Foundation is a very personal makeup preference for every person who wears it. Some prefer a lightweight coverage that gives the skin a subtle tint, whereas others may favour a full-coverage formula for a flawless finish. Your skin type can also have a big influence on what foundations work for you. Mattifying and oil-control formulas may be better suited to oily or acne-prone skin types, whereas dry skin types may fare better with hydrating and oil-based textures that nourish the skin as your wear them.
The good news is that there are so many foundations out there, with many brands now offering a diverse range of shades to achieve a perfect match. The bad news is that it can be overwhelming to find a foundation that fits your needs and your budget and works with your skin type too. Finding the best foundations for you can become a Goliath task.
As a beauty editor, I’ve been lucky to try near enough a hundred foundations. Many have passed by my desk, and I’ve sat in the chair with makeup artists who have shared their knowledge on the best foundations that they use on set, backstage and on celebrities too. However, despite getting to try a lot of formulas, I stay loyal to my favourites. I have combination skin that can be both acne and eczema-prone, so finding a foundation that ticks all of the boxes is a tall order. I personally stay loyal to It Cosmetics CC Cream, which I still buy on repeat: I start to panic if I don’t have a tube in my makeup bag because it’s that great!
However, everyone’s foundation preferences are different. So I asked the Who What Wear team to share some of their favourite foundations and also have listed the best foundations for different skin types, budgets and skin concerns.
Scroll down to discover our ultimate list of the best foundations for all skin types, as tried and reviewed first-hand by the Who What Wear UK editors.
:quality(85):upscale()/2026/04/20/723/n/1922564/80d8b98269e6527f642929.34142853_.jpg "Kendall Jenner's Dog Accessory Was the Highlight of Her Coachella Outfit")
:quality(85):upscale()/2026/04/13/934/n/1922564/03fde3dd69dd5f3329e5d5.08160835_.png "We Channeled the '90s in Guess For Coachella Weekend – Starting at")
