REVIEW: CoverGirl Clean Foundation Oil Control Formula

"With our Clean Oil Control Makeup, you'll get all the shine control you want, without the drying coverage you don't. Our Clean foundation is made with ultra-light oil-absorbers that control oil, plus gentle conditioners that help prevent dryness." -CoverGirl website

Let me just start off by saying WOW. This five-dollar drug store foundation has become a contender for my favorite foundation of all time! I'm amazed that five dollars can buy such a great foundation, but it sure can. Let me also say that I have not tried any of the other formulations, just strictly the one for oil control. Now, let's dive in.

I find the "blendability" (is that a word? let's pretend it is) absolutely incredible. I love that I can put this on my face, and spread it out so easily and quickly. I don't even need to worry about where I put it, because I can blend it out. It really does even out my skin tone, and it does it so simply. It isn't too runny, and it isn't too thick. I find that some foundations (ie, Tarte's Amazonian Clay Waterproof foundation) can come off too thick and just sit on my skin, while others I've tried over the years are too watery and don't provide adequate coverage. This foundation can blend seamlessly into my skin without a problem. 

The color of this foundation is also above average for me. Usually I have to just accept the fact that I will never find a foundation from the drugstore that will suit my skin tone, but this is not the case. I'm sure I just got insanely lucky, but I'm convinced it was destiny. Shade number 520 Creamy Natural was basically formulated just for me. 

Now down to the nitty-gritty. Does this foundation really control oil? I'm going to go with a decisive and confident YES. I honestly don't even remember which foundation I was using before I went out and bought this one, but I remember being shocked by how much better my skin looked throughout the day. I'm not saying that I can confidently go without a primer or a setting powder, but I definitely do think it helps keep my oil under control. Keep in mind, though, that I do have horribly oily skin. If yours is just slightly oily, you may be able to get away without a primer. I like that this foundation does seem to keep oil at bay, but I do have a problem with some other performance claims CoverGirl associates with this foundation...

I copy and pasted a statement about this foundation from the CoverGirl website at the top of this review. In that statement, the claim that moisturizers help keep dryness in check is made. Do I firmly believe that there is moisturizers in my bottle of foundation? No. I am exceptionally dry on my chin, and this foundation is meant for oil control, which means my dry areas are highlighted. Unless I apply this directly over a hefty amount of moisturizer, I'm going to only accentuate my dry patches and look like a fool. So, I do not think it is right for them to claim that it will moisturize any dry areas. 

Other than the moisturizing claim, I have no complaints about this product. It blends well, it matches my skin tone, it's the perfect consistency, it controls my oil production, and looks great all day. Oh, and you definitely can't beat the price! I absolutely love and recommend this product to anyone with oily skin, especially if you are on a budget! 



Have you tried this foundation? Tell me your thoughts on it in a comment :)