Since my deep dive back into clean beauty products 2 1/2 years ago I have been on the search for the best foundation options. Not just for my skin type, which tends to be dry but options for all the types. It has taken me a long time but after a couple years, lots of conversations, some trial and error, a couple hundred dollars and probably 30+ samples – I think I have found some really good options. I will break them down for you below but first, if you haven’t read my blog post about WHY you would want to clean up your make up bag, check it out here and if you are looking for budget items, read this one. I will wait while you do that…
Alright, now some tips on choosing foundation. Here are some questions to ask when deciding on a foundation…
- What type of skin do I have? Over the years your skin can change and sometimes it can be hard to decide. There are a couple ways to figure this out if you don’t already know.
- The bare-faced method – this is pretty easy. Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat dry. Do not use any moisturizers, toners or serums! After 30 minutes, take a look at your skin in the mirror. Is your T-zone shiny? Does your skin have any areas that feel especially dry? After another 30 minutes, check again. Does your skin feel tight or itchy? If your skin feels tight especially when you smile or make other facial expressions then your type is most likely dry. If you have a little shine around your nose, forehead and chin then you are probably normal/combination. If you have shine on the above areas plus your cheeks you probably have oily skin.
- Dermstore has a great breakdown of each type. Check out their explanation here.
- How much coverage do I want? Not all foundation covers blemishes and redness because not every woman needs it. Are you looking for barely-there coverage like maybe a tinted moisturizer would provide or are you wanting a more flawless full coverage look. Personally, I change based on what I am doing. For every day errands etc I like a light-medium coverage but for a special occasion or date night I prefer medium-full coverage. This is very different from my fresh-faced highschool days when I was tinted moisturizer all the way!
- Paula’s Choice has a list of each type of foundation and its pros and cons. You don’t need this list to decide but it can definitely be helpful in narrowing down options before diving into the clean beauty foundation world.
Now that you have the answer to those two questions lets get down to the details. Foundation faves…
My personal go-to is Sappho New Paradigm Essential Foundation in the shade Lisa. I tried this one as a sample a couple of times before I finally decided to purchase the full size. I really like the creamy texture and it feels very hydrating to my face. Overall the coverage is light but it is fairly buildable so I can get a more medium coverage.
Here is what the Sappho website has to say about the foundation… “Its unique silicone and dimethicone free formulation feels weightless and allows the skin to breathe. Free of regular coconut oil, moisturizing and soothing with organic aloe vera juice, jojoba oil and shea butter, it is suitable for all skin types and a favorite for those with problematic breakouts. For sheer coverage, it is easily thinned with moisturizer.”
They say it is suitable for all skin types and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if that is true. Unlike many clean formulations there is no coconut oil which is usually problematic for those with oily skin. I would definitely give this one a try no matter your skin type. Price: $54
Another great option is Beauty Counter’s Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation. This is essentially a tinted moisturizer. It has a light coverage that is somewhat buildable. When I first used this product the shade range was a little sad but now they have 10 options which makes it much easier to find the right color for your skin. I have worn the shades Linen in the winter and Sand in the summer. This is a great product for someone new to makeup or just wanting a natural look & easy routine. Note: this does contain dimethicone unlike the Sappho formula above. Price: $42
The RMS brand is a clean beauty favorite and their “un cover up” concealer has a cult following. Many clean beauty bloggers etc looking for a full coverage option used the concealer as a foundation. The downside was of course that the tiny concealer pots didn’t last long when being used as foundation. RMS to the rescue with an “un cover up” cream foundation. “formulated with their signature organic cold centrifuged coconut oil, combined with a blend of oils and herbs. This natural foundation features jojoba oil, coconut oil and buriti oil, which hydrate and protect the skin from free radical damage while improving skin tone and texture.“
I sampled this foundation in the shade 11.5 over the winter and I loved the texture but I think it would work better for my dry skin in the summer. I live in an arid climate and that combined with my already dry skin means that my skin tends to drink up moisture and can end up looking uneven. That is what happened with this foundation. That being said it is actually recommended for combination skin so it may just not be a great fit for me. I think it is an excellent formula and for those that love a dewy finish it is a fantastic option. The ingredients are clean and since you only use a tiny bit, one pot should last a long time. I plan to revisit this formula in the summer & see if my skin likes it better. Note: this would not be a good option for ladies looking for a matte foundation. It is very dewy and fresh looking. Price: $52
Crop is the winner for those with oily /combination skin. My sister is the expert here and she is very picky. In fact, the reason I haven’t posted about foundation up to this point was because I needed her stamp of approval on a product for those with oily skin. I brought her a sample of the Natural Moisture Balance Foundation and she loves it! The fact that she wants a full size version makes me super happy since I am trying to get her to come to the “clean side”
“This natural formula works to reduce the appearance of pores, while providing a long-lasting, flawless finish. Achieve medium to full coverage with a small amount of product. This clean foundation formula dries to a soft matte finish…”
Easy to wear and blends well. Price: $42
Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage BB Cream is a great option for those looking for a full coverage look. Many women assume they can’t find full coverage in the clean beauty market but this is not the case. Jane Iredale is a pioneer in clean beauty and her formulas have stood the test of time. This foundation “covers blemishes, minimizes the appearance of pores, disguises wrinkles and smooths and brightens skin. 100% vegan and always cruelty-free.” A little goes a long way with this BB cream so depending on how heavy your version of full coverage is, it can last a long time. 10 shade options, I wear the shade BB6. I find the shades vary widely so if you have questions about what color to buy I recommend either the JI foundation quiz or Citrine Beauty has a fantastic color matching program. All you need is a picture of yourself. You can use their color matching program for any foundation they carry. Price: $50
Vapour Foundation was the first full size foundation I purchased when I returned to clean beauty. I LOVE this formula in the summer but similar to the RMS above, I don’t love it in the winter. The foundation is luxurious and smooth. It blends very easily and feels very natural on the skin. It is a buildable foundation with a medium to full coverage. I most often found it to be medium. This is not an overly dewy finish but it is not matte either.
“Flawless skin with subtle luminosity and a sensuous satin finish. This makeup artist favorite offers easy to blend, buildable medium to full coverage. Infused with Fine Art Color and skin-nourishing botanicals. Best for normal, sensitive or combination skin types. Soft Focus Foundation is formulated without Silicone, Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide or Ethanolamine . Soothes, calms, + protects with Frankincense, Tulsi + Lotus extracts, Nourishing Myrrh oil, Scented with pure essential oils. ”
This formula is marketed to normal, sensitive and combination skin types. The shades 112S & 117S can be used to combat pink/redness. Price: $54
This Alima Pure powder foundation comes in a pressed and loose powder option but I prefer the pressed for travel. The formulations are a little different though so check out both options. I use this as a setting powder for some of my more dewy foundations rather than an actual foundation but it is marketed for all skin types. It has light to medium buildable coverage. This is the clean version of brands like Bare Minerals (which originally was pretty clean but is no longer) If you are a mineral foundation girl – this is the product for you. I wear the shade sesame.
“…lightweight pressed mineral powder with a velvety, matte finish in a refillable compact for easy, on-the-go application with a soft sponge applicator. Pressed Foundation is formulated with finely milled rice and mica powders to provide even, buildable coverage.”
Price: $34 but you can buy just the refill for $22 and keep it in a Z Palette
Last but not least, Kjaer Weis foundation. This is probably the most popular of all the clean foundations. It has beautiful ingredients and rivals any high end brand. The packaging is refillable so you can buy refills on all their products (including lipstick!) I save a little money and buy the refills and keep them in a Z Palette. Personally, I did not love this foundation but I know so many people that do, I decided it was worth sharing. This has a semi-matte finish which is unusual for clean foundations. It is recommended that you apply with your fingers in order to warm the coconut oil in the formula. I think this makes a big difference in application. Overall, I found KW to be quite buildable from light to almost full coverage.
“…weightless cream foundation that leaves skin with a velvety-smooth, semi-matte finish. The build-able, clean formula can be used for coverage from ultra-sheer to concealer-level opacity. Coconut, sweet almond, and jojoba seed oils add moisture to the skin while making this formula ultra-smooth upon application.”
This formula has the widest shade range with 16 shades. I wear Ethereal but can also wear the shades on either side depending on whether it is summer or winter. Price: $68 or $40 for the refill
I hope these recommendations are helpful. Let me know what clean brands you love!
-Thara
