Dream Cushion delivers absolute radiance, resulting in a fresh-faced look. With a great texture, this product provides buildable coverage that stays put throughout the day… Carry this little portable product when you’re on the go and touch it up whenever needed. Simply press the puff into the sponge and dab the product across your face, blend it in, and wait for it to reveal a flawless finish.
Pros
- Flawless natural finish
- Doesn’t settle in fine lines
- Long-lasting
- Buildable
- Cruelty-free
- Medium to full coverage
Cons
- Contains talc
"The foundation offers good coverage and can be used daily for a natural makeup look. I love how it allows my freckles to peek through. It applies smoothly and gives a non-cakey, smooth complexion."
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 2,233 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
3. Best Coverage:Momo Queen Mushroom Head Air Cushion Foundation
A new form of formula has begun to merge with the concept of cushion foundation, CC Cream and BB creams now come in these compacts to provide you with just the right amount of hydration and tint needed for a glowy and seamless finish. The biggest pro about this cushion CC cream is that it comes with an applicator outside the compact. A small, chubby mushroom head sponge is provided with this product for controlled and precise application. This creamy foundation blurs out blemishes, scars, and any form of discoloration to deliver exceptional results. The best pro about this foundation is that the formulation prevents fading or smudging even when in contact with water! So, you can now watch a sad movie or walk in the rain, worry-free. This color-correct foundation is also universally suitable for all skin types, especially for oily skin.
Pros
- High coverage
- Lightweight
- Breathable formula
- Provides radiant complexion
- Doubles as a concealer
- Waterproof
- Sweat-proof
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- May only be available in one shade
"The foundation is lightweight, yet manages to offer good coverage and a natural look. The brush is spongy and makes the application easier and faster on busy mornings. It covers my blemishes and dark spots well."
Pro Tip| MISSHA M Magic Cushion - NO. 23 Best Sun Protection | Maybelline New York Dream Cushion Liquid Foundation On-The-Go - Porcelain Best Buildable | Momo Queen Mushroom Head Air Cushion Foundation Best Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Type | Acne-ProneColor | AllColor | - |
| Dimensions | - | 1.05 x 2.75 x 2.75 inches | - |
| Weight | - | 0.32 Ounces | - |
| Number of Items | - | - | 1 |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 2,500 | 2,233 | 2,075 |
| Price | $12.55 | $13.49 | $13.99 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
4. Best For Acne-Prone Skin:Nuonove BB Air Cushion Foundation – Natural
Another contender racing on the mushroom air cushion track is the BB cream and foundation combination from Nuonove. This product comes with a bionic film instead of a traditional foundation-soaked sponge, which helps retain the product underneath to deliver a mess-free experience. The formulation of this product makes one’s skin look healthy, covering the skin imperfections, uneven skin tone, and making it bright with natural ingredients derived from tremella and centella extracts that provide a soothing and nourishing effect on the skin. The foundation is also fuelled with SPF to block harmful sun rays. With an assurance to last up to 24 hours, you ought to give this foundation a try.
Pros
- Suitable for acne-prone skin
- Clean complexion finish
- Infused with tremella and centella asiatica extracts
- Medium to high coverage
- Mushroom-head applicator
- Affordable
Cons
- Lack of shade range
- Could seem drying to some
"The foundation offers great coverage. I use it both as a concealer and an eyeshadow base. A little goes a long way with this one for my oily skin. It is lightweight and does not look cakey."
Pro Tip5. Best Semi-Matte Finish:CLIO Kill Cover Founwear Cushion – Ginger
Brace yourself as we introduce you to this bad boy! CLIO’s Kill Cover Founwear Cushion is packed with all that you’d need in a foundation. We dare say that this could simply be the answer to your greasy skin woes as the formula controls excessive sebum production and helps makeup last longer for a clean and beautiful look. The finish is semi-matte and spreads evenly, leaving a high-coverage finish. Probably the best feature is that the foundation has been tested to last up to a whopping 54 hours! The texture of this product is such that it glides like a dream to provide a soft, velvety feel and deliver exceptional results. It is also absolutely transfer-proof. The puff is shaped like a water-droplet for precise application.
Pros
- Lasts up to 54 hours
- Blocks oil secretion
- Weightless
- Vegan
- Smudge-proof
- Transfer-proof
- Semi-matte finish
Cons
- Not available in many shades
"This Korean cushion foundation offers good coverage and a lovely glow to the skin. Once set with a powder, it does not move or transfer at all. It applies easily and the cushion feels soft on the skin."
6. Best Luminous Glow:L’oreal Paris True Match Lumi Cushion Buildable Luminous Foundation – N2 Classic Ivory
If you’re a beginner in the world of cushion foundations, you can start your journey with Lóreal Paris’ True Match Lumi range. The foundation comes in 16 shades — which is always a big pro. Many reviewers have shared that this blendable formula provides a rich, well-nourished youthful glow that stays put for hours and brightens the skin. This foundation is also meant to be layered over for an even blend and the perfect skin tone match. Tap this product on your skin for a fresh, healthy glow suitable for daily wear. Since it provides sheer coverage, you would have the ability to build over time.
Pros
- High coverage
- Buildable
- Luminous finish
- Easy to blend
Cons
- Some users noted that it felt a little dry after a few hours.
7. Best Anti-Aging:Troiareuke Seoul Cushion Foundation – A+ Cushion #23
Arguably skincare’s new best friend, Troiareuke’s cushion foundation is set to be the primary step to your daily makeup routine. With its clean formulation devoid of any parabens, sulfates, or phthalates, this foundation for combination skin type aims to rejuvenate, regenerate, and help your skin breathe. The product is formulated with 99% skin care ingredients only and 1% makeup products as most ingredients are meant to help your skin restructure. It also prioritizes individual skin types, meaning the same product comes for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. The important elements are the abundant quantity of centella asiatica, tea tree, and calendula extracts which — as we know it— are nature’s gifts to skincare.
Pros
- Infused with natural extracts
- Lightweight
- Controls oil
- SPF 50+
- Anti-aging benefits
- Convenient pick
- Free from parabens, phthalates, and sulfates
Cons
- Overwhelming fragrance
8. Best Transfer-Proof:Hera Black Cushion Foundation – No.23 Beige
If you’re on the lookout for a bougie, high-end, elite product, turn your gaze towards Hera. Hera’s Black Cushion Foundation has received much appreciation for its effortless, celebrity-esque finish. This iconic compact from the celebrity-endorsed brand prides itself in its chic and elegant packaging. The product itself is absolutely divine. Since we have long been used to wearing masks on the daily, this foundation comes in just at the right time to the rescue. Hera promises 100% of no smudge, no fade, and absolutely no transfer for when you wear a face mask, sounds pretty convincing to us! The skin too is allowed to breathe without clogging pores or finishing with a cakey look. The product definitely blends invisibly into the skin that could last up to 24 hours straight!
Pros
- Sheer buildable coverage
- Transfer-proof
- Does not smudge or fade
- Non-comedogenic
- Evens out skin tone
- Is not cakey
- Soft matte finish
Cons
- Expensive
9. Best For All Skin Types:Hanskin Blemish Cover Conceal Cushion
The Hanskin Blemish Cover Conceal Cushion is a lightweight, high-coverage formula that delivers a semi-matte finish to your skin. This oil-controlling formula absorbs excess sebum, corrects skin discolorations, and covers your redness. It is infused with avocado oil, an essential antioxidant that eliminates wrinkles and nourishes your skin, and centella extract, which offers soothing benefits. The cushion foundation also contains SPF 50 and PA+++ to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. In addition, this foundation has a specially designed puff applicator ideal for seamless and detailed coverage.
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types
- Offers UV protection
- Lightweight
- Oil-free
- High coverage
- Provides anti-aging benefits
- Improved sebum control
- Contains SPF 50 and PA+++
- Long-lasting
- Non-greasy
Cons
- None
"This Hanskin foundation handles the humidity well and offers a natural, glowy finish. It does not feel heavy on my oily skin which is why I love using it daily. It's good for treating dark spots and redness and creating a smooth skin tone."
10. Best Moisturizing:Miba Big Cushion Foundation Version 2 – No. 23
Last but definitely not the least contender on the list is the MIBA Big Cushion Foundation, a tough player in the game to last a long, long time; this foundation promises to stay on for 44 hours! The compact comes visibly bigger in size than compared to conventionally seen cushion foundations. It is enriched with pearl extracts and damask rose water to keep your skin looking fresh and supple throughout the day. Speaking of coverage, the product guarantees a full-coverage look for when you want to look dewy and glam.
Although the brand claims to have a long-lasting effect, Emmy Award winning makeup artist, Nyssa Green, cautions against wearing foundation for that long.
Pros
- Large compact with a lot of product
- Lasts up to 44 hours
- Contains pearl extracts and damask rose
- High coverage
- Dewy finish
- Extremely moisturizing
Cons
- Lack of shades
A cushion foundation is a fun makeup product to have in your vanity but don’t let the worry to get the perfect one to overwhelm you. After all, makeup is to be considered a hobby and not a task, thus, in the journey to understand and know what your skin likes, you may make a few regrets. But, in order to ensure that those mistakes remain in the absolute bottom tier, we have crafted a few pointers to look out for when you’re shopping for your next favorite cushion compact for oily skin.
Why You Should Own A Cushion Foundation?
- Fun and practical
Cushion foundations are an excellent source of fun and practicality. You’re definitely not new to the conventional foundation containers and to be honest, they aren’t exactly travel-friendly or portable. On the other hand, these compact cases are easy to carry along and most of the time come with mirrors, so touch-ups are easier to do. The fun aspect simply lies in the design and the sheer pleasure of having to squeeze down a sponge to tap some of the product onto your surface.
- Texture
Most cushion foundations are prone to provide you the most hydrating, refreshed, and sheer look. This goes perfectly if you’re in the need for an everyday foundation. Cushion foundations are created in a way where it makes you feel like you have a thin layer on while locking your look and keeping it in place. Since their formulations are hydrating yet weightless, these are the best for those with oily skin.
- Layering
The best part about cushion foundations is that you can either dab the product all over your face once for a sheer, dewy look, or you could build up the coverage by layering on the skin two or three times without worrying about clogging pores. Since their formula is skin care driven, you can really pack on some of the product and not worry much about product buildup on the skin.
- Time-saving
Applying a cushion foundation when you’re late for work or class saves time and energy, since you get all the 3 important items in one compact — the foundation, the application puff, and a mirror (in most cases). Touch up your face a few times throughout the day and just toss it in your bag until necessary!
How To Choose A Cushion Foundation For Oily Skin
Consider these simple steps before you attempt to splurge on your first or next cushion foundation:
- Coverage
Always be sure of the kind of coverage you want to achieve, since most cushion foundations are sheer and buildable, aiming for full coverage the only foundation could lead you spiralling down.
- Finish
Dewy, radiant, glass skin, you name it and any cushion foundation will provide you just that. Since oily skin people are more prone to excess sebum production, opt for a mattifying cushion compact or tap on some oil control powder post-application.
- Shades
This is a no-brainer, cushion foundations have seemingly had a bad rep for shade inclusion, primarily in today’s day and age. However, new brands or even well known existing brands are on the rise to re-target their market audience in order to include more skin colors, so stay on the lookout for new additions to your desired foundations! If you have a cool undertone, look for a foundation with a pinkish tint to it and avoid yellow foundations. If you have a warm undertone, do look for a foundation that is slightly yellow. Neutral undertones can do well with peach-tinted foundations.
How To Apply Cushion Foundation On Oily Skin
- Step 1: Gently press the application puff into the foundation cushion
- Step 2: Tap the application puff onto your skin as you would with a beauty sponge to dab the product on your skin.
- Step 3: Keep tapping the product to evenly spread out the product on your face
- Step 4: Blend in the product by tapping or dabbing motions
- Step 5: Finish your tapping motions by slightly stroking the puff downwards to erase any harsh lines or patches
- Step 6: Go about the rest of your makeup routine, as usual, add colors, do your eyes and lips, and you’ll be done!
Infographic: Tips To Choose A Cushion Foundation For Oily Skin
Using a foundation on oily skin can be challenging because this skin type accentuates the appearance of shine or grease on your face. However, it is possible to achieve a flawless, natural-looking finish with the right products. Cushion foundations are a great option for oily skin as they are lightweight, easy to apply, and have a non-greasy and shine-control formula. But how do you choose the best one? Check out the below infographic for tips to pick the right cushion foundation for oily skin.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Oily skin is tricky to deal with. And getting your hands on the right foundation for such skin types can be a huge ordeal. For lightweight, natural-looking coverage, you can consider using the MISSHA M Magic Cushion – NO. 23, while the L’oreal Paris True Match Lumi Cushion– N2 Classic Ivory is best suited for adding a radiant natural glow to the skin. At the same time, the CLIO Kill Cover Founwear Cushion–Ginger provides long-lasting high coverage. The best Cushion foundations for oily skin are specially crafted for oily-skinned beauties. Their lightweight formulas are easily blendable and offer great coverage. The best part? You don’t have to worry about the applicator as you can simply dab them on your skin, and voila! Flawless skin in a jiffy! Cushion foundations do not settle on fine lines and last for long hours. Some of them have breathable and waterproof formulas to ensure your makeup look remains intact even on hot summer days. They control excess sebum production and add a velvety texture to your skin. Most of these Cushion foundations are transfer-proof and add a gorgeous glow to your face. You can use them to create a flawless base on which you can experiment with your desired makeup look. However, stay away from products that have an overwhelming smell and opt for fragrance-free ones instead. If your skin is prone to allergies, side with a dermatologist-tested formula that is free of toxins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cushion foundations good for acne-prone skin?
Yes, cushion foundations have a lightweight texture that do not clog the pores so are suitable for acne-prone skin. They provide buildable coverage and hide minor acne scars. However, if you have severe and dark acne scars, these foundations might not be able to hide them completely.
How long does a cushion foundation last?
Cushion foundations have good lasting power. They provide light coverage and can be touched up after every 6 hours to retain their effect all day long.
Are cushion foundations worth it?
Yes. Several cushion foundations are formulated with multiple skincare benefits like sun protection and anti-aging benefits. All cushion foundations are very easy to blend and apply.
Is a cushion foundation good for oily skin?
Cushion foundations are great for oily skin. They absorb the excess oils from your greatest t-zones and provide a balanced shine to your face.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this post, Srijita De, is a makeup enthusiast who ensures her readers get the best product recommendations for a seamless shopping experience. After researching and reading reviews online, she has compiled a list of the best cushion foundations for oily skin to give you a flawless look. Each mentioned product has a comprehensive description as well as benefits and drawbacks. Chaitra has also provided a buying guide to help you buy the best.
