The 9 best lightweight foundations of 2025 for a fresh and radiant complexion

Our beauty team's detailed guide to the best lightweight foundations for natural and healthy-looking coverage at all price points

Collage of three of the best foundations featured in this guide from (left to right) MAC, Trinny London and IT Cosmetics, set in vertical boxes against a warm beige watercolour-style background
(Image credit: MAC/Trinny London/IT Cosmetics/Future plc)

The best lightweight foundations strike the balance of a finish that looks just like your skin, but better, with a comfortable and barely-detectable feel. Ideally, they'll also pack in some skincare benefits, such as hydrating ingredients.

With myriad options on the market, choosing the best foundation with a lightweight formula may not seem that easy initially – especially when you take factors like your skin type into account. But one positive to lightweight foundations is that they tend to suit most people’s needs. For those with dry skin, the barely-there texture doesn’t cling to rough patches or settle in lines, but also won't won't overwhelm easily congested skin.

To save you the job of scouring the shelves or mindlessly scrolling the internet to find the top performing buys, we've tested every lightweight foundation we could get our hands on to bring you a reliable, beauty editor-approved guide to the best on the market. Here are our detailed reviews of those that came out on top...

Lightweight foundation deals

Recent updates

These deals are checked daily 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.

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Nude Glow Foundation
Get 25% off now
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Nude Glow Foundation: was £39 now £29.25 at Boots.com

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Nude Glow Foundation currently has 25% off. Its formula is made up of 90% skincare, with 2% niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, green tea extract and SPF 40, which makes for a boost of hydration and a radiant, healthy glow finish.

Pixi H2O SkinTint
Up to 64% off
Pixi H2O SkinTint: was £24 now £8.50 at ASOS (USA)

Save up to a huge 64% on Pixi's H20 SkinTint, a tinted water-based formula designed to even out the skin tone and reveal a healthy glow. Suitable for a variety of skin types, this hydrating tint lasts throughout and is water-resistant.

MAC Studio Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation
Get 25% off now
MAC Studio Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation: was £35 now £26.25 at Boots.com

Save an impressive 25% on MAC's Studio Radiance Face And Body Foundation, which is a cult favourite amongst many. If you're on the hunt for a sheer, lightweight foundation, look no further than this formula which leaves the complexion radiant and with a natural-looking finish.

The best lightweight foundations, reviewed by our experts

How we tested the best lightweight foundations

image of best lightweight foundations ready for testing

A selection of the foundations we tested for this guide

(Image credit: Jess Beech)

In order to write this thorough and comprehensive guide to the best lightweight foundations, we tested and compared an array of products from several different price points to ensure our final list included options for various budget levels – the selection included both high street and high-end options. Each one was worn for at least one full day and our evaluations were based on all of 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.
  • Value for money: 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 this context was carefully considered.

How to choose the best lightweight foundation

When shopping for the best lightweight foundation, there are a few things that are worth considering to ensure your base of choice meets your expectations. Our experts expand on these later in the guide, but the quick list to bear in mind covers the following.

  • Your skin type and needs
  • The key ingredients in the formula and the results they give
  • The texture you prefer
  • Price point

A good candidate for a lightweight foundation is one that allows your skin to peep through, offering a fresh and natural finish. Those without many 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." To find the best foundation for oily skin, Gallagher recommends looking for 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," she adds. "Soothing ingredients like vitamin B5 and E are a bonus as they nourish and protect the skin."

Aside from this, think about finish and texture. "Lightweight foundations can be quite sheer, and 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. There are also lightweight powder foundations that can work better on oily skin types than liquids."

Pecherle 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.".

Lan Nguyen-Grealis
Lan Nguyen-Grealis

Lan is a well-established makeup artist who has worked with big names including Beverly Knight, Paloma Faith and Nicole Scherzinger. She has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and is always keen to test out new products for her kit – especially foundations and bases.

Expert insights from
Rose Gallagher
Expert insights from
Rose Gallagher

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.

Expert insights from
Elanna Pecherle
Expert insights from
Elanna Pecherle

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.

Expert insights from
Expert insights from
Mira Parmar

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.

What are the common ingredients in a lightweight foundation?

When it comes to the formulas of lightweight foundations, they aren’t packed full of pigment like a typical full-coverage base, which means there is more space for extra ingredients. Not only will these enhance the finish of your foundation but also improve the all-round health of your complexion. The ones to look out for are:

  • Antioxidants: Antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, shield skin from free radicals, which are emitted by pollution, UV rays and smoke. Free radicals can damage our 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 kinds of stressors.
  • Hyaluronic acid: This is a kind of ingredient called a humectant, which means it works like a magnet to attract water into the skin and hold it there. Small but mighty, a single molecule of hyaluronic acid can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water.
  • Glycerin: Like hyaluronic acid, this is also 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 experiencing a flare-up.
  • Ceramides: If you picture the outer layer of our skin like a wall, then ceramides are the mortar that helps to hold the cells together. If that mortar isn’t structurally sound, moisture can escape and things like pollution and bacteria can sneak in. Using ceramides in your skincare and makeup will help prevent this from happening, keeping your complexion soft and healthy.
  • SPF: It’s crucial to wear sunscreen year-round, even when it’s gloomy outside. UVA rays, which are responsible for the majority of skin ageing, can penetrate through clouds. We advise using a dedicated sunscreen to ensure your skin is fully protected, but having a little extra in your foundation as a supporting act is never a bad thing.

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."

Beauty balms and colour correctors are other great options for a natural base. "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 continues. "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 depends largely on the formula you opt for. 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 coverage can often work well with a fluffier brush or blended with your fingertips, whilst thicker formulas often benefit from being buffed into the skin to create a flawless finish. If improving your base product's longevity is important, 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 dry skin, but they are often more flattering on fine lines. However, if you're after a truly weightless finish, this can be harder to find in a cream formula.

Meanwhile liquid foundations are great for quick application and have more of a lightweight consistency. Ranging anywhere from velvety matte to fresh and glowy in finish, it’s good to have an idea which one you’re looking for 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,” says Nguyen-Grealis. “These tend to be less matte and more satin or dewy in texture, mimicking the natural look of healthy skin.”

Applying your base with your fingers is fine if you're on the go (or in a hurry in the mornings), 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 brush with relatively spaced-out bristles to help buff your lightweight foundation or tinted moisturiser into your complexion, resulting in an even finish.

Fiona McKim
Beauty Editor, womanandhome.com

As woman&home's Beauty Channel Editor, Fiona Mckim loves to share her 15+ years of industry intel on womanandhome.com and Instagram (@fionamckim if you like hair experiments and cute shih-tzus). After interning at ELLE, Fiona joined woman&home as Assistant Beauty Editor in 2013 under industry legend Jo GB, who taught her to understand ingredients and take a cynical approach to marketing claims. She has since covered every corner of the industry, interviewing dermatologists and celebrities from Davina McCall to Dame Joan Collins, reporting backstage at London Fashion Week and judging the w&h Beauty Awards.

With contributions from