10 Best Drugstore Foundations For Combination Skin, As Per A Makeup Expert

Prepare your skin up for perfection with these non-greasy, lightweight formulations.

Reviewed by Lorrie Pearson, Professional Makeup Artist
Written by Srijita De, MA (English & Literature), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Edited by Rajeshwari Das, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication)  • 
All products recommended on StyleCraze are independently selected by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through any of these links, we may receive a commission. Learn more about our product selection process here.

It is indeed quite a challenge to find the perfect foundation for combination skin. If you haven’t yet, you should look for the best drugstore foundation for combination skin because you may be missing out on many gems stacked on the shelves. As combination skin involves an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and normal to dry cheeks, you need to find a product that’s designed to suit this skin type.

The cosmetics world today is tuned to understand your necessities and has innumerable choices of great drugstore foundations for combination skin type. From a natural or dewy finish to full or medium coverage, they come equipped to give you the perfect finish, a non-greasy experience, and durability. Amidst all the options, it may get a little tricky to pick the best one. We feel you and that’s why we have got you a list of the top 10 drugstore foundations formulated for combination skin. These foundations have garnered positive reviews from customers on various forums, thanks to their use of high-quality ingredients and their ability to provide exceptional coverage to the skin. Scroll down to check them out.

Top PicksCHECK PRICE
Best Lightweight:REVLON ColorStay Makeup Foundation - 200 | NudePrice on Amazon
Best Waterproof:NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation - Warm VanillaPrice on Amazon
Best Luminous Finish:CLINIQUE Even Better Makeup Foundation - NeutralPrice on Amazon
Best Travel-Friendly:Maybelline Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation - 10 | Porcelain IvoryPrice on Amazon
Best Breathable:Frankie Rose Cosmetics Matte Perfection Foundation - OlivePrice on Amazon
Best Long-Wearing:Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation - BeigePrice on Amazon
Best Hydrating:e.l.f. Flawless Finish FoundationPrice on Amazon
Best Long Lasting:Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place MakeupPrice on Amazon
Best Sweat-Proof:UCANBE Matte Pro Longwear Foundation - U06 | Deep TanPrice on Amazon
Best Oil-Free:Lumene Matt Oil-Control Foundation - 0 | Light IvoryPrice on Amazon

10 Best Drugstore Foundations For Combination Skin

1. Best Lightweight:REVLON ColorStay Makeup Foundation – 200 | Nude

4.4

It’s quite difficult to find a long-wearing foundation for combination skin, isn’t it? To solve that problem, this drugstore foundation formula with an intense staying power for up to 24 hours, settles with a mattifying effect without making your skin feel greasy. This foundation from a celebrity-endorsed brand has almost 15000 reviews on Amazon and it imparts a sheer matte finish. With an oil-free formula, you will experience comfortable wear with medium to full buildable coverage. The shade of this foundation, 200 Nude, is suitable for medium skin tones and for those with a tan with warm olive or golden undertones. The formula is infused with the nourishing goodness of mallow extract, lily bulb extract, and grandiflorum flower extract among others for a healthy glow. Take a look at this video detailing a tester’s experience with this foundation to learn more about it.

Skin Type: CombinationColor: NUDE | Product Dimensions: 1.25 x 1.25 x 4.13 inches | Weight: 3.7 Ounces

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Controls shine
  • Value for money
  • SPF 15 sun protection
  • Available in 43 shades

Cons

  • It contains paraben

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

Almost 16,911 happy users have mentioned the value and quality of this product.

2. Best Waterproof:NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation – Warm Vanilla

If you have a light skin tone with golden undertones, the Warm Vanilla shade of this cult-favorite drugstore foundation is what your combination skin needs. While minimizing T-zone oiliness and controlling excess sebum and shine, the creamy liquid foundation offers silky smooth application, seamless blending, full coverage, and a matte finish, allowing your skin to feel comfortable and non-greasy throughout the day. Other than giving you a flawless complexion and smooth skin, this cruelty-free formula also stays true to color for up to 24 hours and is transfer-resistant. Although formulated for combination skin types it is also suitable for oily, normal, and sensitive skin types too. Check out this video to explore a reviewer’s experience with this foundation to understand its pros and cons.

Skin Type: All | Color: 06.3 WARM VANILLA | Product Dimensions: 1.21 x 1.21 x 4.6 inches | Weight: 3.84 Ounces

Pros

  • Vegan
  • Long-lasting wear
  • Waterproof
  • Lightweight
  • Richly pigmented
  • Non-comedogenic

Cons

  • Some users felt that the foundation appeared chalky after long hours of wear

protip_icon Pro Tip
Use a color-correcting primer to help even out your skin tone by correcting issues like redness, dullness, or uneven pigmentation. This will form a smooth base for your foundation.

3. Best Luminous Finish:CLINIQUE Even Better Makeup Foundation – Neutral

4.6

The CLINIQUE Even Better Makeup Foundation improves your skin’s health with every wear. With a creamy texture, this expertly crafted foundation helps even out skin tone and lends a natural finish with moderate to buildable coverage. Because of its natural skin look, the product has no less than 5,796 rave reviews on Amazon. The cream foundation boasts SPF 15 which protects the skin against sun damage. This super-blendable formula smooths skin and hydrates dry areas while reducing dark spots, discoloration, acne, and age spots in just 12 weeks. Infused with grapefruit peel extract, murumuru seed butter, and birch bark extract, your skin will receive antioxidant and moisturizing benefits for 24 hours. This foundation is also allergy-tested, so it will not irritate your skin or cause redness. To understand the nuances of the product in detail, you can check out this review.

Skin Type: Combination; Dry; Oily | Color: Neutral | Product Dimensions: 1.4 x 1 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 1 Ounces

Pros

  • Gluten-free
  • Stay-true color
  • Luminous finish
  • Lightweight formula
  • SPF protection
  • Humidity and sweat-resistant

Cons

  • Some may find it slightly greasy

protip_icon Quick tip
Apply foundation by lightly tapping it into your skin in a stippling motion for optimum blending and blurring finish. Avoid using any rubbing or wiping motions as it will leave streaks.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It has received over 5,849 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.

REVLON ColorStay Makeup Foundation - 200 | Nude
Best Lightweight
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation - Warm Vanilla
Best Waterproof
CLINIQUE Even Better Makeup Foundation - Neutral
Best Luminous Finish
Skin Type CombinationColor All Combination; Dry; Oily
Dimensions 1.25 x 1.25 x 4.13 inches 1.21 x 1.21 x 4.6 inches 1.4 x 1 x 3.5 inches
Weight 3.7 Ounces 3.84 Ounces 1 Ounces
Color- 06.3 WARM VANILLA Neutral
Rating
Reviews16,91112,6675,849
Price$10.19$14.09$28.36
Buy NowBuy NowBuy Now

4. Best Travel-Friendly:Maybelline Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation – 10 | Porcelain Ivory

4.4

A unique gel-whipped formula by Maybelline, this foundation keeps your skin hydrated for 12 hours. The velvety-soft foundation glides smoothly onto your skin to reveal a soft-matte finish that will leave you with a brighter complexion. A gel-whipped foundation infused with a high percentage of water, this drugstore foundation formula provides medium to full coverage. If you want minimal or sheer coverage, applying the product on damp skin will get you the results you desire. It even has 2,299 Amazon reviews as it offers a wide range of shades that match every skin tone.

Skin Type: Combination,Normal | Color: Porcelain Ivory | Product Dimensions: 0.97 x 1.51 x 4.79 inches | Weight: 1.44 Ounces

Pros

  • Non-drying
  • Lightweight
  • Travel-friendly
  • Hydrating

Cons

  • It does not offer sun protection

protip_icon Remember
Use a brush to blend your foundation gently over your ears as well, so that they match the rest of your face.

5. Best Breathable:Frankie Rose Cosmetics Matte Perfection Foundation – Olive

If you want to mask the appearance of mature skin, breakouts, dark spots, and blemishes instantly, this lightweight Frankie Rose Cosmetics Matte Perfection Foundation will come to your rescue. It instantly coverups dark spots and offers full coverage, you can also expect an even skin tone and spotless complexion all day long. Its silky texture glides smoothly and blends seamlessly onto your skin, giving you a matte finish and dewy glow. And if you have an olive skin tone with cool yellow undertones, this long-wearing shade is meant for you as it offers a natural look. There are 1,078 rave Amazon reviews for this foundation that talk about its perfect and long-lasting finish. The hypoallergenic foundation is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and combination skin, making it a must in your foundation collection.

Skin Type: All | Color: Olive

Pros

  • Breathable
  • Gluten-free
  • Easy to blend and layer
  • Blurs imperfections
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Hydrating formula
  • Not tested on animals

Cons

  • Slightly expensive

6. Best Long-Wearing:Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation – Beige

4.3
Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation Image: Oxygenetix

Have you ever tried a foundation with healing properties? Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation is an expert-recommended product that protects and soothes your skin while offering buildable coverage. Its aloe vera base makes it a unique foundation that improves skin health while eliminating dead skin cells. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and combination skin, this antibacterial formula helps your skin breathe and promotes elastin and collagen-building peptides. Its oil-absorbing properties also make the foundation suitable for oily and dry areas. You will be able to blur dark spots and blemishes with this foundation that offers a sheer finish. It is water-resistant and non-transferable. What’s more? It is certified vegan and free of animal testing.

Skin Type: Combination | Color: Chakra | Product Dimensions: 1.12 x 1.12 x 4.31 inches | Weight: 0.32 Ounces

Pros

  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free
  • Long-wearing
  • Paraben-free
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Expensive

7. Best Hydrating: e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation

4.2
e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation Image: E.l.f.

The e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation is a lightweight and hydrating liquid foundation that naturally blends into the skin to improve uneven skin tone and texture. The shade sand is a light-medium color with neutral undertones that provides medium-to-full coverage and weightless, all-day wear. The formula is oil-free and enriched with glycerin to soften and hydrate the skin, leaving a semi-matte satin finish. This medium-coverage foundation can be mixed with a moisturizer or lotion for better coverage or glow.

Skin Type: Normal | Color: Sand | Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 3.1 x 11 inches | Weight: 0.71 Ounces

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Hydrating formula
  • Smoothes skin texture
  • Provides a satin finish
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • 100% cruelty-free
  • Vegan

Cons

  • Shade range may not be suitable for all skin tones

8. Best Long Lasting: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

4.7
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Image: Estee Lauder

The Estee Lauder double wear stay-in-place makeup is a natural, matte foundation that lasts for 24 hours. This award-winning foundation has a cool, rosy undertone the shade of 3C2 Pebble, which is perfect for those looking for a lightweight, long-wearing foundation that stays color-true and does not require touch-ups. The 1 oz liquid formula is oil-free and oil-controlling, making it waterproof, transfer-resistant, and perfect for humid weather.

Product Dimensions: 1.26 x 1.57 x 3.7 inches | Weight: 0.14 Ounces

Pros

  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Flawless coverage
  • No touch-ups needed
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Unifies uneven skin tone

Cons

  • May not be suitable for extremely dry skin as the formula is oil-free and matte

9. Best Sweat-Proof:UCANBE Matte Pro Longwear Foundation – U06 | Deep Tan

If you are looking for a super lightweight foundation, it’s time to end your search and try the UCANBE Matte Pro Longwear Liquid Foundation. With weightless texture, this full-coverage foundation feels like second skin. Many reviewers agree that this smooth formula easily glides onto your skin and conceals wrinkles, pores, scars, and dark spots. Formulated with skin-fusion technology, this foundation is breathable, comfortable and does not cake or feel heavy even after wearing it for 24 hours.

Skin Type: Oily,All Skin TypesColor: Deep Tan | Product Dimensions: 4.53 x 1.69 x 0.91 inches | Weight: 1.59 Ounces.

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Non-cakey
  • Transfer-resistant
  • Offers matte finish
  • Sweat-proof formula
  • Suitable for all skin types

Cons

  • May not be suitable for extremely sensitive skin

10. Best Oil-Free:Lumene Matt Oil-Control Foundation – 0 | Light Ivory

Does your skin feel greasy after a few hours of applying foundation? If yes, you might want to consider an oil-free product like the Lumene Matte Oil-Control Foundation. It helps absorb excess oils from the skin to keep it shine-free all day, giving you full coverage and a matte finish. As the formula is infused with ultra-fine powdery pigments and mattifying agents, you can expect an oil-free and non-greasy look. And if you are wondering that this will cause dryness, this foundation is also formulated with hydrating Arctic spring water and skin balancing Arctic meadowsweet. They keep the skin intensely hydrated nourished and healthy, making this drugstore product ideal for combination and oily skin.

Skin Type: Oily, Combination

Pros

  • Vegan
  • Blends well
  • Long-wearing
  • Lightweight and oil-free formula
  • Not tested on animals

Cons

  • It might not be transfer-proof
*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.

Feeling confused? Go through our buying guide that will help you to choose the right foundation for combination skin.

How To Choose The Best Foundation For Combination Skin

  • Oil-free
    While choosing a foundation for combination skin, pick oil-free ones. These products help to absorb excess oils from your skin and keep it shine-free and non-greasy.
  • Finish
    With combination skin, you have the option to choose the finish. If your skin has more oily areas than dry spots, you should opt for a matte or semi-matte finish. And if it’s the opposite, you might like a shiny or glowy-finish foundation.
  • Sunscreen
    Try to find foundations with SPF as it will avoid an extra layer of product. This way your overall makeup will not feel heavy.
  • Skin tone
    Understanding your skin tone is really essential with any foundation. If the shade does not coordinate with your undertones, discoloration and uneven skin tone will take place. So, if you have a cool undertone, go for foundations with a tinge of pink, people with warm skin tones should opt for golden or yellow tint, and those who have neutral undertones should go with the combination of the two undertones.
  • Texture
    Pick a foundation that does not feel heavy on your skin and gives you the right coverage. The light texture product is comfortable wear for combination skin types and keeps your skin away from feeling greasy.

Infographic: How To Apply Foundation Seamlessly To Combination Skin

Combination skin demands a tailored approach when it comes to skin care and makeup. Achieving a natural-looking foundation base can be tricky for this skin type. You need to master the right technique to impart glow to your drier areas without making the oilier T-zone appear ultra shiny. Check out the infographic below to know more about the tips and tricks to ace the art of foundation application on combination skin.

How To Apply Foundation Seamlessly To Combination Skin(infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

The Bottom Line

A good foundation can enhance your makeup looks, make your skin appear flawless, and impart a statement-making glow. Unlike normal skin, combination skin needs special products that balance the oiliness of your T-zone and normal skin without making you look greasy. These drugstore foundations are expertly crafted particularly for combination skin. They control excess shine from the T-zones, provide a smooth application, and make you look bright. The REVLON ColorStay Foundation in Nude is a classic and versatile option for those with medium skin tone, while the Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation in Beige is suitable for all oily and dry areas. The e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation offers both coverage and hydration, making it a popular choice for those looking to improve their skin’s appearance. These water-resistant, long-lasting, and lightweight foundations provide buildable coverage by hiding out blemishes and spots. All these are on a budget. Remember to read the reviews to understand which foundation will suit your needs the most and buy accordingly. Additionally, do not forget to conduct a patch test with the foundation that you have chosen to check for allergic reactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which foundation brand is the best for combination skin?

Frankie Rose cosmetics is the best foundation brand for combination skin. Its foundations have a silky texture that offers full coverage to the skin. In addition, they contain hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic ingredients.

How do I choose the right drugstore foundation?

If you have oily skin, choose a mattifying formula but opt for a hydrating formula if you have dry skin. And if you have sensitive skin, side with hypoallergenic formulas.

Should your foundation be darker or lighter?

Neither. Pick a foundation shade similar to your skin tone to avoid looking artificial. However, if you wish to apply contour and bronzer as well, go a shade lighter.

How do I know what my foundation undertone is?

If you notice red or pinkish tones in your foundation, it has a cool undertone, and if it has a golden, peachy tone, know that it has a warm undertone. But, if the formula is a mix of both tones, it has a neutral undertone.

Do you put a foundation under your eyes?

Yes. Put a thin foundation layer under your eyes to lightly cover any hyperpigmentation there. Refrain from over-applying the product to avoid making the area patchy.

Do you match the foundation to the face or neck?

Pick a foundation shade that matches the side of your face and neck.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Srijita De, is a fashion and makeup enthusiast who loves to keep pace with the latest trends. She made it her mission to try different foundations available in the market and find the best drugstore foundations for her readers with combination skin. This carefully curated list of foundations features durable products that give you a perfect, non-greasy finish without burning a hole in your pocket.

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