If you’ve ever wondered how to achieve the elusive no-makeup makeup look, finding the best lightweight foundation for your skin is a good place to start. A lightweight foundation provides coverage to help even your skin tone without clogging pores, pilling, or looking cakey. Instead, it offers a natural, your-skin-but-better finish that can seamlessly go from day to night without a heavy look or feel. Of course, the right weightless foundation for you depends on your skin type and desired finish. Below, we’ve compiled a variety of great options, including foundations with light and full coverage finishes, plus picks that boost glow and others that mattify shine. IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40 The IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40 combines the powers of makeup and skincare to deliver a radiant finish that actively boosts skin health. It has medium yet buildable coverage that disguises dark spots and blemishes, plus glow-boosting properties thanks to powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid and green tea extract. Best of all, it’s equipped with SPF 40 for impressive sun protection. Maybelline New York Super Stay Lumi-Matte Foundation Makeup Mattifying foundations and lightweight coverage typically don’t go hand-in-hand—unless we’re talking about the Maybelline New York Super Stay Lumi-Matte Foundation Makeup. This option has buildable coverage with a breathable feel; it mattifies oil and provides long-lasting results without a cakey finish. It’s also infused with amino acids to provide some luminosity without a greasy texture. Lancôme Skin Idole 3 Serum Supertint Skin Tint A serum formula is always in the running for the best lightweight foundation. The Lancôme Skin Idole 3 Serum Supertint Skin Tint has light coverage that helps even your skin tone, all while looking natural. Its liquidy formula is plenty buildable, meaning you can apply more for fuller coverage or less for an ultra-undetectable finish. Plus, it uses hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, niacinamide, and more skincare ingredients to provide radiance, boost hydration, and protect your skin barrier. L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glow Skin Tint Similarly, the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glow Skin Tint gives the skin a lightweight wash of coverage for a natural, radiant finish. This option has a water-based formula infused with hydrating serum that melts into the skin with a weightless feel. It’s also made with blurring pigments for light but buildable coverage, along with reactive pearls that leave skin looking dewy. Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Natural Glow Foundation The Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Natural Glow Foundation is renowned for its barely-there feel that somehow manages to provide coverage and glow. It has a medium coverage formula that blurs pores, hides blemishes, and neutralizes uneven patches of skin for up to 24 hours. Beyond that, its skincare-based formula gives your complexion a more hydrated and brighter appearance for compliment-inducing luminosity. Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation As its name suggests, Urban Decay’s Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation prides itself on being lightweight. This liquid foundation has a buildable formula that minimizes the appearance of pores, subtly mattifying the skin without drying it out. Its flexible formula is designed to withstand a variety of occurrences; it’s both transfer-resistant and waterproof, making it a great option for all-day wear. YSL Beauty Nu Bare Look Skin Tint The YSL Beauty Nu Bare Look Skin Tint uses hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and give it a fresh, dewy appearance. Its lightweight formula has buildable coverage that you can amp up or down depending on your desired finish. It also has a water-cream texture that applies similarly to a moisturizer, making it easy to blend into the skin with your fingers. NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Glaze Soft Glow Skin Tint SPF 30 Believe it or not, a glazed donut is the source of inspiration for many a lightweight foundation. Case in point: The NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Glaze Soft Glow Skin Tint SPF 30, a flexible foundation that makes the skin look super dewy. Its 93% skincare formula treats your complexion to plenty of nourishing, hydrating, and sun-protecting benefits, all while giving it natural-looking coverage. Valentino Beauty Very Valentino 24 Hour Wear Liquid Foundation Valentino Beauty’s Very Valentino 24 Hour Wear Liquid Foundation has a lightweight texture that’s designed for long-lasting wear. It has a satiny, semi-matte finish that’s buildable and breathable, making it an ideal secret weapon in a makeup collection. The foundation also has SPF 26 for added sun protection. Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint The Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint is formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to nourish the skin as it provides light coverage. According to the brand, this foundation should be shaken before use, and is best applied over skincare. It can also be layered to build coverage, or left to one coat for a radiant skin-like look. Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick Yes, stick foundations can also have a weightless look and feel. The Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick is made with fatty acids that give it a creamy texture that’s easy to blend into the skin. Plus, its rich formula helps to lock in moisture once applied, per the brand. It’s a versatile pick that can function as both a foundation and a concealer. e.l.f Halo Glow Powder Filter The same goes for powder foundations—the e.l.f Halo Glow Powder Filter has an ultra-fine formula that’s lightweight but effective. It’s an ultra-fine pressed powder that, once dusted on, subtly evens your skin tone, blurs pores, and absorbs oil, according to the brand. It can be worn solo or over liquid foundations to lock-in coverage, mattify shine, and retouch makeup throughout the day. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is lightweight foundation? A lightweight foundation provides a wash of coverage to the skin without a heavy look or feel. Instead of a cakey finish, it evens the skin tone, hides blemishes, and minimizes the appearance of pores for a your-skin-but-better look. What are the benefits of using a lightweight foundation? Lightweight foundations allow the skin to breathe, so your complexion won’t look or feel weighed down by a greasy or cakey product. Instead, they offer a natural look that can be layered over skincare, which is great for everyday wear. Many lightweight foundations are also non-comedogenic, which means they won’t clog pores and lead to acne or enhanced skin texture. What skin types are best suited for lightweight foundation? Oily Skin: Lightweight foundations usually have non-comedogenic, oil-free formulas that don’t clog pores, which can improve skin health and texture. Plus, there are many options that can mattify oil without a cakey finish. Dry Skin: Lightweight serum foundations and skin tints are excellent options for people with dry skin because they have hydrating formulas that lock in moisture and leave the skin looking radiant. Combination Skin: There are tons of lightweight foundations that have buildable, malleable formulas to cater to combination skin types. These options can nourish the skin without adding oil or an overly dewy finish. Sensitive Skin: Skincare-infused foundations that are fragrance-free and formulated without parabens and other irritants are gentle on sensitive skin. Plus, their weightless feel won’t clog pores or highlight irritated areas of the skin. How do I apply lightweight foundation? The finish of a lightweight foundation can depend on your applicator. If you’re looking for a super natural, skin-like finish, use your fingers or a makeup sponge to keep coverage sheer and dewy. If you prefer a full-coverage look, use a brush to buff foundation onto your skin without the need for a ton of product. Foundations always apply better when they have a base to cling to. A moisturizer, sunscreen, or primer can prep the skin for makeup and help your foundation to last longer throughout the day. Lightweight foundations typically have buildable coverage, which means you can apply a small amount for a skin-like look or add more for fuller coverage. Applying more foundation is best done with a makeup sponge or fingers, which better disperse the product onto the skin without a streaky look (which can occur with multiple brush applications). Set your makeup with a powder or spray to lock in coverage. If you want a matte finish, a powder is a great tool to absorb excess oil over a lightweight foundation, while a setting spray can add a boost of radiance for drier complexions. Next Up: Should You Apply Foundation With a Brush or Sponge?
