# Foundation for sensitive skin

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/beauty/foundation/for-sensitive-skin/
Category: Beauty > Foundation. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 291 counted first-hand reports from Ulta and Sephora shopper reviews, Jan 2015 to Oct 2026.

**Question:** Which foundation is good for sensitive skin?

**Short answer:** Clinique Even Better Makeup Foundation has the best record for sensitive skin: 36 of 38 shoppers said it didn't irritate or break out their skin. Too Faced Born This Way Foundation has the highest share at 11 of 11, though that is a small group, and Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation has the weakest record here at 12 of 22. Each record counts just shoppers who said they have sensitive skin.

**What stands out:** Breaking out is a repeat complaint in the bottom four. Across all their reviews, 17% of NARS reviews, 13% of MAKE UP FOR EVER reviews, 14% of ILIA reviews and 27% of Fenty Beauty reviews mention it, against 4% of Clinique reviews.

## Ranking (buyers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | No reaction | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinique Even Better Makeup Foundation | 36 of 38 | 95% | yes |
| 2 | Too Faced Born This Way Foundation | 11 of 11 | 100% | yes |
| 3 | IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream | 28 of 31 | 90% | yes |
| 4 | NARS Sheer Glow Foundation | 20 of 23 | 87% | no |
| 5 | MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation | 19 of 23 | 83% | no |
| 6 | ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint | 23 of 34 | 68% | yes |
| 7 | Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation | 12 of 22 | 55% | no |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Clinique Even Better Makeup Foundation

More shoppers stated an outcome for this one than for any other foundation here (38), and 36 of 38 said it didn't irritate or break out their skin. Among shoppers who also said they are acne-prone, 8 of 8 said the same. Across all 54 of its reviews, 22% praise the coverage and 17% say it looks like skin, while complaints stay small, such as 4% who say it wears off fast.

- Praised for: Good coverage (22%), Looks like skin (17%), Buildable (13%)
- Complaints: Hard to find a shade (4%), Wears off fast (4%), Melts in heat or sweat (4%)
- Reports counted: 54

### 2. Too Faced Born This Way Foundation

A clean record on a small group: 11 of 11 shoppers said it didn't irritate or break out their skin, with no failures among them. Across all 30 of its reviews, 27% praise the coverage and 23% say it lasts all day. The repeat complaint is that it oxidizes or turns orange, at 7%.

- Praised for: Good coverage (27%), Lasts all day (23%), Buildable (20%)
- Complaints: Oxidizes or turns orange (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

### 3. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream

28 of 31 shoppers with sensitive skin said it didn't irritate or break out their skin. Coverage is the main praise across all 59 of its reviews, at 54%, but 10% mention breaking out, 8% a cakey or heavy look and 5% a drying or tight feel.

- Praised for: Good coverage (54%), Blends easily (10%), Lasts all day (8%)
- Complaints: Looks cakey or heavy (8%), Feels drying or tight (5%), Hard to find a shade (5%)
- Reports counted: 59

### 4. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Reviews run positive: 20 of 23 shoppers said it didn't irritate or break out their skin, and among those who also said they are acne-prone, 12 of 14 said the same. Across all 30 of its reviews, 30% praise the coverage and 23% call it buildable, while 17% mention breaking out.

- Praised for: Good coverage (30%), Lasts all day (23%), Buildable (23%)
- Complaints: Hard to find a shade (10%), Feels drying or tight (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

### 5. MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation

19 of 23 shoppers with sensitive skin said it didn't irritate or break out their skin. Across all 30 of its reviews, 30% praise the coverage while 13% say there isn't enough. Breaking out comes up in 13% of them.

- Praised for: Good coverage (30%), Lasts all day (23%), Easy shade match (17%)
- Complaints: Not enough coverage (13%), Too shiny or greasy (7%), Melts in heat or sweat (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

### 6. ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint

A weaker record: 11 of 34 shoppers with sensitive skin said it irritated or broke out their skin. Across all 58 of its reviews, 17% mention irritated skin and 14% mention breaking out, though 12% say it looks like skin. A further 5% call it too shiny or greasy.

- Praised for: Looks like skin (12%), Lasts all day (10%), Good coverage (10%)
- Complaints: Too shiny or greasy (5%)
- Reports counted: 58

### 7. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation

It has the weakest record here at 12 of 22. Breaking out is the repeat complaint across all 30 of its reviews (27%), along with irritated skin (10%), a drying or tight feel (10%) and clinging to dry patches (10%). Praise goes to the coverage, at 23%.

- Praised for: Good coverage (23%), Easy shade match (17%), Lasts all day (13%)
- Complaints: Oxidizes or turns orange (10%), Feels drying or tight (10%), Clings to dry patches (10%)
- Reports counted: 30

## Questions

**Which foundation works for sensitive skin?**

Clinique Even Better Makeup Foundation has the best record (36 of 38), followed by Too Faced Born This Way Foundation (11 of 11) and IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream (28 of 31). Each record counts just shoppers who said they have sensitive skin, and Too Faced Born This Way Foundation rests on a small group.

**How do the Fenty Beauty and ILIA foundations do for sensitive skin?**

Less well than the rest of the list. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation has the weakest record here at 12 of 22, and ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint sits just above it at 23 of 34. Across all their reviews, 27% of Fenty Beauty reviews and 14% of ILIA reviews mention breaking out. Irritated skin comes up in 17% of ILIA reviews.

**How do I try a new foundation if my skin is sensitive?**

Skin reacts differently, so patch test a new product first. Put a little on a small area, such as along your jaw, and wait a day before using it on your whole face. Stop using anything that stings, itches or turns red, and see a dermatologist if a reaction doesn't settle. The records here are what other shoppers with sensitive skin reported, not a promise for your skin.

**Which of these foundations can I buy on Amazon?**

Clinique Even Better Makeup Foundation, Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream and ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint have official Amazon listings, sold by the brand or by Amazon itself. Clinique Even Better Makeup Foundation is the best pick sold on Amazon at 36 of 38, and it is also the leader. For NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation and Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation, we could not confirm an Amazon listing.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/