Best Foundation for Melasma

Melasma is stubborn, and the wrong foundation makes it even more noticeable. This guide focuses on formulas that truly cover hyperpigmentation while staying believable and long wearing. You will also find practical tips to keep coverage intact and skin comfortable.

If you are dealing with melasma, you already know two truths. First, hyperpigmentation can peek through even good makeup by lunchtime. Second, the more product you pile on, the more makeup can look heavy. This guide narrows in on foundations that give reliable, high-pigment coverage that still looks like skin, plus techniques that lock it in for a full day. Whether you prefer a soft matte or a natural radiant finish, you will find options that address melasma’s biggest pain points: coverage, undertone accuracy, longevity, and sun-smart protection.

One quick note before we dive in. Foundation does not treat melasma, but certain choices help keep it from looking darker. Tinted mineral formulas that include iron oxides can add protection against visible light, which can be a trigger for hyperpigmentation. Always wear a dedicated broad-spectrum sunscreen under any foundation, then let the picks below handle the coverage and finish.

Quick picks

• Dermablend Continuous Correction CC Cream SPF 50+: Best one-and-done coverage with mineral SPF for melasma
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation: Best heatproof full coverage for stubborn melasma
• NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation: Best full coverage that still looks like skin
• IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte SPF 40: Best for oily or combo skin that needs shine control and SPF
• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation: Best shade range and undertones
• Maybelline SuperStay Active Wear Full Coverage Foundation: Best budget full coverage

In-depth reviews

Dermablend Continuous Correction CC Cream SPF 50+ review

Who it is for: If you want high coverage and meaningful sun protection in a single step, this is the most melasma-friendly complexion product on the list. It is a workhorse for workdays, school drop-offs, and any schedule that demands reliable, quick coverage without fuss.

How it works and key features: This CC foundation is packed with mineral UV filters and iron oxides that help shield against visible light. The pigment load is high, so it covers brown patches and uneven tone with less product than many foundations. The oil-free formula has a natural to soft matte finish that sets down well and resists transfer once lightly powdered. It is non-comedogenic and fragrance free, and it layers nicely over sunscreen without lifting when applied in thin passes.

How it feels: The texture is creamier than a traditional foundation, which helps it spread evenly over areas of discoloration. It is comfortable on normal to combo skin and can work on drier types if you moisturize well first. It grips to the skin, so you will want to blend quickly and set with a light veil of powder where you crease or touch your face.

Drawbacks: The shade range is solid but not as vast as some prestige lines, and very cool or olive undertones may have to finesse a match. Because it is a mineral SPF base, it can leave a slight cast under flash photography. If your skin is very oily, you may prefer the IT Cosmetics oil-free pick below for extra shine control.

How it compares: Compared with IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte SPF 40, Dermablend’s finish is a touch more flexible and the coverage can look more seamless on textured areas. IT Cosmetics does a better job keeping T-zones matte in hot weather. Versus Estee Lauder Double Wear, Dermablend gives you built-in SPF and visible light protection, while Double Wear outlasts tougher heat and mask rub.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation review

Who it is for: If you need bulletproof coverage that does not slide off in heat, humidity, or long days, Double Wear remains a classic for good reason. It covers melasma with fewer layers and stays even through sweat and masks.

How it works and key features: The formula is oil free and transfer resistant with a soft matte finish. It is buildable from medium to full coverage and sets quickly, which helps it lock onto uneven tone without migrating. The shade range is extensive with thoughtful undertones, making it easier to match your face to your neck and chest for a natural look.

How it feels: Thin and fluid out of the bottle, it blends fast with a brush or damp sponge. Once set, it feels lightweight yet secure. A hydrating primer or moisturizer underneath keeps it from looking flat on normal to dry skin.

Drawbacks: No built-in SPF, so you still need a dedicated sunscreen under it. Because it sets quickly, you have to work in sections. On very dry or mature skin, it can read a bit matte unless you sheer it with a drop of moisturizer and focus on thin layers.

How it compares: Versus Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte, Double Wear wears longer in challenging weather and resists transfer better. Fenty may look a touch more skinlike on combo to normal skin. Compared to NARS Natural Radiant Longwear, Double Wear is more matte and more resistant, while NARS gives a subtle glow and can look more natural in daylight.

NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation review

Who it is for: If you want your skin to look like skin while still getting significant coverage, NARS hits a sweet spot. It is a strong choice for normal, combo, and dry skin that wants fuller coverage without a flat matte look.

How it works and key features: This is a medium to full coverage formula with a natural radiant finish. The pigments are finely milled, so it spreads thinly yet evens out significant discoloration. It wears well for long stretches when set with a light powder and is available in a wide range of undertones, including deeper olive options.

How it feels: Lightweight and creamy, it glides over moisturizer or sunscreen and remains flexible on facial movement. It layers elegantly, which helps you pinpoint additional coverage on darker patches without caking.

Drawbacks: On very oily skin, shine can peek through mid-day unless you use a mattifying primer and set strategically. Some shades can oxidize slightly, so test on your jawline and let it sit for 10 minutes to confirm the match.

How it compares: If you are debating between this and Estee Lauder Double Wear, choose NARS for a more believable skin finish and Double Wear for maximum staying power. Compared with Dermablend Continuous Correction, NARS is more elegant and thin on the skin but lacks the robust mineral SPF and visible light protection.

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte SPF 40 review

Who it is for: Oily or combo skin that needs strong coverage with shine control and mineral SPF. If your melasma deepens with sun exposure and your T-zone gets shiny by noon, this formula pulls double duty.

How it works and key features: This CC foundation combines high coverage with mineral UV filters and iron oxides. It contains skin-friendly extras like niacinamide and is designed to blur the look of pores while controlling oil. Finish is true matte, which immediately tones down areas where pigment catches the light.

How it feels: It is thick out of the tube, but a little goes a long way. Dot it on, then press and roll with a damp sponge to keep the product thin. Set the T-zone lightly and you will get a solid 8 to 10 hours of clean coverage.

Drawbacks: If you prefer a natural finish, the matte look may feel too flat unless you add a hydrating primer or a fine mist afterward. The shade range is better than it used to be but still narrower than Fenty or Estee Lauder. On very dry skin, it can cling unless you moisturize generously.

How it compares: Against Dermablend Continuous Correction, IT Cosmetics is more mattifying and can look smoother over visible pores. Dermablend looks a bit more seamless on dry patches and has higher SPF. Compared with Fenty Pro Filt’r, the IT CC has more built-in coverage and sun protection, while Fenty offers a wider shade map and a thinner texture.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation review

Who it is for: Anyone who struggles to find an exact undertone match. With one of the broadest shade ranges on the market, Fenty helps keep coverage convincing, which is essential when you are balancing areas of deeper pigmentation with the rest of your face and neck.

How it works and key features: This is a medium to full coverage, soft matte formula designed for long wear in real weather. It smooths the look of uneven tone and diffuses light so melasma patches do not look as raised or contrasted.

How it feels: Thin and spreadable, it sits lightly on the skin and builds without getting pasty. It responds well to both brushes and damp sponges. Set lightly where you crease or touch your face, and blot midday if you are very oily.

Drawbacks: On very dry skin, it can cling. Pair with a richer moisturizer or hydrating primer. There is no built-in SPF, so sunscreen underneath is still a must.

How it compares: Compared with Estee Lauder Double Wear, Fenty looks a touch more modern and flexible, though Double Wear resists sweat and transfer better. Versus NARS Natural Radiant Longwear, Fenty is more matte and shine controlling, while NARS is more forgiving on dry patches.

Maybelline SuperStay Active Wear Full Coverage Foundation review

Who it is for: If you need reliable full coverage on a budget, this drugstore mainstay delivers. It is ideal for commuters, long shifts, and days when you want melasma fully blurred for hours without touching up.

How it works and key features: The formula is medium to full coverage with a semi-matte finish and excellent longevity. It resists sweat and holds color well once set, so dark patches remain concealed. The texture is slightly thicker than some prestige options, which helps it grip but still blends well with a damp sponge.

How it feels: It goes on creamy and settles to a comfortable soft matte. One thin layer covers a lot, and you can tap a little more over the darkest areas for extra camouflage.

Drawbacks: The shade range is improving but is not as nuanced with undertones as Fenty or Estee Lauder. Some shades can oxidize, so pick a match in natural light when possible. There is no SPF.

How it compares: Versus Estee Lauder Double Wear, the staying power is similar in day-to-day wear, but Double Wear handles heat and humidity better and offers a wider range of undertones. If you prioritize cost, Maybelline is an excellent stand-in that still delivers impressive coverage.

How to choose

Picking a foundation for melasma is less about hype and more about strategy. Focus on pigment, undertone precision, wear time, and how the finish interacts with your skin type.

• Match your skin type to the formula. Oily or combo skin usually prefers soft matte, oil-free bases like Estee Lauder Double Wear, Fenty Pro Filt’r, or IT Cosmetics CC+ Oil-Free Matte. Normal to dry skin often looks best in flexible, hydrating formulas such as NARS Natural Radiant Longwear or a well-prepped layer of Dermablend Continuous Correction.
• Decide how much sun protection you want built in. If you like one-and-done mornings, tinted mineral options with iron oxides like Dermablend Continuous Correction or IT Cosmetics CC+ Oil-Free Matte make sense. If you prefer a classic foundation with no SPF, apply a dedicated broad-spectrum sunscreen first and let it set, then use a long-wear formula like Double Wear or Fenty on top.
• Start with undertone, not depth. Melasma can make your face look deeper than your neck. Choose a shade that matches your neck and chest, then use targeted extra coverage only where you need it. If you are olive, seek foundations with golden-olive undertones, not just neutral or warm.
• Use thin layers and pinpoint correction. For the darkest patches, tap in a tiny amount of peach or orange corrector that suits your skin depth, then go in with a thin layer of your foundation. Add a second whisper-thin pass only where needed. This approach looks more natural and lasts longer than one thick coat.
• Lock it in smartly. Set just the zones that crease or transfer, and consider a fine, skin-tone powder pressed lightly over melasma patches for extra insurance. A setting spray can reduce a powdery look without sacrificing wear.
• Consider climate and schedule. For long, hot days, Double Wear or Fenty hold up best. For office days indoors, NARS or Dermablend look more skinlike and comfortable.
• Know your budget. If your budget is tight, Maybelline SuperStay is the easy starting point. If you want a premium finish with SPF, try Dermablend. If you want high-end long wear without SPF, Double Wear is still the gold standard.

Application blueprint that works: Moisturize to suit your skin type, apply sunscreen generously, then wait two to three minutes. Spot-correct the darkest patches, press on a thin layer of your chosen foundation with a damp sponge or a dense brush, and add micro layers only where the pigment shows through. Set lightly with a puff just over the melasma and the T-zone. Finish with a fine mist to take down any powdery edges.

Final thoughts

For the fastest, most melasma-savvy routine, start with Dermablend Continuous Correction CC Cream SPF 50+ and keep a light hand. If you need coverage that will not budge through heat and humidity, Estee Lauder Double Wear is the reliable pick. Want believable skin with strong coverage? Try NARS Natural Radiant Longwear. Oily skin that needs SPF and a matte finish will be happy with IT Cosmetics CC+ Oil-Free Matte, while shade-match perfectionists should look first at Fenty Pro Filt’r. On a budget, Maybelline SuperStay Active Wear delivers surprising performance. Whichever you choose, thin layers and smart setting will make the biggest difference in how well your melasma stays covered all day.

See also

If visible pores compete with melasma, it helps to use a smoothing base before foundation. You can find pore-friendly formulas in our guide to the best foundation for large pores, and if your skin gets reactive with fragrance or certain pigments, consider the options in our roundup of the best foundation for sensitive skin to keep irritation from worsening discoloration. Those navigating both melasma and fine lines will also appreciate the texture-conscious picks in our list of the best foundation for mature skin over 60.

Prefer a powder format or need a pressed formula to top off a liquid base? Explore lightweight options in our guide to the best powder foundation for dry skin. If breakouts overlap with hyperpigmentation, you may want to browse our in-depth picks for long-wear coverage that will not clog pores in the best foundation for acne-prone skin guide.

FAQ

What kind of foundation covers melasma best without looking heavy?

Look for medium to full coverage formulas with concentrated pigment and a thin, spreadable texture. Soft matte or natural finishes work best because they reduce shine that can spotlight darker patches. Build coverage in thin layers and set only where you need it to keep the look skinlike.

Do I need a color corrector under my foundation to conceal melasma?

It helps for stubborn areas. Use a small amount of peach corrector on light to medium skin or an orange to red-orange corrector on tan to deep skin to neutralize brown and slate tones. Tap a very thin layer just on the darkest patches, then apply your foundation. You will use less product overall and get a smoother result.

Is SPF in foundation enough to prevent melasma from darkening?

No. Treat SPF in foundation as a bonus. Apply a separate broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning, then layer your foundation on top. Tinted mineral formulas with iron oxides add extra protection against visible light, which is useful for melasma, but they still work best over a proper sunscreen base.

How can I keep melasma concealed through heat and humidity?

Use a long-wear, transfer-resistant base such as Estee Lauder Double Wear or Fenty Pro Filt’r. Start with a thin layer over set sunscreen, then add pinpoint coverage only where the pigment shows through. Set the T-zone and melasma patches with a light press of powder and carry blotting papers to remove shine without moving product.

Will full-coverage foundation make my melasma look cakey on mature or dry skin?

It does not have to. Prep with moisturizer, avoid thick layers, and choose a flexible formula like NARS Natural Radiant Longwear or a well-hydrated layer of Dermablend Continuous Correction. Apply with a damp sponge, set minimally, and finish with a fine mist to soften any powdery edges.

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