I've Put in Weeks of Research—These Are the Best Foundations for Buttery-Smooth Skin

Finding the perfect foundation for your skin can be hard enough, but this is especially true when you have textured skin like mine. Whether you're looking for a full-coverage formula to disguise scarring, a blurring foundation for enlarged pores or a hydrating, dewy foundation to help diminish dry patches from skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, the hunt for a foundation that glides on smoothly and doesn't separate on the skin can feel impossible.

I've found this especially true as I enter my mid-20s, with my skin seemingly changing on a day-to-day basis. Although I know that textured skin is completely normal, and there's nothing wrong with it in the slightest, on days when I want my base to have that smooth but natural-looking foundation finish, it seems like an extra obstacle to overcome.

The honest truth is that there's no such thing as flawless skin—makeup simply isn't one-size-fits-all. Each product formula, as well as the application technique you choose, will give every person a different result.

There are, however, a few simple tips that those of us with textured skin can use to get the best smoothing results out of foundations. I reached out to a few industry experts for tips on how those of us with textured skin can achieve that coveted satin-like appearance. Keep scrolling for preparation and application tips, and then take a browse at my expert-approved edit of the best foundations for textured skin.

The Best Products, At a Glance

1. Best Overall Foundation for Textured Skin: HAUS Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Foundation, £42
2. Best Foundation for Mature, Textured Skin: Sculpted by Aimee Satin Silk Longwear Foundation, £28
3. Best Luminous Foundation for Textured Skin: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £47
4. Best Matte Foundation for Textured Skin: Nars Soft Matte Complete Foundation, £35
5. Best Natural-Looking Foundation for Textured Skin: Huda Beauty Easy Blur Natural Airbrush Foundation, £32
6. Best Stick Foundation for Textured Skin: Merit Beauty The Minimalist Complexion Stick, £34
7. Best Smoothing Skin Tint: ICONIC London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint, £28
8. Best for Oily, Textured Skin: Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Foundation £18
9. Best for Dry, Textured Skin: Sculpted By Aimee Second Skin Dewy Foundation, £25

How to Prep Textured Skin for Foundation

Even for those who don't have visibly textured skin, it's crucial to take care of your skin before you apply any makeup. National makeup artist at Sephora UK, Athina Ioannidou, agrees. "Prepping the skin provides maximum benefits for makeup application and affects the performance of the makeup. It helps makeup settle and glide evenly onto the skin and prolongs its longevity." Ioannidou recommends starting with a cleanser to remove impurities as well as the top layer of dead skin cells before going in with a toner to "retain the moisture and help soften and refine the skin's texture before the makeup application", finishing off with moisturiser to prevent dry patches.

Makeup artist and founder of Sculpted by Aimee, Aimee Connolly places a similar emphasis on the importance of prepping the skin. "As a makeup artist, I can't stress the importance of skin prep enough! Think of your skin as a canvas; you need a smooth, hydrated base before you begin," she says. "The goal is to create a smooth, hydrated base for your foundation to seamlessly blend into. Hydration is absolutely non-negotiable. If your skin is on the drier side, layering a hyaluronic acid serum underneath your moisturiser can make a world of difference. A well-hydrated complexion will not only look better under makeup, but it will also prevent your foundation from clinging to dry patches or accentuating any texture."

How to Apply Foundation on Textured Skin

Application also plays an important role in getting a smooth, satin-like finish from your foundation. Ioannidou says, "Apply foundation in tiny layers, building up coverage only where necessary to prevent giving off a cakey appearance. Use patting motions on the product as opposed to rubbing or buffing. For the best application, I'd use an almost flat, dense brush, however, sponges can be a good option too, so long as you make sure that you thoroughly deep-clean them."

"For lighter coverage foundations or tinted moisturisers, the warmth of your fingers can help to melt the product into the skin, creating a really natural, skin-like finish. Just make sure your hands are clean before you start," says Connolly.

Best Foundations for Textured Skin

When it comes to choosing a foundation that will work with textured skin, there are multiple things to consider. Typically, silicone-based formulas are best for textured skin as they help to smooth and blur the skin surface. However, for those of us with dry skin, I'd recommend opting for a medium-full coverage, water-based foundation that can be built up without creating dry patches or separating.

Below, I've rounded up the nine best foundations for textured skin according to experts and beauty editors.

1. HAUS Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Foundation

2. Sculpted by Aimee Satin Silk Longwear Foundation

3. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

4. Nars Soft Matte Complete Foundation

5. Huda Beauty Easy Blur Natural Airbrush Foundation

6. Merit Beauty The Minimalist Complexion Stick

7. Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint 

8. Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Foundation

9. Sculpted By Aimee Second Skin Dewy Foundation