The 9 Best Drugstore Foundations of 2025, Tried and Tested by Byrdie Editors.

Coverage: Medium to full | Shades: 40 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: No

The best drugstore foundations have come a long way in recent years in terms of their formulas and shade ranges, and this one is a prime example of an option that truly rivals high-end and luxury offerings. Available in 40 shades (a massive range compared to most drugstore options), these are nicely dispersed across skin tones and undertones. The liquid consistency is lightweight, buildable, and budge-proof. 

We loved how we were able to build it up without it looking too heavy or cakey. The formula also contains SPF 25, which is an added bonus, and it’s resistant to sweat, water, and transfer. We conducted a transfer test by gently patting an oil-blotting sheet on the skin to see if any oil or foundation came off—and we were incredibly impressed that nothing transferred onto the paper. 

Although we’re currently conducting long-term testing to further evaluate wear-time, we’re confident that this is a nice, long-wearing option, thanks to the sweat- and transfer-resistant formula, as well as our editors’ positive experiences wearing it all day long in the past. 

Coverage: Full | Number of shades: 45 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes

With a unique mousse-like consistency and incredible buildability, this is one of the best affordable foundations out there and quickly became a favorite during testing. With one layer, we were able to blend the formula seamlessly using a brush or a sponge, yielding medium coverage that nicely concealed redness. An additional layer enabled us to achieve full coverage, completely blurring the appearance of dark spots and blemishes. We love that it sets down to a natural matte finish that doesn’t look dry or luminous—it’s perfectly in the middle. The mousse-y texture is quite easy to blend, although it is slightly thick and can look heavy if you have dry patches on your skin. To avoid this, we recommend exfoliating and moisturizing the skin before application. It’s also worth noting that it can look a bit greasy on oily skin throughout the day, so we recommend setting it in place with powder if you tend to get oily in your T-zone. 

Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Satin | Shades: 40 | Cruelty-Free: No

It can be tricky to find affordable powder foundations that offer coverage without looking cakey—especially at the drugstore—but this one checks all the boxes. Offered in 30 shades with a variety of depths and undertones, this pick works to blur the skin texture, even the tone, and temper shine. 

During testing, we were impressed by how quickly and easily we were able to apply an even layer to our skin using the sponge included. The formula is buildable, but we liked that one layer offered medium coverage that maintained a matte, skin-like finish. We were also impressed that even after building it up a bit, it still felt totally weightless on the skin. Additionally, it can serve as a foundation and a setting powder, controlling shine and providing extra coverage on top of liquid foundation. This powder formula is suitable for all skin types, according to the brand, although we think it may be a bit too matte and drying for those with extra dry skin. 

Coverage: Full | Shades: 23 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

While the beauty industry is getting better at shade inclusivity when it comes to foundation offerings, there’s still more work to be done. Those with deep and dark skin tones often do not have a variety of shades to choose from, which is why brands like Black Radiance are so important. Not only does the shade range of this foundation offer nearly two dozen options for people with deep and dark skin tones in a variety of undertones, but the formula is excellent too. 

The liquid consistency is creamy and easy to blend, and we loved how just one pump provided an even layer of full coverage on the skin. It’s not too dewy or too matte, it has a beautiful natural finish with a lightweight, comfortable, and hydrating feel. It did transfer a bit during our transfer test, though we think a setting powder would help to minimize this. 

Coverage: Medium | Shades: 12 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

Available in 12 shades, ranging from deep to dark with warm, cool, and neutral undertones, this cream-to-powder drugstore foundation works to blur the skin while maintaining a skin-like finish. The texture feels like a hard-pressed cream as you apply it, before setting down to a velvety powder finish. It offers medium coverage that can be built up slightly to conceal unevenness in your complexion, and we loved how weightless and undetectable it felt on the skin even after applying a second layer. 

We recommend applying this formula with a denser sponge or synthetic face brush to get the most evenly distributed coverage. In addition to the shade range and unique, weightless formula, we also like that it contains SPF 15 for a bit of added sun protection.  

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Radiant/dewy | Shades: 45 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This pick from Flower Beauty is one of the best drugstore foundations we’ve tried, thanks to its liquid, serum-like texture that feels utterly weightless while delivering buildable, natural-looking coverage. During testing, we were incredibly impressed by how stunning the formula looked on the skin. One layer offered light coverage that subtly evened out our skin, while an additional layer helped to cover blemishes and discoloration. Once set down, it had a radiant (but not greasy) finish that allowed some of our natural skin to peek through, making it a beautiful option for daily wear. 

We recommend applying it with a synthetic foundation brush or your fingertips to maximize the coverage. If you’re sensitive to the feeling of heavy foundation sitting on your skin and you’re looking for a lightweight product that offers natural-looking coverage, this is the one for you. Though the shade range isn’t super extensive in terms of the number of shades available, the range is nicely dispersed among fair to dark skin tones, meaning most people will be able to find a shade that works for them.

Coverage: Light | Shades: 8 | Finish: Luminous | Cruelty-Free: No 

So technically, this product isn’t a foundation but, available in eight flexible shades, it promises to be a ​​primer, concealer, highlighter, and BB cream all in one. It creates a sheer veil of luminous color, and we were particularly impressed with it during testing, especially for those who crave a super sheer, glowy look.  

While we didn’t like the sponge-tip applicator because it made the formula apply streaky, once blended out with our fingertips or a brush, it looked even and beautiful on the skin. It’s incredibly lightweight and can be applied to bare skin as an all-over wash of color or on the high points of the face to create a highlight. It can also be applied on top of foundation for a hint of additional coverage and a glowy finish. Because it doesn’t fully set, it’s a bit tacky to the touch, though it’s not overly sticky, and this tackiness thankfully doesn’t lead to a super-greasy finish.