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Smooth, Glowy Skin Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune—Our 10 Picks for the Best Drugstore Foundations Prove It
They're all under $25 (and the cheapest is less than $9).
One scroll through Cosmo's beauty awards, and you'll see that we're pretty big fans of foundation. We test every single kind all year long: Powder foundation, matte foundation, dewy foundation, sheer foundation—you name it, we've put it on our faces. To us, the key to looking seriously good is a base that doesn't settle into fine lines, is your dream level of coverage with the kind of finish you prefer, and stays put all day long. But all of those don't have to be achieved by spending a fortune, actually. TBH, we think the best drugstore foundations rival a lot of the $$$ formulas.
You may think you need to drop a ton of cash on a fancy foundation that’s filled with diamond dust and unicorn tears and pure, liquid gold. And, hey, if that’s your thing, you do you. But all the affordable formulas we tested can offer the same smoothing look to help cover up acne, inflammation, dryness, and more. Our team (a mix of editors with varying skin concerns, types, and tones) tried out all of the top foundations at the drugstore as well as a few gems before compiling our master list: truly, the best foundations under $25.
Our top picks for the best drugstore foundations of 2025:
Best Drugstore Foundation Overall
L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Foundation
Read more
Please, take your pick and get blending—all of these are under $25 and available at every major drugstore, so you absolutely won’t regret it.
Best Deal
Pros
- Makes skin look hydrated and smooth (thank you, hyaluronic acid)
- Our sensitive-skin tester found it works well on breakouts and eczema flare-ups
- Constantly goes on sale (!)
Cons
- Doesn't have as strong of a shade range as we'd like
One Cosmo editor says: "L’Oréal's True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum is a long-time favorite I always come back to. After a sudden allergic reaction left my face red, swollen, and peeling just days before a wedding, this under-$20 drugstore skin tint effectively camouflaged my redness while keeping my skin hydrated and calm. The hyaluronic acid smoothed over patchiness instead of clinging to it, and the non-comedogenic formula gave a fresh finish without clogging pores. Despite being labeled a tint, the coverage is akin to foundation while still lightweight. Through Atlanta heat, humidity, and hours of photos and dancing, my makeup stayed put—no flakes, no melting, and no redness peeked through. Affordable, accessible, and truly delivers."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E |
| Shades | 14 |
| Coverage | Medium |
| Finish | Natural |
Pros
- Shockingly hydrating and lightweight for a matte foundation
- Has a pretty extensive shade range, including very-deep
Cons
- The inside of the cap can get very messy
One Cosmo editor says: "So many of my current favorite matte foundations were also my favorite foundations back in the day. Case in point: The O.G. Maybelline Super Stay got me through the first few years of college, covering up all my stress and beer acne. But it was fairly thick and probably a bit drying—two things I didn't really care all that much about then. Now, though, I need foundations that don't feel so much like foundation every day. And this new version is exactly that. It's got a medium coverage this time; although, a dense brush and a few layers could certainly build it up to full."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Dimethicone, niacinamide |
| Shades | 24 |
| Coverage | Medium to full |
| Finish | Soft matte |
Pros
- Can be built up in coverage without getting cakey
- Extremely long-wearing, even through sweat
Cons
- Some testers said it felt a bit heavy on their skin
One Cosmo editor says: "This multitasking foundation doubles as a concealer too. Either apply a thin coat using makeup sponge or brush for full, all-over coverage or simply use your fingers to spot-treat dark spots, under-eye circles, or zits."—LB
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Dimethicone, allantoin |
| Shades | 24 |
| Finish | Satin |
| Coverage | Medium to full |
Pros
- Lightweight
- Simple ingredients that are suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin
Cons
- Not a lot of coverage on its own
One Cosmo editor says: "For quick makeup days, I love dabbing this on with a sponge. It's majorly lightweight and looks (and feels) so fresh on my skin. The sheer finish is buildable to cover up my redness and pairs perfectly with a little concealer to hide zits."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, panthenol |
| Shades | 15 |
| Coverage | Light |
| Finish | Natural |
Pros
- Cosmo Acne Award winner
- Feels like you're wearing nothing on your skin
Cons
- Has very minimal coverage (almost more of a skin tint)
One Cosmo editor says: "If your vibe is no-makeup makeup then add this to your cart immediately. The lightweight gel foundation is filled with pigmented capsules that blend down to a barely there, flawless finish."—JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Bakuchiol, tranexamic acid |
| Shades | 12 |
| Finish | Dewy |
| Coverage | Sheer |
Pros
- Transfer, water, sweat, and humidity resistant
- Doesn't fade, even after 12+ hours of wear, per our testing
- Has been an editor and makeup-artist favorite for decades
Cons
- Can cling to dry patches a lil bit
One Cosmo editor says: "If you’re not really sure which type of foundation you want or need, try this beloved drugstore formula that offers medium coverage and serious staying power. If you have oily skin, try the matte-finish formula, and if your skin is on the dry side, go with the natural-finish formula (shown here) that’ll leave your skin slightly more glowy."—LB
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Bisabolol, silk powder |
| Shades | 27 |
| Finish | Satin |
| Coverage | Medium |
Pros
- Not dry (contrary to popular belief re: powder foundation)
- Makes skin look impeccably smooth
- Great for oily skin
Cons
- A few reviewers found it difficult to find their shade
One Cosmo editor says: "I am very pro powder foundation for my oily skin, especially when I want to my skin to look like I've never even been stressed, had a breakout, or gone through puberty. And this drugstore formula often beats out many $$$ ones. It smoothes the hell out of my skin without looking dry or cakey."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Dimethicone, alaria esculenta extract |
| Shades | 20 |
| Finish | Matte |
| Coverage | Medium to full |
Pros
- One of the few truly oil-free drugstore foundations, which is great for acne-prone and oily skin
- Has the most shades of any drugstore foundation we tested
Cons
- I wish it had better longevity (usually starts to fade after six hours)
One Cosmo editor says: "If your skin looks greasy as hell by noon, try this killer drugstore foundation. It’s loaded with little mattifying powders that absorb excess oil throughout the day, which means smooth, shine-free, flawless skin for you."—LB
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Vitamin E, glycerin, clay |
| Shades | 40 |
| Finish | Satin |
| Coverage | Medium |
How we tested the best drugstore foundations:
Cosmo's beauty team is constantly testing makeup products to write up what's actually worth it, as well as include in our Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards. For this story, we...
- Personally tested hundreds of foundations over the course of our combined 30 years of experience in the beauty industry. We dug into our own collections to determine which drugstore foundations get the most use.
- Then, we narrowed down our top favorites, looking deeper into shade ranges, finishes, coverage levels, and more. This helped us create a list that's inclusive of everyone's needs and preferences.
- Researched product reviews and specs (like number of shades and key ingredients) to get pros and cons from actual testers, as well as clue into what makes the formula.
How to choose the best drugstore foundation for you:
Check the coverage levels.
Drugstore foundations really vary in coverage levels (just peep our picks above for proof), with some practically offering no coverage to others that will conceal everything. Determine what your go-to looks like by figuring out what you want to cover up and how you want your makeup to feel. A sheer or light coverage foundation will typically feel super lightweight, but ofc, this won't get rid of zits or redness and likely will need to be paired with concealer. On the other hand, a medium to full coverage formula is great because it can be sheered out for a less heavy feel while still concealing whatever you need it to.
Consider the finish.
After you decide coverage, the next important step is finish. Obviously, this really comes down to makeup style and skin type. Dewy foundations were all the rage for years, making you look like a glowy goddess. These tend to be the best for dry skin types who want to look hydrated. Matte foundation, however, is on the come up rn, offering a blurred, seamless look that's typically more "full glam." If you have oily or acne-prone skin, matte formulas are usually the best for you, especially to increase longevity. But TBH, no one can ever go wrong with a satin or natural finish—it's right in the middle and gives you the best of both worlds.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan. She has more than 12 years of experience as a beauty editor.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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