Diamonds in the beauty rough, the best foundations for sensitive skin provide the desired level of coverage without causing irritation. It's no easy task, as formulas need to tick several boxes to be deemed suitable for sensitive skin. Luckily for you, our expert has tested dozens and found the formulas that both dermatologists and their patients love.
During the search for the best foundations for this trickier skin type, as well as its reactivity you need to take into account several other factors—including shade range, price point, and finish. Slather a potential contender onto the skin with no real knowledge about the contents and you run the risk of a flare-up, as you're no doubt all too aware.
But it's not all bad news. There are several hardworking formulas on the market that will play well with your skin type. Our contributing beauty editor has tried and tested multiple options from skin experts to thoroughly review the best of the best. Whether you struggle with a condition like eczema or rosacea, or you simply have skin that's generally reactive, here we've compiled picks to suit all finish preferences and budgets.
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- Dr. Sam Bunting is the founder of her eponymous clinic on Harley Street and skincare brand Dr. Sam's, and was a presenter on TLC’s Extreme Beauty Disasters.
- Dr. Ifeoma Ejikeme is the founder and medical director of London's Adonia Medical Clinic, with an MD and Board Certified Internal Medicine among other qualifications.
- Dr. Justine Hextall has over a decade of experience as a consultant dermatologist and is medical director of the Tarrant Street Clinic in West Sussex, England.
- Dr. Justine Kluk worked as a consultant dermatologist for the NHS before opening her own private practice on London's Harley Street, and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.
- Dr. Thivi Maruthappu is a consultant dermatologist with more than a decade of experience in dermatology. Each of these experts have advised My Imperfect Life readers on foundations that they recommend for those with sensitive and reactive skin types.
How we tested the best foundations for sensitive skin
After collecting recommendations from our group of qualified skin experts, our tester wore each formula for at least one full day to assess how it felt and looked on the skin. She took into account the following factors in order to accurately compile this guide to the best foundations for sensitive skin.
- Finish
- Ease of application
- Coverage
- Range and number of shades
- How it wore on the skin
- Any additional skincare benefits
- Price
- Packaging
The best foundations for sensitive skin, recommended by dermatologists, as reviewed by a beauty expert
This glow-boosting base—which also made it into our guide to the best non-comedogenic foundations—ticks a variety of boxes in terms of texture and finish. "I love this foundation as it is light, fluid, and hydrating," says Dr. Justine Hextall. It's this combination that, she says, makes it ideally suited for eczema-prone skin: "Because skin that has eczema is dry, it can look dull. Heavy, matte foundations can exacerbate this appearance."
This foundation's formula also excels; I found it brightening, protective and moisturizing, like fresh, dewy skin in a bottle. But that's not all as, perhaps more importantly, it doesn't include ingredients that are likely to be problematic for reactive skin. "It is not perfumed, which is important for dry, sensitive skin that can be easily irritated," Dr. Hextall continues. She also points out that it's light-reflective, a handy add-on for faking a hydrated glow and the look of smoother skin. Because its shade range is so extensive, she has no problem confidently recommending it to her patients, and we've voted it one of the best foundations for dark skin too.
Providing makeup, skincare, and suncare in one squeezy tube, it’s easy to see why this lightweight and hydrating base is consultant dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk’s top pick for sensitive skin that’s also dry. Both buildable and easy to remove, I found that it spreads like a dream and gives a dewy, fresh finish that’s ideal for creating an everyday glow. “It’s perfect for evening out your complexion for a natural, airbrushed look,” she tells us.
Although it's a tinted moisturizer, it definitely provides a nice amount of coverage that is great for everyday wear and, unlike a powder foundation, it doesn't soak up any moisture that you do have or cling to flaky patches of skin. In order to get the most out of it, Dr Kluk recommends prepping the skin well. “Cleanse, then follow with a gentle exfoliator such as Medik8 Press & Glow tonic with PHAs and a moisturizing primer to create a smooth, even base," she advises.
Finding a base for reactive skin that’s also acne-prone is a true challenge. Ideally, a the best foundations for acne-prone skin will provide good coverage without being too thick or heavy (so as not to clog the skin and make breakouts worse) or hard to remove. It’s a fine balance to strike, but this non-comedogenic and fragrance-free formula does so, according to skincare expert and founder of Dr. Sam’s Skincare, Dr. Sam Bunting. “This feels like a premium foundation with a really luminous second-skin finish, but without the price tag,” she explains.
Dr. Bunting is also particularly impressed by the shade range, especially with regard to how it caters to complexions with yellow undertones. “It’s actually really hard to find a foundation with this number of shades that's also free from common irritants and allergens, like fragrance,” she continues. The EX1 Cosmetics website has a useful virtual shade matching tool to help you find the right match. Once found, Dr. Bunting recommends using a Beautyblender or similar sponge to apply it instead of a brush or fingers, which are more likely to unsettle any dry patches on the skin.
With a finish like a foundation twice its price, this affordable base is packed with benefits. As well as being lightweight, consultant dermatologist Dr. Justine Kluk tells us the hydrating formula containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin B5, and vitamin E is particularly ideal for dry skin types. Its buildable texture also allows for a more customized, natural-looking, and glowy finish.
The downsides? It may need touching up during the day, but that's about all—however, Dr. Kluk recommends exercising caution when it comes to the SPF rating, which alone won't provide you with sufficient sun protection. You'll need one of the best sunscreens for face with a rating of at least SPF 30. And secondly, take extra care when color-matching before you buy, as I found that some of the shades can look a little different on the skin once applied.
This one might have "CC" in its name, but for all intents and purposes, its higher coverage makes it a foundation. It's loved by beauty fans all over the world, but it's a particular hit among those with rosacea. "Rosacea can be really troublesome as although it can be more obvious in lighter skin types, it also affects skin of color,” explains Dr. Thivi Maruthappu. As well as the trademark redness, our doctor says other signs include skin-flushing and a burning sensation. "You can also have whiteheads (pus-filled spots) and red lumps (papules) and while it typically affects the cheeks and nose, it can also affect the forehead," she adds.
The doctor recommends this multitasking base for those with this complex condition. "It contains niacin, hyaluronic acid (which helps to retain moisture in the skin), calming aloe leaf extract and antioxidants, as well as all-important SPF 50—sunlight is aggravating so year-round high factor SPF is essential. It’s also fragrance-free."
With a creamy texture that’s both blendable and buildable, it’s no wonder that her patients love it. I found that you only need to use a little bit to get an effect and it leaves the skin with a lovely healthy appearance. The shades are also really flexible; our in-house beauty expert Aleesha Badkar finds that she can use a few different shades on her mid-tone South Asian skin. However, some reviews note that they come up lighter or darker than the names suggest, so it's worth getting color matched or trying a sample before you buy. That said, IT Cosmetics has a helpful selection of reference photos, as well as the option to have a video consultation. We also have a thorough guide on how to match foundation to your skin online for more tips. In a nutshell, this is excellent coverage, never cakey, and a tube will last ages. It's also great if you're looking for the best foundations for combination skin, as it is hydrating but doesn't cake or sink into pores and it's fully buildable coverage.
If you have sensitive skin and a T-zone that's prone to shine, this matte foundation could be the perfect base for you in conjunction with one of the best moisturizers for oily skin. "It’s a great all-rounder," explains Dr. Ifeoma Ejikeme, skin expert and medical director of the Adonia Medical Clinic. "I love that it’s lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic, and has added ingredients to hydrate the skin."
What’s more, Dr. Ejikeme points out that this formula balances a matte finish without looking mask-like or flat—a rare find in our experience. Plus, its far-reaching shade range makes it a great choice for a variety of skin tones. In terms of application, I found that a little goes a long way on the skin, which ensures that you get your money’s worth when you invest. Providing excellent coverage on any "problem" areas, we're sold on it, and it's up there with the best non-comedogenic foundations.
How to choose the best foundation for sensitive skin
Before you begin browsing the online foundation shelves, it's sensible to do a bit of homework and think about the following things before purchasing.
Choose your coverage
Opting for lighter, buildable formulas over thicker and longer-wearing buys is a good starting point. Firstly, you'll have greater control over coverage and, building on those areas that need more, for a finish that's never cakey. It's worth browsing the best BB creams, CC creams, and tinted moisturizers, too, as they are all light options. What's more, heavy and thick-textured foundations can clog pores and require more elbow grease to get rid of every last scrap—and the more rubbing required, the greater the risk of irritating your skin.
Seek out sensitive skin brands and offer hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic products
View makeup shopping as you would skincare and look into brands that cater to reactive skin types. If you’ve found one whose skincare products work for you, see if they also offer makeup, or look for products marked as hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic. The latter will typically have been formulated with ingredients that are far less likely to cause a reaction or clog pores. This terminology isn't well-regulated, however, so double check that there's nothing on the ingredients list that has caused your skin to flare up in the past.
Research ingredients that are good for other conditions
For example, if you have dry skin, look for those that will boost moisture levels. Dr. Kluk recommends “hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin E (also known as tocopherol or tocopheryl acetate". Calming ingredients like Aloe vera can be helpful for soothing inflammation.
Do a patch test
Important for peace of mind, because everyone’s sensitivities differ, apply a small amount of any new product onto a clean area of skin, like the upper forearm or behind the ear, and if there’s no redness, burning, or itching after 24 hours you should be all good. Many brands now offer handy samples of foundations that are great for a pre-purchase patch test.
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