The Best Drugstore Foundations In 2022

Finding a good drugstore foundation on a budget is no easy feat. All sorts of things can go wrong, from choosing the wrong color to learning the hard way that your makeup is clogging your pores. And it's usually not the best idea to completely rely on your friends' recommendations. What works for their skin may not work for yours. They may prefer a powder formula instead of liquid, or a thicker coverage level than what you're used to.

Before you go blindly shopping for the perfect foundation, make sure you know your must-haves and your deal breakers. Do you prefer a dewy or a matte finish? Would you rather use a powder formula or a liquid formula? Do you want the product to include special treatments for acne or fine lines? Are certain ingredients a no-go?

With all these factors in mind and more, we've compiled a list of the best drugstore foundations available on Amazon. These top picks are highly rated for a reason.

It's no secret that purchasing foundations is difficult no matter if it's your first time ever or you're simply shopping for a new brand or formula. Every brand's formula is different, and color matching can be a nightmare, especially when shopping online. However, if a foundation is truly up to snuff, its brand will make shopping for it as easy as possible.

Because of this, we took to the Internet to find the very best foundations based on a number of factors so that you can shop with confidence. We've examined overall ratings, written customer reviews, any celebrity endorsements the products have received, their prices, and more. With foundations, we also had to consider how long they last, as well as how well they blend with concealers and other makeup products. Naturally, their coverage was also important to us because buyers need to know if their foundation will be full-coverage or light in its application. 

Ultimately, our search for the best foundations was full and wide in scope, and there is undoubtedly one for everybody in the batch that we gathered.

Chances are high that you've tried something from L'Oréal Paris at least once. Their True-Match Super Blendable Liquid Foundation is a tried-and-true classic that offers light-to-medium coverage for all skin types. While finding your exact match on Amazon might be a little bit dicey depending on what is in stock, L'Oreal advertises on its website that it offers this foundation in 45 shades, one of which should match both your skin tone and undertone.

If you're looking for longer-lasting coverage, consider L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation. This product offers a radiant finish with 24-hour medium coverage, all in an air-light texture. It also has an SPF 15 rating and works well for normal-to-dry skin that needs a little hydration boost. Keep in mind, however, that the color range for this product is less inclusive.

Purchase the L'Oréal Paris True-Match Super-Blendable Liquid Foundation on Amazon for $5.00.

Purchase the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation on Amazon for $6.96.

Depending on your skin type and the way you prefer to do your makeup, a powder foundation may be your best option. Neutrogena offers a trusted classic: The Mineral Sheers Lightweight Loose Powder Foundation. The featherlight formula gives you control over how much coverage you prefer, from sheer to medium, without looking cakey. Plus, the ingredients are meant to work with all skin types, and are gentle enough for sensitive skin. The downside? This product comes in just eight shades, with the darkest shade being "tan."

For another high-quality product that offers a little more shade variety, consider the bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation. This lightweight foundation offers buildable coverage and is made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which offer sun protection of SPF 15.

Purchase the Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Lightweight Loose Powder Foundation on Amazon for $10.16.

Purchase the bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation on Amazon for $22.49.

Do you have skin in the normal-to-oily range? If so, foundations that give you a matte finish will help tremendously in reducing that oily sheen that tends to appear by the late afternoon. Maybelline's Fit Me Matte and Poreless Liquid Foundation does an excellent job of reducing a shiny appearance without sucking moisture out of the skin or leaving your face looking cakey. Better yet, this product is non-comedogenic and comes in 40 shades. The coverage is buildable and can create up to medium coverage.

Purchase the Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation on Amazon for $5.28.

If your skin ranges from normal to dry in terms of moisture, don't worry. Maybelline still has you covered with the Fit Me Dewy and Smooth Foundation, a moisturizing formula that prevents normal-to-dry skin from losing extra moisture throughout the day. This product comes in 24 shades, uses non-comedogenic ingredients, and is long-lasting. In addition, certain shades come with sunscreen. Happy customers note that the foundation is extremely lightweight without being too runny, and applies easily with a beauty blender.

Purchase the Maybelline New York Fit Me Dewy and Smooth Foundation on Amazon for $4.40.

Combination skin makes life tricky in terms of makeup. Still, it's possible to find a liquid foundation that checks all the boxes, because the Frankie Rose Matte Perfection Foundation does just that. This lightweight formula is actually designed for all skin types, including dry, sensitive, normal, oily, and yes, combination skin. With hydrating ingredients that don't clog pores, a silky-smooth application process, and a matte finish, most reviewers rave about this foundation. However, there are a few downsides. The shade range is somewhat limited at just 13 shades on the Frankie Rose Website and 10 shades on Amazon. This purchase is also a bit of a splurge compared to other drugstore foundations. Still, those who buy it say that it's worth every penny.

Purchase the Frankie Rose Matte Perfection Foundation on Amazon for $36.

Sometimes, medium coverage just doesn't cut it. Whether you're attending an all-day event or putting together a serious Halloween costume, the NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation is the right product to grab off the shelf for full coverage. The formula is enriched with skin-friendly ingredients such as vitamin E, and provides long-lasting, waterproof coverage that doesn't transfer while controlling shine.

When NYX says they offer a wide range of shades, they mean it. This foundation comes in 44 shades. Just keep in mind that a waterproof foundation will be more difficult to remove at the end of the day, so you may need to invest in a makeup-removing cleanser, micellar water, or makeup wipes to accompany this product.

Purchase the NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation on Amazon for $11.43.

Have you always been curious about the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint, but unwilling to buy it because of the price? Try out the NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil instead. This makeup is like a cross between a foundation and concealer, as its lightweight formula creates minimalist coverage. The satin-y finish also creates a blurring effect on the skin, helping to even out skintone while adding a light layer of moisture. As with all NYX products, this foundation is cruelty free.

Note: Though this product is sold in only six shades on Amazon and 12 shades elsewhere, NYX states that the formula is flexible and can accommodate a wide range of shades, a design similar to that of Glossier.

Purchase the NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil on Amazon for $7.67.

Depending on your skin and how it absorbs foundation, you may consider using a mousse as opposed to a liquid or powder formula. A mousse is similar to a liquid foundation, though it has an airated texture that spreads evenly over the face without dripping like a liquid makeup would.

The Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation is a great option for light, airy-textured, and matte coverage. It is designed to suit all skin types, regardless of the moisture level in your skin. Keep in mind that this mousse foundation is not designed to be rubbed into the skin as vigorously as a liquid foundation. Instead, Maybelline suggests blending it in with your fingers. As for the shade range, 12 different shades are offered on Amazon.

Purchase the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation on Amazon for $6.95.

Multiple layers of skincare and makeup, including sunscreen, primer, and foundation  may feel like far too many products on your skin. For this reason, a foundation with a high SPF could be an excellent addition to your makeup routine. Our top two contenders for SPF foundation include the Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Foundation and the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation. Both products have SPF 50 protection.

Considering the low price point for each of these products, you will get your money's worth no matter which one you choose. The Dream Urban Cover foundation provides medium to full coverage, works best for normal to dry skin, and has a natural finish, meaning it lies between matte and radiant, or dewy. The sun protection comes from a variety of chemical sunscreens, and 16 shades are available on Amazon.

In comparison, the Age Perfect Radiant Serum foundation acts as lightweight, matte coverage that won't settle into fine lines or wrinkles, and is intended for sensitive skin. While more shades are available on other websites, 26 are available on Amazon.

Purchase the Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Foundation on Amazon for $4.35.

Purchase the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation on Amazon for $11.75.

Are you looking for makeup that will help you take the perfect Instagram shot? If so, the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation should be on your shopping list. This matte foundation is advertised as camera-ready makeup because it has a light-adjusting complex, meaning it prevents a white cast or shiny skin from appearing in photos. In fact, Wet n Wild states that the Focus Foundation was tested under seven different lighting conditions to ensure that it looks camera-ready in all available shades. The coverage is also meant to be buildable.

Note that some reviewers recommend using a moisturizing primer underneath this foundation if your skin is dry, in order to prevent the foundation from sticking to dry patches.

Purchase the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation on Amazon for $4.42.

If you are concerned about fine lines, wrinkles, and sun spots, it's time to use a foundation designed with aging skin in mind. The Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation is a trusted product for mature skin, because it contains a hyaluronic complex and vitamin C, which helps hydrate and plump the skin to give it a firm, healthy appearance. And because it is a foundation, it evens out skin tone and reduces the appearance of dark circles. This product is sold in 15 shades on Amazon.

Purchase the Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation on Amazon for $14.44.

When blemishes are your biggest concern, applying any sort of makeup onto your face can cause trouble. Certain foundations clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing, while others may contain ingredients that irritate the skin. Exercising caution and choosing your makeup wisely can pay off in the long run.

For this reason, bareMinerals Blemish Rescue Skin-Clearing Loose Powder Foundation is a perfect choice. Powders are gentle on oily, acne-prone skin because they help absorb excess oil produced by the pores. In addition, the bareMinerals formula contains a small concentration of salicylic acid, not enough to cause irritation but just enough to treat breakouts. Another ingredient, oat protein, helps absorb oil and soothe the skin. Keep in mind that the number of shades sold on Amazon may be limited.

Purchase the bareMinerals Blemish Rescue Skin-Clearing Loose Powder Foundation at Walmart for $32.99.

A liquid foundation may not necessarily be a bad thing for acne-prone skin, especially if you know how to use it. The Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Makeup, for example, is designed to control shine, treat blemishes, prevent further breakouts, and pair well with an acne-oriented skincare routine. This foundation features a natural finish between dewy and matte, making it a good option if you don't know whether your skin is oily, dry, or a combination. Just remember that salicylic acid can dry out the skin, so be sure to start using this product gradually, then increase usage overtime if necessary. It's also important to always use moisturizer in your skincare routine to prevent excessive dryness.

Purchase the Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Makeup on Amazon for $10.59.

If you struggle to find your shade in a sea of product options at the drugstore, don't worry: We've all been there. Matching a shade to your skintone is incredibly difficult, especially if you are trying to purchase a foundation online instead of in person. Enter Almay, a classic skincare brand that offers Smart Shade Skintone Matching Makeup. This foundation comes in just six shades on purpose, because each shade is intended to be flexible and work with a range of skintones.

This product is even more interesting because it comes out of the bottle white. As you brush it into your skin, the formula should tint to fit your skin tone and undertone. Talk about high-tech makeup! The icing on the cake? This foundation has SPF 15 broad-spectrum sun protection.

Purchase the Almay Smart Shade Skintone Matching Makeup on Amazon for $10.69.