We've road tested the best matte foundations for every skin type – These 12 left us with a velvet finish

We’ve officially reached peak glow. After years of obsessing over glass skin, dewy finishes and highlighters that could double as disco balls, the pendulum is swinging back toward restraint. The modern matte, however, isn’t going to leave you looking powdered like an 18th century courtier or dry like the Sahara desert. Instead, these skin-loving formulations act like a soft-focus lens. A real life blurring TokTok filter creating covetable, no-to-low-shine complexions.

Fashion week sealed the deal. At Khaite’s autumn/winter '25 show, makeup artists opted for muted, velvety, expensive-looking complexions. At Copenhagen Fashion Week, Forza collective's makeup artists recreated painterly Rembrandt skin. Off the runway? Matte foundations are a natural fit for the Nordics. Subzero mornings and a penchant for performance makes matte finishes make sense. After all, it doesn’t melt off during your commute or cling to your moisturiser by 10am (if you choose the right formulation, that is.)

In conclusion, matte foundation is no longer a look reserved for oily skin or retro nostalgia. In fact, it is more fashionable than ever.

In technical terms, a matte foundation is one that absorbs light, rather than reflecting it. This is usually achieved due to ingredients like silica, kaolin clay, or micro-fine powders that blur the skin’s surface. But not all mattes are made equal.

Where matte once meant “flat,” modern formulas come with nuance. Some are soft-matte, some are velvet-matte, and others are semi-matte, creating a spectrum rather than a one-size-fits-all texture. What they all share is a promise to control shine, reduce the look of pores, and stay put throughout the day without slipping into smile lines or nose creases.

Importantly, they’ve also evolved past that chalky finish people fear. New-gen matte foundations often include skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid or squalane to keep skin feeling comfortable, even under layers. Matte can now co-exist with hydration... It just took the beauty industry a decade to figure it out.

Traditionally, matte has been the holy grail for oily or combination skin types, but the 2025 formulas refuse to be boxed in. Dry skin? Double-down on hydrating skincare, pick a hydrating primer and choose a soft-matte hybrid. Mature skin? Opt for a luminous matte that diffuses texture rather than exaggerates it. And for those living in climates that fluctuate (hello, Nordic weather), a matte base is essentially weather-proofing for your face. The only people who should steer clear? Those who prefer glass-like glow.

Matte foundations get a bad rap for clinging to texture and turning faces into terrain maps. But the problem is rarely the product, but the application.

Start with well-prepped skin. A hydrated, lightly primed base gives matte formulas something to grip to without clinging. Apply in sheer layers with a damp sponge or brush, building customised coverage only where needed. Powder should be just as precise, almost surgical. Use it only where needed (usually the T-zone and chin) and leave the rest alone. Finish with a spritz of setting spray to melt everything together. This will bring back some dimension without undoing the matte effect.

There’s no universal matte. It’s less about brand loyalty and more about skin compatibility. For oily skin, look for oil-free formulas with long-wear claims (Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless is a classic for a reason). Dry or dehydrated skin? Go for soft-matte foundations spiked with skincare (Nars Soft Matte balances both worlds). Luxury shoppers will love the silky feel of Dior Forever Matte, while those after an everyday workhorse can find strong contenders at the drugstore. Undertone matters too: the wrong shade of matte can flatten your complexion.

Below, we've listed our tried-and-tested favourite matte foundations of 2025:

What it is: A full-coverage liquid foundation with a soft matte finish. The formula uses oil-absorbing powders and micro-algae extract to help balance sebum, while bio-hyaluronic acid prevents skin from drying out. It’s transfer-resistant, designed to last up to 16 hours, and comes in 34 shades across undertones.

Why we love it: This is the benchmark matte: even coverage, true longevity, and skin that looks smooth without feeling weighed down. It holds up through a full day (morning commute, office lighting, late-night plans) without breaking apart or turning chalky. Unlike many full mattes, it doesn’t collapse into fine lines or cling to uneven texture. If we had to narrow the list to just one matte foundation, this is the one that consistently earns its place.

What it is: A liquid foundation with 24-hour wear and a matte finish, enriched with hyaluronic acid, iris extract and wild pansy extract for comfort. Oil-free, SPF 15, and available in over 40 shades.

Why we love it: Luxury matte foundations can often feel overengineered, but Dior has perfected the balance. The finish is velvety and polished, the coverage holds evenly, and it doesn’t need constant maintenance. Whether under natural light, studio bulbs or candlelight, it gives skin a refined, expensive look that justifies the price tag.

What it is: An oil-free liquid foundation designed for normal to oily skin. Uses micro-powders to blur pores and absorb shine. Provides light-to-medium, buildable coverage with a natural matte finish. Available in 40 shades.

Why we love it: This is the matte foundation that quietly outperforms products twice its price. The texture blends quickly, sets evenly, and stays through the day without separating around the nose or settling into lines. The finish is matte in a way that still looks like skin, making it the kind of base you can wear daily without second-guessing. It’s affordable, practical and reliable at a ridiculously decent price point.

What it is: A full-coverage, oil-free liquid foundation formulated with shine-controlling powders and "climate-adaptive" technology. Designed to resist sweat, heat and humidity, it is available in 50 shades with a wide range of undertones.

Why we love it: This foundation was clearly made for people whose makeup breaks down before lunch. It grips the skin without clinging, keeps the T-zone in check, and wears well from morning into late evening. It works fabulously on oily foreheads and around the nose, where other formulas tend to separate. If your skin repel foundation or turn it patchy by mid-afternoon, this is the one that stays put without appearing flat or greasy, just consistently matte where it matters.

What it is: A Swedish-made liquid foundation with purified mineral pigments, vitamin E, and Nordic lingonberry seed oil. Light-to-medium coverage, soft matte finish, fragrance-free and dermatologist-developed. Available in a wide range of fair to deep shades.

Why we love it: Matte finishes are rarely kind to dry skin, but this formula is the exception. The texture is fluid and forgiving, blending in without catching on dry patches. It sets matte while still feeling breathable and comfortable through the day. For anyone with dryness who still prefers a shine-free base, this is one of the few options that is practical, uncomplicated, and doesn’t require a heavy-handed prep routine to behave well

What it is: A Finnish liquid foundation that balances shine control with lightweight wear. Enriched with Nordic meadowsweet extract to help regulate oil, with a matte finish and medium coverage. Available in a concise but adaptable shade range.

Why we love it: Combination skin rarely needs one thing everywhere, which is why many foundations fail it. This one manages both ends: it stays matte on oily foreheads and chins without catching on drier cheeks. The texture is thin enough to blend easily yet holds up through a working day without separating around the nose. The coverage is even, the finish is consistently matte, and it doesn’t demand extra primers or powders to make it work. It’s tailored to the reality of mixed-skin days, which is exactly why it stands out.

What it is: A medium, buildable liquid foundation with a soft matte finish. Infused with over 20 skincare ingredients including fermented arnica, squalane and peptides. Vegan, fragrance-free and available in 51 shades.

Why we love it: For anyone who wants a mattified appearance but rejects heavy coverage, this formulation behaves like second skin. The texture gives complexion a faintly blurred finish and it spreads easily, so a fingertip or damp sponge provides sheer coverage that you can build to medium without the product looking heavy. Extra points for a shade range that is genuinely useful for matching tricky undertones, which matters more when you want a “no-foundation” look.

What it is: A full-coverage liquid foundation with a true matte finish, oil-free and fragrance-free. Resistant to sweat, heat and humidity with up to 24-hour wear. Available in more than 55 shades.

Why we love it: Few formulas can match Double Wear when it comes to coverage that lasts. A thin layer covers redness, blemishes and pigmentation without streaking or fading. It holds its own through heat and humidity, so you will not see unexpected oxidation by midday. If you need a dependable matte base for weddings, shoots or any situation where touch-ups are inconvenient, this is the practical, workhorse option that consistently performs.

What it is: A medium-coverage foundation with a soft matte finish and SPF 30. Contains hyaluronic acid for hydration and wild thyme extract for antioxidant protection. Oil-free, lightweight and available in about 30 shades.

Why we love it: This is a matte that earns extra points for multitasking. It controls shine and stays intact through a full day, while the added skincare elements keep skin from feeling tight or dry. The built-in SPF and antioxidants make it practical for everyday use, especially if you want your base to do more than just even out your complexion.

What it is: A creamy stick foundation with full coverage and a natural matte finish. The formula is concentrated, melting on contact with skin and blending easily. Available in over 30 shades, suitable for both all-over wear and targeted touch-ups.

Why we love it: Stick foundations often promise convenience but fall short in performance. This one manages both. It applies smoothly, sets to a consistent matte, and doesn’t need constant blending. It’s quick to swipe on in the morning and easy to carry for touch-ups, which makes it the most practical matte stick for everyday use.

What it is: A pressed powder foundation with medium-to-full coverage and a true matte finish. The texture is finely milled and buildable, designed for both all-over wear and on-the-go touch-ups. Offered in more than 50 shades.

Why we love it: Few products have as well-establishes a spot in pro kits Mac's Studio Fix Power. It mattifies instantly, evens out tone, and can double as setting powder when layered lightly over liquid foundation. The finish is reliably matte without looking chalky, which is rare for powder formats.

What it is: A medium-coverage liquid foundation with a radiant matte finish. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and the brand’s silk-inspired complex, it’s designed to refine texture and provide lasting comfort. Available in around 30 shades.

Why we love it: The best matte money can buy? It’s expensive, yes, but also the matte that consistently earns knowing nods from people who’ve tried it all. This formula applies like silk, evens out texture instantly, and wears comfortably from morning until evening without shifting It might not be the most obvious choice on every “best of” list, which is exactly why it is our "in-the-know" pick among editors who have tested every foundation under the sun.