Not many of us have flawless skin. Most people, including myself, have textured skin with bumps, pimples, spots, or rough areas. Hence, the existence of this best foundation for textured skin guide. My name is Alexandra, and I have textured skin. Yes, I do, but I stopped feeling bad about it a couple of years ago when I also engaged in self-love therapeutic practices.
But that's a topic for another time. Today, I want to talk about the best foundation for skin with issues, or, as I like to call it, normal people skin. That's why I've detailed some of the most effective guidelines on finding a makeup foundation that suits your skin, as well as a few of the best options I recommend.
Bottom Line Up Front!
The best foundation suitable for textured skin is the one that can make your complexion look smooth and even without sacrificing your natural beauty.
I know what having textured skin means and how sensitive it can be to treat or cover it up. I had to avoid harsh products all my life because, especially during summer, if I cover my face in a thick foundation layer that clogs my pores, the next day, I will discover several pimples on my T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).
Also, not all textured skin is the same. Some can have textured dry skin, while others have an oily complexion. Mine is a combo of regular and oily. That's why you must pick the foundation with care by considering your skin type and its needs, shade, foundations' formulas and ingredients, and the product's concealing power.
My choices:
- The best of the best – e.l.f. Flawless foundation due to its sebum-control properties and natural finish;
- Best in terms of overall value and affordability – L'Oreal Infaillble because it's easy to apply and won't transfer to your clothes;
- My guilty pleasure – the NYX foundation due to its buildability and creamy texture. Plus, I use many other NYX makeup products, and I trust the brand.
Best Foundation for Textured Skin Guide – How to Find It
There are certain aspects you must consider when purchasing the best foundation that you can afford for your textured skin.
For instance, I'm afraid of experimenting with new products since I changed my regular foundation several years ago, and the next day the skin around my eyes was red and irritated. Since then, I've been careful with the products I apply to my face.
I also must confess that, despite being interested in the makeup industry, I'm far from being a professional makeup artist, so the simpler the product is, the better. Hence, I avoid foundations in strange shades such as green, yellow, or blue.
Nevertheless, I understand their fundamental principles because they work great to cover imperfections and dark under-eye circles. But, give me a foundation with straightforward application rules, and I'll thank you for that.
Here are some rules you must stick to.
1. Consider Your Skin Type
I know what you must think; I'm covering the foundation topic related to textured skin, which must be your skin type. Well, it's a bit more complex and complicated than that. Besides being textured, your complexion might be dry, oily, normal, or mixt. For example, I have dry skin on my cheeks and oily skin on my forehead and nose. So, my skin is a mixt one.
Therefore, I must opt for makeup products that aren't too harsh on my face. That means I must use lightweight foundations with hydrating properties that provide medium-strong coverage. If your skin is oily, opt for those products that lower the sebum production, while people with dry skin should use moisturizing formulas.
The color of your complexion is also essential. I have fair skin with pink and yellow tones, meaning my ideal foundation should have a warm color. If your skin is beautifully brown, you should buy a foundation with a natural shade, whereas cold-toned foundations go well with reddish complexions.
2. Think About the Coverage Strength
Although I would want a foundation with full coverage, I fear it would be too heavy on my skin. So, I must make do with more lightweight foundations that offer medium coverage. One product I enjoy applying because of its nice texture is a mousse foundation, but I'm well aware that this type of product doesn't provide me with complete coverage.
In the end, it's all about choosing the best solution that meets most, if not all, of your needs, prioritizing your preferences, and being willing to compromise a little bit.
3. Opt for Skin-Friendly Foundations
Textured skin can also be sensitive. For example, I have sensitive and thin skin, especially around the eyes. So, I must act cautiously because if I use the wrong foundation, my complexion can quickly become irritated. Therefore, you want to avoid that by using high-quality products that prevent further irritations.
4. Sensitive Skin Requires Special Foundation
I strongly recommend a high-quality foundation made of natural or organic ingredients for your textures and sensitive skin. Pick a product with a non-irritating formula. The ideal choice would be something that's great at concealing any skin issues without side effects like clogged pores.
Textured Skin's Main Characteristics
Textured skin isn't very smooth since it has bumps and other skin problems. Too much makeup can make it look worse, while the right kind and amount of foundation are all you need for a flawless result. Moreover, prepping your skin before applying foundation plays an important role.
Textured skin can be oily or dry. However, regardless of the way it is, all textured complexions look uneven or damaged, and they have a dull appearance. Large pores, clogged pores, pimples, sunburns, aging skin, dry patches, and dehydrated complexion are just a few factors that create textured skin. Of course, you can prevent or reduce some of them, but overall, our skin will suffer transformations over the years, and we (especially myself) need to make peace with that.
You still aren't sure if you have textured skin or not?! Just go ahead and touch your face right now. Do it! If you feel bumps of any kind, you most likely have a textured complexion. For example, my skin around the chin and mouth area is more textured and damaged than the rest of my face because of small yet tedious acne scars.
Best Foundation for Textured Skin Guide – My Top 11 Choices
Selection Criteria: I've listed the following foundations randomly, but I've picked them based on their brands' reputation, stellar reviews, and effective formulation.
1. Neutrogena Micro-clear Oil-Free Liquid Foundation
This Neutrogena oil-free foundation is something I need in my makeup bag since it's a shine-controlling and lightweight product. Moreover, it fights blemishes and covers skin imperfections. In other words, it will smoothen your textured skin. I love this foundation because it's buildable and doesn't feel heavy on my skin.
I also like that it comes in a wide range of shades, from soft beige and classic ivory to cocoa and chestnut. Being oil-free, I know for a fact that the Neutrogena foundation won't clog my pores. Instead, it will allow my skin to breathe.
My face tends to get shiny after a couple of hours of wearing makeup if I don't also apply powder. But that could be a problem considering my skin breakouts. So, this foundation is excellent. It controls shine and prevents breakouts.
Pros
- Lightweight and oil-free;
- You can apply multiple layers because it's a buildable foundation;
- The formula suits acne-prone skin like mine;
- Dermatologists created this product;
- It's impossible not to find the right shade that matches your skin tone since this foundation is sold in many beautiful colors.
Cons
- The packaging is what I like less about this foundation. The container is too small, and it lacks a dispenser. All these factors combined make the application process a bit complicated.
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4. e.l.f. Flawless Foundation
I love e.l.f. makeup products because they last long on my skin, and many of them provide medium or full coverage. And this Flawless finish foundation is no exception. I was excited to see how many beautiful shades this product comes in. To me, the price is ridiculously low. However, to be honest, I should say that this foundation offers medium coverage, not full.
What I like most about it is how smooth my skin feels after applying it. Moreover, with this foundation, I can quickly achieve that much-desired satin finish but the one that doesn't look shiny or oily. I'm sure you'll also be pleased to try this semi-matte foundation and see these fantastic results. Textured skin be gone!
Pros
- Restores your skin's natural glow and controls sebum production;
- It's not tested on animals which makes my heart happy;
- The formula is both buildable and blendable, which means you can wear the foundation all day long without worrying about clogged pores;
- All the ingredients are vegan, and the formula is toxin-free.
Cons
- I must tell you to pay attention to the shade you're ordering since some of them can be a bit off;
- The texture can become chalky if you don't mix the product well before applying it.
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FAQs
Question: How Should I Prep My Textured Skin for Foundation?
Answer: Generally, you should use a primer before applying the foundation. That's an even more important step if you have textured skin. It's best if you develop a skin routine and commit to following it every day. First, you should make sure to clean and hydrate your face. Secondly, you must apply a primer before the foundation. One more thing I want to add here: I exfoliate my skin once or twice a week, which is something you should do, too. Moving on, make sure to apply the primer. Choose one that's lightweight and hydrating. I can't stand face creams or makeup that are too heavy or greasy.
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Best Foundation for Textured Skin: Wrapping Up
Picking the proper foundation for your textured and sensitive skin should be easier now after I've provided all the above guidelines. In my humble opinion, the ideal choice would be a medium-coverage foundation with an airy consistency, made of organic ingredients, and one that also has SPF protection.
Remember these two key features when choosing the best foundation for your textured skin that you can afford: long-lasting, excellent coverage, and, ideally, oil-free. Of course, the best one is the foundation that doesn't sink into the skin but glides smoothly over your face.
