We Tried The Most Popular Natural & Clean Foundations — These Are Our Faves

September 4, 2023

I know the power of a good foundation. As someone who has dealt with an uneven complexion for decades (thanks to acne which became post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation which became rosacea), I often rely on foundation to give the confidence boost I need. 

I fundamentally do not believe that using foundation to your advantage is “covering up” or “hiding” your complexion. Makeup should be about feeling good in your skin, and if you want to even out your tone in order to feel your best? By all means. And usually, it’s not even that deep: For lots of folks, doing a full face of makeup is just fun.

So no matter how or why you use foundation in your day-to-day life, you’ve come to the perfect place to check out the very best clean and natural foundations on the market right now. Here, you’ll see options for various skin types, needs, and tones.

There is no regulated definition of “clean” or “natural” in the beauty industry. So it’s really up to brands, publications, and individuals to create their own definition.

Natural ingredients are plant- or mineral-derived, and are extracted from natural-world sources. We prioritize natural ingredients when they make sense in the formula, as many botanicals are hugely beneficial for the skin. (A few below!)

But we also understand that lab-derived ingredients can sometimes be the better alternative, as they can be more environmentally friendly and less irritating for the skin. We also believe that “natural” formulas are a spectrum, as it’s very rare that a product is 100% natural—so a natural formula may still contain ingredients that are synthetic. 

Clean formulas can include both natural and lab-derived ingredients. Clean ingredients are those that are identified as safe for the skin and overall health as backed by research. Clean formulas tend to be more gentle for skin, as they avoid sensitizing ingredients. We believe that what ingredients are deemed as “safe” is an ongoing conversation. 

• Emollients: Emollients are ingredients that soothe and support the skin barrier, such as ceramides, squalane, shea butter, peptides, and many kinds of botanical oils (such as jojoba, argan, moringa seed, and olive oils). 
• Humectants: Humectants attract and hold water, which not only helps hydrate the skin—but helps keep it plump and supple throughout the day. Look for glycerin, aloe, and hyaluronic acid. 
• Antioxidants: Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, thereby avoiding damage. They also have a variety of other benefits depending on the specific antioxidant. For example: Vitamin C supports collagen production, niacinamide balances the skin barrier, vitamin E is hydrating, coenzyme q10 supports cellular energy production, and so on. 
• Sunscreen: If you apply sunscreen elsewhere in your routine you don’t need SPF in the foundation—however, for those who like to minimize products, a foundation can make for an excellent sunscreen hybrid. We suggest zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. 

• Undisclosed fragrance: Fragrance is not a dirty word, and can enhance the sensorial appeal of products. However, fragrance ingredients can be irritating (both synthetic and natural) for lots of skin types, and may trigger inflammation or breakouts. This is why we believe its transparency is important, so folks can decide if the ingredients are suitable for their skin. When in doubt, opt for a fragrance free foundation. 
• Parabens and triclosan: Preservatives are necessary in all water-based products to stop mold or bacteria from growing. But not all preservatives are created equal. These are preservatives that are known to have sensitizing and endocrine disrupting effects1. Thanks to modern ingredient chemistry there are much better options available.
• Phthalates: These are plasticizers and have been shown to have endocrine-disrupting abilities2. They are present in things from home goods and beauty products to food packaging. Given how present they are, we encourage people to find phthalate-free personal care products to lessen their toxic load. 
• Mineral oils and petrochemicals: We do our best to avoid petroleum based ingredients out of environmental concerns. They’re quite ubiquitous in the industry, so it’s almost impossible to avoid altogether, but try to limit use. Look for mineral oil, paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum, and paraffin. 
• Essential oils: While these aren’t off limits to everyone, they can be irritating to lots of folks. If you have highly sensitive skin, play it safe and avoid these. 
• Known irritants: This advice is a bit pedantic, but it’s worth articulating: Every skin type is different and folks have unique sensitivities. If you have any ingredients that you’ve had reactions to in the past (even “good” ingredients, such as certain forms of Vitamin C!), be sure to skip formulas with them in it. 

1. High quality ingredients: Not only do these formulas lean clean and natural, but they also are chock full of skin-supporting extras, like antioxidants, SPF, or hydrators. 
2. Variety: Not everyone is looking for the same thing out of a foundation, so we wanted to give you plenty of options—from matte to dewy, sheer to full coverage, and everything in between.
3. Diverse range of skin tones: We only featured products that had a wide range of hues. Most collections on this list feature double-digit shade ranges, plus unique undertone options too.
4. Testing & vetting: These recs come personally tested by me, our beauty team, or trusted professionals. Additionally, they also come with tons of positive user reviews.

Foundations sit upon the skin for hours—and some folks wear foundation daily. That’s a lot of contact with your skin! 

This is why you shouldn’t take foundation formulations lightly. Using products that don’t agree with your skin can lead to irritation, inflammation, dryness, breakouts, and even premature aging. 

Since clean foundations use ingredients that are thought to be gentler for skin health, they’re usually less irritating. In addition, the foundations featured on this list also include good-for-skin extras, so you’re actively supporting skin health while wearing it. 

Liquid foundations are the most popular, common, and versatile. Liquid foundations are the easiest to spread out, which makes using them all over the face and neck easier. Liquid foundations can vary in texture and finish, so it may take a while for you to find your preferred formula. 

In general, liquid foundations range from light to full coverage. They can have matte, semi-matte, satin, or dewy finishes. Some have quick dry-down times, while others have a “wetter” consistency, which makes them easier to shear out.   

Sure, oil foundations are technically a liquid, but it’s its own category since most liquid foundations are aqueous based—and foundation oils are oil-based. Given the rise in popularity of facial oils, makeup ups have seen a spike in the market as well. (For example: Lip oils, cheek oils, and bronzing oils.) 

They’re perfect for folks who like a thicker consistency, and have dry skin—as oils can help keep skin moisturized. However, those with acne or congested skin may want to avoid using them as they’re more likely to be comedogenic.  

Editor’s tip:

If you wear foundation regularly—and its within your budget—I recommend having a few options on hand so you can pick-and-choose based on your need! For example, I like having a stick foundation when I’m on-the-go, but a liquid foundation for daily wear. 

1. Clean your face with a gentle cleanser. If the skin appears congested or oily, consider using an exfoliating cleanser (like with alpha hydroxy acids).
2. On freshly cleansed skin, apply a hydrating serum. This extra layer of moisture will keep skin plump and supple throughout the day. The best ingredients for makeup prep are hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, niacinamide, and antioxidants.  
3. Layer on your face moisturizer of choice (these are our favorites, in case you’re curious). 
4. Apply sunscreen—if SPF isn’t elsewhere in the routine. If you use a foundation or moisturizer with SPF, you can skip this step.
5. Use a primer, especially if you need long-wear. While primers aren’t a necessity (especially for light coverage or simple day-to-day applications), they can help foundation stay put, control shine, deal with humidity, and lay smoother. Check out our favorite primers here. 

• Apply foundation in thin layers. This means you’ll apply a base layer of foundation, which will be your lightest coverage all-over. Once that layer has dried, you can go back to add a second layer in the areas that need it. 
• For full coverage, apply foundation to the face in sections. For lighter coverage, apply it to the back of the hand first, and then add light touches of pigment where needed.
• Less is more—and build slowly. It’s much easier to add product than to remove it. 
• Blend with fingers, brushes, or sponges (whatever your preference). Pay special attention to the hairline, jawline, and around the ears. 
• Set the foundation with powder or setting spray if you need long-wear hold.