Obvious as it may seem, packaging also plays a part. “Many high-end expensive skin products, including foundations, are not necessarily better than more budget-friendly drugstore options,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “Often the differences are more about marketing, branding, and packaging, rather than quality and efficacy.” If there’s a pricey product you’re dying to try, go for it, but remember, you have plenty of budget-friendly options if you’re in the mood to switch things up.
How should I choose a drugstore foundation?
To choose a drugstore foundation, use the same criteria you would for any beauty product—considering your coverage and skincare goals.”If you’re oily, opt for matte finishes to help control oil. If you’re dry, go for dewy, hydrating, and more luminous formulas. If you’re a combination, go for natural-finish formulas that give the best of both worlds,” says Spickard.
When it comes to coverage, drugstore aisles offer plenty of options. “You can get full coverage to beautiful, fresh skin tints at the drugstore these days, so knowing how much coverage you want will help you find the right foundation,” Spickard adds. Dr. King also suggests looking for skin-care-focused ingredients, like SPF, niacinamide, and antioxidants.
Meet the Experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best drugstore foundations, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
