The Best Foundation For Your Skin Type

Foundation is a staple of makeup routines in its ability to unify the complexion and provide flawless coverage. The result should always be a glowing and healthy-looking complexion; but if you’re struggling to achieve this, it might be down to your foundation formula.

Each skin type is unique, and a foundation for oily skin is going to have a different effect on dry skin – and vice versa. However, when you pair your foundation to your specific skin type, you can improve your skin’s texture, moisture levels and brightness, all while getting the coverage you need.

In this expert guide, we demystify the difference between cushion foundation, stick foundation and liquid foundation to help you find the right foundation for dry skin, oily skin – and everything in between.

First thing’s first – let’s determine your skin type.

There are five basic skin types: oily, dry, combination, sensitive and normal. Lancôme Australia’s national skincare expert Brittany Hanchard shares her advice on how to identify which type you have:

“If you’re not sure which skin type you have, the easiest way to find out is to observe how your skin behaves after you have cleansed your face. Wash your face, then wait anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour. This is when your skin is in its ‘natural’ state – the perfect time to detect which type you have.”

• Oily skin: your skin feels greasy or looks shiny shortly after cleansing
• Dry skin: your skin feels tight after cleansing
• Combination skin: you have a mixture of shiny and dry areas (i.e., an oily t-zone but dry cheeks)
• Sensitive skin: you might notice redness or tightness
• Normal skin: your skin is balanced and doesn’t feel greasy or dry

You can also explore Lancôme’s new E-Skin Expert for an in-depth analysis of your skin type, needs and concerns.

Knowing how to choose foundation for dry skin, oily skin and more starts with understanding the different foundation types and formulas available. Let’s dive into your options.

One of the more common foundation types, liquid foundation provides a ‘real skin’ effect without losing coverage. The level of coverage also ranges across different liquid foundations, making them a perfect match for any look. What’s more, application is versatile, and can be achieved with sponges, brushes or your fingers.

Thanks to their enclosed and mirrored cases, cushion foundations are usually compact and easily transportable. An absorbent cushion holds in the foundation liquid and is dabbed onto the skin with an applicator puff. The benefits of cushion foundations include precise and comfortable application alongside their travel-friendly design. If you prefer a higher level of coverage whilst still maintaining a dewy, golden texture, this style is for you.

Stick foundations are more cream-like in consistency. Simple to apply and buildable to full coverage, this style of foundation will suit those who like to target certain areas of the face. As the cream formula is slightly thicker, a stick foundation can also be used as a concealer and to buff over blemishes on the skin.

Tinted moisturiser

Although this foundation formula sits firmly in the ‘liquid’ category, a tinted moisturiser is a happy medium between makeup and skincare. Those who like an even skin tone, nourished feel and very minimal coverage will enjoy this lightweight formula.

Now you know exactly what you’re looking for (for example, a liquid foundation for combination skin), you can use our virtual try-on tool to find your foundation shade.

That said, it’s important to match foundation not only to your skin tone, but to your undertone as well – and identifying whether you have cool, warm, or neutral undertones will help guide you to your closest colour match. Lara Srokowski, Lancôme Australia’s Beauty Director, shares a foolproof tip for finding your undertone:

“The quickest way to check your undertone is by looking at your veins: green veins indicate warm undertones; blue or purple veins indicate cool undertones; and a mix of both indicates neutral undertones.”

What foundation finish do you want?

Foundations are formulated for different skin requirements, and the type of finish you choose will affect how your foundation feels on your skin.

Browse the different types of foundation finish below:

• Dewy: Luminous-boosting and hydrating, a dewy foundation finish enhances the complexion with a natural-looking glow, while a dewy makeup look amplifies radiance without appearing shiny.


• Matte: A classic finish, matte foundations gently blur the skin for an ‘air-brushed’ effect, offering the best coverage for imperfections. Matte formulas are long-lasting and tend to be oil-free.


• Satin: We can think of a satin finish as the halfway point between a matte and dewy finish. A satin foundation has similar staying power to a matte foundation, but with more luminosity.


• Sheer: This lightweight finish evens out skin tone but allows the texture of the skin beneath it to shine through. Tinted moisturisers and BB creams are examples of sheer finish foundations.

The main concern for those with dry skin types is a lack of moisture, which can result in a build-up of dead skin and flakiness, as well as a roughly textured complexion. Dry skin also struggles to hold onto foundations that don’t contain a hydrating formula, which can result in your foundation crumbling or cracking.

When looking for the best foundation for dry skin, opt for a serum-in-oil foundation like the Absolue Fluid Foundation, which gives flawless, buildable coverage while nourishing your skin with essential hydration. If you’re looking for lighter coverage, the Teint Miracle Foundation offers a natural, dewy finish while enhancing radiance. This water-based formula delivers 18-hour hydration and has the sensation of bare skin for ultimate comfort.

Foundation for oily skin

Oily skin types experience an overproduction of sebum, the body’s natural oil. Though sebum is an important feature of healthy skin, excess oiliness can lead to breakouts and acne-prone skin. The best foundation for oily skin helps to regulate your skin’s sebum levels by absorbing excess amounts – without robbing the skin of sebum altogether.

Opt for a mattifying silica foundation like the Teint Idole Ultra Wear liquid foundation. Ultra-breathable while providing 24-hour coverage, this foundation is buildable and oil-absorbent for a beautiful, radiant finish. For those who would like to focus on blemishes, opt for a stick full-coverage foundation for oily skin like the Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Stick.

Foundation for sensitive skin

Sensitivity in skin can present in a dull or reddened skin tone and complexion. The ideal foundation for sensitive skin will provide an evened out and brightened finish. As sensitivity can be increased through certain ingredients, it’s important to choose a foundation that has a gentle formula. The anti-aging Absolue Cushion Compact Foundation combines three Absolue oils – Rose, Camellia and Citrus – to restore fatty acids to skin and protect against sensitivity. Better still, the cushion and applicator puff design allows you to apply your foundation gently, without tugging or pulling tender skin.

Foundation for combination skin

Since dryness and oil are both concerns for combination skin, a liquid foundation is usually best for hydrating and mattifying where you need.

You might find that a satin finish works well for giving you that balance of dewy and matte foundation for combination skin. However, you can also reach for a dewy, glowy formula and apply powder strategically across high-shine areas.

The Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation offers 24-hour coverage for a natural, healthy glow. Build up this medium coverage foundation as desired to boost radiance and smooth your skin’s tone and texture. This non-comedogenic formula won’t clog your pores, either – making it perfect for combination skin types. Apply a dusting of Translucent Loose Setting Power across any shiny areas of the face to lightly mattify the skin where needed.

Found your perfect full-coverage foundation for oily skin? Learn how to master skin prep for makeup to benefit from a long-lasting finish.