The 18 Best Drugstore Foundations of 2023 That Rival Expensive Formulas

Best Overall

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup SPF 20

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Neutrogena is kind of like the drugstore version of Clinique in that it embraces a pharmaceuticals-meets-cosmetics vibe. And some of its products are even better than the high-end stuff. The brand's Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup is the best foundation not just at pharmacies but maybe across the board.

You don't have to take our word for it. In one of her no-BS TikTok reviews, entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel said she "went to the drugstore and bought every single foundation they have." After trying them all, she named Healthy Skin the reigning champion. Noting that "it literally melts into your skin," Frankel announced it's "officially [her] favorite foundation, period, full stop."

The lightweight, non-greasy formula glides on like silk, blends beautifully, and leaves you with a natural-looking finish with fewer visible imperfections—extra points for the SPF 20 (although you should still wear a dedicated sunscreen; you need SPF 30+ to be safe). In the end, we just wish this foundation came in more shades for deeper skin tones.

Price at time of publish: $13

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 14 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Budget

Essence Pretty Natural Hydrating Foundation

4.5

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On a budget? Don’t sleep on Essence products. The entire line is super affordable, and our home tester gave this foundation nearly perfect scores, explaining that she loved the hydrating, complexion-enhancing formula and was impressed by how long it lasted. It comes in 31 diverse shades, and you can snag a tube for less than $5—a total steal.

Price at time of publish: $15

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural/dewy | Shades: 31 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Long-Wear

Revlon ColorStay Longwear Makeup

4.2

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If you want something that lasts all day (or night), Revlon has you covered. This waterproof, transfer-resistant, anti-smudge formula promises to stay put for up to 24 hours without cracking or drying out your skin. While it does contain SPF 20, don’t count on this formula to be your only line of protection—think of it as topping off your previously applied sunscreen. 

Price at time of publish: $14

Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Natural | Shades: 43 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Transfer-Resistant

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation

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L'Oréal makes our favorite transfer-resistant drugstore foundation. Infallible Fresh Wear is buildable to a stunning satin finish, promising waterproof coverage for up to 24 hours while maintaining a lightweight, breathable feel. A wide shade range of 40 options seals the deal as being an inclusive pick as well. 

Price at time of publish: $16

Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Satin | Shades: 40 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Mattifying

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation with Clay

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If you're all about that matte makeup, Maybelline is your best bet. This oil-free foundation calls on clay to absorb excess grease and control shine, leaving you with a smooth, even-toned complexion that doesn't look flat or cakey.

Price at time of publish: $8

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Matte | Shades: 40 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Dewy Finish

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation

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For those after a dewy glow, we highly recommend Wet n Wild. This exceptionally lightweight and silky foundation is buildable and blendable. It moisturizes your skin, blurs imperfections, and leaves you with a fresh face that lasts all day.

Price at time of publish: $7

Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Dewy | Shades: 14 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Radiant Finish

NYX Professional Makeup Born To Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation

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What do you get when you crank a dewy finish up a notch and add luminescence? A radiant finish. NYX's aptly named Born To Glow is our favorite radiant-finish foundation, offering smooth coverage and an even-toned complexion that subtly catches the light in all the right ways. Kudos to the brand for its diverse shade range.

Price at time of publish: $10

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Radiant/dewy | Shades: 45 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Mature Skin

Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Foundation

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This brilliant collab from Covergirl and Olay is just the thing for mature skin. The skincare-meets-makeup formula hydrates, brightens, and evens skin tone with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C while delivering buildable coverage that blends to a healthy-looking, radiant finish.

Price at time of publish: $16

Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 16 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Dry Skin

Physicians Formula Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer

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Parched complexion? Go with Physicians Formula. This supremely creamy yet virtually weightless foundation leans on a blend of plant-derived butters to nourish and moisturize, melting into your skin and leaving a naturally radiant glow in its wake.

Price at time of publish: $16

Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Natural/radiant | Shades: 12 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Oily Skin

e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Satin Foundation

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For oily skin, we recommend e.l.f. This oil-free liquid foundation promises to blur the look of your pores without clogging them, address uneven tone and texture, brighten your skin, and leave you with a semi-matte finish that lasts several hours.

Price at time of publish: $6

Coverage: Light/buildable | Finish: Semi-matte | Shades: 34 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Almay Make Myself Clear Clear Complexion Makeup

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If you're battling breakouts, reach for Almay's Make Myself Clear foundation. Beyond covering imperfections and correcting for redness, the all-star formula calls on salicylic acid (BHA) to clear and prevent pimples, then soothes with aloe vera. It's also oil-free, so it won't clog your pores.

Price at time of publish: $15

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Semi-matte | Shades: 20 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Dark Skin Tones

Black Opal Mineral Matte Crème Foundation

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Silky smooth and surprisingly lightweight, this cream-to-powder formula glides over the skin and has a nice matte finish. It wears well, and the colors are specifically designed with people of color in mind, so there are no grayish, ashy undertones. Wear it alone, or use it to set your liquid foundation.

Price at time of publish: $13

Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 12 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Shade Range

ColourPop Pretty Fresh Foundation

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With 42 diverse shades, ColorPop’s Pretty Fresh Foundation is five stars in our books. It’s packed full of hydrators like coconut water and hyaluronic acid, so it’s fantastic if you find your foundation settles or dries out during the day.

Price at time of publish: $16

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 42 | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Fluid

Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation

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Into full, Kardashian-style glam? This liquid formula from Catrice applies like a dream and settles down to a true matte second-skin-like finish. It’s super pigmented, so a little goes a long way—try using your fingers or a sponge to blend it in.

Price at time of publish: $10

Coverage: Full coverage | Finish: Matte | Shades: 20 | Size: 1.01 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Stick

Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick

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If you like the convenience of stick makeup or just want something for on-the-go use, this affordable foundation has your name on it. The highly pigmented cream is perfect for concealing, covering, contouring, and shading, and there's a handy brush on the other end for blending.

Price at time of publish: $11

Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Natural | Shades: 8 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Cream

Milani Cosmetics Smooth Finish Cream To Powder Foundation

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What’s notable about Milani’s Cream-to-Powder formula is that it’s enriched with antioxidants, including green tea and vitamin E, and bamboo extract. The creamy formula takes a little blending but softens down to such a nice, touchable matte finish—great for anyone who needs a foundation that goes the distance.

Price at time of publish: $12

Coverage: Full coverage | Finish: Matte | Shades: 22 | Size: 0.28 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Powder

Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Powder Foundation

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We like Maybelline Super Stay if you’re looking for a powder foundation. The ultra-fine formula goes on super smoothly, blending beautifully into an even, non-cakey finish. While it's not ideal for building and layering throughout the day, you might be surprised to learn it delivers full coverage.

Price at time of publish: $10

Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 12 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No