THE BEST FOUNDATIONS FOR OILY, DRY & COMBINATION SKIN

Different foundations can achieve a range of finishes and coverage levels – but no matter the desired effect, every foundation should give skin a flawless, glowing complexion that lasts. The key to even coverage and longevity comes down to choosing the best foundation for your skin type.

Dry, oily, and combination skin all have different characteristics and challenges, but the right foundation formula will work with your skin’s needs – whether that’s imbuing the skin with hydration or mattifying shine-prone areas.
Between texture, coverage, and finish, read on to find the ideal foundation for dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin.

Types of foundation

Finding the best foundation for your skin type starts with your choice of formula: liquid or cushion. Both offer different levels of coverage and ease of use, so find out which one is right for you below.

Liquid foundation

Easy to apply with formulas that melt seamlessly into the skin, liquid foundations can range from sheer to full coverage.

Liquid foundations can offer a mattified or dewy effect, so they work with almost all skin types. They can be applied with either a foundation brush, sponge, or clean fingers.

Cushion foundation

The sleek designs of our compact foundations make them versatile and transportable. Designed with our couture signature style in mind, YSL Beauty’s cushion foundations have a portable design with a mirrored case that holds liquid foundation in an absorbent sponge.

Cushions tend to offer medium to full coverage with long wearability. A cushion foundation has a puff which is pressed into the sponge and then ‘stamped’ onto skin. The targeted application of cushions makes them an ideal foundation for combination skin.

Foundation finishes explained

The ‘finish’ of a foundation refers to the effect it has on the skin. Foundations are typically either dewy, matte, or satin:

• Dewy foundations offer a radiant finish, giving the skin a plump, hydrated appearance and lit-from-within glow. They also tend to be formulated with hydrating, brightening ingredients.
• Matte foundations offer a shine-free velvety look, helping to absorb excess oil and gently blur skin texture. Typically, these are oil-free formulas which help minimise shine throughout the day.
• Satin foundations sit somewhere between a dewy and matte finish, closely mimicking the look of real skin. A satin finish generally works well with all skin types.

How to choose foundation for your skin type?

Makeup is at its most radiant when you use foundation that supports your natural skin composition. Your foundation should work with your skincare regimen to achieve your skin goals and address any concerns you have, including facial redness, dryness or excess oil.

Before choosing your foundation, it’s important to identify your skin type. You can find out if your skin is dry, combination, or errs on the oily side with our helpful guide to skin types.

To simplify your foundation search, you can follow these general principles of matching your foundation to your skin type:

• Dry skin – seek out dewy foundations with hydration ingredients.
• Oily skin – look for oil-free formulas with a matte finish.
• Combination skin – opt for a buildable formula and a satin finish.

Read on for YSL Beauty’s best foundations for each skin type.

Best foundation for dry skin

Without proper moisturisation, dry skin will struggle to blend with foundation. To avoid cakey foundation or foundation cracking, liquid foundations with a dewy finish are a great option for dry skin types since they can help boost moisture levels and brighten dull-looking skin.

To help you achieve a dewy makeup look, we recommend the All Hours Glow Foundation. This is a full coverage foundation for dry skin that delivers a radiant, second-skin glow.

Formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this skincare-rich formula smooths, evens, and illuminates the complexion to give dry skin types a plump, comfortable feel – without compromising on coverage.

“For dry skin, All Hours Glow Foundation delivers that hydrated, luminous finish,” says YSL Beauty National Makeup Artist Bianca Downward. “I always pair it with a hydrating primer and finish with a light mist of Top Secrets Setting Spray to lock in radiance without dulling the skin.”

Best foundation for oily skin

Excess shine and oil flow are common hallmarks of oily skin, so a matte finish works best to refine the appearance of pores and control shine-prone areas.

Our pick for a full coverage foundation for oily skin is the iconic All Hours Liquid Foundation. Its breathable matte formula glides onto the skin for a weightless feel while delivering a smooth, flawless finish. The All Hours Liquid foundation is also transfer-proof, waterproof and sport-proof, so you can enjoy up to 24 hours* of natural, luminous matte finish.

“For oily skin, the original All Hours formula is unmatched,” adds Bianca. “It gives a soft matte, blurred complexion with true longevity. I prep with a blur primer to control shine and refine texture, then set strategically through the T-zone.”

*Consumer test with 111 women

Best foundation for combination skin

Maintaining even, long-lasting coverage on combination skin demands a formula that gently blurs and controls oil flow while keeping hydration levels in check. Cushion foundations for combination skin hit the brief of an all-encompassing base since their stamping pad allows for controlled application.

Achieve flawless coverage with the Le Cushion Encre de Peau Foundation, a cushion foundation that offers a luminous matte finish that’s perfect for combination skin. This lightweight texture melts seamlessly into the skin, allowing you to build your desired coverage while keeping the skin moisturised.

We also suggest the Touche Eclat Glow-Pact – a full-coverage foundation for combination skin that’s designed for all-day wear and lasts up to 24 hours on the skin. With mesh technology and six shades – all tailored specifically to Asian skin tones – this cushion foundation is perfect for bringing back that glow to combination skin.

“For combination skin, it’s all about artistry,” says Bianca. “I’ll often mix two formulars: using All Hours Glow on the high points of the face and the original YSL All Hours Foundation through the centre to balance luminosity and longevity.”

Tips to apply foundation on your skin type

Now that you know how to choose a foundation for your skin type, you can back up your choice of formula with the right application technique. Below are six of our expert tips.

• All skin types can benefit from the Touche Éclat Blur Primer Gold to give you a smooth base for longwearing makeup.
• Apply your foundation in thin layers to ensure even coverage and avoid makeup sliding or separating.
• When applying foundation for dry skin, use a damp beauty blender to gently press the formula into the skin and avoid clinging to dry patches.
• A dense brush works well for applying foundation for oily skin to get your initial coverage. Then, use a sponge to blend your product in.
• Oily and combination skin types often benefit from powder to lock in makeup. Focus on the T-zone to control excess shine.
• If you need to boost dewiness and plumpness on dry or combination skin, finish your makeup look with the hyaluronic acid-infused Top Secrets Setting Spray.

Now that you have the perfect foundation for oily skin, dry skin, and combination skin, next choose your ideal foundation shade.