Natural DIY Foundation Powder

This natural DIY foundation is a simple, inexpensive recipe, with results that last all day long. Homemade foundation is made with ingredients you probably have in your pantry, and you can create it to make the perfect match to your skin tone. Follow my tips below to make the best natural powder foundation.

To make this recipe, you will need: cornstarch (or arrowroot powder), cocoa powder, cinnamon, ginger, french green clay (optional), and bentonite clay (optional).

DIY Foundation in plastic container on a metal pan with a makeup brush next to it

This post was updated January 2019

I’m so excited to be sharing this recipe with y’all today! I have been using this natural DIY foundation for a few years now, and I am loving it! My skin is much clearer, less dry, and I am happy that I know exactly what ingredients I am putting on my face. Plus, it is cheap frugal and all natural. You get to customize it to your own skin color, so it will match perfectly.

This homemade foundation lasts all day, and I don’t get that worn, greasy look by the end of the day, like I did when I was using the expensive mineral powder.

To be honest, I’ve been using this exclusively as a powder foundation since first creating it 6 years ago, and I have gotten pretty lazy with my ingredients. Nowadays, since my complexion has cleared a lot and my skin tone has become more consistent, I’ve been able to get away with just using cornstarch, cocoa powder, and bentonite clay. You just have to use what works for your skin and skin tone.

What is wrong with conventional powder foundation?

Sometimes they contain nanoparticles. These are super small particles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which help block the sun. The problem isn’t necessarily the ingredients, but their size; when they are used as nanoparticles and not non-nanoparticles, they can increase skin’s aging, can penetrate the skin, and cause toxicity of the skin (source).

I always like to run any product or makeup through the EWG website to make sure it is safe and has a low score.

When doing a quick search on their site, I found Covergirl had an overall score of 5. It contained parabens, quaternium-15 (which is a formaldehyde releaser), talc (which can be contaminated with asbestos), and a few other not so bad ingredients. But still, I definitely don’t want any of those chemicals on my face. Make this foundation instead, and you’ll know exactly what you’re putting on your skin.

Tips for making homemade foundation:

  • If you have a lot of red in your skin tone, add french green clay. The green helps counteract the red.
  • Test the color on the back of your hand, and then go outside in the sunlight to see if it is a good match.
  • Make homemade foundation in a big batch to save you from constantly making it.
  • Write down the recipe for the DIY foundation that matches your skin, so you are not always guessing.

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Natural DIY Foundation Ingredients

Ingredients depend on the color of your skin.

  • Cornstarch (Like this one) or arrowroot powder (Like this one)this is the base of the foundation and it gives you that flawless look!
  • Cocoa powder (Like this one): darkens and adds richness. I use a little bit of this even though I am super pasty white!
  • Cinnamon (Like this one): darkens and adds richness
  • Ginger: if you have yellow pigments in your skin like me
  • French green clay (Like this one) (optional): this works great for those with more red pigments in the skin. Green cancels red!
  • Bentonite clay (Like this kind): totally optional, but has great benefits for your skin.

I purchased most of the ingredients at our local co-op (it’s like Whole Foods) in the bulk section, but I included links for where you can find the ingredients online.

How To Make DIY Foundation

  1. In a small, nonmetallic bowl, add about 1 Tbs cornstarch.
  2. Depending on the color of your skin, start mixing in small amounts of the other ingredients until you get your perfect match.
  3. To figure out if you matched your skin tone, just dip your finger in the powder, rub on the back of your hand, and go outside to see if it blends. If it doesn’t, then add more ingredients and try again.
  4. Place in a clean jar.

To use homemade foundation: Gently tap a foundation brush in loose powder, tap off any extra powder back into the jar, and apply in a circular motion, just like any loose powder foundation.

Side note: don’t forget to write down how much of each ingredient that you add, that way you don’t have to play as much of a guessing game the next time around. Yes, I may have learned this one the hard way!

Want More Homemade Natural Products? Check these out!

DIY Powder Foundation

This makes me so excited! I have been wanting to make my own cosmetics for a long time, and I’m finally getting around to it! Just like this Homemade Face and Body Cream that is awesome. In the next few weeks, you will get to see a whole line-up of homemade beauty products that I have been itching to try!

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I party here…

103 Comments

  1. This is an incredible discovery. I always wore mineral makeup in junior high/high school and then after high school for some reason I started breaking out a LOT more than ever before (and that was after taking control of my life, losing 30 lbs, becoming a vegan, getting healthy, etc.) I’ve tried so many brands of foundations and spent so much money just to TRY them only to find that it dries my skin or makes me break out. I gave up on foundation for the past 2 months just because of the frustration. I am so excited to try this. I’m going to the store right after work to get what I need. I absolutely LOVE your blog. Thank you for the helpful tips!

    Hannah

  2. I love your added note at the bottom, “don’t forget to write down your measurements”. I’ve fallen victim to that many years ago & had to restart from the groud up & swear I never got it right the same way as before! Great added tip for those starting out =D I have a dry erase board on the side on my refridgator that gets the wackiest notes and measurement calculations written on it that only I can understand but it’s so worth it in the end. It’s also crucial if you like to change food recipes to add more healthful ingredients. I thought I’d pinned this post & didn’t, I’m so glad I finally made my way back to you! As soon as I stop rambling, I’m going to make this!

    Do you think cinnamon would be irritating to some skin types? I’d never have guessed we could make our own powders! Plus I buy the luxury brands for some items, foundations & powders included, you just saved me a ton!

    1. Thats a great tip Sami! I need to do that so I don’t have little papers around everywhere. I could see how cinnamon could be irritating to the skin. I never add very much so I don’t have any issues and I have very sensitive skin.

  3. Made it – love it. I’m biracial with sensitive, acne prone and aging skin UGHHH
    This has replaced my mineral powder foundation and my skin feels great.
    I would recommend organic arrow root 😉 Thank you for the wonderful idea. My skin has never felt better!

  4. Hi Amy,

    Thanks so much for sharing this. One question. Do you use fresh grated Ginger or Ginger powder/spice?

    Thanks so much! Can;t wait to try it out 🙂
    Michelle

  5. Do you know if I would be able to use baby powder instead of cornstarch because I have a lot more of that than cornstarch

    1. Would you use cocao or cocoa?
      Cocoa is highly processed and has sugar in it, where as cocao is unrefined.

  6. I looked to see if anyone asked but may have missed it, what exactly is the bentonite clay for? I looked it up & it just said its a grayish color. Tho now I’m interested in doing a detox w/ it 😉

    But externally for the powder is that one of the main ingredients helping clear up the skin? I only had 3 ingredients on hand & am still in love with this powder!

  7. Hello!

    Thanks for the recipes, I am keen to try!
    How much Bentonite clay do you suggest using in this recipe?

    Thanks!

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