Derms and Testers Say These Drugstore Foundations Beat the Pricey Ones (2025)

“This hydrating formulation contains hyaluronic acid to help boost moisture, leaving the skin looking smooth and refreshed,” says Dr. Garshick. Using the same formula as its popular water gel, it helps improve skin texture with each use. It’s available in only 10 shades, which is slightly limited, but the range of tones itself is wide and the formula is easily blended for a natural-looking finish. Plus, it’s oil-free, making it a good option for those who may be dealing with dry skin as well as breakouts. It’s one of my favorites for its skincare-heavy ingredients that leave my skin feeling healthy and glowing, even after wearing it all day.

What a reviewer says: “I am in my 50’s and prefer a natural look and feel. This foundation is perfect! I get the color Natural and that works great, even when I’m a little tan it’s fine. It’s very moisturizing and you’d never know you had any on. For me it’s a nice amount of coverage that evens out my skin tone and reduces all the redness and blotchiness. It will not cover every freckle or age mark completely but I prefer that. I have tried Estee Lauder, Clinique, and a million other foundations over the years but this is the one I love the most and it’s so cheap!”

“Glycerin is the star here. It keeps your skin hydrated so your foundation goes on super smooth and wears evenly throughout the day,” says Burg of this light-to-medium coverage liquid formula that’s suitable for all skin-types. She also loves that it comes in 40 shades, so it works for a wide range of skin tones, too. At only $6 a bottle, it’s extremely affordable, too.

What a reviewer says: “I’m almost seventy and have tried the foundations for aging skin, but none were that great. On a whim, I decided to try this, and I couldn’t be more pleased. I got two shades and still need one with a little more color, but that’s not a problem. This makeup is so light and sheer, and doesn’t settle into lines, fine or otherwise. I found that I can take concealer off my list because this covers all I need, Eve dark circles, and does it better than anything else. There’s no caking, the foundation is buildable, and feels like silk. My face is so soft, it feels like I’m wearing nothing at all.”

This is Burg’s recommendation for those who prefer a powder foundation. “It’s lightweight (yet buildable), controls shine, and gives you a soft matte finish without clogging pores.” Using micro-powders like Perlite, this formula is able to absorb oil and blur the appearance of pores to create a smooth and natural finish. Kopelman recommends it to those with oily skin for those same reasons.

What a reviewer says: “From the initial application, my giant pores seemed to melt away. And, I only need a tiny amount to achieve these incredible results. I have considerable fuzz on my face, which makes for very large pores previously impossible to even reduce the look of. I also have oily skin. I have learned that less works best, so this compact will last—unlike nearly every other makeup I own.”

“Luminous” is the keyword here: This illuminating foundation will take skin from dry to dewy instantly, thanks to its antioxidant-rich, water-based formula. “It’s enriched with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and vitamin E, which keep the skin nourished and give it a dewy, luminous finish,” says Hannah Kopelman, M.D., a dual-fellowship dermatologist in hair loss and cutaneous oncology at Kopelman Hair Restoration. Which is why she recommends this pick for those with dry skin. She also appreciates that the buildable coverage feels lightweight on the skin, as well as SPF 20 for additional sun protection.

What a reviewer says: “I’m 56, have dry skin with some large pores and (fortunately) minimal wrinkles. I’ve been trying for years to find a foundation that doesn’t dry out my skin, lasts throughout the day, and still looks good. This foundation is just amazing! It looks like my skin but better—fresher, smoother, maybe even a little younger. It doesn’t completely hide the pores of course. No foundation does, but it does make them less noticeable. It also lasts all day which for me is about 10 hours, and I’m very happy with that. My skin feels good, not dry. It doesn’t look cakey or settle into the fine lines around my mouth. Really nice foundation for dry and/or mature skin!”

Garshick chose this as the best overall drugstore foundation for mature skin because of its stacked ingredient list. ““Combining Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, this serum foundation offers a lightweight formula that won’t settle into lines,” Garshick previously told Prevention. “As a bonus, it contains SPF 50, helping to protect the skin while also hydrating the skin.”

What a reviewer says: “Years and years, probably hundreds of dollars later, my Goldilocks foundation is cheap, available and even includes a high SPF. My mature dry skin loves this one. Never settles in lines or texture and lasts all day. Medium coverage and so easy to apply with brush, fingers or sponge. Very natural finish but not dewy. Makes a good eye primer, too. It totally outperformed my Dior Forever stick foundation that cost an eye-watering $52.”

This is another L’Oréal pick for those in search of a drugstore foundation with natural finish. “I’ve seen this mentioned as a dupe for my personal favorite, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear, and I can definitely see why! Both offer great coverage, a natural matte finish, and serious staying power,” Burg tells us. “For the price, it’s hard to beat.” That’s mostly due to its skin-blurring formula which uses silica and dimethicone to make your complexion look soft and smooth while still being lightweight and breathable.

What a reviewer says: “This foundation is amazing! Its super lightweight and the coverage is awesome. I like this more than any other expensive foundations that I have used before.”

Those searching for full-coverage drugstore foundation should look no further than this liquid formula from Nyx. “It has amazing staying power and keeps shine in check without making your skin look flat,” Burg tells us. Not only that, but this highly pigmented product delivers a matte finish that is both sweat- and waterproof, so it’s also long lasting. I used this particular drugstore foundation as a bridesmaid (doing my own makeup!) for its budge-proof formula that lasted through a long day of photos, dancing, and even an afterparty—and it looked just as flawless ten hours later, nearly an impossible feat.

What a reviewer says: “ I have tried everything, from super expensive foundation like Chanel, Cle de Peau, Dior etc. to other drug store foundations and nothing will ever come close to this. It’s very thin with amazing coverage, it lasts all day, doesn’t settle in your fine lines, looks like skin, doesn’t show pores, stays matte all day, blends well, doesn’t dry your skin, and makes your face look flawless. I hope they never discontinue this product.”

For those looking for a CC cream, this option by e.l.f. is highly recommended by Kopelman for its skincare-heavy formula. “It provides excellent coverage with a skin-like finish and contains beneficial ingredients like niacinamide and peptides, which support skin barrier health,” she tells us.

It’s a favorite of mine for this exact reason—its coverage is so great that it barely needs a small dab, ensuring that it lasts a long while, too. Prior to using, I had been told to grab It’s viral CC cream but it was out of stock in my shade, so I opted for this one instead. And after trying both, e.l.f. is the one I prefer. Not only is it half the price, but I find it makes my skin look healthier and more hydrated than the viral option.

When it comes to light coverage, this foundation is a superstar. According to Burg, it’s perfect for evening out skin tone without covering everything up. It will also help plump and moisturize, due to its 1% hyaluronic acid, making it a great fit for those with dry skin, too. “Hyaluronic acid is the star of this formula since it helps boost hydration, but it also contains perlite and Moroccan lava clay which help control excess oil—so you’ll stay hydrated and dewy, not greasy!” she says.

What a reviewer says: “I’m getting older and am looking for base products that don’t accentuate my pores (there’s a lot), and also not make me feel like I have a ton of makeup on. This stuff is amazing at accomplishing both. It goes on beautifully. I work 12-hour shifts, and it still looks good when I wash it off. I can’t say enough good things about this foundation. L’Oreal knocks it out of the park again.”

Camp recommends this formula from Almay for those struggling with acne. “Made with 1% salicylic acid, prebiotics, and aloe vera, this foundation functions as both a hypoallergenic makeup and acne-fighting product for clearer, healthier, calmer skin,” he says. Plus, it offers a soft-matte finish that will last all day while it helps fight breakouts.

What a reviewer says: “Perfect for oily and normal skin. Any signs of a new blemish started it heals it quick. A foundation that actually improves your skin.”

Kopelman recommends this drugstore foundation for those with normal or combination skin because it is offered in two formulas: one for normal-oily and one for normal-dry—so no matter which way your combination skin leans, you’ll be sure to find one that truly matches. “The oil-free formula for oily skin includes salicylic acid to control acne, while the dry skin version is infused with hyaluronic acid for hydration, making it incredibly versatile for a range of skin concerns,” she adds. Plus, testers note that the formula truly lasts.

What a reviewer says: “My skin has changed over the years, still a combination skin, but my oily spots have moved to chin and forehead. Having a foundation that doesn’t clog my pores, but provides good coverage is really important to me. I have uneven tones and freckles I try desperately to tone down or hide. This makeup does the trick!”

If you are looking for a full-coverage foundation that can double up as a concealer on days when your complexion needs less, this Milani 2-in-1 formula is for you. Not only is the shade range extensive (45 options!), but reviewers can’t get enough of its silky, long-lasting finish.

What a reviewer says: “This is the only foundation and concealer that I use. I can get a perfect color match and make it look like I’m not even using foundation. I love it to much. The size, although small for the bottle, comes with a lot and you don’t have to use a lot either.”

This stick foundation incorporates good-for-you skincare ingredients like vitamin C and E to nourish and hydrate the skin. It’s safe to use on all skin types, but especially on those with dry skin. Plus, the stick formula is incredible easy to use and apply for those that find liquid too difficult, making it perfect for everyday use.

What a reviewer says: “Wanted a stick foundation for a light everyday makeup look. This is perfect! I use about 3 swipes on both sides of my face to even out my complexion. Blends best with a damp sponge followed by a foundation brush. Also love the neutral undertones!”

Prioritize hydration. “Hydrating foundation formulas may contain ingredients like niacinamide or glycerin, which are humectants, meaning they draw moisture in to help boost hydration in the skin,” says Garshick. “You may also find ingredients like squalane which can be soothing, mimicking the skin’s natural oils,” she explains. Kopelman adds that these skin-nourishing ingredients can help foundations perform better through the day, as well as improve skin over time.

Opt for oil-free formulas. “For me, the biggest must-have is a non-comedogenic formula,” says Burg. “This is so important because the last thing you want is your foundation—the very thing you’re using to cover up imperfections—keeping you stuck in a cycle of breakouts.”

Shade range. When it comes to drugstore foundations, a wider shade range is always preferable. Kopelman says this requirement is for two reasons: “A good foundation should also have a shade range that complements your skin tone and undertones, offering both inclusivity and precision.”

Consider your skin type. All our experts emphasized the importance of choosing a foundation that is compatible with your skin type. For instance, those with oily skin might opt for long-lasting formulas or ones with mattifying properties. Those with dry skin might prefer skin-hydrating ingredients like glycerin and dimethicone.

Know what kind of coverage you need. Foundations have different coverages and finishes, so it is important to note which will be best for you. They are traditionally offered in a range from light (like a BB cream, tinted moisturizer, or serum) to medium and full-coverage.

Prep your base. Regardless of what foundation you choose, make sure you take care of your skin for a more seamless makeup application. Always prep your skin with a hydrating moisturizer or primer to ensure a smoother and softer base to work with.