No. 2: Physicians Formula CoverToxTen50 Wrinkle Therapy Foundation, $12.95, 13 Worst Foundations

Skin care

13 Worst Foundations

Readers say these foundations will cake up, transfer onto your clothes, turn your face orange, and ruin the rest of your makeup

December 27, 2011 | by Stephanie Shum | 80 COMMENTS

No. 2: Physicians Formula CoverToxTen50 Wrinkle Therapy Foundation, $12.95

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.5*
Why: Readers hate the stiff brush attached to the foundation tube, which makes it almost impossible to apply the foundation directly on the face. "This is truly the worst Physicians Formula product I've ever tried," says one reader, and "in terms of lines, it seems to accentuate them and bring forth lines I didn't even know I had." This product is not recommended for sensitive skin because it "leaves a mask-like finish" and many readers broke out after using it.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 1: Maybelline New York SuperStay 24-Hour Makeup, $10.99

13 of 14

products mentioned

mark Face Xpert Flawless Touch Makeup

7.1

Maybelline New York Dream Liquid Mousse

6.7

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation

7.1

Benefit Some-Kind-A Gorgeous

5.6

Rimmel London Stay Matte Foundation

5.8

CoverGirl Clean Liquid Makeup, Oil Control

6.2

Revlon Beyond Natural Skin Matching Makeup SPF 15

6.3

CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Foundation

6.2

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers

5.6

Physicians Formula CoverToxTen50 Wrinkle Therapy...

5.4

Maybelline New York SuperStay 24 Hour Makeup

5.4

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Loved the info

by Laurahdz Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 03:48PM Report as inappropriate

I have to disagree with Cover Girl's "Clean Makeup." It saw me through blemish-prone years beautifully and kept oil at bay and imperfections covered.

by TheDivaRose Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 09:10PM Report as inappropriate

While it is great to know which products are worse, there will always be different foundation preferences for each individual. Different shades, textures, applications, etc. One thing that can be agreed upon, is poor packaging, which can make or break even the "best" foundations sometimes.

by hiddenexpose Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 08:07PM Report as inappropriate

wow some great info thanks

by Nicole2814 Monday, March 25, 2013 at 04:06PM Report as inappropriate

a lot of RImmel products there. I guess, they are not doing too well there!

by venenumletalis Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 04:32PM Report as inappropriate

Good to know what not to try on my quest for the best foundation.

by unfamiliargirl Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 12:25PM Report as inappropriate

Good info

by Mollysunshine Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 01:44AM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for this article. I've been looking to revamp my makeup bag. Now I know what choices to avoid.

by tyann_ott Monday, March 4, 2013 at 07:27PM Report as inappropriate

I see so many top 10 and best lists out there. It's nice to see something focused on what not to use. Very happy mine isn't there too!

by lanereidbeauty Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 12:17PM Report as inappropriate

Thankful for this article. I don't want to waste money on horrible products.

by krista_dailey Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 11:04AM Report as inappropriate

I really like the CoverGirl/Olay concealer. I use MAC foundation but still a surprise this was so bad. Never tried any of those listed thankfully and can say that now I probably never will. Thanks for the heads up

by Alana_Danes Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 07:26PM Report as inappropriate

I am always looking for reviews on foundation, I cannot stand buying a foundation and then being totally disappointed by it. I have a hard time finding one that not too heavy, but covers well. One that blends well and matches skin tone.

by morgan_ledford Monday, February 25, 2013 at 12:37PM Report as inappropriate

Glad I don't own/tried any of those.

by Lili04 Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 11:33PM Report as inappropriate

I am so happy that we are warned about the bad and the ugly!

by AstridB Friday, February 15, 2013 at 11:13AM Report as inappropriate

very good info thanks soo much it was nice to know the foundation i use did not make the list!! haha

by .flawless. Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 06:44AM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for the info.....

by douglie Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 08:17PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the great info that's all in one place!!

by charliecat31 Friday, February 1, 2013 at 05:40AM Report as inappropriate

I used to use Maybelline. I tried Clinique that my aunt gave me and fell in lve with it! It's so smooth and gives me a flawless look.

by lori_testy Monday, January 28, 2013 at 05:45AM Report as inappropriate

I see a few here I need to leave reviews for.

by EricaF123 Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 10:25AM Report as inappropriate

I haven't tried any of these. I will definitely check this web site before buying a new brand!

by hopela Monday, January 14, 2013 at 09:57PM Report as inappropriate

I use the cover girl oil control foundation and I actually really like it. I don't have a lot of acne or redness though so I don't need a heavy foundation, but when I do have the occasional red pimple I need to use a lot of this product to cover it up. It also isn't great for those annoying dark areas on the inside corners of your eyelid. I have mildly oily skin and it does a decent job of helping with oil control, but you still need a primer/power/etc to keep oil in check.

by amber.flute Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 12:19PM Report as inappropriate

wow I've almost bought a few of those. glad I didn't!

by tulipsarebetter Monday, January 7, 2013 at 05:35PM Report as inappropriate

Good to know.

by nicky22 Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:25AM Report as inappropriate

thank you so interesting

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 01:21PM Report as inappropriate

I'm not a big fan of drugstore foundation, my skin will breakout instantly if I even try it for a day.

by MizzPink Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:00PM Report as inappropriate

Now I know which ones to watch out for!

by TTorres507 Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 09:28AM Report as inappropriate

I'm not surprised really

by kimihavens Monday, December 10, 2012 at 09:36AM Report as inappropriate

Definitely agree with that weird sponge-attached Physician's Formula foundation. Worst foundation I've ever used. It was so chalky and weird on my skin.

by liquidlinernote Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 03:00PM Report as inappropriate

I agree w/this article. I believe you do get what you pay for when it comes to foundation. Cheap drugstore one's are made for basically perfect young girls, which don't need to where makeup period. Foundation in general is not my cup of tea I think it makes you look horrible and made up, except for photoshoots. When you go cheap you look cheap.

by Lani702 Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 05:56AM Report as inappropriate

I agree with the review written in the description above.

by lucia_francesca_rossi Monday, October 29, 2012 at 07:55AM Report as inappropriate

It's kinda funny that most of these foundations do exactly the OPPOSITE of the claims made by the manufacturer. Products for oily skin make your skin even greasier, and ones that are supposed to heal your skin make you break out. For the past few years, I've been using the cream-to-powder foundations. Even though I'm past 50, I still have oily skin in my T-zone, so the matte finish works well for my skin. Cover Girl makes one cream-to-powder foundation I really like. The sponge included with the compact makes it very easy to apply and to control how much coverage I want. It's also reasonably priced.

by BengalsGal Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 12:45PM Report as inappropriate

When a foundation says it stays for 24 hours, I know it's off my face within an hour.

by Only1KimmieD Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 12:27PM Report as inappropriate

I completely agree about the Rimmel London Stay Matte foundation. I have very oil skin, so this foundation was a nightmare for me! They completely mislead people by calling it a matte foundation, they should gear it towards people looking for more luminous skin instead, and then it might be a better fit.

by Chris213 Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 07:38PM Report as inappropriate

The color of Gray-green olives? That must be the worst foundation color ever!

by Grace08863 Friday, September 28, 2012 at 05:47PM Report as inappropriate

I have wasted so much money on foundation. This article has great advice!

by Grace08863 Friday, September 28, 2012 at 05:29PM Report as inappropriate

I spend a lot of money on trying new foundations, in hopes of finding a new favorite and my perfect match, this guide is going to be helpful when I am shopping for a new foundation next time, I will remember of the ones that didn't get such good reviews, thank you

by Natalia379 Friday, September 14, 2012 at 09:21PM Report as inappropriate

Very helpful on what to look out for and what to not waste your money on when wanting to try a new foundation.

by alisha_ashley Monday, August 13, 2012 at 02:29PM Report as inappropriate

I so agree! I've tried a few of these foundations and maybelline liquid mousse was by far the worst! I like how it felt when I first applied it, but within a few minutes I was hating it! It felt like sticky paper,I felt like it attracted every dust speck! I couldn't remove it quick enough!YUCK!

by raquel_raygoza Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 03:39AM Report as inappropriate

very helpful! I was thinking to buy the stay mattefoundation from rimmel london

by heidihannibal33 Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 10:01AM Report as inappropriate

Covergirl Clean Makeup: I found it watery, sticky and it provided no coverage at all. I could not find a use for this product.

by tonyadiamond Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 11:41PM Report as inappropriate

I actually purchased the Covergirl Clean (not the oily skin one though...). I actually don't mind it to much. It works fine on my skin but the colour that i bought was a bit to light for me but will hopefully be perfect in Winter.

by EmiLaine333 Friday, July 6, 2012 at 01:29PM Report as inappropriate

I haven't tried most of them but of the ones I have tried Maybelline 24 hour was the worst in terms of not staying on for the 24 hour full coverage. I am oily in my T-zone so I am sure that didn't help but I noticed I had to use powder more often then with other foundations.

by Foxylil Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 01:19AM Report as inappropriate

Ha! The only one I've used on this list was the worst: the Maybelline 24 Hour. While it certainly wasn't the worst foundation I'd ever used (I actually bought it at least twice) it did become noticeably orangey on my skin, even though I was using the lightest available shade. I switched to Dior Forever in 010 and haven't looked back.

by stella_couch Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 12:14AM Report as inappropriate

HAHA...the only one I've used on this list is the worst: the Maybelline 24 hour! While I wouldn't say it was actually the worst foundation I've ever used, I did find even the lightest shade to end up orange on my skin. I switched to Dior Forever in 010 and haven't looked back.

by stella_couch Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 12:05AM Report as inappropriate

This is a helpful article. Most of these I have never tried and now I know to avoid them!

by Brandi27 Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 03:09PM Report as inappropriate

I think the maybeline dream liquid mousse is great i was a bit surprised seeing it on here but it worked great for my skin made it look nice with good coverage.

by kioae7895 Friday, May 18, 2012 at 02:29PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you! I really appreciate this list and will definately be avoiding these products. I currently am using Maybelline Fit Me and I really like it but the shade I bought is a teensy bit dark. I will either re-buy that in a lighter shade but I would rather buy a tinted moisturizer or try something new. I might try mixing it with a sunscreen?

by EmiLaine333 Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 09:07PM Report as inappropriate

I love Benefit products but, I found "some kind of gorgeous" to be so oily. And the staying power was non existent. =( Oh well...can't win them all

by www.KeepMeBlushing.com Monday, April 9, 2012 at 05:20PM Report as inappropriate

I really appreciate the "heads-up" on these foundations.... thanks!

by gerrsbabe Friday, April 6, 2012 at 05:50AM Report as inappropriate

I agree with the Maybelline Mousse one being bad. It really is too thick and very blotchy. The coloring is very weird, too. I like the Cover Girl. Sure it's no high name super foundation, but it's a nice basic one.

by catalinahx Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 10:06AM Report as inappropriate

i'm surprised with the covergirl foudation; it worked fine with me

by NYdesichick Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 02:42PM Report as inappropriate

majority of these items are drugstore's and wallet friendly so dont really expect a lot out of it ... go for higher ends if you wan better quality with the likes of NARS, MAC, Estee, MuFE etc .. but to be frank I reckon Neutrogena should be more of a tinted moisturiser than a foundation hence the coverage. Rimmel's are pretty okay for me .. but again dont expect excellent result. :)

by bryan_liew Friday, March 16, 2012 at 06:07PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting.

by lazorc Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 07:49PM Report as inappropriate

Very helpful! I never wear foundation but I am going to start and I have no idea what product to start with. Thanks to this article, I will avoid the ones mentioned.

by mccombss Monday, February 20, 2012 at 10:05AM Report as inappropriate

Why is Maybelline - Fit Me™ Foundation not on the list? Because its the worst foundation i ever tried. Goes on smooth but than accentuates every single imperfection of the skin rather than hiding it.

by ketino Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:59PM Report as inappropriate

I had actually thought about trying this one thank goodness I didn't as I did try the Rimmel clean finish and found it to be to cakey and make the minimal wrinkles that I do have look even deeper.

by crazyangel Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:15PM Report as inappropriate

Thank God I never tried any of them. I have encountered some bad ones. I hate wasting money and some of the information these companies put in their products is completely misleading.

by lisiana_de_bem_justino Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 07:14PM Report as inappropriate

I am a little surprised but glad I was going to try Olay and now I'm not.

by swoogietwo Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 07:56PM Report as inappropriate

I was looking at the product ratings and they're all so low, then I looked at the title and it made so much more sense!

by MissXu Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 06:34PM Report as inappropriate

I actually like the Glow Sheers.

by starla1971 Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 03:31PM Report as inappropriate

Sue Devitt is the best foundation I've tried its not cheap, but its worth what you pay for it.

by 606beauty Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 02:17PM Report as inappropriate

i kind of like some kind if gorgeous it isn't full coverage at all I just use it when I am in a rush and need to get out the door

by porsha_coleman_mcdaniels Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 09:32PM Report as inappropriate

Not really shocked, I'd never let any drugstore foundation touch my face after what happened with CoverGirl's NatureLuxe. Weeks of horrid cystic acne all thanks to that crap.

by CliniqueLover Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 07:49PM Report as inappropriate

Not surprised. Foundation's best left to dept store brands.

by krycekov Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 07:08PM Report as inappropriate

the right foundation can be so hard to find as it is, it is good to know some of these ones to avoid to make the search a little simpler!

by RaraGiggles89 Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 07:56AM Report as inappropriate

Wow. I'm am really surprised to see some of these on here. Maybelline's dream liquid mousse is my current favorite foundation. Weird.

by kelser11 Friday, December 30, 2011 at 11:55PM Report as inappropriate

Good to know!

by selma Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 12:14AM Report as inappropriate

these are all drugstore foundations....i just did a review on chanel's new matte finish foundation...its AMAZING! i have a review on my blog janellelora dot blogspot dot co m

by janellelora Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 08:39PM Report as inappropriate

interesting, i actually see a lot of these in store. good thing i haven't tried them!

by vanillasummer Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 05:15PM Report as inappropriate

Totally agree about these foundations. However, I simply dislike on the part where these are only drug-stores brand. I mean I saw the benefit foundation. But this article would be WAY better if they including high-end foundation to set the pricing range. To be honest, just change the title so it wouldn't mislead people in to thinking that it's a mixture of both high-end and drug-store brands. Thanks :)

by Sprinklesugars Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 01:55PM Report as inappropriate

great to know thank you

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 11:32AM Report as inappropriate

Good to know!

by sweettpea29 Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 06:35PM Report as inappropriate

nice to know what not to waste money on. thanks!

by venenumletalis Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 06:12PM Report as inappropriate

The maybelline superstay is pretty bad!

by MissXu Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 03:14PM Report as inappropriate

glad i read this before i bought revlon!

by seaorchid05 Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 01:35PM Report as inappropriate

It seems the top foundations are in department stores. The ones that just work cheaply are cheap drugstore brands. I stick to Estee Lauder and Laura Mercier. They have been tried and true.

by tiffany_gallehugh Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 01:28PM Report as inappropriate

I like the revlon liquid its pretty impressive but my skin hates powder foundations with a passion

by modinosaur Friday, December 23, 2011 at 12:50AM Report as inappropriate

Oh, wow!

by yckitsmary Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 03:06PM Report as inappropriate

I am surprised to see revlon colorstay on this list, however it is the mineral foundation not the regular liquid one

by judyangel101 Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 01:18PM Report as inappropriate

i hear that revlon colorstay is the best!

by kenya Monday, December 27, 2010 at 02:06PM Report as inappropriate

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