Whether You’re Looking for Full Coverage or a No-Makeup-Makeup Filter, Our Foundations Recommendations for Combination Skin Will Leave You Feeling Confident (2020).

Combination Skin is essentially a combination of both oily and dry skin types, with fine lines and wrinkles, clogged pores and shiny complexion at the same time, with an uneven skin tone and large pores. Some of the most common and usual skin challenges in combination skin include clogged pores and large ones at that in the T-Zone, oily skin, dry & flaky cheeks and neck that’s sensitive to cleansing products.

Usually, the forehead, nose and chin form a significant part of combination skin with a majority of active oil glands and clogged pores, however, the cheeks may be less prone to active oil glands, hence they appear dry and flaky in comparison. If you use harsh products that come with ingredients like alcohol and sulphates which dry your skin, then that’s an important reason why your skin may be producing more oil in the T-zone.

Once you’ve identified your skin type, you can come up with a healthy skin care routine and some easy lifestyle changes that are customized for you. The first step is to use a gentle facial cleanser to remove all dirt, impurities and excess oil, which your skin would have absorbed through the say and wash it all away, at least twice a day. However, be sure to ensure that the cleanser you use helps mattify on the T-zone and not dry your cheeks.

Next, exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to eliminate any dead skin cells from your skin’s surface, which makes it dull otherwise. Get a face scrub that’s good for all skin types. For oily skin, it becomes a bit challenging to moisturize aptly without clogging the pores. You need a moisturizer that works from inside out with the essential fatty acids.

From a diet perspective, you can include walnuts, flaxseeds and salmon to help maintain the skin’s moisture or take supplements. In addition to the above steps, be sure to blot away excess oil, not touch your face often to avoid transferring dirt from your hands to your face and get a wide-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or more to protect your skin.

It isn’t easy to care for combination skin and worse is to choose the right kind of makeup, without the additional risk of making the skin flaky! But with extra care and simple tips in mind, you can work on doing up your combination skin well. Once you have chosen a good moisturizer for your skin, massage it well on the temples and cheeks and away from the T-zone. Then work on applying a good primer, which will close the open pores and avoid excess oil production, or better still rub an ice-cube on your face wrapped inside a muslin cloth and massage your face gently with it. Use a highlighter on your cheeks’ high points, patting a little on your nose-bridge, chin and forehead, blending it all well. Allow some time in between for the face to acclimatize. Now go on to applying an oil-free foundation on your face, blending it outwards. It is best to dust some loose powder on the T-zone and then take a bronzer and swipe it lightly on your cheekbones, forehead, chin and nose-bridge

The NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation comes with a total coverage feature that can be adjusted simply with the number of drops you use to match your skin colour. This matte/velvety liquid foundation stays on for long hours and doesn’t rub off on your clothes. Lightweight, it works well on combination skin and absorbs rather well. You can use the Total Control Drop Foundation Brush for a smooth finish. Available in 16 different shades, the NYX Total Control Drop Foundation is priced at Rs.938 and available on nykaa.com.

An oil-free product, the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation spreads the fine line between your skin and layers of makeup masterfully, resulting in a perfectly flawless finish that’s so close to natural that it looks amazingly real. The product has a medium to full coverage, and comes with coconut water as an ingredient that softly replenishes the skin’s moisture without over-hydration and is also imbued with Alpine Rose. It brightens the complexion and promotes elasticity. The presence of Hyaluronic Acid provides a skin balancing and long lasting hydrating feature for a more youthful appeal. Priced at Rs.3,111, the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation is available on ubuy.co.in.

Perfect for normal to oily skin, the Maybelline Fit Me! Matte & Poreless Foundation not only refines pores with a pleasant velvet finish but also gives off a matt effect. Given the presence of micro-powders that regulate shine, absorb excess oil and blur the pores, the foundation’s unique formula’s ideal for mitigating challenges faced with combination skin. Maybelline Fit Me! Matte & Poreless Foundation contains Glycerin which draws moisture from the air and absorbs it into the skin, shielding it from the pollutants in the atmosphere, also providing antioxidants to shield your skin from free radicals. Its lightweight texture allows your skin to build coverage as required and blends well into your skin. Priced at Rs.910, the Maybelline Fit Me! Matte & Poreless Foundation is available on caretobeauty.com.

The MAC Studio Fix Fluid is a pigmented foundation with SPF 15 which combines a matte finish and buildable coverage from medium to full with protection. Comfortable and long-lasting, the foundation minimizes the pores and conceals any skin imperfections, giving off a smoother and flawless look at the end of each application. Available in 18 shades, the MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 foundation is priced at Rs.2,900 for a 30ml bottle and available at shoppersstop.com.

An oil-free foundation with SPF protection, the L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup is a true match that provides medium coverage naturally and can be applied in multiple ways with a foundation brush, sponge or fingers. Free of oils and fragrances, the foundation has everything that a combination of skin would require for a smoother and even finish. Perfect for highlighting, concealing or contouring the L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup helps create the look you desire, helps minimize the fine lines, wrinkles and brightens tired and dull skin naturally. Priced at Rs.2,307 for 1.0 ounce, the L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup is available on ibhejo.com.

The Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation is a hydrating and long-lasting, protective liquid foundation that features a fragrance and oil-free formula which is waterproof and smudge-proof as well. Its active force technology formula is heat resistant, prevents the adverse effects of humidity, oil and facial movements and enables skin refreshing properties for 24 hours to maintain a flawless and bright complexion. Its lightweight texture provides a blendable and breathable coverage that not only replenishes the skin but also hydrates it throughout the day. With SPF protection, it is perfect for use for all skin types and is available in a wide variety of shades, all dermatologically tested. Priced at Rs.3,325, the Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation is available on skingene.in.

The Dior Forever Skin Glow 24H Wear High Perfection Foundation SPF 35 is a long-lasting and skin-friendly liquid foundation that beautifies your skin instantly, improving it with regular use. Inclusive of a hydrating booster and pansy extract, the foundation protects the skin from drying and comes blended with a rosehip extract which helps tighten pores and refines the skin’s texture. Rich with beautifying pigments that work well with the skin’s tone, it helps result in an enhanced complexion and protects the skin from environmental pollutants as well as harsh UV rays. Available in a wide range of shades to match your skin perfectly, the Forever Skin Glow Foundation SPF35 from Christian Dior is priced at Rs.4,205 and can be ordered online at strawberrynet.com.

Revlon ColorStay Makeup comes with a lightweight formula that’s long-lasting, and won’t rub off easily. With its time-release technology, the foundation’s perfect for combination skin as it helps control oil absorption and highlights the skin, without looking made up, resulting in a smooth and flawless complexion. Adaptable to all skin types and available in 43 shades, the Revlon Color Stay Makeup Foundation is good for 24 hours and is best for everyday use. Priced at Rs.1,285, it is available on purplle.com.

A 3-in-1 mascara, the Physicians Formula, the Healthy Foundation is a customized blend of two different recipes with 2 separate brushes that have been designed to mix and match up to the basic length, volume and intense lashes as required. Enriched with the ingredients that contribute to strong and conditioned lashes, Physicians Formula the Healthy Foundation includes pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E, seaweed conditioner and a long-wearing film former. Priced at Rs.1,156 for 30ml, Physicians Formula the Healthy Foundation is available on amazon.in.

Covergirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation’s vitamin-infused formula comes with a special antioxidant and vitamin complex which not only minimizes the appearance of oily skin but is extremely lightweight and apt for combination skin. The foundation includes vitamins E, B5, B3 and SPF 20 and its full coverage features make it ideal for glowing skin and perfect for daily use. Priced at Rs.3,573 for 1 ounce, the Covergirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation is available in 14 shades on flipkart.com.

For a flawless look, it is imperative that you use the right foundation shade for your complexion to conceal any imperfections and smoothen the problems out. Picking a foundation that is just right for your skin may be challenging, but with some bit of research and understanding of your skin type, you can end up with the right choice and find a smooth and flawless skin that looks naturally beautiful.