Foundation preps our facial canvas. The goal is to get our skin even-toned and blemish-free, so we can achieve any makeup look on top of it. As beauty junkies, we tend to splurge on high-end foundations, but good quality doesn’t have to come at an exorbitant price.

There are incredible foundations sitting right on the shelves of your local drugstore. These drugstore foundations are creamier, more pigmented, and versatile than they ever were. Whether you’re looking for one that hides imperfections, keeps your skin matte, or lets your natural skin shine through, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Here are the best drugstore foundations in Malaysia we’ve found in 2021.

1. Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia maybelline fit me matte poreless

This budget-friendly option from Maybelline has popped up in numerous videos, recommended by beauty YouTubers. The Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation contains micro-powders to control shine and blur the appearance of large pores, making it one of the best drugstore foundations for those with oily skin.

The velvet-like texture blends easily on the skin and dries to a powdery finish that doesn’t look chalky or cakey. Plus, the formula is oil-free and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores.  The best part? It’s available in a wide range of shades.

Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation retails for RM49.90 at Watsons

2. L’Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia loreal true match

Another popular pick among drugstore foundations is L’Oreal’s True Match Liquid Foundation. Its creamy texture melts effortlessly on the skin and delivers long-wear, even coverage for a smooth, luminous complexion. True to its name, the range offers a diverse spectrum of shades so you can find your match.

Enriched with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, vitamin B2, and provitamin B5, the formula hydrates your skin and strengthens your skin barrier over time. There’s even SPF17 in the foundation to provide a little sun protection too. This is definitely one of the best drugstore foundations in the market.

L’Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation retails for RM25.16 at Watsons

3. IN2IT Soft Matte Fluid Foundation SPF30 Pa+++

If you’re looking for a foundation that delivers a weightless touch and offers effortlessly buildable coverage, you’ll appreciate this product.

With a natural soft matte finish, your skin will radiate a flawless, velvety complexion that lasts all day. Not only does it enhance your skin’s natural beauty, but it also serves as a protective shield against pollution and blue light, ensuring your skin stays fresh.

This foundation goes the extra mile by being shine-proof, humidity-proof, and sweat-proof, making it a reliable choice for long-lasting wear in various conditions.

Additionally, it offers SPF 30 PA+++ protection, providing an added layer of defense against harmful UV rays.

IN2IT Soft Matte Fluid Foundation Spf30 Pa+++ retails for RM49.90 at Guardian

4. Rimmel Lasting Finish Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia rimmel lasting finish

Need a full coverage foundation to hide your flaws and even your sins? Try Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation. This pigmented formula is sweat- and transfer-proof, so you don’t have to worry about it smudging under your mask.

The liquid foundation is also infused with a hydrating serum to keep your skin moisturised throughout the day. There’s SPF 20 in the formula to provide some sun protection too.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation retails for RM34.11 at Watsons

5. e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia elf flawless finish

Its packaging may be simple, but e.l.f.’s Flawless Finish Foundation works hard to keep your skin looking pristine all day long. The longwear formula blends out and settles to a satin finish that adds radiance instead of greasiness. It lasts even longer on the skin when worn with a makeup primer underneath.

The foundation works best when applied with a sponge, but it can also be applied with your makeup brushes. As with other e.l.f. products, this foundation is also Leaping Bunny certified, which means it’s cruelty-free.

e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation retails for RM37.50 at Shopee

6. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Makeup

drugstore foundations malaysia maybelline instant age rewind

If you’ve only heard of Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Concealer, you’re sorely missing out. The brand’s Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Makeup is one of the best drugstore foundations around, and you need to try it to believe it.

This creamy formula visibly smooths out fine lines and evens out your skin tone for a brighter, younger-looking complexion. Goji berry and caffeine in the formula firm your skin to give it a more youthful look, while SPF 18 protects your skin from sun damage.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Makeup retails for RM48 at Desert Cart

7. NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia nyx can't stop

Not many drugstore foundations can last all night, but NYX’s Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation certainly can. Its creamy formula glides on smooth, delivering buildable coverage and a matte finish. The non-comedogenic formula controls shine for hours, so it stays up as long as you do. Now, you won’t have to check your complexion in the mirror that many times.

NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation retails for RM89 at Shopee

8. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia loreal paris infallible pro matte

If you’re tired of having your foundation slide off your face and transferring onto your mask, then reach for the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Foundation. This waterproof formula uses shine-defying blotting spheres that are essentially invisible blotting sheets, so it soaks up sweat and sebum without disrupting your makeup.

The mattifying foundation works best for oily skin, but it won’t dry out parched complexions either, so it’s perfect for all skin types. It also has a 24-hour wear time, which makes it one of the most long-lasting drugstore foundations on our list.

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Foundation retails for RM47.19 at Shopee

9. L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia la girl pro coverage

L.A. Girl is known for its colour-correcting products and concealers, but the brand also has an equally impressive foundation. L.A. Girl’s Pro Coverage Foundation has a full-coverage formula that blends out effortlessly to bless your skin with a dewy finish.

The lightweight foundation wears comfortably on the skin to keep it radiant all day. It also contains antioxidants to hydrate and improve your skin’s appearance over time.

L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Foundation retails for RM55 at L.A. Girl Malaysia

10. Physicians Formula Nude Wear Touch of Glow Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia physicians formula

When you have sensitive skin, finding a suitable drugstore foundation can be exasperating. Don’t worry, there’s the Physicians Formula Nude Touch of Glow Foundation. The formula is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, paraben-free, dermatologist approved, gluten-free, and non-comedogenic.

While those terms sound like a mouthful, what they mean is that this dewy, illuminating foundation won’t irritate your skin or clog your pores. It gives your complexion a dewy radiance while remaining virtually undetectable on your skin. This is certainly one of the best drugstore foundations to try if you have irritable skin.

Physicians Formula Nude Wear Touch of Glow Foundation retails for RM79.90 at Zalora

11. Revlon ColorStay Makeup

drugstore foundations malaysia revlon colorstay makeup

If you like a natural-finish foundation that offers some sun protection, try Revlon’s ColorStay Makeup. This medium to full coverage foundation settles to a semi-matte finish, and it’s transfer-resistant too. It promises 24-hour wear while it keeps shine to a minimum, so your skin with look healthy and radiant for longer.

Revlon ColorStay Makeup retails for RM68.31 at Watsons

12. Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia wet n wild photo focus

Wet n Wild’s Photo Focus Foundation proves that good quality foundation can come with an affordable price tag. This skin-perfecting formula is made with a matte, light-diffusing complex to give your skin a soft-focus effect.

The foundation underwent numerous tests under different lighting conditions to ensure it delivers camera-ready perfection every time. It’s even been named as a close dupe for Make Up For Ever’s Ultra HD Foundation – a cult classic in the realm of foundations.

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation retails for RM33.84 at Watsons

13. NYX Total Control Drop Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia nyx total control drops

If you always make a mess with foundations that come in pump bottles, NYX has a simple solution. The Total Control Drop Foundation comes in a dropper bottle that lets you dispense the exact amount of foundation you need.

The dropper packaging also grants you full control of how much coverage you want. This buildable formula lets you take your coverage from sheer to full in a matter of seconds. It dries to a velvet matte finish that also gives you a soft glow. It’s water-light too, so it won’t feel sticky even in this heat. Many says that this is one of the best drugstore foundations to use in humid weather.

NYX Total Control Drop Foundation retails for RM50 at Shopee

14. Maybelline Superstay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia maybelline superstay

Looking for a full coverage foundation that won’t settle into fine lines and creases? Maybelline’s Superstay Liquid Foundation has got you covered, literally. This pigmented foundation blends easily to give your skin a luminous, matte finish.

It promises 24-hour long-wearing coverage too, so you won’t need touchups throughout the day. The saturated pigments in the foundation also help to minimise the appearance of imperfections, while never settling in fine lines.

Maybelline Superstay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation retails for RM65.90 at Watsons

15. ColourPop Pretty Fresh Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia colourpop pretty fresh

When it comes to affordable prices and extensive shade ranges, you can’t beat ColourPop. The brand’s newest foundation, the Pretty Fresh Foundation, is a medium coverage foundation that creates a healthy, skin-like finish.

The lightweight formula contains both coconut water and hyaluronic acid to replenish your skin’s moisture levels, which is why it’s perfect for those with dry skin.

ColourPop Pretty Fresh Foundation retails for US$16 (RM66.76) at ColourPop

16. Milani Screen Queen Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia milani screen queen

Since we’ve all upped our daily screen time, we’re getting exposed to more skin-compromising blue light. Thankfully, Milani’s Screen Queen Foundation uses a Digital Bluelight Filter technology to help fight the signs of digital damage.

This buildable, light-to-medium coverage foundation blurs imperfections for a luminous, natural finish. It also contains nastursium flower extract to soothe stressed skin.

It isn’t usually easy to find drugstore foundations that offer a wide variety of shades, but this one comes in 10, which gives us a good number of options!

Milani Screen Queen Foundation retails for RM72 at Watsons

17. Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia physicians formula healthy foundation

If you’re searching for a lightweight, breathable foundation, try Physicians Formula’s The Healthy Foundation. This mineral foundation provides medium coverage and a natural, satin finish.

It is infused with vitamins A, C, and E to keep your skin healthy and happy, while hyaluronic acid draws moisture to the skin to keep it plump. The formula also contains a blend of Chinese extracts to brighten, hydrate, and even out your skin tone.

Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation retails for RM79.90 at Zalora

18. L’Oreal Infallible 24Hr Fresh Wear Foundation

drugstore foundations malaysia loreal infallible fresh

Want a foundation that looks fresher by the hour? L’Oreal’s Infallible 24Hr Fresh Wear Foundation might just be the answer. This lightweight foundation uses an innovative oxygen technology to keep your makeup looking fresh all day long.

Its unique blend of oils, polymers, and pigments moisturises your skin and gives it a natural-looking finish, allowing your skin to breathe. The 24-hour wear foundation spreads and blends easily, while its ultra-thin consistency gives you buildable coverage.

L’Oreal Infallible 24Hr Fresh Wear Foundation retails for RM118.51 at Caretobeauty

19. Essence Stay All Day Long-Lasting Make-Up

drugstore foundations malaysia essence

We all love a long-lasting, matte foundation, especially if it’s an affordable option. Essence’s Stay All Day Long-Lasting Make-Up has a soft, lightweight texture that’s easy to apply. This waterproof foundation dries down to a semi-matte finish that stays put for hours on end.

Essence Stay All Day Make Up retails for RM28.00 at Watsons

20. SilkyGirl Skin Prefect Liquid Foundation

Formulated for Asian skin, this foundation from SilkyGirl offers a transfer-resistant liquid formula that ensures all-day coverage.

In addition to delivering a weightless matte finish, it enhances radiance through its O2+ complex. Enriched with Edelweiss Extract, this foundation provides protection against free radicals, promoting the maintenance of a youthful complexion.

Furthermore, it comes with SPF 30/ PA+++ to shield your skin from harmful UV rays, ensuring that you enjoy a youthful and radiant appearance throughout the day.

SilkyGirl Skin Prefect Liquid Foundation retails for RM28.90 at Watsons.