Foundation vs. Cushion – the full breakdown

1. Packaging & delivery
• Foundation: glass/plastic bottle or tube with pump, pour or dropper. You control the exact amount and can mix shades or formulas.
• Cushion: liquid is soaked into a sponge that sits inside a slim compact; you press an antimicrobial puff against the sponge and pat onto skin. No spills, TSA-friendly, made for handbags.
2. Coverage range
• Foundation: sheer to full coverage depending on formula; you can build or sheer out easily.
• Cushion: usually light-to-medium buildable; true full-coverage cushions are rare because the sponge inherently sheers the product.
3. Finish & skin look
• Foundation: every finish exists—matte, velvet, demi-matte, dewy, luminous.
• Cushion: marketed for “glass-skin” glow; most leave a luminous, hydrating film that can turn oily in humid climates unless set.
4. Wear time & film strength
• Foundation: modern long-wear formulas (24 h, transfer-proof) bond to skin and survive sweat, sebum and masks.
• Cushion: film is thinner; even “long-wear” cushions typically fade after 4-6 h and are designed to be re-patted at lunch time.
5. Shade latitude
• Foundation: mass brands offer 20–60 shades; professional lines 50+. Easy to custom-mix.
• Cushion: 3–8 shades is standard for Asian labels; luxury K- and J-brands now push 12–15 but still cluster around fair-to-medium undertones.
6. Skincare extras & SPF
• Foundation: may include skincare actives, but SPF is usually low (SPF 15-20) because you don’t apply 2 mg cm⁻².
• Cushion: loaded with humectants, niacinamide, centella, etc.; SPF 35-50 PA+++ is common, yet the thin pat-layer gives only a fraction of labelled protection, so standalone sunscreen is still mandatory.
7. Hygiene & refill economics
• Foundation: bottle stays sealed; lower contamination risk.
• Cushion: puff is pressed on face, back into sponge, then onto face again—daily washing is essential. Refill pans are cheaper than buying a new compact, but cost per ml is still higher than foundation.
8. Cost per millilitre (typical)
• Foundation: US $0.50–1.50 per ml at drugstore, $2–4 at luxury.
• Cushion: $3–6 per ml at drugstore, $7–12 at luxury (you pay for portable packaging).
9. Best use-case
• Foundation: office days, events, photos, oily/acne-prone skin, when you need true full coverage or exact shade match.
• Cushion: commuter quick fix, travel, dry skin that likes glow, frequent touch-ups, “no-makeup” makeup selfies.
Quick cheat sheet:
Bottle = coverage, shade range, longevity.
Compact = convenience, glow, touch-ups.