Anyone who wears makeup either for work or pleasure has been at their local drugstore trying to choose a last-minute foundation on their way out. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a guide to selecting the right choice? Here is a list of the 10 best drugstore foundation brands we found that won’t break your bank. We thought it might help some of you save time and money and easily find which one works best for your skin’s needs!
Product FAQ
1. What Is Foundation?
Foundation is makeup designed for application to the entire face, used to create an even and uniform color close to your skin tone or sometimes to change your natural glow.
2. What Does It Do?
There are a number of benefits to using a good foundation such as evening out your skin tone and covering up blemishes; some even work as a moisturizer and sunscreen for your face.
3. Are There Different Kinds?
You can find hundreds of different best drugstore foundations that all cater to different needs, such as different skin types and ages. That’s why we came up with a list of 10 of the best drugstore foundations we could find!
4. Where Can You Get It?
Some people swear by only shopping for their makeup at fancy cosmetics stores, but we have a list of great products you can find online or close to home without being judged on your makeup skills.
5. Price Range?
The price range for our list of foundations ranges from approximately 6 to 17 dollars, which is still under 20 bucks.
How we Reviewed
We spent hours reviewing several products weighing out their different features, pros & cons and prices to come up with a list of just 10 of the best foundation brands, so you didn’t have to. It can be time-consuming to find what you might like when you’re looking at an overwhelming amount of choices and have no guide. After all, we’re all just trying to look as good as we feel right?
Overall Price Range Of This Product
When you’re looking for the best drugstore foundation one of the first things that comes to mind is the price. You would be surprised at how affordable some of these products are. Certain features can run you a few dollars more but are totally worth it such as coverage, SPF, oil control, and its ability to hydrate your skin. If you’re just looking for something simple and easy, you might only be out 6 dollars which isn’t much for a well-known brand.
What We Reviewed
10 Best Foundation Brands
- Burt’s Bees Mattifying Powder Foundation 17
- Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation SPF 20 13
- Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Foundation 6
- Maybelline New York Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation 6
- CoverGirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation 6
- Revlon Youth FX Fill + Blur Foundation 14
- L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Foundation 10
- Almay Smart Shade CC Cream 10
- Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free All-in-1 ABC Cushion Foundation SPF 50 8.50
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint 15
Burt’s Bees Mattifying Powder Foundation
Features
This product is amazing for those of you that may struggle with acne and blemishes or the occasional breakout and are looking for just the right amount of coverage without worrying about new acne. You will find that it gets rid of that oily shine you hate without drying out your skin and can be applied with a brush or a damp sponge for easy application. This foundation also has a hint of bamboo for a natural finish.
PROS
- Mineral formula
- Matte finish
- Light on skin
CONS
- Not long-lasting
- Powdery
- Light in color
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around 17 dollars. ($$$)
Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation SPF 20
Features
Here is a healthy foundation that includes vitamins and antioxidants you may have seen in serums which have hydrating and brightening qualities, leaving you with coverage that glows. The coverage is light to medium here, so this isn’t for heavy duty seekers. It also has a high SPF making it perfect for those of you who spend a fair amount of time in the sun.
PROS
- List Element
- Hydrating
- SPF 20
CONS
- Heavy formula
- Strong fragrance
- Poor applicator
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around 12 dollars. ($$)
Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Foundation
Features
Looking for something that works perfectly for cameras with a flash? Here is the best drugstore foundation for you. Its full matte coverage has been tested under 7 different flashes to guarantee you won’t see that white shine from your makeup in photos so you can be selfie-ready all day long.
PROS
- Full matte coverage
- No white cast in photos
- Long-lasting
- Lightweight formula
CONS
- No SPF
- Orange tint
- Dries skin
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around 5 dollars. ($)
Maybelline New York Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation
Features
For some of us that have large noticeable pores, this might be what you’ve been looking for. Usually, products claim to have properties that hide pores but in return leave you with clogged pores and sometimes irritated skin that is worse than what you started with. Dermatologists have tested and proven that this works well to control oily skin and even comes in 32 shades to make sure every one of us with every skin tone can feel beautiful and pore-free at an affordable price!
PROS
- Comes in 32 shades
- Oil control
- Hides pores
- Affordable
CONS
- Dries lighter
- Streaky when applying with a brush
- Not all day coverage
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around 6 dollars, super affordable. ($)
CoverGirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation
Features
Here is another serum which is a moisturizing foundation that includes vitamins B3, B5, and E to keep your face hydrated and even has SPF 20 for the perfect protection from aging UV rays. This is also oil-free and lightweight to minimize the appearance of oily skin for a natural glow that doesn’t shine. This is a long lasting foundation and is definitely a contender for the best drugstore foundation on our list.
PROS
- Oil-free formula
- Vitamins B3, B5, & E + SPF 20
- Great for sensitive skin
- Affordable
CONS
- Orange undertones
- Dries darker
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around 8 dollars. ($)
Revlon Youth FX Fill + Blur Foundation
Features
If you’re starting to feel your age and need a pick-me-up that hides unwanted lines and wrinkles, then this is for you. This SPF 20 formula is full of micro-fillers that smooth lines and blur pigments making you feel youthful all over again. Incredible at covering dark/age spots and hyperpigmentation while hydrating your face.
PROS
- Hides wrinkles, lines, & age spots
- Covers hyperpigmentation
- Hydrating, SPF 20 formula
CONS
- Heavy
- Oily
- Comes off easily
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around 16 dollars. A little pricey but you might get what you pay for here. ($$$)
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Foundation
Features
Some people can get by with 8-hour coverage, but if you’re someone who needs more than that you have found the perfect product. This formula stays on for 24 hours and has total coverage. Lightweight yet will completely hide oil, blemishes, and imperfections so you can go out feeling confident in your skin for the entire day (and night) long. A little goes a long way with this foundation and is sure to be one of the best drugstore foundations we have found so far.
PROS
- Lasts 24 hours
- Full coverage
- Velvety formula
- Great for oily skin
CONS
- Orange undertones
- Heavy
- White glow in pictures
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around 8 dollars. ($)
Almay Smart Shade CC Cream
Features
A great choice for warmer weather with an SPF of 35! This is a CC (complexion corrector) cream that has a light but decent coverage that gives you an even complexion and protects you from the sun’s harsh UV rays. The hypoallergenic formula excels in smoothing imperfections and discolorations while brightening any dull skin tones. Available in 3 versatile shades, so all skin tones and types can enjoy its magic.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Moisturizing
- SPF 35
- Hypoallergenic
CONS
- Oily
- Uneven as it wears
- Comes off easily
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free All-in-1 ABC Cushion Foundation SPF 50
Features
This is a true all-in-one formula containing a blend of minerals, plant extracts, smoothing antioxidants, and skin nourishing vitamins which enhances the complexion and brightens skin all at the same time. Comes complete with a puff applicator that delivers a refreshing finish yet is still compact for small bags. Did we mention that it has an SPF of 50? Physicians Formula definitely earned their spot on the best drugstore foundation list.
PROS
- SPF 50
- Light, easy application
- Great for sensitive skin
CONS
- Runs out quickly
- Easier to apply with a brush
- Can be a bit shiny
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around 9 dollars. ($)
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint
Features
Do you have dry skin? We might have found the answer. This is a foundation packed with hyaluronic acid that will keep your skin hydrated all day long. The formula refreshes and plumps skin for 24 hours which technically makes it better for your face than wearing no foundation at all. It may feel as if you aren’t even wearing any product on your face but leaves you with a shimmery glow and healthy skin free of clogging.
PROS
- Moisturizing formula
- Light to medium coverage
- Great for combination skin
- Natural finish
CONS
- Very thick product
- Unusual applicator
- Oily
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around 11 dollars. ($$)
Best Drugstore Foundation – The Verdict
After comparing all the options we found and doing the much-needed research, we came up with a list we feel should have helped every one select the best drugstore foundation for themselves. Even with so many foundations on the market considered high-quality designer brands it was easy to find something that works for everybody whether you have dry or oily skin, or are just looking for something light and simple.
If we had to pick one off of our 10 Best Drugstore Foundations list, we would choose L’Oreal Paris Infallible Total Cover Foundation because it is truly the best product for your money. It is, in fact, a full coverage foundation and lasts 24 hours but even if you were looking for something lighter, you could mix it with your favorite moisturizer, and it might even last you longer than a lighter product! The formula itself is lightweight but does heavy duty work, and it is actually full of vitamins and antioxidants and works with oily skin, which is a serious plus in our book. Not to mention it’s under ten dollars.
Our first choice might apply more to the experienced makeup artist so if you’re feeling overwhelmed by its 24-hour promise you might want to go with our runner-up which is CoverGirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation which is a lighter option. It still has vitamins and SPF 20 to keep your skin healthy and hydrated but has a lighter oil-free formula. The best part is that it is also affordable and under ten dollars and has great reviews. We hope this article has helped you decide what you might run out to buy or order online next! Don’t forget that the price isn’t everything and that you can sometimes find things better for your body at a lower price if you just do some research.