9 Best Silicone-Free Foundations
The vastness of the makeup world comes with its pros and cons. The biggest pro is that there’s no shortage of products to try and looks to create.
However, if you’re not knowledgeable about compatible formulas and your personal skin type, you could end up with a makeup faux pas rather than an Instagrammable #MOTD.
Among the most common makeup issues are when the silicone in your foundation causes pilling, or when your skin isn’t too happy about the addition of the ingredient in the first place. Whatever it may be, finding the right formula can be a challenge!
o, what is the best silicone-free foundation?
A good silicone-free foundation will have a high-quality ingredient list, provide optimum coverage, be long-wearing, and most importantly, be compatible with your skin type.
Silicone-free foundations aren’t hard to get your hands on, but finding your perfect fit can be a challenge. Here, find our top picks for silicone-free foundations, ranging in coverage, compatibility with skin sensitivity, and more!
Qualities Of A Good Silicone-Free Foundation
Clean Formula
If a foundation is silicone-free, that typically means you can count on it being free of any other harmful chemicals, such as parabens, phthalates, and other unpronounceable additives.
More and more makeup brands are leaning towards formulating “clean” products, meaning that their ingredient lists are kept as simple as possible.
Brands that are truly dedicated to keeping simple formula lists are likely also committed to their products being sustainable, cruelty-free, and vegan.
While these products are fantastic for the environment in general, they could also work wonders on sensitive or acne-prone skin.
However, it’s essential to note that ‘silicone-free’ doesn’t necessarily encompass all of these features, so take a close look at the formula list and packaging of your foundation to ensure you know what you’re putting on your skin.
Coverage
There’s a common misconception that silicone-free foundations offer only sheer coverage, or can only be considered “CC creams” rather than true foundations. Let us be the first to tell you that this is absolutely not true.
Silicone-based foundations plump the skin, fill in fine lines, and repel oil, making them a good choice for individuals with oily skin types.
Most matte, full-coverage foundations are silicone-based, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find a water-based formula that provides the same coverage!
The best part about water-based formulas is that they are often buildable without looking cakey or heavy on the skin.
That means you can buy a CC cream or serum-like formula and wear it with different levels of coverage, depending on the kind of look you’re going for.
Long-Wear
Review your formula to determine your wear time. A good rule of thumb is that creams, serums, and tints won’t last as long as something labeled as a foundation.
In the same way, you’ll find that a foundation won’t settle into your pores or wrinkles as much as a lighter formula would.
Skin Type Compatibility
Water-based foundations look incredible on dry to normal skin types. Due to their hydrating formula, they nourish the skin with wear and keep dry patches and texture at bay.
Those with oilier skin types may find that water-based formulas exaggerate the look of grease on the face.
Do you have acne-prone skin? Some individuals with acne-prone or sensitive skin may find that silicone-based foundations can trap dirt, grease, and bacteria, thereby exacerbating any existing skin concerns.
Water-based foundations are light and gentle, making them compatible with unpredictable skin conditions.
Best Silicone-Free Foundations
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | BareMinerals BarePro Foundation | Blurring, matte finish, nourishes skin |
| 2. | ILIA Super Serum Tint Foundation | SPF 40, cruelty-free, vegan |
| 3. | Pacifica Beauty CC Cream | SPF 17, natural coverage, coconut water |
| 4. | CoverFX Natural Finish Foundation | Full coverage, natural finish, vitamin C/E |
| 5. | Dermablend Cover Creme | Full coverage, SPF 30, velvet finish |
| 6. | Wet N Wild Tinted Skin Veil | Affordable, lightweight, hyaluronic acid |
| 7. | Juice Beauty Flawless Foundation | Full coverage, grapeseed, vegan |
| 8. | Honest Beauty CCC Cream | SPF 30, vegan, blue light defense |
| 9. | CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation | Reduces wrinkles, cruelty-free, hydrating |
1. BareMinerals BarePro Foundation
This foundation is incredible for sensitive skin types and those with a high risk of allergens.
Boasting an ultra-clean formula that’s free of common triggers like tree nuts, the BareMinerals BarePro Foundation offers breathable, buildable coverage that will make it a holy grail product in your makeup collection.
You can count on BareMinerals to formulate products that achieve a natural-looking coverage, which can be impossible to find in a full-coverage formula. Somehow, they managed to balance the two features when they created their BarePro Foundation.
This foundation blurs skin issues, features SPF 20, and can be worn for up to 24 hours (though we wouldn’t recommend testing that). One of our favorite qualities is that it’s deeply nourishing, actually improving texture and reducing acne with continued use.
In terms of wear, this foundation is transfer-proof, sweatproof, and crease-resistant, ensuring it will look beautiful until the moment you decide to remove it.
2. ILIA Super Serum Tint Foundation
If you haven’t yet heard of ILIA, take it from us that this foundation is an excellent one to start with.
Labeled a “serum tint foundation”, this formula offers a gorgeous, skin-like finish that makes it look like you’re glowing from within.
The brand claims that this product is a makeup, skincare, and SPF hybrid, blending the beautifying properties of foundation, the texture-reducing tendencies of a serum, and the sun-protecting factors of sunscreen into one.
We’re big fans of the SPF 40 this foundation offers (higher than most on the market), as well as its ingredient list. Some standouts include niacinamide (which improves texture), hyaluronic acid (which plumps the skin), and plant-based squalene (which keeps the skin bouncy and elastic).
3. Pacifica Beauty CC Cream
If your skin is lacking life, looking sallow, or you’re just yearning for a sun-kissed glow, there’s no better product than Pacifica Beauty’s CC Cream.
It has medium to buildable coverage, but its purpose isn’t to cover—it gives you that “your skin but better” look that’s perfect for summer!
Not only will it have you looking fresh and clean, but it’ll also protect your skin with its SPF 17 broad-spectrum formula.
CC cream is ideal for sensitive skin types or those seeking nourishing formulas, since it doubles as skincare and adapts to your skin tone.
4. CoverFX Natural Finish Foundation
Oil-free, second-skin look, and 12-hour coverage? Sign us up! CoverFX is known for high-performance, saturated foundations, and though this one is water-based, it doesn’t lack in that department.
The antioxidant protection, emollients, and vitamins that this foundation offers set it apart. Where other buildable coverage foundations can feel dry, cakey, or heavy, this one keeps your skin healthy, hydrated, and glowing thanks to squalene and vitamins C, E, and F.
However, this foundation keeps your skin feeling healthy and hydrated, while also preserving your dewy glow and even complexion. This is due to the added squalene and vitamins C, E, and F in the formula.
Another feature that earned this foundation a place on this list is its incredible shade range. Coming in at 40 different shades (with 4 different undertone types), CoverFX showcases its dedication to making accessible makeup products through this feat alone.
5. Dermablend Cover Creme
This creme foundation from Dermablend has a remarkably short and simple ingredient list, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin types or those seeking to keep their skincare regimens as clean as possible.
When we say this product is the pick for full-coverage foundation fans, we mean it! This cream formula is thick and pigmented, making it perfect for individuals with vitiligo, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, or other color-correcting concerns on their face.
This foundation has an SPF of 30, but despite its extreme coverage, it sits lightly on the skin and doesn’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles. You’ll love the natural finish of this cream and how it never looks or feels cakey.
The formula of this foundation is made up of almost 50% pigment, so you’re not short of coverage, while the rest of the ingredient list is deeply nourishing, with expertly concocted additives that keep your skin feeling strong. With continued use, you’ll notice a major difference in your moisture barrier.
6. Wet N Wild Tinted Skin Veil
Who says that quality foundations can’t be affordable? Wet n Wild has raised the bar with their formulas and products, while still keeping their prices reasonable and accessible.
Coming in at under $5, stocking up on their tinted skin veil isn’t so much an option as it is an absolute necessity.
This formula is oil-free and enriched with hyaluronic acid, so it’s compatible with all skin types (though we especially love it for dry skin). It dries down to a semi-matte finish and can offer sheer to medium coverage, depending on the number of layers applied.
Animal lovers can rejoice in knowing that this skin veil is cruelty-free and never tested on animals, as all products from Wet N Wild are.
7. Juice Beauty Flawless Foundation
For those with mature skin types, switching to a water-based foundation can be beneficial for the overall appearance of your skin.
It doesn’t settle into your fine lines, cracks, and pores, therefore keeping your skin looking even, but not aged.
While formulated for older skin types, people of all ages will benefit from the lightweight formula with additional healthy ingredients, like grapeseed oil (manages scarring and free radicals), fruit stem cells (regenerate collagen), vitamins C and E (provide antioxidant and free radical protection), aloe vera (soothes skin), and more.
With this foundation being a cocktail of skin food, it’s almost surprising to think that it also offers a full-coverage finish. That’s right – this foundation can cover age spots, scarring, hyperpigmentation, and more without having a cakey finish. How’s that for the best of both worlds?
8. Honest Beauty CCC Cream
No, no, this isn’t just a CC cream…this is a CCC cream, aka a tinted, color-correcting, vitamin C-enriched moisturizer that’ll leave your skin feeling healthier and healthier with each use.
It may sound ambitious, but if anyone were to figure out a formula that keeps skin looking its best both inside and out, it would be Honest Beauty. They truly left no stone unturned with this formula.
It corrects an uneven complexion, protects against the sun with an SPF of 30, and also protects against radiation from your laptop or phone with additional blue light defense!
Whether you’re the outdoorsy type or working from home, consider yourself looking clear and confident in your protection.
Not only is this cream packed with all the good stuff, but it also soothes skin issues without clogging pores, making it especially suitable for sensitive skin types.
The foundation comes in 51% recycled packaging, is cruelty-free, and vegan, making it an extremely environmentally friendly option.
9. CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation
To finish off our list, we’re leaving you with a classic formula, as tried and true as it gets!
CoverGirl + Olay’s Simply Ageless Foundation has made its way into the beauty community, and with its trustworthy formula being ever-reliable, we don’t see it leaving people’s holy grail lists anytime soon!
This foundation is another great choice for mature skin types or those with numerous wrinkles or fine lines, as it doesn’t settle into the skin. Instead, it refreshes it and keeps you looking youthful, healthy, and radiant!
Thanks to the addition of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, your face will be left feeling plump, hydrated, and protected from free radicals and sun damage. With continued use, some beauty connoisseurs notice that their skin feels firmer and tighter as well.
As with all CoverGirl products, you can rest assured knowing that their formulas are Leaping Bunny certified, meaning they have never been, nor will they ever be, tested on animals.
Related Questions
Are silicones bad for the skin?
Silicones may not cause adverse reactions upon the first couple of uses; however, with continued use, you may find that your skin is more prone to acne, breakouts, or other forms of irritation.
This isn’t guaranteed, though, as some may find that their skin doesn’t react to the ingredient at all.
Are wall water-based foundations silicone-free?
This is a common misconception. Although water-based foundation formulas don’t contain silicone within the first couple of ingredients listed, it doesn’t mean they are silicone-free altogether.
It can be said that any silicones found in water-based formulas are in extremely minuscule amounts, therefore not affecting the foundation whatsoever.
Do silicone-free foundations last on the skin?
Depending on the formula, finish, and your setting spray and powder, a water-based formula can last just as long as a silicone-based formula.
To get the most out of your wear, use a water-based primer, translucent powder, and a gentle mist of dewy setting spray to keep everything in place.
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