The Best Cruelty Free Drugstore Foundations don’t have to be super expensive at all.
In our list you will find the Best Cruelty Free Drugstore Foundations for your skin type, right here, right now!
For a very affordable price. Let’s dive in!
Best Cruelty Free Drugstore Foundations For Oily & Combination Skin
If you have oily skin just like me, you probably want to stay away from the shiny effect that some foundations have to offer.
In the case of oily skin, you probably want to opt for oil-free, matte, or semi-matte finish Cruelty Free Drugstore Foundations.
The affordable cruelty free foundation that we have picked as a winner for oily skin now is the Elf Flawless Finish Foundation.
1. Elf Flawless Finish Foundation Review
Elf Flawless Finish Foundation is oil free and that’s why I recommend this vegan drugstore foundation.
By the way, I have written an in-depth review about it already, go check it out because I will find lots of extra information!
But anyways I’m still gonna share with you some quick information here, that will help you in your decision.
First of all this cruelty-free foundation is very affordable. It can be as low as $10 dollars, depending on your area.
Despite the low price, the results are amazing. Who said that only expensive foundations are good?
This foundation proves this is just a myth, and if you cannot afford to pay $50 dollars on makeup, here’s an option.
About the foundation
This ELF foundation has a Midi-Matte Oil Free formula that blends quite easily on skin.
Even though I have listed it here as an ideal foundation for oily skin, it actually goes well on every skin type.
But in my opinion, dry skin folks are not gonna really find it a great match for them.
If your skin is oily to normal, then this foundation is gonna be a great option.
Duration
Another thing that you might be asking yourself is about durability, right? I bet you’ll like it.
It can last long, by this I mean an entire working day shift without many problems.
If you are planning to use this for sports and outdoor activities on a very sunny day, it may last less tho.
But still in the last cases, you should be able to spend an entire morning or afternoon without retouching.
Texture & Coverage
The texture of this foundation is liquid and It is very easy to apply and to blend on skin.
It is equally easy to apply this foundation with fingers, brush and a sponge but I’d suggest using a sponge.
The tip I always share is to wet the sponge a little with micellar water, surge spray or setting spray.
This is going to help you achieve a more natural look, as well as help spread the makeup on your face.
The coverage is medium to full coverage, this will depend on your skin type.
If you need a real full coverage you should be able to have that by adding a second layer.
Cons
Some people have complained about the smell of this Cruelty-Free Drugstore Foundations for oily skin.
But this depends on your own taste.
When it comes to fragrance, what smells bad to some people may not be the same to others.
What are people talking about it?
Now, I’d like to share with you a quick analysis of reviews buyers left on amazon about the Elf Flawless Finish Foundation.
Let’s take a look at what people are talking the most about this foundation:
★ Based on 200 reviews
★ Source: Amazon Reviews
How do reviewers feel about the Elf Flawless Foundation?
Let’s apply a little bit of sentiment analysis, I did using a big data analysis software called R.
This is gonna give us the sentiment of the reviewer based on the words and phrases they used to describe the foundation.
Let’s get started with the positive vs negative feelings comparison. There is a huge difference between them, right?
We see that way more people find it positive and much less find it positive.
Also, lots of people trust in this foundation. A part of people had fear, maybe they were not confident enough to use this anymore.
Some of them felt disgusted, but still there are not so many people that feel this way.
What do they think?
By taking a look at the graph below we can have an idea about how reviewers described this Elf foundation.
People talk a lot about the coverage of this foundation, they are probably sharing that it is light and good.
A few terms they used a lot are good, light, great, like and well. These are indices that most people have these impressions.
This gives the indicators that:
- Most reviewers love and like the Elf Flawless Foundation
- Most reviewers like the Elf Flawless Foundation
- Most reviewers think that Elf Flawless Foundation works well
- Most reviewers think that Elf Flawless Foundation is light
Now I am gonna share with you a word cloud with the words that were used the most among these 200 reviews:
By this word cloud, we see that reviewers talked a lot about the coverage. As we took a look at the blue graph before, we can get the conclusion that most people think it provides good coverage.
The Second word that pops up is great. This gives us the idea the reviews think this product is great.
Elf Flawless Finish Foundation Rating Chart
Now let’s take a look at the Elf Flawless Finish Foundation star chart. There we can see that most reviewers (77.5% of 200) have given it a 5 stars.
Tips For Applying Your Best Cruelty-Free Drugstore Foundation For Oily Skin
There are a few extra care tips that will help you prep your skin to get your makeup lasting longer.
These tips are also gonna help your makeup look flawless and much more natural. Take note:
Step 1: Prepping your skin
Prep your skin part 1: Cleansing + Exfoliating + Hydrating
- Prep your face by washing and exfoliating it with specific oily skin products
- Apply a very lightweight moisturizing, also specific for oily skin and oil control and wait it to dry
Prep your skin part 2: Preparing your canvas for makeup
Now you have done step 1 part 1, let’s prepare your skin with powder. For this, use a slightly damp sponge.
You don’t want your sponge to be too wet, but just a tiny bit enough to help out fixing the powder.
For this task I prefer using a translucent cc powder, which is going to let your makeup be much more natural.
Once you wet your sponge, put a little powder on it and start tapping the sponge over your face.
Extra step: When you are finished, you can repeat the same process, with a brush to double seal the face.
Step 2: Applying Foundation
To apply the foundation, once again wet the sponge a little and pump the foundation on it.
Start to gently tap the sponge on your face, until it is fully covered by the product.
Next we are gonna need more translucent powder. Add it to the sponge and start applying it under the eyes.
Extend to the rest of your face, gently tap, tap, tap, wait a few instants and then wipe the excess off with a dry brush.
To finalise, use a setting spray, wait for a couple of minutes and go ahead with the rest of your makeup.
Et voila, you are ready to rock with your makeup!
Best Cruelty-Free Drugstore Foundations For Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, it is very important to find a foundation that won’t crackle and break out.
The best way to go is to find foundations that explicitly promise a dewy finish, Luminous finish or aqua.
You might be thinking that it is hard to find an affordable cruelty free foundation that works on you.
Fear not, because down below we have two options that are gonna work like a charm.
Save them down!
2. ELF Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum SPF 25 Review
About the foundation
This Elf foundation is not only vega, cruelty free, but If you have dry skin, this is the deal for you.
First of all this is a foundation serum, dewy finish, that has a weightless silky formula that melts into skin.
As it has a luminous dewy finish, you can also expect to observe pore reduction and fine lines coverage.
Another good thing I like about this foundation is that it comes with Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 25.
In other words, it comes with sunscreen protection with SPF 25 factor. It is not a very high factor but still helps a lot.
As the beautifully bare foundation is also a serum, it is possible to add an higher spf factor sunscreen underneath, if you want.
Because it has a super lightweight nourishing formula, Infused with Vitamin A, C, & E, Grape Seed Oil, Pomegranate Oil, and Goji Berry, you can use it every day if you desire.
Elf Cruelty-Free Foundation for Dry Skin: What to Expect
From my research, I have noticed many people saying this cruelty-free foundation for dry skin gives you a dewy finish, but not too much.
This is quite positive, because you want it to be just enough otherwise won’t look very natural.
People have also reported that the serum like foundation gives you a super natural color, not too orangey.
You should expect a light coverage from this cruelty-free drugstore foundation, this is layer buildable as well.
This means that in case you want full coverage, you need to apply 2 or even 3 layers, depending on your skin.
Do your little test and see what works best for you. Here’s how to apply this cruelty-free foundation for dry skin:
- You must shake the bottle before applying it
- Apply a small dot in the center of your forehead. Do the same for your chin and cheeks
- You can blend it as you wish, but a quick tip for dry skin, is to use a wet sponge and gently tap around the face
- Fore a full coverage, re-apply the foundation two or three times maximum
This foundation is 100% cruelty free, vegan and free from phthalates, parabens, nonylphenol, ethoxylates, triclosan, triclocarban, and hydroquinone.
Elf Cruelty-Free Foundation for Dry Skin: Durability
This cruelty-free drugstore foundation is also known to perform well and be resistant to high temperatures and sweating activities.
It is always good to use a setting spray straight after applying it, but this foundation is gonna work well without it too.
Elf Cruelty-Free Foundation for Dry Skin: Pros
- Dewi luminous finish without overdoing it (ideal for dry skin)
- Long Duration
- Looks very natural skin
- Easy to spread
- Low to medium coverage makes it look natural
- Full coverage buildable
Elf Cruelty-Free Foundation for Dry Skin: Cons
- In the same way a low to medium coverage can be a positive thing for some people, not everybody will think this is a good idea
- Some people were bothered with the idea of applying more than one layers to obtain the full coverage
Best Cruelty-Free Drugstore Foundations For Dry Skin (Sensitive and / or Mature)
Our next best cruelty free drugstore foundation works for dry skin in general.
But I’d like to add an emphasis, that dry sensitive and dry mature skin folks are gonna love it too.
We are talking about the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation.
3. Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation Review
The Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation is another great affordable cruelty free foundation.
You can find this full coverage foundation in 17 shades and it was designed for dry skin.
This foundation is anti aging and is also designed to smooth and cover wrinkles, the moment you apply it.
Another good thing about this foundation is that you don’t really need to wear a concealer while using it.
This is because this cruelty-free foundation evens skin tone, blurs dark circles, and corrects imperfections.
Apart from that, this affordable cruelty free foundation has a super hydrating formula for your dry skin.
It Contains hyaluronic complex and vitamin C, for a more firming and hydrating skin care.
The end result is absolutely gorgeous and it is ideal if you are looking for a complete full coverage.
Once again, this is more ideal for dry skin, sensitive skin and mature skin.
Tips For Applying Your Best Cruelty-Free Drugstore Foundation For Dry Skin
1. Exfoliate Your Skin
Moisturize your skin to get rid of dry flakes on specific areas. Adding this step to your daily skin care routine will help
2. Add Moisture
If you have dry skin, it is important to add a layer of moisturizer, even if you don’t really like it.
This is because this is not only going to prep and hydrate your skin but also help spread and keep your foundation.
Normally, moisturizers for dry skin are richer than others, and this may cause your make to look heavy.
One quick tip to avoid that, is to apply micellar water, or surge spray on your face before applying foundation.
Then quickly and gently apply a thin layer of moisturizer, which is gonna dilute the cream a little, leaving it feeling and looking lighter for your makeup.
You can also use a serum for an intense hydrating serum which is going to be a little lighter.
3. Look for dewy finish foundations
The matte foundations are for oily skin and the normal foundations are not indicated either.
The best way to go is to find foundations that explicitly promise a dewy finish, Luminous finish or aqua.
Some may even have it super clear that they were designed for dry skin. Nonetheless, never buy foundations stated as oil free or matte.
4. Avoid Powders
Powders are not a good idea for dry skin folks out there as they absorb moisture and you don’t want that.
There are also many different powder or pressed foundations out there, it is better to avoid them and always use creamy products.
5. Use Tools
Using makeup tools can be a good idea for every time someone applies makeup, especially the dry skin folks.
If you have dry skin you have noticed that touching your skin may lead to more irritation. A gentle brush or sponge may come to your rescue.
Best Cruelty Free Drugstore Foundation for sensitive & Acne Prone Skin
4. e.l.f Acne Fighting Foundation Review
About the foundation
This affordable cruelty free foundation is lightweight but full time coverage at the same time.
There are not many color shades though. You are gonna find just six shades.
This ELF foundation can be used for normal skin, but it is also ideal for sensitive acne prone skin.
It is foundation and concealer, evens skin tone, reduces redness, fights blemishes and is ideal for acne prone skin.
100% free from phthalates, parabens, nonylphenol, ethoxylates, triclosan, triclocarban, and hydroquinone.
The way to use this foundation is the following:
- Apply a lightweight primer
- Use a damp sponge to apply the foundation
- Finalise with setting spray
Duration
This is a long wear foundation and is also resistant to sweating. It is not waterproof but resists well to water.
You can easily go on wearing this foundation on a full time working day in the office.
If you are outside on a very sunny day it can last a little less but you still be confident it is long lasting.
Texture & Coverage
The texture is kinda thick and creamy and very lightweight to assure you have the most natural look possible.
Despite the lightweight formula, this affordable cruelty free foundation gives you a full coverage.
It gives you great coverage and doesn’t break out your skin.
CONS
- There are not so many shades available. If you are on the extremes (too dark or too white), you might not like it.
Why To Choose A Cruelty-Free Foundation?
If you are thinking about supporting cruelty-free makeup and cosmetic skin care, you surely love the animal cause.
As much as we love the animals, we don’t want them to suffer in these beauty labs, doing all sorts of heartbreaking tests.
This should be more than enough for us to switch or at least give the preference to cruelty-free brands, right?
But if I tell you that there are other benefits involved as well? Yep, this is healthier than other makeup types.
This is because most cruelty free makeup and cosmetics in general, aim for natural, eco friendly ingredients.
These cruelty free foundations are also ( normally) free from parabens, sulfates, and synthetic dyes.
Which Drugstore Brands Are Cruelty Free Makeup?
I cannot place here all existing cruelty free drugstore brands, but I can certainly put together a list based on a quick research I did.
100% Vegan Cruelty Free
- Elf
- Ecotools
- Pacifica
- Emani Vegan Cosmetics
Cruelty Free With Some Vegan Products
- Essence Cosmetics
- NYX Cosmetics and Makeup
- L.A. Girl
- Mua Makeup Academy
- Pixi
- Jordana
- Lottie
- Revolution
- Mineral Fuson
- Colourpop
- BH Cosmetics
- Zoeva
- Burts Bee
Here’s my quick list, if you have noticed that I am missing a particular brand, please use the comments below to let me know.
This way I am gonna update and add your recommendation to this list, alright? If you have questions, please send them to us as well.
Disclaimer
The Best Cruelty-Free Drugstore Foundations For Your Skin Type, is an informative article.
Here I bring product recommendations, reviews and tips to take after your skin while applying makeup.
Some of the products may be linked to an affiliate program from Amazon.
This means that if you purchase something from these links I may receive a small commission, at NO EXTRA COST FOR YOU.