Should You Use a Liquid or a Powder Foundation?

Should You Use a Liquid or a Powder Foundation?
This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission.
Cosmetics September 18, 2023

If you're curious about whether you should use a liquid or a powder foundation, know that the answer isn't all that simple.

Every individual has a different skin type. Some may experience dry skin, some oily, and some even a combination of both. What makes a foundation more or less suitable for a person depends on their skin type. Besides the skin type, you also need to consider factors such as the durability of the foundation and the extent of coverage you are looking for.

We can help you figure out what's best for you. It's all about finding the right product that suits your skin best. Before you look for a foundation, know your answer to these four questions.

1. What's my skin type?

If you have oily skin, your best bet is a powder foundation. The reason is quite self-explanatory; powders can absorb the oils your face produces and stops your skin from getting oily. However, if you have dry skin, you should turn to a liquid foundation. Powder foundation will only dry your face more and end up making wrinkles, blemishes, and other marks prominent. For a combination skin type, it's advisable to use a liquid foundation in the dry areas and a powder foundation in the oily. This is your best at getting full coverage.

2. Is my skin acne-prone?

For acne-prone skin, the best coverage can be achieved from a liquid foundation. If your skin is prone to indentations that give your skin a rough texture, a powder foundation won't do its best at covering it. A better idea is to use a liquid foundation to get the coverage and dab on a bit of the powdered foundation if you have an acne-prone combination skin type.

3. What's my desired coverage?

When looking for high coverage, opt for a liquid foundation. If you have a rough texture on your skin, a powder foundation can easily make this more prominent. If you have wrinkles and enlarged pores, the powder foundation can make these more visible too. Contrarily, a liquid foundation smoothly settles and does a much better job of giving you the coverage you need.

4. What's my desired finish?

You achieve a matte and a glossy look with both of the foundations. However, powder foundations do slightly better at giving off a matte look. Similarly, liquid foundations are better at giving a glossy look even though a creamy powder foundation can give you a somewhat similar look too.

Hence, whether you should use a liquid or a powder foundation depends on your skin type, skin concerns, desired finish, and coverage.