Most Foundations Make Large Pores More Noticeable—These 14 Are the Exception
(Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)
I love talking about the best foundations. It doesn’t matter if it’s a flawless, full-coverage formula or a lightweight, natural-looking foundation As a beauty editor, it’s one of my favourite makeup products to discuss because it’s so foundational (pun intended) to a makeup routine. The best foundations blend easily, don’t crease or smudge, provide long-lasting coverage, and disguise pores rather than accentuate them.
Anyone who has enlarged pores knows that the last part is critical. I, for one, have visible pores in my T-zone, and I get beyond irritated when a new foundation sinks and settles into them. Why even wear foundation in the first place if it’s just going to make my problem areas look worse?
To prevent this from happening, I reached out to two professional makeup artists to get the lowdown on the best foundations for large pores. Then I tested them to see how well they held up for me and my skin. At the end of it all, I had a list of formulas that are guaranteed to make large pores look better, not worse.
The Top 5 Picks
The Best Foundations for Large Pores
Best Overall: Gucci Éternité de Beauté 24 Hour Full Coverage Foundation
Gucci
Éternité de Beauté 24 Hour Full Coverage Foundation
With a matte finish, full-coverage formula, and comfortable wear, this luxury foundation is a no-brainer for celebrity makeup artist, J. Guerra, who says, “It doesn’t settle into pores and requires minimal touch-ups throughout the day. My red carpet clients love the feel and weightless coverage of this foundation.”
Pros: Lightweight, long-wearing, full-coverage, good for enlarged pores
Cons: Pricey
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 40
Promising review: “How is no one talking about this foundation? It wears beautifully. It photographs stunningly. As a makeup artist, I have tried so many foundations, and this one just blows my mind. It’s like nothing I have ever tried. There is just something special about it. Love it!” — Sephora customer
Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock wearing Gucci Éternité de Beauté 24 Hour Full Coverage Foundation
(Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)
This foundation surprised me. When I pumped it out of the bottle and onto the back of my hand, it was runny. I immediately feared that it would sink and settle into my pores, but I was wrong. After buffing it into my skin with my trusty Beautyblender (£17.50), I found that it actually—get this!—disguised my pores and made my skin look smooth and seamless. My only tip? Make sure your skin is adequately moisturised before applying it. If it’s too dry, it can look a bit powdery.
Best Affordable: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
Maybelline
Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
Celebrity makeup artist Elizabeth Seropian recommends this iconic drugstore product, which is both lightweight and oil-free. Translation: It won’t clog or settle into your pores, or make them look worse.
Pros: Lightweight, long-wearing, medium-coverage, good for enlarged pores and oily/acne-prone skin
Cons: Some people say it can oxidize
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Matte | Shades: 40
Promising review: “This is the best foundation I have found that gives full but light coverage. It makes my skin look smooth without looking “cakey.” I apply it with a brush, then layer a light moisturiser. It gives a great healthy look, no need for blush or anything else!” — Ulta customer
Best for Dry/Mature Skin: Westman Atelier Vital Skin Full Coverage Foundation and Concealer Stick
Westman Atelier
Vital Skin Full Coverage Foundation and Concealer Stick
If you’re not a fan of liquid foundations, this stick formula is a must. “This is a great stick foundation alternative,” Guerra says. “It’s lightweight enough that it won’t make large pores look worse while still covering blemishes and redness.” He says it’s perfect for drier skin types who need moisture.
Pros: Lightweight, long-wearing, medium-coverage, good for enlarged pores, dry skin, and mature skin
Cons: Pricey
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 20
Promising review: “This is hands down the best foundation I have ever used, and I’ve used a lot. It melts into your skin like butter. It’s moisturising. It can be light or full coverage, so great for day or night.” — Sephora customer
Best for Oily Skin: Nars Soft Matte Complete Foundation
NARS
Soft Matte Complete Foundation
“This has recently been my go-to foundation for oily skin,” Guerra says. “It stays matte and looks gorgeous on video and in photos. It has great coverage without looking heavy and makes skin look pore-less.”
Pros: Lightweight, long-wearing, full-coverage, good for enlarged pores and oily/acne-prone skin
Cons: None
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 25
Promising review: “THIS is the real deal! I went from dry to oily skin through the years and had been searching for a good matte foundation. This product is great. It keeps the oil under control and limits or honestly completely eliminates the need for blotting papers. I highly recommend it!” — Sephora customer
Best Powder Formula: Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation
Chanel
Ultra Le Teint Foundation
Not only is this powder foundation impossibly chic, but it’s also a makeup-artist must-have. In fact, Guerra says this is a staple in his kit. “It has a velvet texture and creates a light-diffusing effect that blurs the skin without adding excessive coverage,” he says. “It delivers soft coverage, which can be used for touch-ups throughout the day.”
Pros: Lightweight, long-wearing, medium coverage, good for enlarged pores and oily skin.
Cons: Pricey and not a lot of variety in the shade ranges for deeper skin tones
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Matte | Shades: 16
Promising review: “Nice light powder. Good for blending and removing shine.” — John Lewis customer
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Estée Lauder
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
“My all-time favourite foundation is the Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation,” Seropian says. “This product literally lasts all day, and it helps cover my large pores too!”
Pros: Lightweight, long-wearing, full-coverage, good for enlarged pores
Cons: Pricey
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 56
Promising review: “I’ve finally found the perfect foundation that lasts all day and doesn’t break me out! You don’t have to use a lot and can mix it with moisturiser if you don’t want it to be as full coverage.” — Sephora customer
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
Rare Beauty
Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
“The doe-foot applicator makes this foundation easy to apply in certain problem areas,” Guerra says. “It blends beautifully and truly feels weightless. I spot-correct with this first, then blend out and set with loose powder. This technique adds coverage where needed without focusing too much product on larger pore areas.”
Pros: Lightweight, long-wearing, medium-coverage, good for enlarged pores
Cons: Some people say it can separate or look patchy on dry skin.
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 35
Promising review: “This weightless foundation is amazing. I love it. It wears excellent throughout the day. Highly recommend it if you want not-so-high coverage for an everyday look.” — Sephora customer
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation
FENTY BEAUTY
Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation
Guerra recommends this foundation for anyone who wants fuller coverage with a soft matte finish. “It’s not fully matte or drying but delivers coverage and a blurred-skin effect,” he says. “I press this in with a Beautyblender (£17.50) and set with loose powder for best results to minimize pores.”
Pros: Long-wearing, full-coverage, good for enlarged pores
Cons: Some people say it feels thick or heavy on their skin.
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 50
Promising review: “I’m in love with this product. It’s so dewy and shiny that it blends in like milk. It’s so lightweight and has amazing coverage. I found the perfect shade for me, and I’ll never stop using it!” — Sephora customer
Tarte Amazonian Clay 16-Hour Full Coverage Foundation
Tarte
Amazonian Clay 16-Hour Full Coverage Foundation
Seropian recommends this full-coverage foundation that promises up to 16 hours of wear. With a matte finish and oil-free formula, it’s perfect for anyone with enlarged pores and oily skin.
Pros: Long-wearing, full-coverage, good for enlarged pores and oily skin.
Cons: There isn’t a lot of variety in the shade ranges for deeper skin tones.
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 39
Promising review: “This foundation is a favourite of mine. [It] goes on so nicely and does not feel heavy. You can build the coverage to your needs.” — Sephora customer
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Powder Foundation
Fenty Beauty
Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Powder Foundation
“The shade range is just as impressive as the coverage and finish,” Guerra says. “The formula is sweat- and crease-resistant and won’t flash back in photos. A great option for melanin-rich skin tones with large pore areas. A matte-finish setting spray melts this powder into the skin while locking it in place.”
Pros: Lightweight, long-wearing, full-coverage, good for enlarged pores and oily skin, great shade range
Cons: None.
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 50
Promising review: “I love the way this mattifies my skin and gives me light coverage. It also doesn’t settle into areas of my face that liquid foundation usually does. This powder made me realise I’m more into powder foundations, and it lasts pretty long, too.” — Sephora customer
How to Reduce the Look of Pores
Step 1: Skin Prep
Both makeup artists say skin prep is essential when trying to disguise enlarged pores. “The best way to disguise enlarged pores, in my opinion, is to focus on proper skin prep by cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising, using a pore-minimising primer, and considering mattifying products,” Seropian says.
Guerra agrees, saying each skin-prep step you do will get you closer to a smooth, seamless base. “Start by thoroughly cleansing the face to remove any dirt, oil, and makeup,” Guerra says. “Choose a gentle cleanser based on your skin type. Look for products that are non-comedogenic. Some are made with ingredients specifically formulated for pore refinement.” From there, he recommends exfoliating since “regular exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and improve the overall texture of the skin.”
A pore-minimising toner can help too. “After cleansing and exfoliating, using a toner can also refine your pores,” Guerra says. “Toners can help balance the skin’s pH, remove any remaining impurities, and tighten the pores. Look for toners with ingredients like witch hazel or tea tree oil, [which are] known for their astringent properties.”
SPF is the last step. “Sun damage can worsen the appearance of enlarged pores, so it’s crucial to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or higher,” Guerra says. “Sunscreen helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays and prevents premature aging, which can contribute to pore enlargement.”
Step 2: Primer
“For clients with large pores, scars, or other indented skin textures, I use primers that create a smoothing effect,” Guerra says. “Since primers are designed to create a smooth and even surface for makeup application, they can help fill in fine lines and pores—giving the skin a more refined texture. A pore-minimising primer can help blur the appearance of pores and create a smoother makeup application.”
Guerra says to avoid any primers that provide a sheen to the skin (and definitely avoid any that contain shimmer or sparkle), as these can actually make pores more visible. “I choose primers that contain ingredients like silica, which help mattify and blur texture on the skin,” he says. “It helps to absorb excess oil, minimise shine, and create a soft-focus effect that instantly reduces the visibility of pores. It really (temporarily) creates an optical illusion of blurred, pore-less skin!”
You also need to know how to apply primer. “To make pores ‘disappear’ on the skin, the technique is just as important as the products used,” Guerra says. “Using a dense, synthetic-fiber foundation brush, apply the primer in a circular motion—gently buffing the product onto the skin and into the pores.”
Step 3: Makeup Applicaton
A common mistake is applying too much foundation in the hopes of concealing pores better. Guerra says this can backfire, so you should use a light touch instead. “Less is more when concealing large pores. Powder foundations can mix with sebum on the skin’s surface and lead to oily creasing or separation, which makes the look of large pores much worse. Liquid foundations with too much coverage can also enhance the visibility of larger pores. Cream- or wax-based formulas can get greasy and separate on oily skin throughout the day, which can lead to clogged pores and make them more noticeable.”
So instead of caking it on, try applying foundation in thin layers. You can build coverage from there. Guerra recommends using the same circular, buffing motion for makeup application as for primer application.
How We Picked/Tested
First, I asked two celebrity makeup artists for their top recommendations. From there, I personally tested and/or vetted each formula, referencing online reviews for diverse opinions and experiences. In the end, I had 10 pore-disguising selects.
Why Trust Us
Not only do we go straight to the experts—in this case, celebrity makeup artists—to ask about the products that they use and recommend to their high-profile clients, but we also conduct our own testing. We have years of experience researching, analyzing, and evaluating beauty products, foundation included.
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