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If you're looking for a natural-based alternative to a regular foundation, a mineral foundation is a perfect choice. Unlike traditional formulas, most mineral foundations are made from natural materials, without questionable ingredients and fillers. Composed without talc, mineral oil, alcohol, preservatives, and fragrances, mineral foundations are great options for every type of skin, including sensitive and acne-prone.
Mineral foundations come in a variety of consistencies (powder, liquid, or cream), so it’s easier than ever to achieve natural-looking coverage without cakiness. We've researched the top ones that are ideal for giving great coverage and keeping your skin healthy.
Read on to discover all of the best mineral foundations.
Best Overall: Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact SPF 50+
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Amazon
Buildable without caking
Feels light on skin
Cushiony texture
SPF 50
Expensive
Who else recommends it? Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and Allure all picked Amore Pacific Color Control.
What do buyers say? 86% of 300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
AmorePacific’s mineral foundation is the creme de la creme of mineral foundations. The CC-Cream formula adds weightless buildable coverage, hydration, and unreal color-correcting abilities. Housed in a compact with a foundation saturated cushion, the application is also super easy and mess-free. To apply, tap your brush into the sponge-like cushion and blend into your face.
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 5 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Budget: CoverGirl TruBlend Minerals Loose Powder
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Blurs pores and fine lines
Buildable without caking
Inexpensive
Contains parabens
A few whirls of this mineral powder is all it takes to smooth and even out your complexion. For under $15, this powder gives the most beautiful luminous finish and blurring effect. The light, finely-milled powder also prevents cakiness while still mattifying and reducing the appearance of oil.
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 7 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.6 oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Paris True Match Naturale Mineral Foundation
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Courtesy of Amazon
Built-in brush included
Silky feel
Won't irritate sensitive skin
Shade range could be more inclusive
Eradicating shine, evening out skin tone, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores are just a few of the miraculous things this drugstore powder does. The mineral foundation also comes with a handy powder brush—ideal for throwing in your bag for those on-the-go touch-ups. To apply, swirl the brush into the sifter, and then start in the center of your face working out toward your hairline, chin, and jaw.
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 11 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.4 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Loose Powder: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15
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Courtesy
Buildable without caking
Extensive, inclusive shade range
Silky, natural finish
Product takes some time to settle into skin
Bare Minerals was one of the first brands to contribute to the mineral makeup game. That’s why it’s no surprise that this mineral-based makeup staple is such an amazing loose powder. With buildable coverage, you have the ability to take your look from sheer to medium to full in little to no time. The luminous finish and wide range of shades make it super easy to understand why this powder is a fan favorite.
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 30 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.3 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
“The price is on par with a ton of other products out there, but what’s cool about the Original Loose Powder Foundation is that you can use it as foundation or as a setting powder.” — Khera Alexander, Product Tester
Best Pressed Powder: Glo Pressed Based Mineral Powder
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Silky, almost creamy texture
Buildable without caking
Has skincare benefits
Shade range could be expanded
Pressed powders are tightly packed into a compact in order to allow for targeted, more precise application. An infusion of vitamins A, C, E, and green tea extract protects against sun damage, fights redness, and prevents blemishes. With a silky feeling, this featherlight powder flawlessly blurs away imperfections while reducing oil and shine. It can be worn alone or layered on top of a liquid or cream foundation for additional coverage.
Coverage: Sheer to full | Shade Range: 7 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.4 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Liquid: Jane Iredale Liquid Mineral Foundation
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Hydrating formula
Blurs pores and fine lines
Fun to use
Shade range could be more inclusive
This serum-foundation hybrid provides sheer to medium coverage while keeping your skin remarkably hydrated. Composed of a light-reflecting formula, this foundation promises to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, minimize pores, and even out skin tone with minimal transference. According to the brand, encapsulating liposomes within the package prevents the active ingredients from degrading and allows for the ingredients to effectively release into your skin.
Coverage: Sheer to medium | Shade Range: 13 | Finish: Radiant | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dry Skin: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
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Sephora
Hydrating formula
SPF 40
Wide shade range
A little expensive
Key Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the human body. It acts as a cushioning and lubrication agent for our joints, nerves, hair, skin, and eyes. When used in skincare, it acts as a moisture binder, which means that it will attach itself to the water in the cells (while also attracting and holding water from the air) giving them a plumping effect.
Created with a blend of hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane, and niacinamide, this mineral skin tint is exemplary for hydrating dry skin. The first-of-its-kind, this formula fuses together skincare, makeup, and sun protection into one easy step. Needless to say, this weightless formula will leave your skin looking natural and dewy with zero cakiness or dryness.
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 30 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Shade Range: PÜR Cosmetics Classic 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation
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Amazon
Wide shade range
SPF 15
Buildable without caking
Not ideal for very sensitive skin
Available in 100 different universal shades, there's something for every skin tone with this medium to full coverage formula. This formula includes lactic acid, which increases skin cell turnover, and major-moisturizers aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. Furthermore, it also promises to help shield skin from environmental stressors, refine the look of skin texture and tone, and smooth the appearance of skin.
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 25 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.3 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Oily Skin: CoverFX Pressed Mineral Foundation
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Courtesy of Sephora
Mattifies and controls oil
Conceals imperfections
Weightless feel
Can transfer
If you’re someone who always struggles with mattifying your oily skin, this one's for you. Made with kaolin clay, this formula expertly minimizes shine while absorbing excess oil and blurring the appearance of pores. Giving off a second-skin feel, the foundation also provides a weightless matte finish, buildable coverage, and masterfully conceals discoloration.
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 30 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.4 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free All-in-1 ABC Cushion Foundation SPF 50
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Courtesy of Walmart
Finely milled
Gentle formula
Covers imperfections
SPF 30
Limited shade range
Some foundations can make breakouts worse. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a foundation that is made for acne-prone skin. Composed with minimal ingredients, this foundation is perfect for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin. The flawless airbrush finish, impeccable coverage, and the ultra-fine powder are just some of the reasons why this powder is loved by many. Plus, while you’re wearing it, irritation and breakouts may be reduced.
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 2 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.3 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Stick: W3ll People Narcissist Foundation Stick
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Blends into skin easily
Satin texture
Creamy, nourishing formula
Multipurpose product
Limited shade range
Stick foundations are super convenient and easy to use. All it takes is a few swipes of product and a couple of dabs of your fingertips to blend seamlessly into your skin. Achieve weightless full coverage with a healthy glow and soft-focus finish with minimal effort required. Although it’s solid, the texture feels satiny and glides on effortlessly. And, you can use it as a foundation, contour, or highlight.
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 5 | Finish: Radiant | Size: 0.4 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Even though there are so many options for mineral foundations, finding the best ones can be a challenge. Our favorite mineral powder, AmorePacific’s Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, is composed of a CC Cream formula that provides weightless buildable coverage, hydration, and amazing color correction. Of course, we can’t forget bareMinerals, one of the first brands to effectively tackle mineral foundation. Their Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15 gives a luminous finish and there's a wide array of shades to choose from.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Rachel Dube has covered a wide range of beauty topics for some of the biggest publications out there. In addition to Byrdie, you can find her work in Cosmopolitan, Allure, Shape, and Real Simple. Having tested hundreds of beauty products throughout her career, she knows her way around a mineral foundation and what makes a formula truly worth the hype.
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