13 Best Vegan Foundation Picks To Put Your Best (Vegan) Face Forward

The correct base is essential for a lasting makeup look, and for a while in the beauty industry, this led to a gamble that you as the consumer were forced to make: get the best product and formula or stay vegan and settle with a formula that just barely pulls you by. With the newly founded awareness over a decade in society led to a splurge of clean products, we no longer have to choose between quality and clean formula.

In this blog post, we will be diving into 13 Best Vegan Foundation options from sheer to full coverage, from radiant to matte finish, and everything in between for the perfect foundation that not only looks good but feels good too!

What Is A Foundation?

Foundation is a cosmetic product used to create an even skin tone and provide a base for other makeup. It comes in forms like liquid, cream, powder, or stick, with a wide range of shades to suit different skin tones. Foundations offer different coverage levels, from sheer coverage to full, giving you the freedom to customize your look every time.

What Is A Vegan Foundation?

Vegan foundation is a formula free of animal-derived ingredients. It's crafted using plant-based and synthetic alternatives, like botanical extracts, vitamins, and minerals, with no animal testing. These formulas prioritize natural, skin-loving ingredients.

Best Vegan Foundation

Best Overall: Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation

Skin Type: All Skin Types Including Acne-prone and Sensitive | Finish:  Natural Finish | Coverage: Medium Buildable 

Introducing the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation, a versatile gem in the realm of vegan foundations. This formula boasts a high claim to provide just the right amount of coverage, offering a flawless base that enhances the beauty of all skin types.

The secret lies in fermented arnica, a natural redness reliever and a shield against the elements. The texture is smooth as silk and weightless, delivering a natural, radiant finish that lasts all day long.

Another one of its distinguishing features is the blend of over 20 skin-nourishing ingredients for a much-loved, refreshing effect that users appreciate. Topping it off with a diverse range of 51 shades, you’re sure to find your perfect match from one of the best cruelty-free brands on the market.

Amazon Customer Review: This foundation is so velvety, light feeling, and has incredible coverage. A little goes a long way! My skin has never looked as good.. smooth as silk!

Best Airbrush Finish: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation

Skin Type: Normal, Dry and Combination | Finish: Airbrushed | Coverage: Full Coverage 

Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Longwear Vegan Foundation is your go-to for an airbrushed finish. Available in an extensive range of 44 shades, this foundation is designed to provide full coverage, leaving you with a radiant complexion.

One of the standout features is its versatility. This skincare-infused formula with anti-aging properties works wonders on wrinkles and fine lines. 

The formula allows for customizable coverage to build the base up for a fuller finish or dilute it for a more natural look. 

This foundation offers flawless coverage for individuals with normal, dry, or combination skin. If you have dry skin and crave a velvety finish, this matte formula is a perfect fit. However, if you have extra dry skin, it's important to note that this foundation leans towards a matte finish and may slightly contribute to dryness.

Best Full Coverage Stick Foundation For Oily Skin: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

Skin Type: Oily | Finish: Satin | Coverage: Semi-Matte

Indulge in the Hourglass Vanish™ Seamless Finish Foundation Stick – a much-loved choice for oily skin. 

With a formula that is expertly designed to combat excess shine and is lightweight in texture, this foundation won't feel heavy or greasy on your skin.

This stick packs double the pigment power, meaning a little bit goes a long way. Plus, it's designed to adapt to your body temperature giving it a "melt into the skin" look.

What's more, it won't oxidize, ensuring your makeup stays true to its shade all day long leaving a satin finish that strikes a balance, offering a radiant yet shine-free look. Bonus, it's one of the best cruelty-free products.

Tip: Start with a small amount and build as needed to avoid a cakey look.

Best Drugstore Matte Finish: NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation

Skin Type: Combination, Oily And Normal | Finish: Matte | Coverage: Full Coverage

For the ultimate, long-lasting, matte finish, the NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation is your go-to – we're talking a whopping 24 hours! It's a budget-friendly gem you can snag at your local drugstore with an impressive selection of 45 shades.

This vegan foundation is non-comedogenic making it perfect for normal, oily, combination, and even sensitive skin types. It is known to keep the shine at bay without compromising on coverage. For those with dry skin, a hydrating primer is recommended.

Amazon Customer Review: If you're looking for affordable full coverage, you've found it! It doesn't melt on hot days or leave your skin dry during the winter months.

Best Oil-Free Foundation For Acne-Prone Skin: Too Faced Born This Way Natural Finish Longwear Liquid Foundation

Skin Type: All, especially acne prone | Finish: Radiant | Coverage: Medium Coverage 

The Too Faced Born This Way Natural Finish Longwear Liquid Foundation is the type of ally you need in your war-waged against breakouts. It caters to all skin types and is specially formulated to be oil-free, non-comedogenic, and non-acnegenic.

This foundation boasts a lightweight texture that won't suffocate your skin. Instead, it offers buildable coverage that lets your skin breathe while providing a flawless, radiant finish. Bonus, it's packed with goodies like hydrating coconut water and skin-loving hyaluronic acid.

Tip: Start with a small amount and blend away. Less is often more for a natural finish.

Best Serum Foundation: ILIA True Skin Medium Coverage Serum Foundation with Niacinamide

Skin Type: Oily, Combo, Normal Skin | Finish: Natural Radiant | Coverage: Medium Coverage

For coverage with a serum formula base, try the ILIA True Skin Medium Coverage Serum Foundation with Niacinamide. This foundation is a safe bet for sensitive and oily/combination skin types, due to its non-comedogenic and plant-based formulation. 

The Vegan foundation is enriched with Niacinamide and Allantoin, minimizing the appearance of pores, fine lines, redness, and uneven tone. It's like a refreshing drink for your skin - soothing and hydrating.

The coverage hits that sweet spot, concealing imperfections while allowing your skin to peek through, resulting in a natural and radiant finish.

Tip: Apply a hydrating primer or your favorite moisturizer to give this foundation an even smoother finish. 

Best Skin Tint for Normal/Oily Skin: Two Faced Born This Way Healthy Glow Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation with SPF 30

Skin Type: Best for Oily Skin, Combo, Normal | Finish: Natural Finish | Coverage: Light Coverage

If you are on the hunt for lightweight, buildable coverage that not only provides a healthy glow but also caters to oily skin, get ready to meet your new glow-getter with the Too Faced Healthy Glow Hydrating Skin Tint. With a claim to 24-hour wear and SPF 30 protection, this skin tint leaves the cake behind and boosts sun protection.

Perfect for oily skin types, it offers buildable coverage without settling into or clogging pores. Its natural finish keeps you looking fresh all day, and the vegan foundation stays color-true, maintaining its vibrancy.

Formulated with skin-loving ingredients like Coconut Water, Alpine Rose, and Hyaluronic Acid, it not only provides coverage but also hydrates and revitalizes your skin.

Best SPF Tint for Dry/Acne-Prone Skin: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation

Skin Type: All | Finish: Radiant | Coverage: Light dewy Coverage 

When it comes to dry, acne-prone skin, Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint steps up to the plate offering a solution tailored to your specific needs. 

The formula boasts an impressive SPF of 40 in the form of a lightweight serum that glides on effortlessly, providing a light dewy coverage that's buildable and bendable. Infused with hyaluronic acid, it's a hydration boost for your skin. 

The formula is specially crafted for sensitive and acne-prone skin, without fragrance, silicones, or oil. It provides gentle broad-spectrum protection with non-nano zinc oxide and locks in hydration with squalane, a natural moisturizer. The radiant finish leaves you glowing.

For oily skin, a word of caution: the serum's thickness may be overwhelming despite its benefits.

Best Light Coverage: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation

Skin Type: Best for Oily, Combo, Normal Skin | Finish: Natural | Coverage: Light Coverage

If you're all about that weightless, barely-there coverage, then the Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation is one to check out. It's a feather-light formula that won't budge throughout your day. 

Infused with a botanical blend of gardenia, lotus, and white water lily, ideal for oily, normal and combination skin. If you have dry skin, be sure to hydrate well otherwise it may leave patches.

Though not a serum foundation, this formula gives a similar consistency, offering buildable medium coverage without ever feeling heavy or cakey. With its highly concentrated pigments, a little truly goes a long way. Bonus, it's buildable. With 48 shades to choose from, finding your perfect match is a breeze.

Tip: For a flawless application, begin with a minimal amount. Gently blend it in with your fingertips for a seamless, natural finish.

Best Drugstore Cream Foundation For Dewy Look: Covergirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation

Skin Type: All | Finish: Dewy | Coverage: Light Coverage

If you're aiming for that dewy, fresh look without any cakey feel, COVERGIRL's Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation is a beloved find in the world of drugstore beauty.

It's like a little skin boost, leaving you with a fresh, natural glow. The creamy texture feels lightweight and perfect for daily wear. No heaviness to worry about, ensuring a comfortable experience all day.

It's a hydrating powerhouse, enriched with natural ingredients like aloe vera and coconut milk. Designed for all skin types, it won't emphasize dry patches or leave your face feeling greasy, unlike some traditional foundations.

Note, that the foundation does have a noticeable scent. If you're sensitive to fragrances, a test application may be helpful.

Tip: Applying it with a damp sponge gives an even more natural finish.

Best Satin Finish For Dry Skin: e.l.f. Flawless Satin Foundation

Skin Type: All skin types | Finish: Semi-Matte | Coverage: Medium-to-full coverage

If you battle dry skin, you know the struggle: patches, flakes, and that never-ending quest for hydration. Enter Elf's Flawless Satin Foundation. Designed with your concerns in mind, this foundation doesn't just cover; it treats.

The semi-matte finish gives a natural look, avoiding the extremes of being too dewy or too flat. This formula provides medium-to-full coverage while ensuring your skin stays hydrated and comfortable.

This foundation is perfect for oily skin types. Its demi-matte, oil-free formula ensures a shine-free finish without clogging pores. It effortlessly blends into the skin, leaving you with a flawless complexion.

Tip: For an extra dewy look, mix a drop of your favorite face oil with Elf's Flawless Satin Foundation before application.

Best Loose Powder: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15

Skin Type: Dry, Combo, Normal Skin Especially Sensitive allergic skin  | Finish: Natural, Luminous | Coverage: Light Coverage

The second skin look is all the rage and this is incredibly lightweight and provides buildable coverage, so you can achieve that desired look. The BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 long-lasting formula stays put for hours without caking or fading, making it ideal for all-day wear.

 It's a top pick for all skin types, especially for those with allergies or skin sensitivities. In addition, this foundation easily blends over pores and effectively controls oil, leaving you with a flawless, radiant complexion.

The formula is made from just five mineral ingredients paired with mineral-based SPF protection with no talc in sight. So, no heavy feeling, just that 'barely there' touch.

Tip: For an extra boost of hydration, apply a light moisturizer before using the bareMinerals Loose Powder Mineral Foundation.

Best Primer-Infused Pressed Powder: Elf Camo Powder Foundation

Skin Type: Normal, Oily, and Combination Skin | Finish: Airbrushed | Coverage: medium-to-full coverage

For a budget-friendly, name-of-the-game, mess-free, powder solution, the Elf's Camo Powder Foundation, infused with a primer, is a must-have in your makeup bag.

It provides medium-to-full coverage that's buildable to your preference and offers a seamless finish. Plus, it's talc-free and non-comedogenic, making it suitable for various skin types.

One of the best features is its long-lasting formula that stays put all day without appearing cakey. Bonus, this product can be used over sunscreen as a foundation or as a setting powder to lock in your makeup (especially if you struggle with large pores). 

For dry skin, it may appear slightly matte. To counter this, generously apply moisturizer beforehand as it will be your greatest ally in achieving desired results.

How to Color Match a Foundation?

Start by determining your undertone - warm, cool, or neutral. Check your veins: blue for a cool undertone, green for a warm undertone, and a mix for a neutral undertone.

Choose shades that match your color and undertone. Many newer foundations now indicate an undertone on the label, simplifying the process.

Apply swatches to your jawline and step into natural light to assess. Pay attention to your neck for a seamless blend.

After a few minutes, select the shade that disappears into your skin.

Conclusion

Now that you no longer have to choose between high-quality beauty or a cruelty-free formula, the foundation game is easier than ever to navigate.

For a flawless dewy look, try out the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation; it's a game-changer for dry, acne-prone skin.

If you're aiming for a matte finish that lasts all day, the e.l.f. Flawless Satin Foundation is an excellent budget-friendly choice.

For those seeking a natural, skin-like finish, look no further than the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation.

With these options in hand, you're sure to find your new go-to foundation for a flawless vegan-friendly, cruelty-free beauty look. Here's to a radiant and confident you!

FAQS

How We Curated the List 

Whether your skin falls under the category of smooth texturized and oily or rough texturized and dry, we've taken the guesswork out of it for you and compiled a concise list of the best vegan foundations that will fit both your budget and your needs.

From luxury to budget-friendly, we've got you covered with a selection of vegan foundations that not only work like a charm but also respect your ethical preferences by digging into heaps of resources like beauty magazines, industry reports, and honest-to-goodness customer reviews.