A good foundation is a major ingredient behind long-lasting, flawless makeup. If you go wrong at the base, no matter what you apply on top, you won’t get good results. Especially if you have a darker skin tone. A lighter shade might make you look cakey, with the clear visibility of a foundation applied to your skin, as opposed to a seamless appearance that you wish for. While a darker shade, might not do justice to your skin tone because it will make you look dark.

But apart from these, various other problems make it difficult to choose a foundation. So, to enable you to buy the best drugstore foundation for dark skin, we have some important information to share.

Read our next section, before jumping on to buy a product from the list below.

How to choose a foundation for dark skin?

Know your skin type

You can choose any foundation if you are willing to work hard on your skin later, if not so, ask your skin before choosing a foundation. A dry formula would be more suitable for oily skin. The moisturizing formula is beneficial for dry skin. The non-comedogenic, allergy-free formula is a must for sensitive skin.

Pick the correct tone

Generally, the color under your wrist is the best place to determine the right shade. The right shade should be 2 tones lighter than the color on your wrist. Some people also use, face, neck, and other areas to determine the perfect shade.

Pick the correct undertone

There are 3 types of undertones for every skin tone. Warm (golden or yellow), cool (red, pink, blue), or neutral (green). Light skin can have warm undertones and dark skin can have cool undertones, so don’t mistake between skin tone and skin undertone. There are ways to determine your undertone. Only after determining your undertone, you should pick a shade of foundation.

Kind of coverage

Whether you need sheer, medium, or full is a subjective choice. So, do look for this trait, before narrowing an option.

Best Drugstore Foundation for Dark Skin in 2023

Now that you know what all is to be considered, you can go ahead and pick the most suitable option from below.

Dermablend Quick-Fix Body Makeup Full Coverage Foundation Stick

A stick foundation like this one is a more portable, mess-free option than a liquid foundation. Dermablend quick fix foundation offers full coverage and provides your skin with an even look and radiant glow.  Since it is full coverage, it will also conceal skin blemishes and even tattoos.

On top of that, it is water-resistant, so ideal to be used on humid and rainy days.

If used with a setting powder, this foundation can last up to 16 hours without smudging.

For dark skin, you have 4 options namely-honey, golden, brown, and bronze, to choose from.

Pros:

• A dermatologically tested formula.
• PETA certified cruelty free.
• A non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic formula, thus suitable for sensitive skin.
• It is devoid of silicone, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrances, etc.

Cons:

• Didn’t find any.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup Foundation

This satin silky foundation will leave your skin smoother and beautiful. In a liquid formula, it gives a natural finish, without weighing your skin down.

Not only that, this foundation adds nutrition to your skin. It has a powerful blend of three antioxidants, vitamin E, natural soy, and feverfew. Antioxidants and vitamin E rejuvenate your skin by boosting the healthy growth of skin cells. Natural soy improves skin tone and feverfew gives your skin a calming effect.

This natural tan shade is great for dark skin tones.

Pros:

• It comes with a sun protection formula with grade 20.

Cons:

• Didn’t find any.

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation

If you’re those who wear makeup for a longer duration, this foundation might be the perfect fit for you. Revlon Color Stay will stay with you for up to 24 hours on the application.

An oil-free, weightless, liquid foundation, it is a great option for those with normal to dry skin tones.

Since it is buildable, you can re-apply as needed.

For warm or dark skin tones, you can choose between cappuccino, walnut, cinnamon, pecan, or butterscotch.

Pros:

• It has a sun protection formula of grade 20.

Cons:

• Might not be suitable for oily skin.

e.l.f, Flawless Finish Foundation

Another great option in liquid foundation, this one is great for a semi-matte finish. A lightweight foundation, it controls excessive oil formation, hence suitable for those with oily skin.

A full-coverage foundation, it has lots of shades for darker skin tones. Some of the options are-sienna, truffle, chestnut, cacao, ebony, etc.

Pros:

• It has a sun protection formula of grade15.
• 100% cruelty-free and vegan product.
• The formula is free from artificial substances such as parabens, phthalates, nonylphenol, triclocarban, triclosan, Ethoxylates, and hydroquinone.

Cons:

• Hard to find any.

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

For a fluid, silky, satin feel, opt for this foundation by NARS. It will stay up to 16 hours, without smudge or oil accumulation on the skin. No matter what skin type, you can go for this foundation without a doubt. Even those with sensitive skin can easily go for this foundation.

For warm skin tones, you can choose Macao, Trinidad, New Orleans, Tahoe, New Guinea, or Benares.

Pros:

• A non-comedogenic and dermatologically tested formula.
• The product is free from alcohol, oil, or fragrance.

Cons:

• Didn’t find any.

COVERGIRL TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation

For a soft-matte finish, you can go for this Covergirl Matte liquid foundation. Whether you have normal or oily skin, this oil-free formula won’t let your face appear shiny, after wearing the makeup for long. That is because the foundation is made to absorb extra oil and give you a clean look.

For those with enlarged pores, this foundation is the perfect solution. For up to 12 hours, your makeup stays the same.

For dark skin tones, you can go for cappuccino, tawny, bronze, or look for your perfect fit amongst the 40 shades available.

Pros:

• Leaping Bunny Certified for being cruelty-free.

Cons:

• Might not be fit for dry skin.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup

A heavenly solution, for those with enlarged pores, this foundation fits perfectly with every skin tone. It will surely give you a matte finished look, all day.

Since it has the addition of clay in the blend, it makes a perfect fit for oily and normal skin types. Clay has a natural tendency to absorb excess oil and help the skin stay matte.

Dark skin tones can go for shades like mocha, latte, cappuccino, nutmeg, java, or else choose between a range of 40 different shades.

Pros:

• A non-comedogenic formula.
• It has SPF-18 formula for sun protection.

Cons:

• Hard to define any.

Smash box Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation

If you have dry skin and often suffer from dry patches when using a foundation, Smash box studio foundation might be a good idea for you. Though it is an oil-controlling formula, it adds the right amount of moisture to your skin due to the addition of hyaluronic acid. Such that, your skin appears naturally hydrated and moisturized.

It won’t clog your pores, rather hide their appearance. Also, with the help of light-diffusing beads, it corrects and hides the imperfections on your skin.

A long stay formula, you can wear it for up to 24 hours without any worry of smudge.

The foundation provides medium coverage but can blend it for full coverage too.

This is a 4.4 shade; you have several others that can match on a darker skin tone.

Pros:

• PETA certified cruelty free.
• A transfer, sweat, and humidity-resistant formula.

Cons:

• Hard to find any.

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation, Cocoa

This foundation offers what is called a demi-matte finish. It means, your skin will look naturally beautiful with satin-finished skin texture. Being at par with its competitors, this foundation offers 24 hours stay too.

An air-light texture, this foundation is good for medium coverage.

Being an oil-free formula, it is a great product for oily skin types.

This is a cocoa shade, you can also go for nutmeg, brown suede, rich chocolate, rich ebony, whatever matches your dark skin tone.

Pros:

• This product is cruelty-free.
• It is dermatologically tested and non-comedogenic.

Cons:

• Didn’t find any.

Black Opal 1 Ounce True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation

If you have dark skin and looking for a foundation, why not look for brands specializing in your skin tone? Well, Black Opal is just that. Therefore, it has various shades in warmer tones to suit your shade of dark skin.

Due to its shade ID (trademark) technology, it blends into your skin, aligning itself to the shade of your skin. Therefore, wearing this foundation will give you a naturally even look, effortlessly.

On top of that, it has pore-perfecting quality. That means, your skin appears even and makes it flawless. Though the pore perfection formula doesn’t restrict itself to topical use, it goes deep within. That means, in the long run, it reduces the visibility of large pores. That is because it has some skin-loving ingredients such as lentil extract, shea butter, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.

This foundation is great for light to medium coverage and is fit for all skin types.

Pros:

• Great for sensitive skin types too.

Cons:

• Hard to find any.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation

If you trust a professional range, you can go for the NYX professional makeup foundation. It offers the same, 24 hours stay, but when NYX says it so, you ought to believe it straightaway.

In a matte finish, it offers full coverage. Moreover, it is a waterproof and smudge-proof formula. So, party hard, even in the rain, without worrying about smudging your makeup. Plus, it is transfer resistant too.

Whether you have oily, normal, dry, combination, or even sensitive skin tone, this foundation won’t give you allergies or cause breakouts.

This is a deep rich shade with pink undertones, you can go for other options amongst the 45 available shades.

Pros:

• PETA certified cruelty free.
• A non-comedogenic formula.

Cons:

• Hard to find any.

iT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full-Coverage Moisturizer

If you are still not convinced, take a look at this foundation. This might be the foundation you are looking for. It has all the good qualities put together. This one offers full coverage, so your face is left even and blemish-free.

Plus, due to its 3D Skin Flex™ Technology, it is a great moisturizer too. So, you need not add a layer of moisturizer, before using this foundation. And if you have dry skin, the moisturizing element is a boon for you.

If you talk about sunscreen, this foundation has the most potent version of SPF-50. So, it protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays effectively.

Moreover, it adds great skin benefits due to its anti-aging properties.

This is a ‘rich’ shade, you can go for others like tan, deep, honey, depending on your skin tone.

Pros:

• A clinically tested formula, ideal for all skin types.

Cons:

• Didn’t find any.

Conclusion

That was a whole lot of information out there. Hopefully, you must have made your mind by now. But, don’t be in a hurry, because choosing a foundation is a critical step in makeup. The right shade, the right undertone, skin type, and coverage are some major areas you need to be careful of. In addition to that, skin-loving ingredients, non-comedogenic formulas, and those with sun protection formulas are some more areas that can make a good foundation.