Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
The best lightweight foundations do what great makeup should: make skin look radiant without ever feeling cakey or settling into lines and wrinkles. While there’s still a time and a place for full-coverage foundations—like a work event or your sister’s wedding—lightweight formulas tend to be better for daily wear: They feel more breathable and comfortable, and are usually low-maintenance (meaning you can buff them in and go in a matter of seconds).
Another advantage? Lightweight foundation is also endlessly versatile, whether you’re wearing it for “an everyday makeup look, during warmer weather months, or really any time you want your skin to look polished but still like you,” says Caitlyn Dominic, a makeup artist in Charlotte, North Carolina. “They’re also so much more forgiving and easier to blend.”
Our Top Lightweight Foundations
- Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation, $69
- Best Dewy Finish: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF 30, $50
- Best for Dry Skin: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation, $69
- Best Buildable: Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint, $32
- Best for Mature Skin: Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops, $110
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What are the benefits of using a lightweight foundation?
- How should I apply a lightweight foundation?
- How can I make a lightweight foundation last longer?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
When you’re in the mood for low-maintenance coverage, these lightweight foundations step up to the plate for a “your skin but better” look. They’re less about masking and more about enhancing skin—you’ll often come across familiar skin-care actives, like niacinamide— even as they blur texture, even tone, minimize blemishes, and add radiance. Keep reading to find the best lightweight foundations editors and makeup artists swear by.
Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
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Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Foundation
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Deanna Pai
Why we love it: Enthusiasts love it. Makeup artists swear by it. And Allure editors have been raving about Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation since 2002 for its radiant finish, weightless feel, and blendable texture. Thankfully, the recently reformulated version builds on its legacy without compromising on performance: ;Luminous Silk is now infused with skin-care ingredients (like moisture-boosting glycerin and brightening niacinamide) and comes in an expanded shade range (44 in total!) that makes a better match for certain undertones. As you might expect, the silky, serum-like texture melts into skin for barely-there comfort and long-lasting wear, proving that some classics only get better with time.
Pai before applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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”When I was in college, I used to go to the department store and beg for samples of this in tiny pots—it was one of the few foundations for which I had a color match. The updated formula is just as good as the original, in my opinion; I was able to find an even closer match to my skin tone. The coverage is a little lighter than the original, but I actually preferred that, and it lasts even through hot, humid summer days. Bottom line: It makes my skin look more radiant, but in a way that looks natural—not spackled.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin
- Shades: 44
- Finish: natural
Best Dewy Finish: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF 30
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Laura Mercier
Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF 30
Sephora
Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF 30
Sarah Hoffmann
Why we love it: Long before skin tints and lightweight foundations joined the everyday beauty lexicon, makeup artist Laura Mercier helped introduce the tinted moisturizer to the world. The original iteration became a beauty-industry staple, earning multiple Best of Beauty Awards and cementing its status as a category-defining product. But there’s always room for improvement. After several reformulations, Laura Mercier debuted the Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF 30 in 2024, doubling down with a primarily skin care-based formula that combines sheer, buildable coverage with broad-spectrum SPF 30. It also offers an impressive lineup of skin-supporting ingredients: Hyaluronic acid delivers hydration, prebiotics support the skin barrier, and upcycled grape extract helps smooth the look of fine lines. The result is exactly what helped make tinted moisturizer a phenomenon in the first place: a healthy, dewy finish that requires very little effort to achieve and never looks overdone.
Hoffmann before applying the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF 30
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF 30
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann
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“I've long said that my ideal foundation is one that makes like you have perfect skin, not perfect makeup. Is this tinted moisturizer going to cover a big breakout or extreme discoloration? No, but it is going to subtly unify your skin tone for the appearance of naturally even, lovely skin. I'm dealing with a bit of discoloration on my forehead and chin right now, and this is the easiest, least-fussy base product I own for when I want an undetectable retouching effect. Bonus points for ease of application—the brand recommends using your fingers, and this entire process took less than one minute.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: octisalate, octocrylene, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, prebiotics, upcycled black grape pomace
- Shades: 20
- Finish: dewy
Best Dewy: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
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Chanel
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
Nordstrom
Ulta beauty
Allure contributor Catharine Malzahn applying the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
Catharine Malzahn
Why it's worth it: When a foundation is recommended by not just one, but two makeup artists, we pay attention. Makeup artist Amrita Mehta is a big fan of Chanel's Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation. "The formula is made of 40% water, leaving the skin hydrated and plump, while the radiant finish helps to create a smooth, glowy, seamless, and skin-like blend," she previously told Allure. Because it’s made with such a high percentage of water, the lightweight foundation delivers immediate hydration and creates a radiant, healthy-looking finish. Though dry skin and foundation sometimes don’t get along, this one bridges that gap: It feels like a serum on the skin but reads like the buildable, light-to-medium coverage foundation it is. And with ingredients like glycerin and meadowfoam seed oil, you can trust it’s really delivering on hydration. As Mehta puts it, "This allows you to focus the coverage on where you need it, helping to maintain that fresh-faced look."
New York-based makeup artist Lisa Aharon also approves, especially for dry or mature skin. "A healthy glow is my favorite finish, especially for mature skin, as it can tend to lean dry," she says.
Malzahn before applying the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
Catharine Malzahn
Malzahn after applying the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
Catharine Malzahn
Tester feedback from contributor Catharine Malzahn
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“I’ve worn the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation for years now, and I always notice that my skin is more radiant and has a naturally lit-from-within look every time I use it. It’s so lightweight that it feels like nothing on my skin (probably because of the high water content), and I can use it all year long, even throughout the winter when the harsh New York cold and drying heaters make my skin so dry it cracks and flakes.” —Catharine Malzahn, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil, jasmine stem extract
- Shades: 35
- Finish: radiant
Best Buildable: Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint
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Iconic London
Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint
Sarah Han
Why it’s worth it: Silky smooth with seamless, steadfast 12-hour coverage, Iconic London Super Smoothing Blurring Skin Tint is skin care-meets-makeup at its finest. The lightweight, nourishing formula melts into the skin for light coverage. Its satin-matte finish blurs pores, neutralizes dark spots, and evens texture over time, thanks to a powerhouse lineup of ingredients—plant-derived amino acids for plumping and conditioning, peach flower extract for elasticity, and pea extract to fend off free radicals.
Han before applying the Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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"Iconic London's Super Smoother Skin Tint is not talked about enough; I've been using it for years and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. It melts into the skin so freakin' seamlessly and, even though I usually go in with just one layer, I can attest it builds/layers easily and without any caking or pilling. I can even get away with blending the whole thing with just my fingers—no brushes, ma! Neutral Light is a beyond-perfect shade match most of the year, but in the warmer months, I’ll sometimes reach for Neutral Medium. Bonus: The packaging is super lightweight, impossible to break, and perfect for traveling." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: amino acid, pea extract, peach flower extract
- Shades: 18
- Finish: satin-matte
Best for Mature Skin: Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops
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Victoria Beckham Beauty
Beauty The Foundation Drops
Nordstrom
Bluemercury
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: It should come as zero surprise that when two best-in-class brands team up, they create something truly unique. The Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops are just that, infusing foundation drops with Augustinus Bader’s TFC8 technology, a proprietary blend of peptides, lipids, and vitamins designed to support the skin’s natural renewal process. The serum-like formula delivers light-to-medium coverage while feeling virtually undetectable on the skin. That makes it especially well-suited for dry and mature skin; plus, its radiant finish and hydrating formula keep skin looking plump, smooth, and luminous—instead of emphasizing wrinkles. “The serum-light texture practically vanishes on contact, which makes skin look brighter and smoother,” Renée Loiz, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles, previously told Allure. “It feels weightless and never settles into fine lines.” Dominic is also a fan, praising its “beautiful, luminous finish” and buildable coverage.
Shipin before applying Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“This formula is an absolute dream for my dry skin, fine lines, and hormonal acne. It smooths, blurs, and provides enough coverage that you look like you've applied the Paris filter to your face while wearing nothing at all. It's the opposite of cakey, and doesn't crease—even in my deeper forehead lines. These foundation drops are supremely lightweight, have a familiar scent (much like Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint, presumably thanks to the mineral ingredients), and while they're pricey compared to my usual products that are half the price, a little goes a long way. The formula floods the skin with even coverage and dries down to a healthy, hydrated glow.
On top of that, as I age (rapidly, thanks to two kids with apparently no need for sleep), I love that there's some Augustinus Bader-powered skin care infused in the product. Am I expecting it to work like SkinCeuticals' P-Tiox? No, but I love that it's oriented like skin care, rather than detracting from my routine. It's non-comedogenic, which is so important to me in tints and foundations, since my skin is so prone to breakouts. One thing to note: Like many foundations, the color may appear a little strong at first, but it dries down to a beautiful, natural finish. I'm a perfect match for Medium, which has lovely golden undertones.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: TFC8 technology, echinacea purpurea extract, olive leaf extract, jojoba oil
- Shades: 19
- Finish: luminous
Best Long-Wearing: Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation
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Dior
Forever Skin Glow Foundation
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Han applying the Dior Forever Skin Glow
Sarah Han
Why we love it: When it comes to foundations, the words “long-wearing” and “lightweight” don’t often appear in the same sentence. Yet Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation manages to pull it off. The formula gives medium, buildable coverage that feels surprisingly weightless on skin while also delivering up to 24 hours of wear and hydration. It contains skin care ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, and it also offers broad-spectrum SPF 25 sun protection thanks to a mineral and chemical blend of titanium dioxide and octisalate. (The American Academy of Dermatology recommends at least SPF 30, though, so consider it extra sun protection on top of your regular face sunscreen.)
Han before applying the Dior Forever Skin Glow
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Dior Forever Skin Glow
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Han
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“I usually only wear concealer as my base, so when I do reach for foundation (unless it's for a really special event, like a wedding), you'd best believe it'll be a very lightweight formula (always a skin tint or serum foundation). Dior's Forever Skin Glow Foundation has a lightweight, radiance-boosting coverage that's spot-on, and I love that I literally can't feel it on my skin at all. The last thing I want is a foundation that feels heavy, or worse, cakes underneath the bursts of face mist I apply throughout the day.
As far as application goes, I dispense a pump onto the back of my hand to warm it up with my fingers—this step isn't totally necessary, given how fluid and serum-like it is, but I like to do it anyway to ensure more even coverage. To me, the hallmark of a serum foundation is that I could simply rub it in and blend out with my fingers in a pinch—as you can see, I still do that until it's about 80% blended, and then I go in with a sponge to meld everything together. While the coverage is light, I can build it up to blur more noticeable areas of discoloration (like the self-induced spots on the sides of my nose, oops). Overall, two pumps are my sweet spot, one for each side of the face.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: titanium dioxide, octisalate, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides
- Shades: 42
- Finish: natural glow
Best for Sensitive Skin: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
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ILIA
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Former Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Nicola Dall'Asen
Why we love it: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 really is super: The 2020 Best of Beauty Award winner delivers very lightweight, sheer coverage in a serum-like format. Not only that, but it also offers sensitive skin-friendly ingredients like niacinamide, plant-based squalane, and hyaluronic acid, as well as zinc oxide-based SPF 40. "This feels like skin care and looks like skin care, but with good coverage," says Bhatty. "I love how glowy this formula is and the shade range is also so beautiful." But don’t be surprised if it looks lighter than expected at first; once the product settles on your skin, it’ll dry down to its true, long-wearing tone in about a minute.
Dall’Asen before applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Nicola Dall'Asen
Dall’Asen after applying the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Nicola Dall'Asen
Tester feedback from former senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“I like to call the process of moisturizing with this product putting on my ‘glow goo’ because this golden jelly gives me dewier skin than just about any other I've used in my lifetime. Plus, it’s astonishingly lightweight, so it never pills and rubs off.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, former senior news editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: zinc oxide (12%), squalane, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Shades: 30
- Finish: sheer
Best for Oily Skin: Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
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Pat McGrath Labs
Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
Nordstrom
Sephora
Ulta Beauty
Allure content director Sophia Panych applying the Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
Sophie Panych
Why it’s worth it: Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation is the type of luminous, long-lasting base we can get behind—and the proof is in its 2024 Best of Beauty Award. With a skin-serving range of 33 shades, this foundation delivers ceramide and hyaluronic acid goodness to all who need it (read: everyone). You’ll get a super lightweight feel and soft-focus finish that sets on its own—no powder necessary (those with oily skin will rejoice at this news). It checks all the boxes: lightweight, comfortable, and delivers enough coverage to blur discoloration and unevenness without settling into fine lines or emphasizing texture. The silky formula is infused with the brand’s Diamond-core powder technology, which delivers subtle luminosity without emphasizing oiliness, and specialized polymers to create a flexible, second-skin finish that keeps skin looking natural (but not oily) throughout the day.
Panych before applying the Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
Sophie Panych
Panych after applying the Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
Sophie Panych
Tester feedback from content director Sophia Paynch
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“This has been one of my go-to foundation formulas ever since it launched. It's quite a liquid-y formula, so I squirt two drops onto the back of my hand, dot it onto my face, and spread it over my skin, concentrating most of the product in the center of my face. This is a foundation for people who dislike foundation. It's lightweight both in texture and in coverage—one thin layer is a little more pigmented than a tinted moisturizer. It's also one of the only foundations that has a shade that matches my skin nearly exactly. I'm Light 6, and it's the perfect neutral tone that doesn't skew too tan or too chalky on me.” —Sophia Panych, content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides
- Shades: 33
- Finish: natural soft-focus
Best for Combination Skin: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint
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Danessa Myricks Beauty
Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint
Sephora
Allure beauty closet associate Edward Horgan applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint
Edward Horgan
Why we love it: Finding a complexion product that can keep an oily T-zone in check without clinging to dry areas is no small feat, but Danessa Myricks Beauty’s Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint strikes that balance and then some. The widely-loved lightweight formula packs a punch with a blend of skin care ingredients, like cactus extract for hydration and vegan collagen peptides to smooth texture throughout the day. Unlike some dewy skin tints that can turn shiny by midday and require oil-blotting sheets, this one dries down to a natural, skin-like finish that feels comfortable on all areas of the skin. Expect buildable sheer-to-light coverage, and enjoy up to 24 hours of hydration and redness-neutralizing benefits that any skin type, including combination skin, will love.
Horgan before applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint
Edward Horgan
Horgan after applying the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint
Edward Horgan
Tester feedback from beauty closet associate Edward Horgan
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“This skin tint has the perfect balance of coverage and glow that covers up my redness while still leaving my skin looking like my skin! It has a lightweight feel to it and works so well with any other product I layer on top of it; it’s my go-to for a reason.” —Edward Horgan, beauty closet associate
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, cactus extract
- Shades: 20
- Finish: radiant
Best Light Coverage: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
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Hourglass
Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Jessica Cruel
Why we love it: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint proves that minimal coverage can still make a world of difference on your skin: It delivers enough pigment to visibly even tone, blur redness, and smooth the complexion, but maintains a sheer, skin-like finish. “This is one of my OG lightweight foundations that I still love and reach for all the time,” says Dominic. “It gives a gorgeous glowy finish and will even out redness while still making your skin look like skin.”
Unlike heavier formulas that can mask the complexion, this one instead enhances it, creating a fresh, radiant look while also providing skin-care benefits along the way. Meadowfoam seed oil, hyaluronic acid, and plant-based squalane help hydrate, support the skin barrier, and prevent moisture loss throughout the day, making for light, breathable coverage that hydrates all year round.
Jessica Cruel
Jessica Cruel
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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"I'm not big on foundation for everyday. Every one I try feels like a mask on my skin that I can't wait to wash off, so there is no way I could commit to wearing it five days a week. I typically reserve base makeup for days when I have to be on TV or at an event. This skin tint feels more like a face lotion—in fact, I often apply it with just my hands. The coverage is very light. However, it's enough to make people think I did something to get a natural glow." —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
Tester feedback from Malzahn
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“This skin tint is one I find myself reaching for more days than not—so much so that I own it in multiple shades for when my skin is paler in the winter and tanner in the summer. As the name suggests, it’s extremely hydrating and just straddles the line of making my skin look a tad bit oily—but with a bit of setting powder, there’s no issue whatsoever. It’s fairly sheer, but it still covers up redness and blemishes. I like wearing it a lot in the summer since it’s so lightweight on my skin and feels like nothing, but I was also surprised to find how much I like wearing it in the winter too, since I need those hydrating benefits when my skin is dry. I don’t experience any dry patches or flaking when I wear it, and I feel confident knowing that it’s hydrating my skin while covering up.” —Catharine Malzahn, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane, naturally-derived rambutan blend
- Shades: 18
- Finish: dewy and sheer
Best with SPF: Ciele Tint & Protect Serum Foundation SPF 50
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Ciele
Tint & Protect Serum Foundation SPF 50
Sephora
Why we love it: There are plenty of skin tints and tinted moisturizers with SPF, but very few are actually billed as a lightweight serum foundation with SPF. Enter: Ciele Tint & Protect Serum Foundation SPF 50. The serum-based formula offers buildable light-to-medium coverage and broad-spectrum mineral-only sun protection via non-nano zinc oxide, making it an easy choice for anyone looking to streamline their morning routine (just make sure you’re applying enough product to get the advertised sun protection).
It’s packed with ingredients that are ideal for mature skin, including allantoin (moisturizes and calms), bisabolol (reduces redness and brightens), and niacinamide (refines pores). It’s the Goldilocks of formulas: “It has this beautiful natural finish—not too matte, not too shiny—and gives really good coverage, lasts throughout the day, and has SPF 50,” says Dominic. We’d just love to see it offered in more shades suitable for dark skin tones.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: zinc oxide, allantoin, bisabolol, niacinamide
- Shades: 13
- Finish: natural
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a lightweight foundation?
We won’t sit here and say that a lightweight foundation is better than a full-coverage foundation, or that a full-coverage foundation is better than a mid-coverage foundation, and so on—but we will say, that on days that call for a low-profile base, a lightweight foundation offers a bevy of benefits. Often, lightweight foundations feature skin-loving ingredients, as they’re closer in consistency to skin care than heavy makeup. “Foundation just adds another opportunity for hydration while also addressing a cosmetic benefit," says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut. Still, she recommends using moisturizer to prep skin.
How should I apply a lightweight foundation?
When applying a lightweight foundation, the natural warmth from your fingertips is an excellent tool for blending. "I love starting with a sheer, lightweight foundation, blending it all over, and massaging into my face with my fingertips. This way, all the product is being blended into your skin and not being eaten up by your sponge or brush," said makeup artist Joey Camasta. "This should give you a smooth veil of coverage, eliminating any redness or unevenness."
If you like using a sponge or a brush, however, do so as the second step in your application. "I like to apply foundation with my hands to help warm it up, press it into the skin and into the contours of the skin. I usually go in outward, circular motions. Then, I fine-tune any additional blending with a clean foundation brush," makeup artist Joseph Carillo added.
How can I make a lightweight foundation last longer?
Making your lightweight foundation last longer starts well before application time. “Prep is everything,” says Dominic. Start with a moisturizer of your choice, and ensure it’s fully absorbed into the skin before you move to the next step, she advises. For those with oily skin, keep moisturizer to a minimum and consider a lightweight or oil-free formula. “You also might want to consider a primer to give the foundation something to grip onto,” adds Dominic.
After foundation application, do not skip the setting process. “Setting is your best friend and the key to longevity,” she says. Consider a loose setting powder to keep makeup in place and absorb excess oil, as “a light dusting of a finely-milled setting powder, especially in your T-zone, makes a huge difference,” she says. “Then, if desired, lock everything in with a setting spray.”
Meet the experts
- Lisa Aharon, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Kirin Bhatty, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles and New York City
- Amrita Mehta, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles and New York City
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut
- Joey Camasta, a makeup artist and podcaster
- Joseph Carillo, a makeup artist
- Caitlyn Dominic, a makeup artist in Charlotte, North Carolina
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best lightweight foundations, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
