This review delves into Physician's Formula Healthy Foundation, a newly expanded shade range offering a long-wearing, breathable formula promising lightweight to full coverage with a healthy satin finish. Priced at $14.95 for a 1-fluid ounce bottle, this foundation boasts a brightening complex, hyaluronic acid, and is marketed as hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. We'll explore its performance on fair, dry skin, focusing on application techniques, coverage buildability, longevity, and overall wear throughout the day. A shade comparison with other popular light foundations will help determine its suitability for those with fair complexions.This in-depth review examines the foundation's texture, blendability using both sponge and brush application, and its lasting power. We'll assess its performance in terms of creasing, changes in finish over time, and how it interacts with dry skin. Ultimately, we'll determine whether Physician's Formula Healthy Foundation lives up to its claims and whether it's a worthwhile addition to your makeup routine, considering its pros and cons for those with specific skin concerns.
Pros And Cons
- Long-wearing
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Provides medium to full coverage
- Healthy satin finish
- Compatible with all skin types
- Brightening complex and hyaluronic acid
- Hypoallergenic
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Available in 16 shades
- Nice packaging
- Creasing around nose area after several hours
- May become matte throughout the day
- May settle into acne scarring
- Slight scent described as smelling like leaves or something used in cooking
Read more: Hydrating Foundation for Dry Skin: Top 5 Picks
Product Overview and Claims
Physician's Formula Healthy Foundation is a long-wearing, breathable foundation promising lightweight to full coverage with a healthy satin finish. It's marketed as suitable for all skin types and boasts a brightening complex, hyaluronic acid, and a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and vegan formula. Available in 16 shades, it represents a significant expansion in shade range for the brand.
The foundation comes in a standard 1-fluid ounce bottle and retails for $14.95 on the Physician's Formula website. Initial claims suggest a versatile product suitable for various skin concerns and preferences. The packaging is described as having a nice weight and feel.
Shade Comparison and Swatch Test
The reviewer is using shade LC1 (cool light). A swatch comparison is made against other light shades from brands such as CYO, Dermacol, Laura Geller, and Maybelline Fit Me. This allows for a visual comparison of color and undertone.

The initial swatches highlight the relative lightness and undertones of the Physician's Formula foundation compared to other popular light-shade foundations. This aids in determining its suitability for fair-skinned individuals.
Application and Coverage
The foundation is applied to half the face using a sponge and the other half using a brush. The application process demonstrates the product's texture and blendability. The reviewer notes that the brush provides better coverage.
The reviewer observes that the foundation has a unique gel-like consistency, which influences its application. She finds the brush application offers more buildable coverage than using the sponge. The initial application yields medium coverage, buildable to a higher level.
Wear Test and Final Thoughts
The foundation is worn for several hours, and the reviewer checks for creasing and changes in finish. Initial observations show beautiful skin-like results with a satin finish. The coverage is described as medium to high-medium.
After several hours, some creasing is observed, particularly around the nose and upper lip. The foundation's finish changes throughout the day, settling to more of a matte finish. After 11 hours, the overall appearance is slightly less dewy, and some settling into fine lines and texture is visible, though not excessively problematic.
Overall Review and Recommendation
The Physician's Formula Healthy Foundation offers a natural, buildable coverage and a lovely satin finish. However, it does show some creasing after several hours, which may be more prominent on dryer skin types. The shade range is a significant improvement for the brand.
While the foundation offers a pretty, natural look initially, its wear over time and tendency to crease and matte down might not make it ideal for everyone. The reviewer suggests that setting the foundation with a hydrating setting spray might mitigate the dryness and creasing. It's a decent foundation, but not a standout performer, and there are other options the reviewer prefers personally.