The Best Drugstore Foundations for Combination Skin in 2023

When it comes to finding the best foundation for your skin, you want something that is going to last all day without separating. But what if you have combination skin? You got to find the perfect formula that works for both your oily t-zone and dry patches at any time!

Many drugstore brands offer inexpensive high coverage foundations that can perform very well. Here’s our list of the best drugstore foundations for combination skin of 2021 that we’ve tested. They’re all under $10 which makes them very affordable and they won’t make your skin shiny by midday!

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Best drugstore foundations for combination skin

The best foundations for combination skin can be hard to find! Thankfully, drugstore brands are stepping up their game so we don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on high-end foundations to get great coverage.

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin SPF 15

You’ve got oily skin T-zone and you want a foundation that doesn’t make it worse? The Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Oily Combination Skin is a perfect choice. This foundation will stay on all day without feeling heavy or greasy. It goes on nicely and it provides a matte finish that doesn’t look heavy or cakey.

It has a very liquid formula that blends easily into the skin. It dries fast into a matte finish and it’s also oil-free.

You only need a tiny amount to cover the entire face so the bottle can last you for a very long time. It’s available in 43 shades for light, medium olive, deep, and dark skin tones. Plus, it has an SPF 15 to help to protect the skin from the sun.

Tip: Always remember to wear your sunscreen before applying primer or foundation. A foundation with SPF is not enough and you need more coverage to protect the skin from harmful rays.

Wet n wild Photo Focus Foundation matte

This inexpensive foundation has got so many rave reviews for a good reason; it melts into the skin leaving the face with a beautiful velvet finish. It’s a great drugstore foundation for combination skin because it has an ultra-thin formula that blends seamlessly without looking flat or powdery.

This foundation does exactly what it promises to do; it gives you flawless coverage at a very affordable price.  The formula feels very lightweight and it’s cruelty-free!

It’s also buildable so you can get medium to full coverage depending on how you apply it. Blend it with a beauty sponge to get light coverage or use a kabuki brush for medium to full coverage.  It comes in 20 shades and to find your shade match, there is a shade finder that you can try on the wet n wild website. It can help you match your color shade based on many other foundations you may have used in the past.

The wet n wild Photo Focus Foundation matte is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to look their best without breaking the bank! This foundation doesn’t settle into the pores but the only downside is that it does have a bit of a chemical smell when applying it so it might not be the perfect choice for sensitive skin.

Tip: Select the shade that matches your skin tone and undertone to avoid your foundation from looking pink.

L’Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Super-Blendable Liquid Foundation

L’Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Super-Blendable Liquid Foundation is a lightweight formula that is easy to blend with a sponge or a brush. It’s perfect for those no-makeup makeup looks when you want to look your best with minimal effort.

It comes in 45 shades which makes it easy to find your perfect match! Its lightweight formula and natural finish will give you all day wear, even on those humid summer days. The coverage is also buildable, so you can get medium to full coverage depending on your needs.

It gives the skin a satin finish and it’s oil-free and fragrance-free!

e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation

This oil-free foundation has a lightweight formula that blends easily into the skin. It gives light coverage and a semi-matte finish. It can be a great choice during the summer months when you want something lighter on your face.

One of the main key ingredients in this foundation is glycerin which helps hydrating the skin. It might not be the best foundation if you have a very oily t-zone but it works better for people with dry patches.

It’s vegan, cruelty-free and it’s available in 40 shades which makes it easy for everyone to find a perfect match.

It blends easily with a sponge or a brush. The only downside is that it does have a fragrance so it might not be suitable for people with sensitive skin.

Tip: To make your skin look natural with makeup; mix foundation with moisturizer. This hack will give you an airbrushed appearance in seconds!

COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream 

The COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream has an oil-free formula that feels lightweight on the skin. It’s great for combination skin because it helps control shine throughout the day without feeling greasy.

It wears comfortably on the skin so it’s the perfect foundation for everyday. It’s also buildable so it provides light to medium coverage depending on how you apply it. A little bit goes a very long way with this product so you only need a tiny amount.

It gives a smooth soft matte finish that looks like skin but better. It doesn’t emphasize fine lines or wrinkles and it wears well throughout the day too!

The only downside is that it’s only available in 6 shades which is doesn’t make it suitable for many skin tones.

Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation

Looking for an affordable foundation that will last all day? Try the Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation. This smooth and lightweight formula blends so easily and provides medium to full coverage while still looking natural.

It covers any imperfections or discoloration well and it feels moisturizing on the skin. The formula is very creamy and it doesn’t emphasize fine lines or wrinkles which makes it work for mature skin as well.

It’s formulated without oils, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and harsh fragrances. It’s also available in 31 shades to match many skin tones.

This foundation is one of the best full coverage foundations for combination skin. To get a long lasting result, set your oily t-zone with a small amount of a finely milled setting powder on top.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil

If you are looking for a light coverage foundation for everyday, the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil is a great choice! It evens out the skin tone and it gives a smooth satin skin that doesn’t look cakey or heavy.

Many foundations are too thick to be used everyday which is not the case for this one from NYX. It performs like a tinted cream that can be used during the summer months when you want something lighter on your face.

It blends easily into the skin and it dries to a semi-matte finish that stays put all day long. You can also apply with your fingers if you are on the go and it can still look great! It leaves your face feeling nice and soft to the touch.

This foundation is available in 12 shades and you can find your shade match by using the nyxcosmetics shade finder.

If you like silicone-free foundations, check these best water-based foundations for combination skin!

L’Oréal paris INFALLIBLE Pro-Matte Foundation

Full coverage foundations can look heavy on the skin but not this one from L’Oréal. It has a creamy formula that goes on smoothly to cover redness and imperfections. It’s one of the best drugstore foundations for combination skin.

It sets to a semi-matte finish and you can also count on it to stay put, even in hot weather. The L’Oréal Infallibe pro-matte Foundation comes in 22 different shades and it even has a shade finder on the website that helps you find your perfect match.

If you have a very oily t-zone, set your foundation with a loose or pressed powder to get a shine-free look. A little bit goes a long way with this foundation so you only need a tiny amount to cover the entire face.

This foundation might not be the best choice for dry and textured skin as it might accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. If you have an oily t-zone but your cheeks are extremely dry, I suggest you use a different foundation for your dry areas to prevent your makeup from looking flaky.

It might also oxidize so keep that in mind when you want to pick your shade.

To get that perfect, natural look you should always start with a little bit of foundation! Dab some product onto the back of your hand, blend it and then dip your makeup brush or beauty sponge into the foundation. Apply the product to your face starting with the areas where you need more coverage. Blend it all over and add more if needed.

For a dewy look, mix your foundation with a hydrating primer to get a radiant finish.

MAYBELLINE Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation

This drugstore foundation from Maybelline comes in 40 shades. It helps to minimize the look of the pores for a natural matte finish. Its micro-powders make it a good match for oily and combination skin.

For less than 10$, this foundation is a great deal! It blends so easily and it doesn’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles. It doesn’t move or slide throughout the day and it gives a great medium to full coverage.

To find your shade match, you can use the foundation finder on the Maybelline website. This tool helps you find your perfect foundation and shade easily!

Final Thoughts on Best Drugstore foundations for combination skin

Finding a good and affordable foundation that works for combination skin doesn’t have to be hard! Many drugstore brands are coming up with great foundations that can outperform some high end ones!

If you want light coverage, try the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil. It has a very lightweight formula that evens out the skin tone.

The COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream and the MAYBELLINE Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation are great to keep your oily areas shine-free.

If you like a satin finish foundation that lasts all day, try the Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation. It covers any redness and imperfections very well and it feels moisturizing on the skin.

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