The 9 best lightweight foundations our beauty team swears by for a fresh, hydrated and even base
We've tested hundreds of formulas, but these are the formulas our beauty team loves for radiant and natural-looking skin
You may have assumed that you usually need a heavier foundation to create an even base and disguise fine lines, redness or hyperpigmentation. But you shouldn't underestimate the best lightweight foundations; these high-performing formulas will leave your complexion looking like your skin on its best day, with a comfortable, weightless feel and a healthy finish to boot.
As we creep towards winter and colder, drier weather (hint: more time indoors with the heating on) it's a great time to trade your best full coverage foundation in for a lightweight base with skin benefits. These barely-detectable formulas are specifically designed to even the skin tone and deliver an enviable glow, without feeling heavy or cakey. They're often crammed with hydrating ingredients, which also means they won't cling to rough patches of dry skin or settle in fine lines.
OK, we've convinced you that lightweight bases are brilliant, but you may not be sure which one is best for you. Which is why our team of beauty experts got testing, trialling over 100 formulas to create this detailed guide to only the very best lightweight foundations on the market – with options to suit different budgets and preferences. But first, here are some discounts on their top picks...
Lightweight foundation deals
These deals were last checked on 07/10/26 and we will continue to do so to ensure that all of the products below are still in stock, still discounted and, most importantly, are the very best deals around at the moment.
The best lightweight foundations, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £49 | Shades: 37 | SPF: No| Finish: Satin and luminous
Tested by: Fiona McKim
You only have to look at Clarins' latest launch to see how skincare-packed it is. One third of the bottle is the brand's famous, peptide-packed Double Serum, which automatically mixes into the pigment in the other chamber as you pump it out.
Our tester, beauty editor Fiona McKim, enjoyed the way these two elements combined to create a satiny, medium-cover base that feels comfortable, but has enough coverage to wash over redness, veins and pigmentation.
"Despite its skincare-based formula and weightless feel, this is not a tinted moisturiser or super-sheer skin tint – it's definitely a grown-up foundation that gets the job done and lasts all day," she says. "The inclusion of hyaluronic acid ensures it plumps lines, and I loved the addition of luminous particles for a soft-focus (but not sparkly) finish."
Pros
- Comfortable wear
- Quite full coverage
- Good shade range
Cons
- Fragrance won't suit everyone
RRP: £36.50 | Shades: 22 | SPF: Yes | Finish: Dewy and glowy
Tested by: Aleesha Badkar, Jess Beech
With niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and green tea extract, as well as SPF40 for protection against UVB rays, this foundation is lighter and thinner than the original CC – meaning less coverage for things like hyperpigmentation and breakouts.
It therefore doesn't have quite enough coverage to cover a spot, for example, but our tester, Jess Beech, found it worked well at neutralising unwanted discoloration, such as purple rings around your eyes and redness. The brightening benefits are also impressive, delivering plenty of glow.
"I tested the shade Light, which initially looked way too dark on the back of my hand", says tester Jess. "Somehow, though, when I did apply it to my face, it blended seamlessly without making me look even a little bit tangoed." There are 22 shades to choose from, but only seven are for deeper skin tones, so this could do with being bumped up.
Pros
- Blends easily with a nice glow
- Lightweight packaging
- Added benefit of SPF 40
Cons
- Shade range is limited, especially for darker skin tones
RRP: £24 | Shades: 18 | SPF: No | Finish: Natural
Tested by: Annie Milroy and Amelia Yeomans
Pixi H2O Skin Tint is ideal for those who want their base to feel truly weightless. It glides on with ease and blends out with minimal effort. You can use your fingers to apply it and you hardly need any product to cover your whole face.
For those with dry skin, this won't cling to any rough patches or blemishes and will instead hydrate and provide a natural glow. Despite its thin texture, our tester Amelia Yeomans found it yields enough coverage to conceal low-level redness or small spots without feeling the need for a heavy concealer over the top.
"It didn't move around throughout the day, and it layered beautifully with my best bronzers and blush," she says. "I've used the Pixi SkinTint for over a year, and it's my go-to for a featherlight base that looks just as good at the end of the day as it does when first applied."
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Doesn't migrate through the day
- Great for dry skin
Cons
- Quite a thin consistency
RRP: £35 | Shades: 30 | SPF: No | Finish: Radiant
Tested by: Kelle Salle, Fiona McKim
The main reason MAC Studio Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation is in most makeup artists' kits is because this sheer, buildable, long-wearing, yet light and fresh-looking base is unbelievably versatile.
Beauty editor Fiona says: "I found that this worked just as beautifully rubbed hastily into a bare face as it did when buffed into my skin in careful layers to create a more polished face of makeup. It's just as at home on limbs as on cheeks, never transfers and resists a rain shower with ease, making it one of the best waterproof foundations."
She continues: "The light, squeezy bottle is as convenient as they come, with a slim, dropper-like top that makes light work of applying the formula, which is water-light and very spreadable. The shade range is pretty extensive, too. Overall, I think there are very few people who won't love this foundation, thanks to its versatility."
Pros
- Adds a hydrating wash of coverage
- Very easy to blend and build
- Good shade range
Cons
- Starts off quite sheer; doesn't cover much with one application
RRP: £39 | Shades: 20 | SPF: 30 | Finish: radiant
Tested by: Fiona Mckim
BareMinerals' tinted moisturiser is a longstanding classic. Our tester Fiona says: "This is a gorgeous product that I've used on and off for years, and – as the name suggests – it really does come to the aid of skin that's dull, lacklustre or in need of a bit of perking up.
"The coverage is on the sheer side, so I'd class this more towards a skin tint than full-blown foundation, but there's enough pigment there to glaze over and even out the skin pretty well, and the addition of SPF 30 is a nice touch," she continues.
"The two things that keep me coming back to this are its fresh, gel-like texture – which is particularly nice on combination skin and can be applied easily with fingers, and the radiant finish." All in all? "This formula makes my skin sing on dull or dreary days."
Pros
- Refreshing gel texture
- Radiant, glowy finish
Cons
- May be too glowy for oilier skin
RRP: £39 | Shades: 12 | SPF: No | Finish: Fresh, glowing
Tested by: Fiona McKim and Jess Beech
Created to make our complexions look happy, content and wide awake (even if the reality is very different), Trinny London's tinted serum is powered by hyaluronic acid, a hero hydrator that you’re probably already familiar with, and NP-TriOX complex, a plant-based ingredient proven to minimise the impact of stress on our skin.
The formula looks fairly opaque on the brush, but can be sheered out by using less of it, or built up to achieve medium coverage. But regardless of how little or how much you apply, we found that it doesn’t tend to settle into fine lines.
"This is the one base that my mum and I are both obsessed with," says woman&home beauty editor Jess Beech. "I'm noticing fine lines cropping up around my eyes and on my forehead, so I'm a fan of anything that makes them less noticeable. Since testing this, Mum has completely ditched all her other foundations, and I think her skin has never looked dewier."
Pros
- Skincare-first formula
- Dewy and hydrating
- Nice, lightweight coverage
Cons
- Likely too dewy for oily skin
RRP: £52 | Shades: 18 | SPF: No | Finish: Glowing
Tested by: Naomi Jamieson and Fiona McKim
Made with 86% skincare ingredients, including floral extracts like hibiscus and iris, this luxe Dior formula creates a fresh, dewy finish. It's a little thicker than some of the other picks on this list, but it blends out nicely with a firm brush and quickly sets with no streaks, no dragging and definitely no tell-tale tidemarks.
"This foundation makes skin look great, while still looking and feeling like skin," says tester Fiona. "It manages to combine radiance and a lightweight feel with true lasting power, although it doesn't mattify particularly oily areas (want something that will? Our Dior Forever Matte foundation review will be worth a read). This also didn't transfer onto a white collar while testing, which is a plus.
"A final note is that it's fragranced, which may not suit everyone, especially those with sensitive or reactive skin," she concludes. "But being a Dior foundation, it's a quietly luxurious scent that you'll probably love."
Pros
- Skincare-first formula
- Juicy-looking finish
- Long lasting
Cons
- Rather expensive
- Fragrance won't suit everyone
RRP: £58 | Shades: 17 | SPF: No | Finish: Satin
Tested by: Fiona Mckim
If you haven't heard the name Trish McEvoy, please allow us to introduce you; this brand is beloved in the beauty industry for its tightly curated range of brilliant, hardworking makeup.
This foundation is a worthy inclusion in this guide as it contains plumping hyaluronic acid, offers buildable coverage and has a soft matte finish that works well for daytime but is also polished enough for evening.
"I didn't expect to love this quite as much as I did," admits Fiona. "The bottle is quite unassuming, but the makeup artist-created formula is beautiful. Creamy yet lightweight, it blends exceptionally well without looking streaky; I apply mine with a damp beauty sponge for a radiant, light finish. It doesn't sink into the lines around my eyes and lasts nicely from 7am application until 9pm cleanse on working days."
Pros
- Very long-lasting
- Versatile
- Works for any occasion
Cons
- Rather expensive
RRP: £39.50 | Shades: 20 | SPF: No | Finish: Soft matte
Tested by: Aleesha Badkar
Even the best powder foundation doesn't usually make the greatest choice for a lightweight base. But this finely-milled option is designed to be a one-stop shop.
Our tester, Aleesha Badkar, says: "With medium coverage, it buffs straight into skin, covering up dark spots and hyperpigmentation. I found that it didn't sink into lines at all and was easy to apply with the soft sponge provided, allowing for precision.
"I usually prefer my foundations to be a little more glowy; however, this wore throughout the day into a nice sheer, almost dewy finish, while still softening any shine that came up – meaning I didn't have to use a finishing powder. A quick and easy lightweight foundation for when I only want to carry around one product."
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Portable
- Doesn't settle into fine lines
Cons
- Not as glowy as some other formulations
🚨 Also consider
We tested dozens of lightweight foundations for this guide and, while the above are the nine best of the best formulations, there are a few others we felt we had to mention...
- Jones Road Just Enough Tinted Moisturiser: From makeup maestro Bobbi Brown's cult brand, this lightweight and very hydrating base offers – as the name suggests – a perfect wash of colour that still looks incredibly natural. As the coverage is extremely light, it's great for (almost) makeup-free days, and our beauty editor, Fiona McKim is a big fan.
- Merit The Uniform Tinted Sunsreen: Our whole beauty team tried this base for our Merit The Uniform team review. Though we felt it doesn't have quite enough coverage to truly be classed as foundation, this SPF 50 with a hint of pigment looks beautiful on the skin while providing some sun protection, so is an excellent option for summer days or holidays.
- Givenchy Prism Libre Foundation: As our beauty editor's column on this luxe buy succinctly puts it, "this stuff is next level." It's packed with skincare such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides, has light to medium coverage that builds almost indefinitely, and feels incredibly comfortable. The only thing keeping it from the main edit is that we think more shades could be offered for deeper skin tones.
How we tested the best lightweight foundations
A selection of the foundations we tested for this guide
To ensure our guide to the best lightweight foundations only included the top performers on the market, we tested and compared a broad range at differing price points; our final selection included both high street and high-end options to ensure that various budget levels could find something to suit them.
Each contender was worn for at least one full day and, where possible, tested by more than one member of our team to see how it performed on different complexions. Our final evaluations were based on the following factors.
- Texture: Most importantly these products had to have a lightweight feel – undetectable and comfortable on the skin.
- Finish: From sheer to soft matte, we assessed how the finish looked both initially and with time.
- Ingredients: Each foundation in this guide has had its ingredient list thoroughly scrutinised, with skincare actives and base liquids assessed (as this will differ hugely between the best serum foundations vs a traditional foundation vs CC cream, for example).
- How it wore through the day: Each product was applied to the face and worn for at least a day, often several, to see how it developed with wear.
- Packaging: Ease of application also extended to the user experience, dispensation and portability.
- Price: Finally, we paid close attention how the product performed in line with its price tag. We know that comparing a £60 foundation with one that costs £9.99 isn’t apples for apples, so the value for money was carefully considered.
How to choose the best lightweight foundation
While shopping for the best lightweight foundation, there are a few things worth considering to ensure your chosen base meets your expectations and needs. Our experts expand on these later in the guide, but here's a quick list to bear in mind.
- Your skin type and needs
- Key ingredients and the results they give
- Your preferred texture
- Price point
A good candidate for a lightweight foundation will allow your skin to peep through. Those without many other concerns, "Can have their pick of lightweight foundations," says pro makeup artist Rose Gallagher. "Those who want glow can look for a skincare base, or for something more skin-like, opt for an oil-free formula." For the best foundation for oily skin, Gallagher recommends balancing ingredients, such as niacinamide, clay or charcoal.
Sensitive or dry skin types should “Look for formulas that include ceramides, squalane and hyaluronic acid to ease the dryness," Rose adds. "Soothing ingredients like vitamin B5 and E are a bonus as they nourish and protect the skin."
Then, think about finish and texture. "Lightweight foundations can be quite sheer, so if you want more coverage you might have to use another layer or a little concealer on top," adds Elanna Pecherle, makeup artist and founder of Pearl Beauty. "Choosing a foundation that is either buildable or pairs well with other liquid products on top is key. Lightweight powder foundations can work better on oily skin types than liquids."
She continues: "Lightweight foundations will usually have water at the top of the ingredient list, as well as water-soluble actives like hyaluronic acid, peptides and fermented extracts that are highly compatible with the skin. These formulas absorb easily and enhance the skin-like feel.".
What are the common ingredients in a lightweight foundation?
When it comes to formulas, lightweight foundations aren’t packed with pigment like a typical full-coverage base, meaning there is more space for skincare ingredients. Not only will they enhance its finish, they can support your skin's condition. The ones to look out for are:
- Antioxidants: Including vitamins C and E, these shield skin from free radicals, emitted by pollution, UV rays and smoke. Free radicals can damage healthy cells, accelerating the look of fine lines and hyperpigmentation. Antioxidants do their best work during the day when our skin is most exposed to these stressors.
- Hyaluronic acid: Is a humectant, which means it works like a magnet to attract water into the skin and keep it there. Small but mighty, a single molecule of hyaluronic acid can hold several times its own weight in water.
- Glycerin: Like hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which makes it another brilliant ingredient for preventing dehydration so that skin looks plump and dewy rather than dull and tight.
- Aloe vera: A lovely, calming ingredient that's great for soothing dry or sensitive skin.
- Ceramides: A bit like the mortar that helps to hold our skin cells together. Moisture can escape through gaps, allowing things like pollution and bacteria can sneak in. Ceramides help to fill these gaps and fortify the skin barrier, keeping your complexion soft and healthy.
- SPF: While UV levels are highest in summer, it’s crucial to wear sunscreen year-round, even on gloomy days. UVA rays, responsible for the majority of skin ageing, penetrate clouds. We advise using a dedicated sunscreen to ensure your skin is fully protected, but having a little extra in your foundation helps to support this protection.
Which types of foundation are the most natural looking?
"The most natural foundation finishes are soft, lightweight and breathable formulas, giving you just enough coverage," says makeup artist Mira Parmar. "The perfect natural-looking formulas are sheer tints which provide a hint of colour whilst evening out skin tone. Tinted moisturisers are heavier but still lightweight and tend to be dewy and fresh."
Other lightweight bases are great for this, too. "BB creams also provide skin benefits like blemish control, and CC creams are 2-in-1 makeup and skincare, so work to neutralise and colour correct the skin," Mira adds. "Some light formulations are dewy and radiant and some are matte, so which you choose will depend on your preference."
What's the best way to apply lightweight foundation?
This largely depends on the formula. Compared to other base products, lightweight foundations also make for a simpler application, Lan Nguyen-Grealis says: “They tend to be quick and easy to apply, often just with your fingers, and don’t require extensive blending or layering – which will save time in your makeup routine.”
As a general starting point, a light and buildable formula often works well with a fluffier brush or blended with your fingertips, while thicker formulas often benefit from being buffed into the skin with a denser brush for a flawless finish. If long-wear is your priority, applying one of the best primers with gripping properties beforehand will help to lock your foundation down.
Which is better, cream or liquid foundation?
Those with dry and/or mature skin may benefit from a cream formula, as they are often slightly richer in consistency and more hydrating. Not only do they hydrate drier skin, but they are often more flattering on fine lines, skimming over them rather than settling in. A truly weightless finish, this can be harder to find in a cream formula, however.
Meanwhile liquid foundations are ideal for quick application, usually with a more lightweight consistency. Ranging anywhere from velvety matte to fresh and glowy in finish, it’s good to have an idea of your preference before you start shopping. If you want to manage a particular skin concern – such as oiliness – but also want something lightweight and undetectable, liquids tick both boxes.
Which type of foundation is best for a no-makeup-makeup look?
"No-makeup" looks actually require a fair bit of effort, even if you want the result to look like you barely made any. The right foundation is important here, as you want your skin to still look like skin. “I’d recommend a tinted foundation or a tinted moisturiser as they’re sheer with light coverage, which allows your natural skin to show through without looking cakey," Nguyen-Grealis advises. “These tend to be less matte and more satin or dewy in texture, mimicking the natural look of healthy skin.”
Finger application is fine if you're on the go (or in a hurry), but make sure to warm your hands first and press the product into your skin to maximise its staying powder. However, ideally, you'll opt for a slightly fluffy brush to help buff in your lightweight foundation or tinted moisturiser, leaving you with an even finish.
Our expert panel
Professional makeup artist Rose has grown a huge online following over the years thanks to her easy-to-follow tutorials as well as her honesty and practical advice. Rose is candid about her rosacea, a condition that causes skin to appear red and feel both dry and uncomfortable. This makes her a reliable source for helping you find a lightweight foundation that provides plenty of coverage and doesn't irritate the skin.
With more than a decade of experience in the beauty industry, makeup artist Elanna noticed a need for more minimal product offerings, which inspired her to launch her own brand, called Pearl Beauty. Her chosen look is glowing, natural-looking skin, making her a font of knowledge surrounding lightweight foundations.
Mira Parmar is a London-based professional makeup artist and hair stylist whose work has taken her all over the world. Having worked with several celebrities and on many shoots over the years, she knows what makes a great lightweight foundation – both on and off camera.
Lan Nguyen-Grealis is an award-winning makeup artist whose celebrity clients have included Paloma Faith, Jameela Jamil and Raye, and is the author of two makeup books.
