Many people are confused about what foundation to use for their skin. They want something that offers good coverage, but is also lightweight and doesn’t clog pores.
We’ll cover three different types of foundations: cream, liquid, and powder. We’ll talk about why they’re different from each other as well as which ones work best with oily skin, dry skin or acne-prone skin.
Cream foundation
This is the most common type. It appears thick in the jar, but goes on smooth and even. Cream foundation works well for dry skin, because it nourishes skin. However, if your skin is oily or acne-prone, cream foundation can cause breakouts because oil gets trapped under the cream’s thicker consistency. For this reason, cream foundation is a better choice for mature skin that isn’t as oily.
Pros
- Works well with dry skin, mature skin that isn’t oily, and for night time use when you don’t want your makeup to come off too easily.
- The coverage is medium to full and can be built up to provide more coverage where needed.
- Looks fresh and natural.
Cons
- Can clog pores if your skin is oily or acne-prone, which can lead to breakouts.
Liquid foundation
There’s a reason why liquid foundation is so popular—it provides light coverage that still lets skin show through. It also covers up minor imperfections, so you won’t need to use as much concealer. Liquid foundation is lighter than cream foundation. It tends to look more natural and can be layered for more coverage where needed.
Pros
- Good for oily skin because it provides light coverage without feeling heavy on the skin.
- Feels lightweight and comfortable on your skin.
- Looks fresh and natural. Lasts throughout the day.
Cons
- If you have a lot of imperfections or dark circles under your eyes, this type of foundation may not be enough to cover them up—you might need a concealer with it for more coverage.
Powder foundation
Powder foundation is great for controlling oil. It goes on with a slight matte finish, but you can add a bit of moisturizer underneath to get the more dewy finish some people prefer. This foundation is so popular because it provides great coverage without clogging pores, and most powders have added sun protection.
Pros
- Coverage is light to medium and can be layered for more coverage where needed.
- Looks fresh and natural.
- Controls oil.
Cons
- If you have minor blemishes or dark circles under your eyes, this type of foundation may not be enough to cover them up—you might need a concealer with it for more coverage.
FAQ
What works best for oily skin?
Liquid foundation is a great choice. It provides light coverage and keeps your skin from getting too shiny throughout the day. You might want to try a foundation with an added oil-control ingredient, such as silk powder or salicylic acid, which will help absorb oil and keep your face matte longer.
What works best for dry skin?
Cream foundation is a good option. It moisturizes dry skin, but won’t clog pores if your skin is acne-prone. Try one with added oil-control ingredients to keep your skin shine-free longer.
What works best for mature skin?
Go with cream foundation because it nourishes the skin.
What works best for acne-prone skin?
Powder foundation is a better choice, because it keeps your skin matte and controls oil. Plus, if you have a lot of blemishes or dark circles under your eyes, powder will help cover them up more easily than liquid.
Which foundation lasts longer?
Powder foundation tends to stay in place better, especially when you use a primer underneath it. But wearing powder foundation doesn’t mean you can skip moisturizer—you still need to make sure your skin is well-moisturized or the powder will cling to dry patches and your makeup won’t look as smooth.
Which is better, compact or loose powder foundation?
Loose powder tends to look more natural and has a lighter feel than compact. Compacts are easier to carry around in your purse for touchups through the day.
Does mineral makeup really have better coverage?
A lot of people swear by it because it feels like you’re putting nothing on your skin—it’s that sheer. But mineral makeup can be more drying than liquid or cream formulas, especially if you don’t moisturize first.
Conclusion
Choosing the right foundation is very important, because it will impact how your makeup looks. Make sure to choose a foundation that fits with your skin type so you don’t need to use too much concealer or powder for coverage where needed.
