If you, like me, have always wondered how to select makeup products that don’t result in irritation or breakouts, all you need to do is look to the experts. Why put yourself through discomfort to pull off your favorite makeup looks? Whether you opt for a full-beat face or quick-and-easy everyday makeup, knowing the best foundations and how to use them can completely transform your approach to makeup.

Makeup artist and KVD Beauty global artistry ambassador Sandra Saenz shares how she navigates the expansive (and sometimes confusing) world of foundations. For Saenz, determining which product to use on clients with sensitive skin begins with a basic understanding of skin types: dry, normal, combination, sensitive, and oily. Read on to learn everything you need to know about foundations for sensitive skin.

Like any makeup product, the way a foundation looks and feels depends on your skin’s characteristics. “Certain people have specific sensitivities to ingredients, so I recommend keeping an eye out for any ingredients that may trigger a reaction,” explains Saenz. One quick and easy way to determine your skin type involves looking at your skin after washing it with a mild foaming cleanser and noting any excessive shine, tightness, dryness, or sensitivity. If you have sensitive skin, there are many foundations on the market with formulas chock-full of ingredients you can trust to keep your skin looking and feeling its healthiest.

However, before using any new foundation, it’s always good practice to do a patch test on clean skin (take it from a beauty editor whose job often involves testing and reviewing). “If there is no redness, burning, or itching experienced after 24 hours, it should be a good fit,” Saenz says. She also recommends opting for samples you can try before deciding to purchase full-sized products. It’s a great way to minimize the risk of a reaction while saving money on products that should otherwise be avoided.

For Saenz, there’s one standout product she’s used time and time again on clients with sensitive skin: KVD Beauty’s Good Apple Full-Coverage Transfer-Proof Vegan Serum Foundation. “Unlike many long-wear foundations, this is formulated without alcohol, which can trigger skin sensitivity,” explains Saenz. “It is formulated with nourishing ingredients that help keep skin looking fresh and shine in check, as well as glycerin and vitamin E, which can help sensitive skin.” In addition to the aforementioned skin-loving ingredients, it should be noted this foundation’s formula also contains a blend of vegan ingredients that deliver full coverage with a lightweight feel.

To upgrade your sensitive-skin makeup routine even more, consider adding a serum for an even more seamless application without causing discomfort to the skin. Ready to learn more? Keep scrolling to discover more about Saenz’s favorite foundations and see others I love.

According to Saenz, this KVD Beauty serum foundation works well on anyone with combination or oily skin. It offers full coverage with a natural, skin-like finish and is available in an inclusive range of shades. It also does a great job covering everything from acne scars to hyperpigmentation and provides a smooth, even palette to work with when doing a full-glam look.

Those with sensitive skin or balanced-to-dry skin might prefer a foundation that’s more like a creamy balm than a serum. KVD Beauty’s Lightweight Full-Cover Cream Foundation Balm provides lightweight and full coverage with key ingredients like apple extract to nourish the skin and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate it.

Dermablend’s oil-free and noncomedogenic foundation uses high-performing pigments and is made from just 10 ingredients. It’s smudge-proof, transfer-resistant, and offers up to 16 hours of wear.

Meet a trustworthy tinted face oil that offers clean, comfortable, and lightweight coverage for all your pesky skin concerns. The addition of active skincare made from a mix of six nourishing oils (I love avocado oil combined with rosehip seed oil) takes this face oil to the next level.

This serum-based skin tint from Ilia has SPF 40 for sun protection (the sun’s rays won’t stand a chance). It delivers light, dewy coverage and skincare ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Say “bye-bye” to breakouts with this ultra-hydrating skin tint from Neutrogena. It evens out your complexion without clogging pores and is formulated with hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin.

I love this multi-tasking full-coverage foundation and concealer stick from Westman Atelier. With its clean, high-performing cream formula, it has everything you could want for sensitive skin in addition to being vegan and cruelty-free.

If you’re looking for a cream foundation that does it all, you’ve found it. This Cover FX foundation is suitable for all skin types and helps conceal redness and dark spots with an oil-free formula enriched with moisturizers. It also helps restore the skin’s natural barrier with squalane.

This loose powder foundation from bareMinerals is one of my personal favorites. It provides sheer-to-full coverage with a natural-looking luminous finish. Did I mention it also has SPF 14 and mineral-based pigments for gorgeous color and coverage?

Have you seen this foundation all over TikTok recently? This foundation and concealer stick is buildable and lightweight, providing natural-looking coverage on the go with a great blend of fatty acids and sea daffodil extract.

The creamier, the better, right? I’m in love with Glo Skin Beauty’s Satin Cream Foundation. Not only is it noncomedogenic and free of talc, it offers broad-spectrum UV protection and antioxidant benefits to keep skin looking bright, healthy, and even.

This liquid foundation from Kjaer Weis is organic and long-wearing with buildable coverage and a skin-like finish I’m absolutely drooling over. What’s more, it uses organic dioscorea batatas extract to heal and brighten the skin. 

Next up, Makeup Artists Say This Concealer Presses the Delete Button on Dark Circles