There is one product I've been wearing recently that has had so many people compliment my skin. Not my makeup, but my skin specifically (even though it is a makeup product that is responsible for the glow). Ever since I tried Ilia's Super Serum Tint, I've had 'you have great skin' compliments almost every time I've worn it. It's become my favourite lightweight foundation, ever.
Beauty editor Eleanor Vousden wears Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint in the shade Bom Bom.
Unlike full-coverage foundations or long-wearing formulas—which do have a time and a place—lightweight foundations have been my go-to of late, particularly right now as the weather warms up and I don't want to wear much on my skin apart from an SPF and perhaps a skin tint or tinted moisturiser for lightweight coverage. Lightweight foundations also lend themselves well to a range of skin types. They often offer plenty of hydration for dry or mature skin, but equally, they play well with oily skin types too by not clogging pores or separating throughout the day.
The best lightweight foundations can seamlessly conceal while appearing utterly undetectable on the skin. Think your skin, but better. You'll often find that lightweight bases also have the benefit of added skincare ingredients that hydrate, plump and shield your skin as you wear it (we're very much here for a multi-tasking product) but the formula will also move with your skin throughout the day, meaning it still looks freshly applied by the time you're heading out for dinner.
The Best Lightweight Foundations, Listed:
1. The best lightweight foundation for oily skin: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30
2. Best lightweight balm foundation: Dr Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm
3. Best radiant lightweight foundation: Saie Glowy Super Skin Foundation
4. Best buildable lightweight foundation: Huda Beauty Glowish Multidew Skin Tint
5. Best hydrating lightweight foundation: Chanel Les Beige Water-Fresh Complexion Touch Foundation
6. Best waterproof lightweight foundation: Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation
7. Best lightweight foundation for dry skin: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
8. Best lightweight foundation with skincare benefits: Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
9. Best dewy lightweight foundation: YSL Beauty Nu Skint Tint
10. Best lightweight foundation for all day wear: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
11. Best blurring lightweight foundation: Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
12. Best lightweight foundation that doubles as a primer: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
13. Best sheer lightweight foundation: Rose Inc Tinted Serum
To find out which lightweight foundations our editors consider the best, I asked the Who What Wear UK team to open the contents of their makeup bags and talk me through their favourite lightweight bases, skin tints and tinted SPFs.
13 lightweight foundations to know now
1. Best lightweight foundation for oily skin: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30
This lightweight skin tint changed the game for me when it came to wearing lightweight bases. I tried it for the first time at the launch of Sephora in the UK and fell in love with it on the spot, as have many other beauty editors across the world. It has a serum consistency, meaning it melts into the skin without a trace. The result is ultra-dewy and even on my slightly oily T-zone, this product holds up. The coverage is light but is easily buildable if you want a touch more coverage for areas of redness too. Plus, you really don't need very much product; just a couple of drops will do. Thanks to the addition of hydrating hyaluronic acid, radiance-boosting niacinamide and nourishing squalane, it really boosts your skin as you wear it. The shade range is also impressive with 30 shades.
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Pros:
Contains mineral SPF filters for added UV protection
Suitable for sensitive skin
Available in 30 shades
Fragrance-free
Oil-free
Cons:
Takes 30 to 60 seconds to see the true shade. Product applies lighter but dries down to its true tone (darker)
Requires active shaking before application
2. Best lightweight balm foundation: Dr Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm
Dr. Jart's Premium Beauty Balm is much loved, so much so that two members of the team chose it as their favourite lightweight base. "I've always been drawn to lighter coverage skin tints, and have recently been a huge fan of the Dr. Jart Premium Beauty Balm," says Who What Wear UK affiliate specialist Jerrylyn Saguiped. "It leaves you with a natural finish whilst still being buildable. An added plus is that it doubles up as skincare as it includes niacinamide and has SPF 50."
Who What Wear UK commerce writer Florrie Alexander also highly rates this BB cream.
"I spent a long time searching for a light foundation that I could wear every day for a little coverage but without the weight of a full face of makeup, and once I tried the Dr Jart+ BB Premium Beauty Balm I was completely won over," she says. "The lightweight consistency is the perfect finish for when you want a ‘no makeup' makeup look that can be built up for more coverage. The best thing about it is that it is makeup and skincare all in one as the formula, which includes hydrating and protective niacinamide. The balm comes in four shade options and adapts to the skin to match perfectly. (I went for 01 Fair-Light.) Plus, this particular treasure comes with the addition of SPF 50 to protect your skin."
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Pros
- Contains niacinamide and glycerin to help moisturise and support the skin
- Has SPF50 (mineral and chemical filters) for added sun protection
Cons
- Small shade range
- Chemical filters may irritate sensitive skin
3. Best radiant lightweight foundation: Saie Glowy Super Skin Foundation
"When it comes to foundation, I need a formula that lets my skin breathe," says Who What Wear UK shopping editor Remy Farrell. "After searching for a lightweight foundation that would be light as well as pigmented, dewy—but not greasy—and with an expansive shade range to match my skin tone and look like a second skin, I finally found Saie's Super Glowy Skin Foundation. Nothing about this formula is heavy or clogs my pores, instead the hydrating hyaluronic acid and squalane formula work with my skin for a bright, glowy finish that really does last all day long. Be warned, if you're trying this foundation for the first time, prepare for the compliments to roll in."
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Pros
- Unrivalled radiance
- Medium coverage and buildable
- Elegant, ingenious formulation
Cons
- Stays dewy on the skin all day which can mean it moves/transfers
4. Best buildable lightweight foundation: Huda Beauty Glowish Multidew Skin Tint
"Does anything scream summer more than a sprinkling of freckles over your nose? Because mine only appear in the warmer months I love to show them off, so when it comes to my everyday makeup, I'll only wear very lightweight foundations," says branded content editor Rebecca Rhys-Evans. "I've tried a few over the years and recently landed on Huda Beauty's Glowish Skintint. It's ultra dewy, which works well with my slightly dry skin (whereas others will make dry patches look flaky after an hour or two) and is buildable, meaning I can add more to acne scars for better coverage and my skin still looks even next to areas that I haven't needed to use much at all. My top tip is to opt for a shade darker than the one that best matches your skin so you don't have to wear bronzer to get that summer glow."
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Pros
- Highly blendable
- Blurs texture and pores
- Pump applicator minimises mess
Cons
- Rose oil not suitable for all skin types
5. Best hydrating lightweight foundation: Chanel Les Beige Water-Fresh Complexion Touch Foundation
"I've always liked my makeup on the dewy side, so when I heard about Chanel's latest Les Beiges formulation—its Water-Fresh Complexion Touch Foundation—my interest was piqued. Now, I can't imagine my routine without it," says deputy editor Maxine Eggenberger. "It gives my skin a luminosity without any sparkle; precisely what I look for in any base product. While it might look like a gimmick, the thing that sets the Water-Fresh Complexion Touch Foundation apart is its water content. It is made up of 60% water which gives it an ultra-lightweight finish. The foundation is made up of micro droplets which are discernible in the clear solution and, let me tell you, they may be small, but their radiance is unrivalled. My skin looks flooded with moisture upon application and stays that way until I take it off. A game changer."
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Pros
- A comfortable, flexible foundation that allows skin to breathe
- Natural finish
- Doesn't sit in fine lines or stick to dry patches
Cons
- Could be too lightweight for all users
- More expensive than other brands
6. Best waterproof lightweight foundation: Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation
"Thick, heavy coverage foundations have never been my thing—for everyday wear I much prefer a skin tint or BB cream," says Who What Wear UK beauty contributor Grace Day. "However, when I do want a bit more coverage or a longer-wearing formula, my go-to lightweight foundation is Laura Mercier’s Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation. The texture is like liquid silk, it feels totally weightless and glides beautifully across skin, delivering a really natural finish that keeps skin looking like skin. Although it is a light coverage foundation, it’s easy to build up in thin, sheer layers, and even when I do so, it never feels heavy or mask-like. What’s more, the formula is waterproof and fade-proof for 12 hours, so I always know I can rely on it for all-day occasions or nights out."
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Pros
- Up to 12 hours of wear
- Waterproof
- Oil-controlling
- Improves skin tone and texture
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Large shade range
- Resistant to sweat and humidity
Cons
- Heavier bottle could make transporting it annoying
7. Best lightweight foundation for dry skin: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
"I'm yet to meet an Hourglass product I don't love," says Morgan Fargo, freelance beauty editor and Who What Wear contributor. "This tinted moisturiser is no different. It's a true skin tint (not thick or glooping), imbued with skincare ingredients to support your skin while you wear it. Non-drying, non-irritating, the hyaluronic acid, squalane and meadowfoam seed oil keep my skin feeling bouncy and full, even after a day spent staring at my laptop."
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Pros
- Helps hydrate skin all day long
- Dewy, lightweight glow
- Good shade range
Cons
- Light coverage might not be enough for people used to traditional foundations
Shop more of the best lightweight foundations:
8. Best lightweight foundation with skincare benefits: Kosas Revealer Foundation
A small pump of this creamy foundation goes a long way to deliver a radiant glow and bucketfuls of hydration thanks to the addition of skin-quenching hyaluronic acid, brightening niacinamide, plumping peptides, and squalane to name but a few. It really does help to improve your complexion as you wear it. It works well across all skin types, but it's particularly great if you have dry skin.
Pros
- Dewy, medium-coverage lightweight foundation
- Includes active ingredients to help with skin texture and minimise appearance of large pores
- Contains SPF for UV protection
Cons
- Many shades are frequently out of stock
9. Best dewy lightweight foundation: YSL Beauty Nu Skint Tint
If you want a lightweight foundation that still delivers impressive pigment payoff, then this is a must-try. It provides a veil of coverage that is buildable while imparting the skin with a healthy-looking gleam. This is another lightweight foundation that also comes with plenty of skincare nourishment in the formula too.
Pros
- Bouncy, balmy texture with radiant finish
- Easy to apply
- Make-up/moisturiser hybrid which stops it from clinging to dry patches
- Wear time of up to 12 hours
Cons
- Formula could be too moisture-rich for people with oily skin
10. Best lightweight foundation for all day wear: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
We couldn't not include the iconic foundation in this roundup. Not only is it beloved by beauty editors and makeup artists, but it's often favoured by brides as their wedding day foundation of choice as it photographs beautifully and makes your skin look like your own, but better. It has a radiant finish and can be built up if you require coverage in areas.
Pros
- Wide shade range
- Hydrating and supple on the skin
- Cult foundation, sworn by for years
- Longwear time without growing patchy
- Can be built up to a medium coverage
Cons
- Could feel more medium coverage than sheer to lightweight depending on preference
11. Best blurring lightweight foundation: Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
We applaud Rihanna for her extensive and inclusive shade range in her makeup line, but particularly so for the skin tints, which come in an impressive 25 shades (something that not many brands can boast for the skin tints category). As the formula, it offers lightweight coverage that blurs the skin and it's particularly suited to combination and oily skin types with a velvety satin finish.
Pros
- Can be applied with a brush or fingers
- Blurring effect on the skin
- Transfer-resistant, as well as sweat and humidity-proof
- Wide, inclusive shade range
Cons
- Some reviewers report separation after eight hours
- Might not be appropriate for people with acne-prone skin
12. Best lightweight foundation that doubles as a primer: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
If you're looking for less coverage and more glow, then Charlotte Tilbury's cult Hollywood Flawless Filter is for you. It has a subtle hint of colour that very subtly covers the skin, but the standout factor is the radiance. It's all glow with a capital G. You can wear this alone or use it as a highlighter too.
Pros
- Can be worn as a glow-giving primer or lightweight foundation
- Available in travel size
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Wand that dips into the product could become unhygienic over time
13. Best sheer lightweight foundation: Rose Inc Tinted Serum
Require ultra-lightweight coverage? The foundation droplets in Rose Inc's Tinted Serum are suspended within the serum and melt on contact with the skin to help hydrate and offer radiant coverage. It's ideal for warm weather when you might prefer something very lightweight.
Pros
- Skincare-make-up hybrid
- Sheer, radiant coverage
- Skincare ingredients help to plump and smooth skin
Cons
- Could be too sheer, depending on preference
- Can pill depending on products used before or after
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