How to Pick the Best Type of Foundation for Your Complexion

Many of us choose our foundations and primers based on recommendations from our friends and favorite influencers, rarely thinking about what’s actually in each formula. While this may work sometimes, it’s never a bad idea to look into what ingredients are in your foundation because they may not be the best fit for your skin’s specific needs. 

For example, liquid foundations are typically silicone-, water- or oil-based. To determine the best one for you, your skin type, skincare regimen and the other makeup products you use all come into play. “As a professional makeup artist, I can tell you that choosing the right foundation is essential for achieving a flawless look,” says celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard. “There are three main types of foundation — silicone-based, water-based, and oil-based. Each type of foundation has its own unique benefits and drawbacks.” 

Keep reading to learn about the different types of foundation formulas and how to find the right primer to pair with your foundation, plus take our quiz on how to find your undertones.

Silicone-Based Foundation

What are Silicone-Based Foundations?

If your foundation is silicone-based, it usually contains ingredients ending in -cone or -siloxane as the second or third ingredient. “Silicone-based foundations contain ingredients like dimethicone, which create a smooth and silky texture on the skin,” says Spickard. The first ingredient will most likely be water, but that doesn’t mean the foundation is water-based. Two examples of silicone-based foundations are the Valentino Beauty Very Valentino 24 Hour Wear Liquid Foundation and the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation. Both formulas are buildable and contain SPF, but the first offers a semi-matte finish while the latter provides a luminous glow.

Who Should Use a Silicone-Based Foundation?

According to Spickard, “silicone foundations can come in a variety of finishes from dewy to matte.” That means that regardless of aesthetic preference, most people can probably find a silicone foundation that they like. “They can also work well for those with skin imperfections like large pores and wrinkles, as silicone can help to blur and fill them in and create a smoother surface,” he says.

The Best Silicone-Based Foundations

NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Pro Drop Foundation

Our favorite thing about the NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Pro Drop Foundation is the way the buildable formula allows you to totally customize your coverage level, from sheer to medium. You don’t have to worry about cakiness, ashiness or greasiness with this foundation. 

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation

The serum-based formula of the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation is infused with hyaluronic acid, a skin-loving ingredient that hydrates and nourishes your skin. Choose between 30 transfer-resistant shades to find the one that best matches your skin tone.

YSL Beauty All Hours Foundation

We can’t get enough of the glowy-yet-matte finish of the YSL Beauty All Hours Foundation. It glides smoothly across your skin for a full coverage, soft matte look. Not only does it instantly make your skin look flawless, but it stays that way — this foundation is waterproof, transfer-proof and heat resistant.

Oil-Based Foundation

What are Oil-Based Foundations?

In the case of oil-based foundations, oil will be listed as the second or third ingredient. These are great for dry skin types. “Oil-based foundations often contain ingredients like mineral, jojoba or argan oil, which can provide a very hydrating and nourishing effect on the skin,” explains Spickard. The biggest perk of oil-based foundations is the dewy, radiant finish they provide. We love the Maybelline New York Green Edition Superdrop Tinted Oil for its lightweight, natural and extremely hydrating finish.

Who Should Use an Oil-Based Foundation?

While oil-based foundations are a good choice for those with dry skin, they may not be ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, as “[oil-based foundations] can exacerbate these issues,” warns Spickard. “Additionally, depending on the formula, they can sometimes feel greasy or heavy on the skin.”

The Best Oil-Based Foundation

Maybelline New York Green Edition Superdrop Tinted Oil

Formulated with jojoba and marula oils, the Maybelline New York Green Edition Superdrop Tinted Oil is a lightweight foundation with adjustable coverage. Apply one drop for sheer coverage, three drops for light coverage or five drops for medium coverage, then blend it into your skin. 

Water-Based Foundation

What are Water-Based Foundations?

Water-based foundation doesn’t contain oil or silicone at the top of its ingredient list. “Water-based foundations are typically lighter in texture and can provide a more natural, breathable finish,” says Spickard. Some water-based foundations may have silicones in them, but the quantity is so small that it isn’t always mentioned.  

Who Should Use a Water-Based Foundation?

If you’re prone to breakouts, a water-based foundation will be the most gentle on your skin. Water-based foundations are also a great option for dry skin because the formulas tend to be nourishing and packed with skin-loving ingredients to help maintain a moisturized look. “They work well for those with dry or combination skin as they tend to be more natural-looking and can help hydrate the skin,” says Spickard. Plus, “water-based foundations tend to be less comedogenic, so they are great for acne-prone skin.” 

Spickard notes, however, that water-based foundations often provide a lighter coverage level, which is something to keep in mind if you prefer a full glam look. Our favorite water-based foundation is the Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation, which offers medium coverage and a lightweight, radiant finish. 

The Best Water-Based Foundations

Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation

When it comes to water-based foundations, it doesn’t get much better than the Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation. This foundation effortlessly melts into your skin for a natural-looking, second-skin effect. Use it to smooth skin texture, blur imperfections and give your complexion an added glow. 

ILIA Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

We absolutely adore makeup with skincare benefits, like the ILIA Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint, which has an SPF of 40. This serum combines makeup, skincare and sunscreen into one game-changing product. Use it to enhance your natural skin and boost your dewiness on those no-makeup-makeup days.  

Pairing Primer With Foundation

How to Find the Right Primer Formula for Your Foundation

When picking a primer, it’s best to find one that has similar ingredients as your foundation, otherwise, you could experience separation, flaking or pilling.

When it comes to water-based primers to pair with your water-based foundations, we love the Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer and the Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly Makeup Primer. For a silicone-based primer that blurs pores and mattifies, try the NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Targeted Stick. The YSL Beauty Touche Éclat Blur Primer is another silicone-based primer, but this one has a glowy finish that illuminates the skin and blurs pores. Oil-based primers are less common, but the NYX Professional Makeup Hydra Touch Oil Primer is a great, hydrating option that gives the skin a lightweight, dewy glow. 

Silicone-based primers create a barrier between your skin and the foundation. They pair best with silicone-based foundations to blur texture and smooth the skin. However, when a silicone-based formula is paired with a water- or oil-based formula, this can lead to separation, pilling and unwanted texture. 

To test your foundation and primer’s compatibility, place a small amount of primer on your hand and layer your foundation on top. If it turns powdery or starts to separate, then you know your products won’t play well together. Another way is to test the combo on your complexion and see firsthand how your foundation wears with your primer throughout the day. Ultimately, if your foundation pills or flakes, that’s a good indication that your primer and foundation have conflicting formulas.

The Best Silicone-Based Primers

NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Targeted Stick

If you tend to touch up your makeup throughout the day, you need the NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Targeted Stick. The transparent formula instantly blurs and smooths away pores, fine lines, oil and shine. While it’s designed for on-the-go touch-ups, you can also apply this primer as a first step in your makeup routine before your silicone-based foundation.

YSL Beauty Touche Éclat Blur Primer

The YSL Beauty Touche Éclat Blur Primer is the primer for you if you prefer luminous makeup looks. This illuminating primer gives your skin a subtle, gold-toned shimmer and helps bring out the radiance of your silicone-based foundation. 

The Best Oil-Based Primer

NYX Professional Makeup Hydra Touch Oil Primer

As mentioned above, oil-based primers are harder to come by than silicone- or water-based options. Luckily, the NYX Professional Makeup Hydra Touch Oil Primer glides across your skin to give you a dewy base for the rest of your makeup. Just remember to give your primer a couple of minutes to set before applying your foundation.

The Best Water-Based Primers

Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer

This water-based primer from Giorgio Armani Beauty hydrates and blurs your skin to prep it for seamless makeup application. Use it to create the perfect smooth canvas for your favorite water-based foundation.

Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly Makeup Primer

The Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly Makeup Primer is completely silicone free, instead formulated with water and plant extract. The unique, jelly-like texture grips your makeup to ensure that it stays in place all day long. The best part? This primer absorbs into your skin super quickly, so you can go in with your foundation shortly after applying.   

Additional Reporting: Reece Andavolgyi and Jordan Julian, Photo: Shutterstock