While some people have dry skin and some people have oily skin, most people fall somewhere in between and have a mixture of the two. Combination skin is the most common skin type and it can be difficult knowing the right kind of makeup to use. If you have combination skin, you need a foundation that’s both mattifying and hydrating, where you can build the coverage for different areas. It’s important to get the balance just right, so we’ve rounded up 8 of the best foundations for combination skin plus our most helpful application tips!
What is ‘Combination’ Skin?
Combination skin is when you have dry skin in some areas of your face and oily skin in others. Skin is personal and easily affected by seasonal and hormonal changes, but key signs of combination skin include an oily t-zone (forehead down the nose to the chin) and dry cheeks, oilier skin in the summer and dryer skin in the winter, and breakouts and oiliness on your period, with clear yet flaky skin once your period ends.
How to Apply Foundation to Combination Skin
1. Start with a Good Cleanser
To prep your combination skin for foundation make sure to first remove any excess oil with a good cleanser. Look for one with salicylic acid to help reduce oil build up and clogging.
2. Apply a Moisturizer for Dehydration
Once your skin is clean, apply a moisturizer to help with dry spots and dehydration. Look for a lightweight formula that won’t leave your skin greasy, yet is hydrating enough to plump up any dry areas.
3. Application For Oily Areas
Don’t use your fingers to apply your foundation as they’ll end up transferring more oil onto your skin. It’s best to use a dry buffing brush to apply foundation to oily spots such as your t-zone. Buildable foundation is ideal so you can add a little extra throughout the day to shiny spots if needed.
4. Application For Dry Areas
Use a damp makeup sponge to apply light coverage over dry areas. This will smooth out the formula and increase the smooth application over tight or flaky areas.
8 Best Foundations for Combination Skin
1. Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin
This full coverage foundation is formulated with flexi-fit complex technology to deliver oil-absorbing powders. This ensures shine control and 24 hours of wear that doesn’t cake or flake. It mattifies your skin for a velvety finish you’ll be proud to wear.
2. Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation
For a naturally vibrant, shine-free glow, this Dior foundation is a medium-to-full coverage product with SPF 35. It leaves your skin with a velvety matte finish and is formulated with Pansy Extract hydration booster to transform dry skin to smooth and radiant. It keeps your skin comfortable while protecting against environmental aggressors.
3. Laura Geller Quench-N-Tint Foundation
This hydrating foundation offers weightless coverage, leaving your skin with a natural glow. It contains hyaluronic acid to give your skin an instant boost of hydration to soothe and smooth dry skin. It’s like a makeup and moisturizer in one, with a hint on tint that evens out skin tone to achieve a “no makeup” makeup look with ease.
4. Dermablend Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation
This foundation offers buildable coverage with sunscreen and all-day hydration. It applies smoothly with a creamy texture for a gorgeous, natural finish. It blends smoothly and evenly and is great for covering uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation and redness. It’s formulated with high-performance pigments that allow you to build coverage from medium to full, but doesn’t cake or mask for an always-smooth finish.
5. Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation
If you’re looking for a full coverage foundation that will last all night, but is also comfortable enough to wear all day, this is the one for you. It’s a revolutionary formula for oily and combination skin, and with superior coverage, there’s no need to apply multiple layers. It features a matte formula that absorbs oil to prevent the look of shiny skin and diffuses light to blur flaws for a beautifully flawless complexion.
6. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
A soft matte foundation that sits smoothly on the skin and blurs out imperfections, Fenty Pro Filt’r is a game-changer. It contains climate-adaptive technology that makes it sweat- and humidity-resistant without clogging pores. It provides buildable, medium-to-full coverage with a shine-free finish you can wear all day.
7. Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
Want a luminous look that won’t turn greasy? This foundation is formulated with coconut water and hyaluronic acid, which hydrate the skin without leaving it shiny. This formula is ideal if you’re looking for more of a dewy, glowy finish for your combination skin. It’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, and masterfully diffuses the line between makeup and skin for undetectable coverage.
8. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
With 40 shades to choose from, this medium coverage foundation refines pores for a natural-looking matte finish. It contains micro-powders that control shine and will never leave your skin looking greasy. It’s an oil-free mattifying foundation that won’t cause cakiness and is ideal for combination skin.
Combination skin is the most common skin type and if you have it, these are the best foundations for you. Use our makeup tips and hacks to your advantage for your most beautiful looking skin!
