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These 12 Foundations Will Blur and Hide (Not Accentuate!) Your Pores

By Elizabeth Denton

Published on Aug 11, 2023

A photo of a model hold a MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation Mobile

A photo of a model hold a MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation Desktop

Dealing with the look of large pores can be frustrating, as they tend to be more noticeable when wearing makeup—especially foundation. The right makeup product not only provides buildable coverage but also helps minimize the appearance of those pesky pores, giving your skin a smoother and more refined appearance. Additionally, a good foundation should be lightweight and breathable, allowing your skin to breathe and helping to prevent clogged pores.

The best foundations for large pores are specifically formulated with pore-refining technology. These products often contain ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide, which can help reduce the size of your pores over time. It also helps to look for matte foundations with a semi-matte or matte finish that tend to absorb excess oil, making them ideal for those with large pores and oily skin.

Below, the best foundation for large pores for all skin types and skin tones.

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1. Best Drugstore Foundation for Large Pores:

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation

One of our fave drugstore (read: affordable) foundations is this bestseller from MAYBELLINE NEW YORK. It’s buildable up to a medium coverage or full coverage, but it doesn’t feel heavy on our skin. It's oil-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested, and it includes micro-powders that help to keep skin shine-free while it blurs pores.

2. Best Pore-Blurring Foundation for Summer Days:

CLINIQUE Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup

Even through heat and humidity, this natural-finish foundation stays put. The‌ formulation absorbs shine, controls oil, and resists sweat, keeping our skin looking matte all day. It even glides over dry patches so those with more dry skin will still love it just as much as those with oily or combination skin.

3. Best Foundation for Mature Skin With Large Pores:

L’ORÉAL PARIS Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation Makeup

This light and creamy medium-coverage foundation feels like we’re wearing nothing on our skin—even after a full 12 hours. Even better, it glides over enlarged pores and fills in fine lines and wrinkles with hydrating dimethicone, a powerhouse ‌skincare ingredient for mature skin.

4. Best Longwear Foundation for Large Pores:

ESTÉE LAUDER Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation

This medium-to-full-coverage liquid foundation is one of the ‌best foundations for all-day wear. And we’re not the only ones who think so. Makeup artists and beauty pros love it for the way it doesn’t smudge or fade for up to 24 hours.

5. Best Shade Range of a Foundation for Large Pores:

FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

There are a whopping 50 different shades of Rihanna’s popular soft-matte, pore-blurring foundation. It blends seamlessly into your skin tone and your skin's undertone, making it virtually impossible not to find your perfect match.

6. Best SPF Foundation for Large Pores:

IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Foundation Oil-Free Matte Full Coverage Moisturizer with SPF 50+

We like our foundation with a broad spectrum SPF—SPF 50 at that. This moisturizing (but still matte!) foundation has you covered with both SPF protection and pure color pigments that tackle redness, blemishes, dark spots, and fine lines.

7. Best Powder Foundation for Large Pores:

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation

This full-coverage foundation uses blurring technology to hide the appearance of pores and breakouts, even out your skin tone, and control oil and shine. While it's very mattifying, it's never drying—and it’s so flexible that you can count on it not to crease or settle into fine lines.

8. Best Natural-Finish Foundation for Large Pores:

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation

One of the most skin-like foundations is from NARS. We love the way the brand’s Hydra Matte Balancing Complex and Superior Oil Absorbing Powders balance and absorb excess sebum while still keeping skin moisturized and plump.

9. Best Skin-Smoothing Foundation for Large Pores:

NATASHA DENONA Transformatte Pore Vanishing Matte Foundation

Say goodbye to uneven skin texture with this pore-hiding and bump-smoothing matte foundation. It also contains antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental damage and sun damage.

10. Best Foundation for Sensitive Skin With Large Pores:

UNDONE BEAUTY Unfoundation Mattetint

We love this lightweight foundation because it’s infused with tea tree oil to help control sebum production for a matte finish. It’s also great for those with sensitive skin since it’s oil-free, vegan, and paraben-free.

11. Best Mineral Foundation for Large Pores:

BAREMINERALS Original Matte Loose Mineral Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Powder foundation is inherently buildable, and this one goes on with sheer to full coverage depending on how much you layer it. It’s never cakey, thanks to lightweight, talc-free, clean pigments that provide a matte finish, and is easy to use for touch-ups throughout the day.

12. Best Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin With Large Pores:

CLINIQUE Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Foundation

When we feel breakouts coming on, we reach for this pore-clearing liquid foundation infused with exfoliating salicylic acid. Plus, this medium-coverage foundation doesn’t just cover breakouts, it prevents them while you wear it.

Want to try more of the best products for your specific beauty needs? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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