15 Best Foundations for Combination Skin

Being both dry and oily at the same time is one complicated situation, but alas, such is the life of someone with combination skin. And if that's you, you're probably all too familiar with the perpetual balancing act of keeping your dry cheeks moisturized and controlling your T-zone from becoming an oily mess. So when looking for a foundation, the only solution is to get you a base that can do both—preferably more, if it offers to do so. Because while using two different foundations could make your mixed skin type happy, it's much simpler (and faster) to have one product that just does it all. We all deserve that kind of convenience. With that, we rounded up some of our best finds for the combo crowd below, in case you're looking for that do-it-all bottle, too:

1. Marc Jacobs Beauty Shameless Youthful-Look 24-Hour Foundation SPF 25

The Shameless foundation is the Marc Jacobs brand's unapologetic vibe in a bottle. Boasting adjustable medium coverage instead of full, you can achieve a seamless finish that shows off your skin in its best state. It also claims to be self-setting, and depending on how you prep your face, can turn into a semi-matte finish or a satin glow.

MARC JACOBS BEAUTY Shameless Foundation SPF 25, P2851, Sephora.ph

2. Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15

If you're the type of combo-skinned that's more oily than matte, this liquid foundation is a must-try. The texture of it is light enough to provide coverage without weighing your skin down, all while being amazing at stopping oils from coming through.

BOBBI BROWN Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15, P2750, SM Megamall

3. Kate Tokyo Powdery Skin Maker

This foundation from Japanese brand Kate has a cream to powder finish that takes away the struggle of foundation clinging to your dry areas. It gives you ample time to blend the foundation over your entire face before it sets to a non-cakey powder finish that your T-zone will appreciate.

KATE TOKYO Powdery Skin Maker, P1040, Watsons

4. NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation

Everything in this foundation's name is already enough to pique the interest of the combo-skinned. Because not only will it cover your imperfections all days, it has a satin finish that a glow back to dry skin but doesn't make shiny areas look greasy.

NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, P2950, Glorietta 3

5. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free Broad Spectrum SPF 20

Let us cheat a little and sneak in this cult-favorite tinted moisturizer that absolutely works as a lightweight foundation. Unlike most tinted moisturizers, though, this one is oil-free, so it'll even out your skin tone sans the extra shine. The tinge of SPF is always a plus, too.

LAURA MERCIER Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free, P2050, Rustan's

6. BYS Crème Foundation

On days when your skin is extra dry but in need of coverage, opt for a cream foundation like this one that will glide smoothly over patches. Do a light dusting of powder on top, perhaps a little extra on your T-zone, and you'll have yourself a smooth and comfortable base.

BYS Creme Foundation, P699, SM Beauty

7. MAC Lightful C Quick Finish Cushion Compact SPF 50 PA++++

To balance out cushion foundations that are either too matte and too dewy, MAC created this lightweight compact that falls just in between. Hydrating but oil-free and wears up to eight hours, this medium coverage cushion ticks the right boxes for a complicated skin type.

MAC LightFul C Quick Finish Cushion Compact, P2100, SM Megamall

8. Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 30

If the original Double Wear foundation is too matte for your combo complexion, then the Double Wear Nude's fresh-faced finish might be your best bet. This foundation has a fluid consistency that feels almost like water on the skin, offering light and buildable coverage you can wear through hot weather.

ESTÉE LAUDER Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 30, P2400, SM Aura

9. Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation

The Fit Me is more forgiving to a non-oily skin type than you'd expect. It has a smooth, runny texture that glides effortlessly over breakouts and dry patches. Best of all, without powder, it sets to a natural matte finish that doesn't look flat, so your skin looks healthy and not visibly covered in foundation.

MAYBELLINE Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation, P399, Watsons

10. Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation

This Smashbox foundation is a bulletproof choice for when you need something longwearing and full coverage but somehow non-drying. Overall, it can be a realiable base for long days and late-night parties, so choose wisely among the 40 shades available!

SMASHBOX Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation, P2100, Beauty Bar

11. Benefit Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation 

This foundation is infused with optical blurring spheres that blurs the appearance of pores, fine lines, and patchy skin. The lighweight, semi-matte formula provides a soft veil of coverage (with SPF 15, 'natch) that looks just like your skin but better. 

BENEFIT Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation, P1920, Greenbelt 5

12. Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Natural Perfection Skin-fusion Texture SPF 20

Guerlain's most popular foundation will give you a healthy skin finish that won't expose your oily T-zone. The satin yet surprisingly long-lasting glow will throw everyone off. Not only that, the Lingerie De Peau is also full coverage, but don't worry—no one will ever be able to tell.

GUERLAIN Lingerie De Peau Natural Perfection Skin-fusion Texture SPF 20, P3950, Greenbelt 5

13. Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation

Picking a selfie-friendly base is tricky, but luckily, Wet n Wild has already tested this foundation in several lighting conditions for you (Spoiler: It looked good in all of them). The water-based gel formula makes it a particularly good match for a dry-slash-oily complexion that needs extra moisture sans the oil.

WET N WILD Photo Focus Foundation, P599, Watsons

14. The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion SPF 50+ PA+++

The refreshing feel of this oil-controlling cushion is enough reason for you to stash it in your bag, although we do love how it instantly evens out the skin tone in a few taps. Touching up your coverage mid-day with it also means you're reapplying a thin layer of sunscreen, which is always a plus in our books.

THE FACE SHOP Oil Control Water Cushion, P1095, Powerplant Mall

15. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40

This product claims to be full coverage and pore minimizing—a combination almost unheard of from a CC cream. However, that's exactly how it can perform on your skin, providing that and age-defying skin benefits.

IT COSMETICS Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40, P2560, Sephora.ph

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