While medium to full-coverage foundations always have their place, the best serum foundations offer versatility, a lightweight, dewy finish (in most cases), and are packed full of skin-boosting ingredients.
Unlike some of the best foundations, which often focus on blurring and masking blemishes, texture and pores, serum foundations toe the line between makeup and skincare. Their hybrid formulas provide lightweight coverage, enhancing the look of your complexion, whilst boasting a blend of skin-loving ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. They're ideal for layering and for those who favour a more minimalistic routine - especially in the warmer months.
So, if you're keen to add a serum foundation to your makeup bag, our beauty team has tested an array of options - from high-street favourites like L'Oreal, to more niche and premium buys - to bring you the best of the best...
The 9 best serum foundations, as tested by our beauty team
A serum foundation can really help to streamline your routine and is the perfect choice for those who prefer more lightweight, natural coverage. As global makeup artist and brand founder Ruby Hammer tells us, "Serum foundations' hybrid formulas cut out the guesswork as they work in synergy for a flawless finish. They are perfect for those that like a simple routine."
So, if you're keen to invest in one, these are the nine best options, from the likes of Clinique, NYX and ILIA, all tested first-hand by our team...
RRP: £14.99 | Key Ingredients: Pure hyaluronic acid | Notable benefits: Non-comedogenic, dermatologically tested, luminous finish | Shades: 9
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy
I’ve been trying to think of a possible reason someone might not like this product, but I just can’t. Apart from the fact it doesn't contain SPF, this is pretty much the perfect base product – and you should apply separate sunscreen anyway, or at least a face moisturiser with SPF. Ultimately, this feels like a proper tinted serum, which basically gives that ‘my skin but better’ look with a juicy plumped complexion and a gorgeous sheer and dewy finish.
The formula contains 1% pure hyaluronic acid, meaning it deeply nourishes the skin for all-day hydration and doesn't leave it feeling patchy or flaky. It managed to cover my imperfections, dark circles, and any redness I had post-morning cleanse, but didn't look like makeup. It's without a doubt the best serum foundation out of the all-star lineup I tried and I really can’t stop raving about its powers.
Reasons to buy: features hydrating hyaluronic acid, offers all-day hydration and a luminous, dewy finish
Reasons to avoid: it doesn't contain SPF
RRP: £7.49 | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | Notable benefits: Suitable for all skin types, free from oil, perfume, alcohol and preservatives | Shades: 16
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy
This was much thicker than expected, but I enjoyed how it was the perfect marriage of a lightweight foundation and a skincare product. Containing effective hydrating heroes, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin E, I knew my skin was being looked after despite the heavier finish. It felt completely weightless, breathable, and performed how a normal foundation would, but with added extra skin-loving ingredients.
For the price, I really don’t see why anyone would question buying this, as it really does tick so many boxes. It covered all my redness, imperfections, and spots and left my skin looking flawless all day long. I will say that if you’re after a lightweight skin tint then this isn’t going to be the best serum foundation for you, as it looks and feels like a foundation, but know that it goes the extra mile with the great skincare base.
Reasons to buy: buildable coverage, 24-hour hydration, cruelty-free and vegan
Reasons to avoid: offers heavier coverage
RRP: £28 | Key ingredients: Marshmallow, glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Notable benefits: Suitable for all skin types, allergy tested, 90% skincare base | Shades: 20
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy
I loved this serum foundation from the moment I put it on my face. So lightweight, dewy, and hydrating, this was one of my absolute favourites and certainly in the top three serum foundations on this list. The unique water-gel texture feels so lovely on the skin as if I wasn’t wearing a makeup base, which is always welcome. It absorbed well and lasted all day long too.
The formula is packed with all the ingredients that thirsty skin drinks up., like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and marshmallow, which works to soothe irritation. The veil of colour suited my skin tone well and gave a smooth, even finish with that gorgeous glow we all crave. This may not work for you if you prefer full coverage to mask spots or imperfections, but it’s ideal for those who want their real skin to show through underneath their foundation.
Reasons to buy: light coverage, feels like you aren't wearing anything and has a nice scent
Reasons to avoid: doesn't cover blemishes
RRP: £48 | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, squalane, non-nano zinc oxide (UVA/UBA protection) | Notable benefits: Mineral SPF protection, extensive colour match, non-comedogenic, suitable for sensitive skin | Shades: 30
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy and Naomi Jamieson
Annie: On the slightly thicker side, this skin tint felt like a foundation and offered one of the most full-coverage formulas out of all the serum foundations I tested. But, despite not being as ‘tint-y’ as I thought it would be, I really loved this.
It's packed with lots of skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide and squalane, and I knew my skin was being well looked after and protected thanks to the SPF30. It also offers a mighty 30 shades in the range, so there’s something for absolutely everyone. The formula sat really well and kept me looking radiant all day long, a real feat after a 10-hour day of meetings and a hefty commute.
Reasons to buy: vegan & cruelty-free, luminous finish and adaptive colour match technology
Reasons to avoid: slight initial odour, and has a higher price point
RRP: £28.90 | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, squalane, aloe vera | Notable benefits: Evens skin tone, restores moisture, fragrance-free, vegan | Shades: 6
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy
This is rarely in stock due to its popularity so I was grateful to get my hands on it to test it out. The silicone-free, non-clogging formula glided onto my skin and managed to cover my post-party weekend dark circles with absolute ease (big win). A little went a really long way and the consistency was perfect for a tinted serum.
At first, the colour looked a little dark, but after a few minutes, it toned down. I would still recommend going a shade lighter than usual, but if you were wearing your best fake tan for your face or prefer a darker shade match, then you’ll be fine. It’s packed with Vitamin C to boost radiance, squalane, and aloe vera for deep, long-lasting hydration, so it packs a punch. I love that it left my skin feeling as if I wasn’t wearing anything all day and it looked plump and healthy too.
Reasons to buy: 99% naturally derived formula, non-clogging and silicone-free
Reasons to avoid: not many shades, and can appear darker on skin
RRP: £39 | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid | Notable benefits: 24-hour wear, 86% skincare formula, waterproof, sweat and humidity resistant | Shades: 42
This 86% skincare-based formula has 42 shades, contains SPF20, is sweat, humidity, and waterproof, as well as being fragrance-free, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. But, how did it actually look on the skin? The results were dewy, radiant, blurred, and healthy-looking. I only needed half a pump to cover my whole face, meaning I'll get a lot of use out of the bottle, which also makes this higher-priced buy better value. It did have the potential to collect in lines a little as the day went on, so might not suit very dry skin. Otherwise, this was a knockout product that I immediately fell in love with. See our full Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation review
Reasons to buy: offers SPF protection, is allergy, dermatologically, and ophthalmologist-tested and has a great shade range
Reasons to avoid: can sit in lines slightly, and might not work for dry skin
RRP: £39 | Key ingredients: 10% hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and jojoba oil | Notable benefits: up to 24 hours of hydration, radiant finish and blurring effect | Shades: 56
Reviewed by: Sennen Prickett
This MAC formula is one of the best lightweight foundations I’ve tried, it truly feels weightless on the skin and doesn’t cling to any dry patches - which is great for those who hate that typical claggy feeling of foundations. It offers a sheer, radiant finish that doesn’t completely hide my blemishes and hyperpigmentation, however it is also buildable enough to reach a medium coverage.
As someone who prioritises skincare, I love the fact that it is powered by an array of skin-loving ingredients. I must say, it might not be best suited for those with oily-prone skin types, as it does boast a very dewy finish.
Reasons to buy: offers a radiant, lightweight finish, up to 24 hours of hydration and has a great shade range
Reasons to avoid: not the best for oily skin
RRP: £27 | Key ingredients: Pea extract, amino acids and peach flower | Notable benefits: Contains a blurring complex for a smooth finish | Shades: 18
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy
When I think of Iconic London, shimmery highlighters, setting sprays, and contouring products come to mind, but I hadn’t actually tried any of their bases before this. After cleaning up the spill, I enjoyed that it was on the thinner side, consistency-wise, as it meant a little went a really long way, and it wasn’t cakey at all.
I also like that there are 18 shades to choose from and managed to pick up the perfect shade for my complexion. Think of this skin tint as more of a blurring filter effect, masking imperfections, pores, and dark circles. It doesn't work to keep skin plump and hydrated, so you will need separate skincare for that. But, if you’re looking for something to blur your base, then this is most definitely the best serum foundation choice for you.
Reasons to buy: buildable coverage, covers imperfections and cruelty-free
Reasons to avoid: better suited to normal or oily skin
RRP: £36.50 Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, green tea extract | Notable benefits: SPF40, 24 hours of hydration, addresses skin concerns | Shades: 22
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy
Combining the benefits of a foundation, a brightening serum, and SPF40 protection in one step, this tint delivers a skin-like finish. It promises 24 hours of hydration and is enriched with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and green tea extract.
On first impressions, this was much more luminous than the original CC cream, but it felt extremely nourishing and as if I wasn't wearing any makeup. The formula covered all my redness, imperfections, and dark circles immediately and created a dewy skin veil that is perfect for the summer months. I will flag that the staying power isn't as good as the original, as it's so hydrating, it has a slight 'slide' factor, so that's worth considering if you're after something durable.
Reasons to buy: 90% skincare formula, visibly improves brightness, skin texture and evenness
Reasons to avoid: Not high coverage, and staying power isn't brilliant
How we tested the best foundation serums
A selection of the serum foundations Annie tested
To make the cut for this list of the best serum foundations, each product has been tested and worn by a member of our beauty team. Our testers tried each one over the course of a couple of days to make sure they had the most well-rounded view and could see the product's longevity and coverage, as well as how it reacts once on the skin. We then assessed the formulas for their skincare benefits as well as shade ranges and also how well the packaging functioned, from transportability to ease of application.
We tried options from a range of brands and price points to ensure that we could recommend products for everyone to enjoy. Most, if not all, of the serum foundation options our team tried also served as some of the best foundations with spf, making them doubly beneficial. The options below were the best of the best, which genuinely impressed me as well as other members of the beauty team.
How to choose the best serum foundation
If you’re looking to make the switch from full coverage bases to a light serum foundation, there are a few aspects to bear in mind:
- Ingredients: It's a good idea to match any foundation formula to your skin type, but especially so with serum foundations as they are designed with ingredients to tackle skincare concerns. Generally, many serum foundations contain light hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, which are good news for every skin type. If it also packs in heavier skincare oils and occlusive ingredients, it'll be a good pick for oily skin, antibacterial ingredients such as witch hazel and mattifying powders work best for oily skin and fragrance-free formulations will suit sensitive types.
- Coverage: Most serum foundations are light with have a fluid consistency, although there is a spectrum, from ultra-sheer to medium-coverage formulas that can be built up. The finish of the coverage is just as important as the level of pigment itself. For example, many formulas are created with light-reflecting particles, which will look juicy and lovely on dry skin but potentially a bit slick on oilier types. Formulas with blurring or mattifying powders will work well on breakout-prone or combination skin, as they can wash over these issues without completely masking them in makeup.
- Shade: Serum foundations tend to come with fewer shade choices than high-coverage foundations because they're more adaptable and sheer, and can generally work on more than one tone. If you are trying to shade match online, look out for digital try-on tools where you can upload photos, shade-matching quizzes that use algorithms, or virtual web chats, which can all help you pick.
Is a serum foundation better than regular foundation?
That depends on what you are looking for, but if you want a hybrid between makeup and skincare then yes, they can be better - especially when it comes to benefits. Most standard foundations have either little or no skincare ingredients and have a primary function of just pure coverage. The best serum foundation options will have added benefits like active skin-replenishing and conditioning ingredients, SPF protection and much more.
Do you need a primer with a serum foundation?
While not crucial, a primer can be worth using before your serum foundation. If you have oily skin, a mattifying or grip-focused primer will ensure that it stays in place for as long as possible. Look out for one that offers staying power rather than skincare benefits, as you'll be getting all that you need from the best serum foundation options.
