Trust Me, I’ve Tried Them All—These Are the 9 Best Foundations for Dark Skin

Key Ingredients: Kakadu plum extract, cyperus papyrus leaf cell extract,

No of Shades: 50

Finish: Natural-luminous

Coverage: Medium

Fenty Beauty is known for its commitment to inclusivity, so it should come as no surprise that they have one of the best foundations for dark skin on the market. True to its “golden hour glow in a bottle” marketing, Fenty’s Soft’lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation provides my skin with the most beautiful your-skin-but-better finish. Formulated with Kakadu plum and Cyperus papyrus leaf cell extract, the foundation promises to improve skin tone over time and provide all-day hydration. It also has advanced waterproof and sweat-resistant technology, which has made it perfect for the above-30°C temperatures we’ve been experiencing here in the UK. Very often, I’ve found that I wear the darkest colour in a foundation range, but with over 50 shades to choose from, I’m very pleased to say that there are 10 even deeper shades to choose from after mine.

Key Ingredients: Bamboo powder, hyaluronic acid, black rose oil, SPF 15

No. of Shades: 40

Finish: Soft-matte

Coverage: Full

As someone with dry skin, seeing a foundation described as “soft-matte” would usually get an automatic no from me. But Gucci’s Éternité De Beauté provides me with a satin finish without causing patchiness or drying out my skin. If you have dehydrated skin like me, my only recommendation would be to make sure you thoroughly moisturise so it lasts all day. I love not only how extensive the shade range is, but also how many different undertones are catered to, something you don’t usually see with such a large number of shades. Not to mention, this formula contains factor 15 sun protection, allowing me to add an extra layer of protection after applying my SPF 50+.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, pro-vitamin B5, aloe vera, glycerin

No. of Shades: 46

Finish: Natural-luminous

Coverage: Medium (buildable)

Now a cult favourite in the beauty world, L’Oréal Paris’ True Match Liquid Foundation has been an affordable staple since it launched over thirty years ago. Now, with over 40 shades available, it offers a medium but buildable coverage, which is perfect for concealing my hyperpigmentation without settling into fine lines. As well as hyaluronic acid, you’ll also find vitamin E, pro-vitamin B5, aloe vera, and glycerin to nourish and moisturise the skin, making this a hardworking formula that delivers on both a naturally radiant finish and a number of skin-loving benefits on a budget. I’m usually a bit of a foundation snob, only opting for luxury formulas, but trust me when I say that this drugstore find performs way beyond its £12 price tag.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin E, kalanchoe pinnata leaf extract

No. of Shades: 41

Finish: Dewy

Coverage: Light to Medium

As I mentioned before, I have extremely dry skin, so usually I’d have to do a million steps of skin prep to make a foundation work for me. However, Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is a radiant formula that contains humectants that help to draw moisture into the skin, helping to give even the driest of skin types a hydrated and plumped look throughout the day. This means I only need a simple moisturiser and SPF underneath, which of course makes getting ready in the mornings a whole lot easier. At £54, I’m well aware that this is by no means a cheap foundation; however, with a glowy, ultra-flattering finish and 41 shades available, this formula is a great find for those with both dry and dark skin.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, iris florentina root extract, vitamin E, SPF 20 PA+++

No. of Shades: 45

Finish: Blurring-matte

Coverage: Medium to full

Gone are the days of overly drying matte foundations, and in their place lie a number of blurring formulas that remove excess oil whilst simultaneously providing the skin with a myriad of skincare benefits. My personal favourite? Dior’s Forever Skin Wear Foundation, which comes infused with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides, which help to plump the skin, repair the barrier and boost elasticity, all while evening out skin tone, mattifying shine, and blurring imperfections. I have dry skin, so I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did; however, as someone who runs naturally warm and therefore very much feels the heat, I love that this foundation is heat and humidity-resistant. My only suggestion to my fellow dry-skin sufferers is that this formula requires slightly more skin prep than other foundations in this round-up.

Key Ingredients: Vita-serum complex, diamond core powder

No. of Shades: 36

Finish: Natural

Coverage: Light to medium

Due to their hydrating and brightening nature, foundations for mature skin always get a yes from me. And Pat McGrath Labs’ Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation has long been praised by celebrities and those with mature skin alike for its ability to blur imperfections while looking completely natural and not settling into any fine lines. And its blend of vita-serum complex and diamond core powder makes it ideal for those of us with dull, dehydrated skin, too. Not to mention the foundation’s extensive shade and undertone range. But don’t just take it from me. One reviewer said, “This foundation is beautiful, and the colours are stunning! I usually never find a perfect match, and I finally have with this one.”

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, acetyl glucosamine, botanical extract complex, BetterFlex technology, SPF 15

No. of Shades: 39

Finish: Natural-luminous

Coverage: Medium (buildable)

SPF is my non-negotiable in my everyday routine, and although I’d never swap out my factor 50+ formula with a foundation, it’s never a bad idea to double up and get even more coverage in a foundation with sunscreen to protect my skin. Clinique’s Even Better™ Makeup SPF15 Foundation was actually the first foundation I ever purchased, and almost 10 years later, it still remains one of my firm favourites. With 39 shades that promise 24-hour colour-true wear, this creamy, lightweight foundation conceals my dark spots without looking cakey or settling into fine lines. It initially leaves a dewy sheen on the skin, but throughout the day it settles into a true-skin finish that is neither overly radiant nor too matte. It’s my go-to foundation for everyday wear, whether I’m heading to the office or a casual day out in town.

Key Ingredients: Inclusium™, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, Camellia Japonica seed oil, second-skin pigment system

No. of Shades: 18

Finish: Natural

Coverage: Sheer

By the time summer comes around, I usually ditch my foundation entirely. However, Refy’s Skin Tint quickly found a permanent place in my warm-weather cosmetic bag. It’s a gel-based skin-loving formula that provides just enough coverage to hide my dark spots but doesn’t feel too heavy or greasy on my skin. Formulated with a second-skin pigment system, the skin tint promises to adapt to the face’s movement without settling into fine lines or caking. There are only 18 shades in the range, but they are evenly split across the Fitzpatrick scale and extend to even the deepest of skin tones.

Key Ingredients: Ceramide-peptide complex, winged kelp extract, butterfly lavender extract

No. of Shades: 42

Finish: Natural-matte

Coverage: Medium to full

I’ve never been a fan of foundation sticks due to how heavy they typically feel on my face. However, ILIA Beauty’s Skin Rewind Complexion Stick manages to even out my complexion without feeling like I’m wearing makeup at all. It glides onto the skin seamlessly and, despite having a natural-matte finish, is incredibly easy to blend with a brush, sponge or your fingers. With over forty shades and undertones to choose from, there’s a perfect match for even the deepest of skin tones. I love that you can use it to spot conceal, my preferred technique with this foundation stick, but it can also be built up all over my face without it going cakey.

Key Ingredients: Red algae, sugar kelp extracts, rose extract

No. of Shades: 78

Finish: Blurring-matte

Coverage: Full

With 78 shades available, MAC’s Studio Fix Powder Plus foundation is by far the easiest way for anyone to find their perfect skin match. This two-in-one foundation and setting powder has been reformulated with a blurring-matte finish and 24-hour oil control. But if you have dry skin, never fear; it remains lightweight and breathable, without clinging to patches on my face. Not to mention it’s sweat- and humidity-resistant, something I’ve been very grateful for after the last two heatwaves we’ve experienced here in the UK.