The Top 10 Best Foundations For Large Pores: The Best Pore-Minimizing Foundations

No two people have skin that is exactly alike. We all face a variety of skin conditions – most of which are exceedingly common. Finding makeup that not only covers any blemishes you may want to hide while also being right for your skin can be somewhat tricky. However, it doesn’t have to be. Many people don’t realize that one of the most frequently cited “skin issues” is large pores. To make your life easier, we’ve gathered all the information you need to know about the best foundation for large pores, including some of our top picks.

Keep in mind, plenty of people have large pores. It’s not at all uncommon, and it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Still, finding a foundation that suits your skin type is going to be exceptionally important in perfecting your beauty routine.

We’ve done the research for you, though. Read on below to find out what foundations are best for large pores!

Best Foundation For Large Pores

As much as it probably sucks to hear it, there is no “magical cure” to get rid of your large pores. In fact, there’s no way to control the size of your pores.

However, there are several ways you can work on potentially shrinking your pores – if not in size, at least in appearance.

What Is The Best Foundation for Large Pores?

We’ve talked to some of the best beauty gurus out there to find out what their favorite products for pore minimization are. Just remember, everyone’s skin is different – and so you might have to try a few different products before you find the one that works for you. Large pores may not be the only problem you find yourself struggling to overcome. You may find that you’ve also got oily skin, dry skin or even easily irritated skin. All of these can cause you to need a product that’s different.

Therefore, we’ve gathered the best foundations across the board for larger pores for a variety of issues, so you never have to worry about finding the “perfect product” again.

BaeBlu Organic Aloe-Based LUX Liquid Foundation – Editor’s Pick

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Product Highlights:

• Goes on smooth with no grease like other full-coverage foundations.
• Made with Aloe to help soothe and heal irritated skin.
• Includes no harsh chemicals or other ingredients that would clog pores.

Why We Picked It:

One of the coolest things about this foundation is that BaeBlu included this full-coverage, pore-minimizing foundation in their all-natural line. There are no harmful toxins in this foundation, only 100% natural ingredients. It’s perfect for those who have skin allergies and are looking for a lightweight, long-lasting foundation that won’t break the bank or further irritate your skin.

Pros:

• It goes on easy and feels silky throughout the day.
• Many call it a “self-balancing” foundation, as it does not require any color correction to get the perfect skin-tone match.
• The foundation looks natural and doesn’t wear off easily like other lightweight foundations.

Cons:

• The foundation oxidizes some, meaning it dries a bit darker than it goes on.
• Because it’s lightweight, a little goes a long way and it is easy to accidentally waste.
• To get full coverage, you’ll need to put several layers of the foundation on.

Learn more about BaeBlu Foundation on Amazon

Bella Terra BB Cream

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Product Highlights:

• Made with natural minerals and a natural SPF, it helps nourish your skin and protect it from the sun.
• It dries in a way that is lightweight and near-matte, allowing you to have an all-natural look throughout the day.
• The cream works with a variety of skin types to help restore your complexion and minimize pores.

About This Product:

If you’re looking for a lightweight, all-natural foundation for pores, this is a great choice. It’s perfect and easily helps cover large pores while restoring the skin and improving its overall health. It’s also excellent makeup for fine lines, as it helps reduce their appearance and minimize the overall effect they have on your face.

Pros:

• Because of the nourishing ingredients, it always goes on silky smooth and never looks cakey.
• It lasts all-day, even in humid weather.
• It helps reduce pores over time by providing hydration and nutrients the skin needs.

Cons:

• It can be difficult to match the exact color to your skin as they don’t offer samples.
• The coverage is shear to medium, making it less-than-optimal for individuals who want full-coverage.
• This foundation has issues with the dispensing pump that can be problematic and cause you to lose product.

Learn more about Bella Terra BB Cream on Amazon

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

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Product Highlights:

• The coverage makes it easy to build, allowing you to create a full-face look with several layers at need.
• Made with limited-use in mind – all you need is a small drop for full-face coverage.
• Rated for up to 16 hours of wear, making it perfect for the working professional.

About This Product:

This foundation is long-lasting and exceptionally lightweight – making it the perfect makeup for large pores. Thanks to the foundation’s innovative design, it doesn’t take much at all to cover your face. Additionally, it’s easy to build upon, letting you get full coverage without sacrificing the lightweight matte finish. It’s also great for fine lines and oily skin, as NARS uses high-quality ingredients to ensure their products don’t irritate the skin or cake into fine lines, large pores or wrinkles.

Pros:

• It looks and feels natural – you almost can’t tell you’re wearing makeup.
• The foundation is lightweight, meaning it doesn’t cake onto the skin and stays lightweight without wearing off rapidly.
• Using this foundation, you can give your skin the vitamins and nutrients it needs to minimize pores and reduce redness and irritation.

Cons:

• Some people feel like the foundation is too watery, making it difficult to use.
• It’s sheer, so if you’re looking for full coverage you’ll have to apply multiple layers.
• NARS is a brand-name makeup line, and the price reflects that.

Learn more about NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation on Amazon

Too Faced – Cocoa Powder Foundation

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Product Highlights:

• Unlike other foundations, this one is powder, making it light and airy.
• Traditionally comes with a makeup sponge to apply the foundation for even distribution.
• Offers full-face coverage for an all-day wear.

About This Product:

One of the best things about powder foundation is that it doesn’t cake like traditional liquid foundations do. It wears very much as regular face powder would, but it is just a little bit thicker. It feels natural on your skin, lasting all day for the perfect, natural look. Too Faced uses natural cocoa powder in this foundation, your skin benefits from the powder’s vitamins and minerals.

Pros:

• It is super lightweight and easily creates that no-makeup look.
• The included makeup sponge makes applying the product super easy.
• It’s a full-coverage makeup without feeling cakey.

Cons:

• When the makeup starts to wear off, it comes off kind of flakey.
• You need to apply it with a makeup sponge to avoid it looking patchy.
• You’ll likely need to put on a few layers to achieve all-day full-coverage.

Learn more about Too Faced Powder Foundation on Amazon

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation

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Product Highlights:

• This product has been dermatologist approved and allergy tested, making it great for people with sensitive skin.
• The design is perfect for people with textured skin or large pores and does not cake on or look flakey.
• It gives you a full-coverage, no-makeup look that lasts all day.

About This Product:

Maybelline is a tried-and-true makeup line that provides highly affordable, lightweight foundation perfect for a variety of skin types. The foundation features vitamins and minerals essential for healthy skin. Additionally, thanks to the fact it is a dermatologist-tested-and-approved product, it doesn’t clog pores or leave your skin feeling dry and flakey. It uses micro powder within the foundation to refine your pores and give you a beautiful, natural matte finish.

Pros:

• It blends very well and goes on smooth. It’s the perfect product for working up.
• The foundation is super hydrating, making it perfect for dry skin without damaging it further.
• It doesn’t oxidize and go orange throughout the day, meaning you never have to worry about the late-in-the-day effects with this foundation.

Cons:

• The foundation is a little runny, meaning it quickly absorbs into makeup sponges.
• It’s fairly lightweight, meaning you’ll have to build it up for fully coverage.
• Foundation wears off fairly easily without finishing powder and setting spray.

Learn more about Maybelline Fit Me Foundation on Amazon

Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder

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Product Highlights:

• The foundation helps control oil and makes your skin look matte and healthy.
• The foundation is dermatologist reviewed and approved and is great for a variety of skin types.
• Sheer to moderate coverage to achieve that perfect no-makeup look.

About This Product:

One of the best things about this Clinque product is that it is one of the best foundations for oily skin and large pores. It helps absorb the oil on your skin and refine your pores for a smooth, matte appearance. This pore-minimizing foundation is super lightweight and provides all-day coverage, making it a great solution for daily wear.

Pros:

• It is made for individuals who have a variety of skin issues, meaning it helps rejuvinate and heal the skin while you’re wearing it.
• The powder helps absorb skin oils, which in turn reduces acne outbreaks and helps minimize pores.
• It is lightweight and doesn’t make your skin feel cakey or dry.

Cons:

• The sheer coverage doesn’t always work well for individuals suffering from acne, meaning you’ll need several layers to cover blemishes.
• The powder breaks easily, meaning you have to be careful with how you use it.
• For individuals with drier skin, it can be a little bit overly drying.

Learn more about Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Foundation on Amazon

Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation

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Product Highlights:

• The product design helps eliminate the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and pores over time.
• It provides a sheer, natural-looking coverage.
• Dermatologist reviewed and approved, meaning it will not irritate sensitive skin.

About This Product:

Perricone MD, as a brand, is a premium beauty item. While it is somewhat expensive, it has a lot of benefits to offer. Thanks to a unique blend of vitamins and nutrients, this foundation minimizes pores and fine lines over time. Additionally, it helps correct uneven skin tones and soothe dry and irritated skin.

Pros:

• It provides a natural and radiant glow.
• This foundation is perfect for hydrating your skin and providing a nice, even coverage.
• It’s lightweight but provides even coverage that helps ensure that your skintone looks smooth and even.

Cons:

• Some people had problems with the foundation separating.
• The foundation oxidizes throughout the day, so it might turn a little bit orange.
• Included foundation pump is finnicky and may give you too much foundation, causing you to waste the product.

Learn more about Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation on Amazon

Gressa Skin – Organic Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation

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Product Highlights:

• Serves as a three-in-one multivitamin for your face. Provides moisturizer, works as foundation and has all the vitamins and minerals you need for healthy skin.
• Includes Gressa Healing Complex, which helps minimize pores, equalize skin tone and reduce inflammation.
• Made of all-natural ingredients, meaning it won’t cause allergic reactions or excessive outbreaks.

About This Product:

One of the higher-priced items on this list, this foundation does it all. It helps hydrate the skin and keep it healthy. Plus, it features a variety of minerals and vitamins your skin needs to reduce and minimize pores without clogging them or caking to your face. And, it helps protect your skin from the sun, meaning you’ll see fewer fine lines moving forward. It’s perfect for everyday wear.

Pros:

• It is perfect for dry to normal skin types, but also can work with individuals who have trouble with oily skin.
• The foundation itself is highly pigmented, meaning you’ll get the color results and coverage you need to hide most blemishes.
• It’s lightweight and buildable, making it perfect for your new daily wear.

Cons:

• It comes in at a higher price point than many of the other items on this list.
• You’ll need to let the first coat dry for a few minutes before applying makeup on top of it.
• The foundation is a bit runnier than others and not quite as creamy, meaning you’ll need less when you start out for full coverage.

Learn more about Gressa Skin Serum Foundation on Amazon

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation

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Product Highlights:

• Oil-free foundation will not clog your pores or cause excessive acne.
• Includes SPF 15 sunscreen, helping reduce fine lines and wrinkles when you’re out in the sun.
• Provides full coverage to help cover large pores and acne.

About This Product:

This foundation, by far, is the best MAC foundation for large pores. You can wear it for up to 24 hours without worrying – and without irritating your skin. It won’t streak, cake or settle, and you never have to worry about it oxidizing and turning orange. Plus, it has a matte finish for that perfect, full-coverage look.

Pros:

• It is lightweight and goes on easily, making it easy to blend.
• Unlike some of the other poreless foundations on this list, this one is a little bit thick – which is perfect for those who prefer that full-face feeling.
• It easily conceals large pores and fine lines alike without caking or smudging.

Cons:

• The smell of the foundation is a little bit strong and can be somewhat offputting.
• It does not include a pump for the foundation, meaning you’ll have to manually dab it out of the bottle.
• Since it is thicker and not water-based, it can start to feel a little uncomfortable when wearing it all day.

Learn more about MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation on Amazon

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage 12 Hr Foundation

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Product Highlights:

• Made of clay and other natural components, this foundation won’t irritate your skin or exacerbate existing problems.
• Provides full coverage for a long-lasting, matte effect. You won’t have to worry about the foundation setting unevenly or smearing off during the day.
• Despite being made of clay, it is a lightweight foundation that builds up easily for a full-face look without being heavy.

About This Product:

One of the best things about this lightweight foundation for large pores is how well it stays on. You can wear it all day, even in the heat, and you won’t have to worry about it coming off. Since it uses only natural ingredients, it helps keep the skin healthy. The lightweight design also helps keep your pores from getting clogged and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Pros:

• It doesn’t settle into wrinkles or fine lines on the face, meaning you get a perfect natural, no-makeup look.
• You won’t have the after-effects of greasy skin or dryness and irritation thanks to the all-natural makeup.
• Compared to other high-quality foundations on the market, this one is reasonably priced and lasts for quite some time.

Cons:

• Because the coverage is so lightweight, it isn’t as full-coverage as some individuals would like.
• You’ll need a specific makeup brush for large pores to get the foundation to settle the right way, which has to be purchased separately from Tarte.
• As you wear it throughout the day it will oxidize slightly, causing it to become a little bit orange.

Learn more about Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation on Amazon

Best Foundations for Large Pores

Now that you know our top picks for the best foundation to get rid of pores, let’s look at a few specific categories.

This information will help you make an educated buying decision for your skin type and your specific needs, which can be exceptionally important when choosing your ideal foundation.

The Best Foundation for Aging Skin and Fine Lines

The Best Foundation for Pores and Wrinkles: Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation

We picked this as the best foundation for pores and wrinkles, and other fine lines thanks to its “real skin” finish. It’s incredibly lightweight and made of natural ingredients, meaning it never cakes or feels heavy. Plus, it doesn’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles – nor does it clog the pores, helping minimize their effects over time.

The Best Foundation to Minimize Pores Based on Skin Type

Oily Skin: FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

This foundation takes the cake for one of the best foundations for oily skin and large pores. It is 100% oil-free, meaning you never have to worry about adding extra oils to your skin. Most users find that it helps absorb oil and eliminate pores, making it the perfect choice for those with oily skin.

Dry Skin: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

There’s no doubt in our minds why we picked this foundation. It’s high-quality and water-based, meaning it is perfect for all-day hydration. It helps reduce redness and irritation while minimizing pores, making it a great choice.

Combination Skin: Dermablend Flawless Creator Multi-Use Liquid Foundation

We love this foundation for various reasons, which is why we picked it as the best foundation for combination skin and large pores. It is both water-free and oil-free, meaning it won’t dry your skin out or cause it to become oily. Plus, it eliminates the appearance of pores for a picture-perfect finish every time. Overall, it’s the best foundation for oily acne prone skin with large pores and the best foundation for dry skin and large pores.

The Best Drugstore Pore Minimizing Foundation

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation

When it comes to affordable, high-quality foundation, this is a great choice. You can pick it up at almost any local store – including major chains like Walmart. It reduces pores without being heavy, cakey or pore-clogging. It helps reduce your pores and ensures you look your best, all day, every day.

Best Affordable Full Coverage Liquid Foundation for Large Pores

Best Drugstore Foundation for Large Pores: Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation

If you’re looking for an affordable liquid foundation that covers pores completely without feeling heavy, this is your best bet. It is lightweight, provides full coverage and stays on all day. Plus, it won’t irritate your skin, making it a great choice for those who are concerned breakouts or other irritation.

Large Pores: Expert Tips and FAQs

How do you make your makeup look poreless?

Making your makeup look poreless is pretty simple – just remember, you’ll want a poreless foundation from the list above to make it happen. From there, you’ll need the right tools. You’ll want to blend your foundation evenly across the skin, spreading it fairly thin for the first layer. From there, if you want additional coverage, you should build it as you see fit.

Why does foundation make my pores look bigger?

If you’re wearing makeup and find that it increases your pores’ size, you’re probably not wearing the right kind of foundation. Some foundation will settle into your skin and potentially clog your pores, making them look larger than they are. Consider changing your foundation and the tools you use to apply it.

How do you cover large pores with makeup?

Getting rid of large pores doesn’t have to be as difficult as it seems. However, you’ll need foundation that treats large pores to make it happen, along with a blending sponge and a brush.

You may also want to invest in a primer to ensure your foundation goes on smoothly. Once you’ve gathered these items, it’s easy.

Use your primer to help minimize the effects of the pores. Smooth out the primer with your makeup brush. Then, apply your foundation with your makeup sponge, ensuring it blends evenly across your pores, along with any fine lines or wrinkles. Once the foundation is applied evenly and smoothly, you may need to build it up with several layers for a maximum pore-eliminating effect.

Best Foundation for Large Pores: A Wrap Up

Here are our recommendations for the ultimate best foundations for large pores:

1. BaeBlu Organic Aloe-Based LUX Liquid Foundation
2. Bella Terra BB Cream
3. NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation
4. Too Faced – Cocoa Powder Foundation
5. Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation
6. Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder
7. Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation
8. Gressa Skin – Organic Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation
9. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
10. Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage 12 Hr Foundation

Ultimately, finding the best foundation to minimize pores doesn’t have to be hard. You just need to consider how your skin reacts to foundation and what you’re looking for in a foundation. Then you can make a purchase, and you’ll be ready to go.

Naturally, you’ll want to keep in mind that the way you apply your foundation and the tools you use can make a difference in pore minimization. Watching some youtube guides can help you create a beautiful, poreless look with relative ease. If you keep practicing and make sure you’re regularly using the right products, you’ll find your face looks poreless and picture-perfect all the time.

And, of course, if you have any questions, we encourage you to check out popular beauty sources around the web. Plenty of people experience issues with their pores, and it can make you feel self-conscious – but it doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle. There are dozens of tips, tricks and products to make you have the most beautiful, flawless skin around.

For more makeup tips, check out our post on natural makeup looks to try!