Which beauty basics should you buy?
Six beauty basics, one job each, with the brand-listed facts and the catch: two foundations, a face wash, SPF 50, a gentle cleanser and a light cream.
By Siddhi Panchal · Updated October 23, 2026
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Quick picks
| Best for | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation | Matte liquid foundation for normal to oily skin, with SPF 22 |
| Long wear | Lakmé 9to5 Primer + Matte Foundation | Foundation with a built-in primer, matte finish and SPF 20 |
| Face wash | Plum Green Tea Pore Cleansing Face Wash | Green tea gel face wash with glycolic acid and soft cellulose beads |
| Sun care | Minimalist SPF 50 PA++++ Sunscreen | SPF 50 PA++++ cream with 4 UV filters and no added scent |
| Cleanser | Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 125 ml | Fragrance-, paraben- and sulphate-free cleanser for sensitive skin |
| Moisturiser | NIVEA Soft Moisturising Cream | Light cream with vitamin E and jojoba oil for face, body and hands |
Best for base
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
Matte liquid foundation for normal to oily skin, with SPF 22.
Catch: Shade 128 linked; 18 shades exist, so check yours.
| Finish | Matte |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Normal to oily |
| SPF | 22 |
| Size | 30 ml |
| Shades | 18 |
Source: Maybelline's official Amazon.in store listing.
Price on Amazon.in
Best for long wear
Lakmé 9to5 Primer + Matte Foundation
Foundation with a built-in primer, matte finish and SPF 20.
Catch: Shade W240 linked; check yours.
| Finish | Matte |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Medium to high, buildable |
| SPF | 20 |
| Size | 25 ml |
| Free from | Parabens |
Source: Lakmé's official Amazon.in store listing.
Price on Amazon.in
Best for face wash
Plum Green Tea Pore Cleansing Face Wash
Green tea gel face wash with glycolic acid and soft cellulose beads.
Catch: Mild green tea fragrance.
| Size | 100 g |
|---|---|
| Form | Gel |
| Key ingredients | Green tea, glycolic acid |
| Free from | Parabens, phthalates |
| Vegan | Yes |
Source: Plum's official Amazon.in store listing.
Price on Amazon.in
Best for sun care
Minimalist SPF 50 PA++++ Sunscreen
SPF 50 PA++++ cream with 4 UV filters and no added scent.
Catch: Not water resistant.
| Protection | SPF 50, PA++++ |
|---|---|
| UV filters | Uvinul T150, avobenzone, octocrylene, titanium dioxide |
| Added vitamins | A, B3, B5, E, F |
| Scent | Unscented |
| Water resistance | Not water resistant |
Source: Minimalist's official Amazon.in store listing.
Price on Amazon.in
Best for cleanser
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 125 ml
Fragrance-, paraben- and sulphate-free cleanser for sensitive skin.
Catch: Made for dry to normal skin.
| Size | 125 ml |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Dry, normal, sensitive |
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, panthenol (B5), glycerin |
| Free from | Parabens, sulphates, fragrance |
Source: Cetaphil's official Amazon.in store listing.
Price on Amazon.in
Best for moisturiser
NIVEA Soft Moisturising Cream
Light cream with vitamin E and jojoba oil for face, body and hands.
Catch: Lightly scented.
| Use | Face, body, hands |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Vitamin E, jojoba oil |
| Texture | Light, non-sticky |
| Skin type | All |
Source: NIVEA's official Amazon.in store listing.
Price on Amazon.in
How we picked
We picked one product per job from brands with an official store on Amazon.in, and checked that each was live and in stock on 23 Oct 2026. Specs come from the brand's own website where it publishes them; otherwise from the brand's official Amazon.in store listing, and each pick names its source. We show no price unless it comes live from Amazon.in with the time it was checked. None of these have been tested hands-on yet.
See all BeautyFAQs
Which foundation has more SPF?
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless lists SPF 22; Lakmé 9to5 Primer + Matte lists SPF 20. Neither replaces a dedicated sunscreen.
Which is better for oily skin?
Maybelline lists Fit Me Matte + Poreless for normal to oily skin. Plum lists its Green Tea face wash for oily and acne-prone skin, among others.
Is the Minimalist sunscreen water resistant?
No, per Minimalist's listing.
Have you tested these hands-on?
Not yet. This guide is research-based, from each brand's published specs. We will say so clearly when one has been tested.