Our Editors on the 11 Best Foundations for Combination Skin

A firm favourite with the A-List, this wonder product is a must-have in any beauty junkie's arsenal - you'll notice it consistently makes the 'best' lists for most skin types including mature and even dry. Not only does it blur imperfections, but it lights up your skin to give you that post-holiday glow. A cult classic among make-up artists the Armani Luminous Silk foundation finds the sweet spot between glow-giving and mattifying - it's oil free and infused with skin plumping glycerin. In our experience, this one works best when set with a light dusting of powder.

Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'The multi-award winning foundation is as lightweight as they come and offers a medium coverage which can be built up to impart a covetable natural-looking second skin finish. I still remember the first time I picked up a bottle at duty free many (many) moons ago, having instantly fallen in love with its silky-smooth velvety finish which, to my surprise, sat perfectly fine on my bumpy, acne-ridden face. Breathable, long-lasting and primed to cater to suit-all with an extensive 40 wide shade range, it's no wonder this OG is still a winner. And, like many of the newer foundations now available on the market which are infused with skincare ingredients, this classic has long put skin first that to the inclusion of glycerin (a hero ingredient that helps to lock in long-lasting moisture) and an oil-free base to hydrate and maintain comfort-levels to enjoy all day wear. It's one of my favourites for combination skin types.'

Reddit reviewers say:
I have sensitive, acne prone skin that leans on the drier side but gets more combination in the summer. I’ve been enjoying Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk foundation recently as it has a huge shade range and wears beautifully. It’s more it’s suited for drier skin types, but with a good powder you might be able to prevent getting shiny throughout the day.'

Shade range: 40
Coverage: Medium, Buildable
Finish: Satin
Size: 30ml
Ingredients: Glycerin

A firm favourite that is probably used by 85% of your friends at any given one time. This foundation promises to (and definitely does) last all day long. Over 60 shades to choose from with this product and has 24-hour staying power. We love it for its lightweight formula that gives a matte finish and a buildable coverage to blur blemishes. It's a dream for combination skin types.

Rachael Martin, beauty editor, says: 'I tested the Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation several times in the run up to my wedding and I realised I was incredibly impressed by it – in fact, it quickly became my weekend foundation– the perfect option for when I wanted to feel a little bit more “done” when compared to my daily, more sheer finish. The key to beautiful skin was keeping the amount I applied to a minimum. The more delicate I was with the application, the happier I was with the finish. My skin appears more matte while a touch of my natural sheen is still able peek through. Overall I'd describe this as a great, medium to full-coverage foundation that plays well with all skin types, especially skin that errs on the oilier side. There's also an impressive 60 shades comprising of cool and warm tones - meaning there's likely to be something for everyone. While those who love a totally natural look might not find favour with this one, others will be delighted by the promise of longevity and flawless looking finish.'

Reddit reviewers say:
'I know it’s been said multiple times, but double wear! It never looks cakey on me and covers up most imperfections on my face! You should definitely try it.'

'Estée Lauder double wear!!! I went through a bad time with my skin and it was a lifesaver. I used to think it would be too drying or too thick because of its reputation as full coverage, but it’s all in how much you use and how you prep your skin. It’s the best of the best. Plus there are 50+ shades.'

'My fave hands down has been the Estée Lauder Double Wear. Also, both of my daughter in laws wear it daily too.'

'Estée Lauder Doublewear hands down! If oil usually breaks down the foundations you wear this is the one for you. My friend went to a las Vegas with it during the summer and it stayed put the entire day. She was sweating like crazy and has combo oily skin. It’s also medium to full coverage and transfer proof.'

Shade range: 60
Coverage: Full
Finish: Matte
Size: 30ml
Ingredients: Mica

Glossier's Stretch Fluid Foundation launch arrives hot on the heels of the brand’s OG Stretch Concealer, £22. Made with an impressive 89% skincare base, this nourishing gel-crème formula is brimming with a medley of plant-derived squalene and glycerine - both hero hydrators. Shine never reaches OTT levels thanks to the help of mattifying rose berry and plankton, while amino acid-coated pigments make for seamless blendability.

Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'It takes a lot for a new foundation to turn my head. After all, there's a lot to consider: the finish, the glow factor, the shade range, the list goes on. For me, the right one delivers a natural-look, even coverage that lasts and blurs my post-acne pigmentation, all while blending seamlessly into my olive toned South Asian skin. I did warn you it was a lengthy list. That said, this foundation ticks every box. And patchiness with wear? Not a hint. It doesn't take much for a beauty product to make it big on TikTok these days, but as far as Glossier's Stretch Fluid Foundation is concerned, the hype is well-deserved.'

Reddit reviewers say:
'Have you tried the Glossier foundation? It's become my new favourite. Doesn't make my oily skin freak out. I use a water-based primer with it, as Glossier is a water-based foundation. The Elf Power Grip is awesome. I use setting powder or spray, depending on what I'm in the mood for.'

'The Glossier foundation is becoming my new obsession. For reference in past shade for the concealer it would be (G7), now being (Medium 5). The foundation lays so beautiful with a nice dewy skin like finish. The light to medium coverage gives a nice evening of skin tone. The foundation color I chose is as well (Medium 5). It’s not a overly heavy or thick texture. The wearability is nice on this foundation, I have combination skin with a oily T-zone. I’m not sure if they improved or added something with the concealer. As the past it would crease even when set though with this new one it has stayed flawless and creaseless.'

Shade range: 32
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Radiant
Size: 30ml
Ingredients: Amino acids, rose berry and plankton

It’s no secret that Nars are renowned for their excellent foundation offerings, and their Natural Radiant Longwear foundation is no exception. It’s perfect if you’re after lightweight medium-to-full coverage foundation that encourages a lit-from-within luminosity. It’s also ideal if you’re after a natural looking, lightweight finish.

Rachael Martin beauty editor says: 'I have a lot of foundations at my disposal (the joy of the Grazia beauty cupboard) but I'll always come back to this one. I'll team it with my favourite mattifying powder, and always end up glowing - while never looking greasy. Those with combination skin types will know that finding the balance here is never easy. My top tip? Use just the smallest amount and add coverage gradually. Although it does feel lightweight the pigment is a dense one meaning you'll likely go from natural to full glam in an instant.

Shade range: 21
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Radiant
Size: 30ml
Ingredients: Raspberry, watermelon and apple extract

Made with 'self-refreshing' technology - yes, really - this foundation works hard for those with combination skin types. It resists heat, oil, and humidity and adapts to skins condition texture and tone for the smoothest finish on even the hottest of days. Bonus points, as it contains SPF 30 - ideal for bolstering your daily sunscreen.

Rachael Martin beauty editor says: 'I love this foundation. It's spenny, but in my option worth every penny. Just a small amount smoothed over my complexion adds real radiance and glow that mimics a good nights sleep. I use my fingers to dot it on and blend it out - this works well to keep it sitting pretty all day long. I also find it's a particularly good holiday foundation for those with combination or oily skin types - it's waterproof meaning so sliding or slipping.'

Reddit reviewers say: 'It’s so stunning, I keep going to the restroom just to check myself out!I first heard about this foundation when I watched The Lipstick Lesbians on IG during her matte foundation showdown. It came down to this or Pat McGrath’s foundation, but she chose the latter. For reasons unknown, I was more drawn to Shiseido than Pat McGrath. So, when my brother went to Japan, I asked him to grab it for me. Since there isn’t a Shiseido makeup line at my nearby Sephora, I guessed my shade and picked 320 Pine for medium neutral. I think it’s a bit lighter than my actual tone. For reference, I have combination oily skin with a medium neutral undertone. Maybe I didn’t let my skincare set long enough before applying, because when I first put it on my nose, it became cakey and accentuated my pores. So, I wiped the area with baby wipes (it was all I had on hand) and buffed the spot with the leftover foundation on my brush. The result? 👌. I finished the rest of my makeup as usual and set it with Charlotte Tilbury setting spray and Skindinavia finishing spray for longevity. I didn’t touch up with powder, only blotted my nose lightly ONCE, and I still looked like I had just applied my makeup. It even looked better as the day went on!'

Shade range: 25
Coverage: Buildable
Finish: Satin
Size: 30ml
Ingredients: Glycerin

Good things come in small packages if this foundation is anything to go by. A pressed powder foundation, the coverage is medium to full matte. You can apply it with a sponge applicator.

Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'When I was first introduced to this product, I thought it was too good to be true. I powder foundation that can boast the same coverage as a regular foundation but with the lightness of a powder? No way. But this proved me wrong. 'Full coverage in one swipe' – are the words of make-up artist Adeola Gboyega, who demonstrated its benefits on my skin when it launched. The results still astound me.'

Shade range: 9
Coverage: Full
Finish: Matte
Size: 30ml
Ingredients: Mica

Beloved by beauty editors and influencers alike, L'Oréal's True Match Foundation is something of a cult classic - and it's perfect for combination and oily skin types alike. Beautifully blendable and buildable, the lightweight liquid foundation boasts an ultra-creamy formula allowing it to melt onto the skin effortlessly. Hello smooth, luminous skin in an instant. 'Apply this one with a tapered, fluffy brush for the best results,' says Enya.

A tried-and-tested classic that puts skin first. The formula includes hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera extract and boasts 48 inclusive shades that promise to match a whopping 99.5% of skin tones. Expect impressive shade matching, all-day hydration and an enhanced natural glow thanks to skin ingredient heroes.

Rachael Martin, beauty editor, says: This has been an everyday classic for sometime, not least because of the affordable price tag. I have skin prone to redness so I find it quite tricky to find the correct shade, but there's 48 here meaning there was plenty of options to consider for my own unique undertone. Where application is concerned, I put a small amount on my hand first before smoothing onto my skin with a stippling brush - this helps me to have better control of how much product I'm using. It glides on beautifully, the finish is smooth, and there's a subtle glow there too - I assume there's the hyaluronic acid and glycerin to thank for that. I've tried it without powder before, but, because of the hydrating properties, it does tend to slide off. With some setting powder, however? I'm left with hydrated, dewy looking skin without so much of a hint of oiliness. No touch-ups needed. And did I mention it also contains SPF? While it's only SPF17 (you will need a standalone SPF too) it's still reassuring to know it's bolstered with protection. It's a beauty bargain and works well for combination skin with just a little effort.'

Shade range: 40
Coverage: Light
Finish: Luminous
Size: 30ml
Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera and vitamin B2 and provitamin B5

Do you have combination skin but still like a matte finish? This one's for you.

Rachael Martin Beauty Editor says: 'The Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation is feather-light and formulated to effortlessly cover imperfections - all while providing a barely-there, second-skin feel. I apply just a little to the back of my hand then sweep on with a foundation brush for buildable coverage that lasts from dusk until dawn - even on the sweatiest of commutes. I wore this one to my Christmas party last year and my skin remained flawless for hours - not even a hint of excess oil seeped through! Would recommend.'

Shade range: 40
Coverage: Buildable
Finish: Luminous matte
Size: 30ml
Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid

Chances are you'll have seen this one on TikTok - it's beloved by content creators thanks to its skin beautifying abilities. It's light, but buildable, and can be teamed with a concealer for added coverage.

Rachael Martin, beauty editor, says: 'I've been testing this tinted gel for a few months now and I'm officially hooked. I have combination, problematic skin (to say the least) so I need to be rest assured that incorporating any new base products into my routine won't break me out. This, I kid you not, has left me with some of the best skin I've had in years. I apply a small amount with my fingers tips and blend it across my whole complexion. Not only does it refine and even out my skin instantly, but the assortment of skin loving ingredients (think zinc to minimise redness and copper peptides to boost collagen) has plumped and soothed in the long run, too. I do have to give it a little top up around about lunch time, though - but it leaves me looking so radiant that I can't really complain.'

Shade range: 24
Coverage: Light
Finish: Dewy
Size: 30ml
Ingredients: Zinc, copper peptides, collagen

Ideal for travelling, the Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick is a long-wearing high-pigment dream suited to those who prefer a bit of extra coverage.

Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'My all-time favourite foundation comes in stick form! It may look thick and uber-coverage at first but upon application you'll find it blends out a dream and comes equipped with a natural-looking finish – and that's all down to the innovative formula which means it boasts the fluidity of a liquid and the weightlessness of a powder in one. It's both my go-to for a quick fix face and an ultra-glam evening. There's several shade options suited to most undertones, plus it's incredibly long lasting - useful to those with oily meets combination skin types.'

Shade range: 32
Coverage: Full
Finish: Natural
Size: 7.2g

Hourglass know a thing or two about creating a candlelight glow on the skin, and the new Hydrating Skin Tint definitely doesn't disappoint. The lightweight, hydrating formula melts into the skin to provide an even yet sheer coverage ideal for dry and dehydrated skin types.

Pilates coach Bryony Deery says: 'It goes on so natural and it's super hydrating. You could wear this on the beach and no one would think you have anything on' - speaking on the Grazia Beauty Life Lessons Podcast.

Reddit reviewers say: This has been my go to for my oily (but flakey, depending on recent treatments or exfoliations) (and textured due to scarring) skin. I also have strong discoloration and this is full coverage enough to mask most of it. In person my skin still looks rough and sometimes redness comes through but it’s the longest lasting and is one of the few that doesn’t cause me to breakout or dry up more. My photos also always look great so....'