Still struggling to find your perfect foundation? We’ve got you. An all-inclusive must-have guide on the good and bad, coverage, finish, inside info, and real-life user reviews and ratings on 14 of the best affordable drugstore foundations for oily and combination skins in South Africa…
Few of us are fortunate to find our holy grail foundation. It’s not surprising. Just who has the time, money - or desire - to try out masses of products, and eliminate them one by one? For most of us it’s a bit of a hit or miss affair. Our bestie swears by it or we trip over a rave review, and think, that’s the ONE. Only to be disappointed yet again…
It’s because everyone’s skin and needs are different. And if you have oily or combination skin – that are sometimes also acne-prone – it can be more challenging than most to track down the best foundation for you. That dreaded midday oil slick, disappearing makeup, slippage, creasing, patchiness and caking - you’ve most likely seen it all…
We’ve all been there. If you’re still chasing after that perfect look, feel and finish for your face, we’ve pulled together everything you need to know about affordable full coverage, matte drugstore foundations for oily/combination skins (plus reviews) to help you make your choice...
How To Choose The Best Foundation For Oily Or Combination Skin
First off, a few general tips to keep in mind when searching for the ideal liquid foundation for your oily/combination skin...
- A matte foundation is the best bet for oily skins to help absorb all that oil and fight shine. Look for words like ‘mattifying’, ‘powdery’, ‘blurring’ or ‘pore-perfecting’. Be cautious of words like ‘luminous’ and ‘radiant’ that indicate light reflecting ingredients which can add even more unwanted shine to your skin, but are great to use if you’re not too oily and are just looking for a little natural glow.
- Avoid products high in any form of alcohol. Yes - alcohol does dry out your skin, and even worse, it then overreacts by producing even more oil.
- Opt for long lasting foundations which are less likely to fade or slip off during the day. These types of foundations tend to offer a higher to heavy coverage which are great to help cover up dark marks and freckles, but some are also available in sheer to medium coverage if you want a lighter finish.
- Even though it may feel your skin is all-over oily, most of us have combination skin (oily in the T-Zone, drier on the cheeks). A too-matte foundation on drier skin can look lifeless and lead to flakiness and clumps. Look for ones that mattify your face but with a more natural finish.
- If your face is truly an oil slick, be aware that thin, water-based matte foundations with little added moisture content will not mix well with your oil. The result? Streaking, caking, patchiness and balling. And even though a foundation may tick all your boxes, it’s best to lock in long wear on a very oily skin by finishing with powder. You may also need an oil free primer.
- Be careful of too much coverage if you have acne. While some mattifying foundations are good for acne prone skins, you want to avoid too many layers that can look like you’re wearing a mask. For the most natural finish, apply just one layer your foundation to even out your skin tone, then spot conceal to cover up all those blemishes.
- Including an SPF in a foundation is a BIG plus in our sunny climate. The sun is by far the biggest cause of premature ageing and pigmentation problems. However, sunscreens used in the product may cause flashback in photos so be aware if you’re using it for a big event…
- You may have heard of oxidising - when your foundation goes darker or changes colour (usually more orange) after a few hours of wear. It’s all to do with a combination of your skin oils, your moisturiser, the product’s ingredients (and age), plus exposure to air. Fortunately, oxidation doesn’t happen to everyone - it’s a bit of a hit or miss affair. If you’re prone, it’s best to try out a new foundation on your face for a few hours before you commit.
With all these ‘rules’, it’s no wonder that shopping for a foundation for oily or combination skin can be a nightmare; trying to find a formula that strikes a perfect balance between controlling shine while still leaving your skin looking fresh and healthy.
The good news? We’ve taken all that pain out of your pursuit for the best ever matte foundation for your skin. Here’s a complete summary and review of 14 of the best budget friendly liquid foundations for oily/combination skins available in South Africa. What they are (all matte and most long wear), how they can help your skin, their coverage (from sheer to full), finish, shade range, their WOW (and not-so-wow) points, plus real-life user reviews and ratings - warts and all.
In alphabetical order…
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