These are the foundations we recommend for sensitive skin types (2024)

It's no secret that the wrong skincare can be irritating, particularly if you have a delicate, reactive complexion. But what you might not consider is that this notion should also apply to your make-up bag. In the same way that a fragrant moisturiser can disrupt the harmony of your skin barrier if you're sensitive to perfume, an incompatible foundation can cause redness, breakouts and, in some cases, dermatitis.

Sound familiar? Here, learn how to apply your base in the gentlest way possible, and shop the foundation formulas we co-sign for sensitive skin types.

Foundations for sensitive skin: The Bazaar top five

• Best fragrance-free foundation: bareMinerals Original Pure Serum Radiant Natural Liquid Foundation, £31
• Best foundation for sensitive oily skin: Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation SPF15, £25
• Best foundation for sensitive acne-prone skin: Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20, £39
• Best foundation for sensitive mature skin: Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation, £80
• Best foundation for sensitive combination skin: Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation, £50

What foundation is best for sensitive skin?

"Being a fan of the no-makeup makeup look, I have always encouraged people with sensitive skin to reach for the lightest textures that will still give you the desired coverage while feeling as though you’re not wearing anything," says Fernando Cadavid, Global Makeup Artist at Chantecaille. "Formulas like Chantecaille's Future Skin Foundation (which is 60% water) are very fresh and light on the skin, and avoid common skin irritants such as synthetic fragrance and phthalates."

While it's easy to blacklist specific ingredients (certain allergens, such as fragrances, will be more common than others), it's important to recognise that sensitivities are individual and understanding your personal skin triggers will allow you to deduce the most compatible foundation for your skin. If you're struggling to determine the root cause of your sensitivity and which irritants to avoid, consult a dermatologist.

How do you apply foundation to sensitive skin?

When it comes to application, a rough hand can be as irritable as the wrong formula. Cadavid recommends avoid layering unnecessary products, which could potentially create unneeded weight on the skin, but also take away some of the freshness offered by the foundation.

"Having found the appropriate foundation is not all though," he explains. "I like to always encourage my clients to remember that using less is more when you have the perfect formula with the correct colour and undertone that will help even out the skin in the most natural way possible. I usually start the application in the central part of the face and diffuse it outward using gentle strokes with my fingers, melting the product into the skin and allowing it to do its magic.”

Shop the best foundations for sensitive skin

This serum foundation is complete with 93% 'skincare' ingredients (think hyaluronic acid, glycerin and cooling flower extracts) to hydrate and soothe your complexion as you wear. Not to mention, it contains mineral SPF 20, making it the perfect additional layer to your beauty routine during summer (though remember to wear a dedicated face SPF beneath for full UV protection).

If you're prone to acne or sun spots, this serum-textured foundation for sensitive skin will be ideal. It provides a medium to full buildable coverage with a satin-matte finish, making it perfect for smoothing imperfections. What's more, it uses salicylic acid to target clogged pores and blemishes while you wear it.

This beloved luxury foundation has garnered cult status for its water-based gel formula and lightweight coverage. Created with nurturing skincare ingredients aloe, chamomile, rosemary and green tea, it protects against environmental aggressors while soothing irritation and sitting smoothly over fine lines. The ideal foundation for mature skin types.

If you're looking for a foundation that both covers your complexion instantly and improves skin texture over time, this niacinamide infused formula works hard to refine enlarged pores, balance uneven skin tone and significantly reduce redness and disguise rosacea as you wear it. It boasts a naturally radiant finish that looks entirely skin like and can be built upon if further opacity is required.

A luxury option with a famously luminous finish, this dewy foundation offers the ultimate glow. Non-comedogenic and tested on sensitive skin, this lightweight coverage can be applied to both dry and acne-prone complexions for a veil of glossy, second-skin colour that looks believable and never heavy.

A tinted moisturiser devised specifically for delicate, dry complexions, this lightweight gel evens out your skin tone without disguising freckles and natural texture. Its biggest draw? Guaranteed effortless application that can be achieved with just your fingertips.

Complete with aloe vera extract and vitamins E and B5, this foundation hybrid will ensure a soft, even complexion over time. It's skincare infused formula offers a boost of hydration to lacklustre skin and leaves imperfections looking calmer and pores minimised as you wear.

Fans of a weightless, second-skin finish will adore this viral formula. With 85% skincare ingredients (think hydrating hyaluronic acid, plumping glycerin and brightening peptides), it delivers a glass-skin veil of colour without ever appearing thick or caky.