Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
The best serum foundations hover somewhere between barely-there skin tints and traditional bases—ideal if you want coverage that evens things out without masking your skin, especially if heavier formulas tend to feel like too much. What sets them apart isn’t just the silky texture; it’s what’s inside. These formulas tend to be packed with ingredients you’d normally find in your skin-care routine, like hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide to even tone, and peptides or antioxidants to support smoother, more balanced-looking skin over time.
“Serum foundation is very similar to a skin tint, but it has a little more coverage,” says New York City-based makeup artist Andrea Samuels. “It’s designed to give you a seamless look and enhance the skin not just visually but internally.” In other words, you’re getting that fresh, second-skin finish, but with ingredients that help your skin look better even after you wash it off. They’re also forgiving: easy to blend with fingers on rushed mornings, but just as polished with a brush or sponge.
Our Top Serum Foundations
- Best Overall: Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops, $110
- Best for Oily Skin: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint, $72
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation, $56
- Best for Dry Skin: m.ph by Mary Phillips Le Skin, $49
- Best Long-Wearing: Dior Forever Skin Glow, $60
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How are serum foundations different from skin tints?
- How do you apply serum foundations?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops
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Victoria Beckham
The Foundation Drops
Nordstrom
Bluemercury
Victoria Beckham
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops
Shanna Shipin
Why it's worth it: Everyone knows the real flex with foundation is when someone compliments your skin instead of your makeup. If that’s the goal, Victoria Beckham’s Beauty Foundation Drops make a strong case: a featherweight serum-foundation hybrid that melts in seamlessly and lets your natural glow do most of the talking. “It’s one of those formulas where a little truly goes a long way,” says Tonya Riner, a makeup artist based in Houston. “It catches the light beautifully without feeling like you are wearing much of anything.”
But the real reason we keep coming back to it—and ultimately crowned it our favorite serum foundation—is the skin-care side of things. The star ingredient is TFC8, which is the same proprietary complex developed by Augustinus Bader that supports skin renewal. You’ve also got echinacea to firm and smooth skin, while glycerin and jojoba oil keep everything hydrated and comfortably bouncy. In other words? This formula is a dream for dry skin.
Shipin before applying the Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying the Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“This formula is an absolute dream for my dry skin, fine lines, and hormonal acne. It smooths, blurs, and provides enough coverage that you look like you've applied the Paris filter to your face while wearing nothing at all. It's the opposite of cakey, and doesn't crease—even in my deeper forehead lines. These foundation drops are supremely lightweight, have a familiar scent (much like Ilia's Super Serum Skin Tint, presumably thanks to the mineral ingredients), and while they're pricey compared to my usual products that are half the price, a little goes a long way. The formula floods the skin with even coverage and dries down to a healthy, hydrated glow.
On top of that, as I age (rapidly, thanks to two kids with apparently no need for sleep), I love that there's some Augustinus Bader-powered skin care infused in the product. Am I expecting it to work like SkinCeuticals' P-Tiox? No, but I love that it's oriented like skin care, rather than detracting from my routine. It's non-comedogenic, which is so important to me in tints and foundations, since my skin is so prone to breakouts. One thing to note: Like many foundations, the color may appear a little strong at first, but it dries down to a beautiful, natural finish. I'm a perfect match for Medium, which has lovely golden undertones.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: TFC8, olive leaf extract, jojoba oil, echinacea, glycerin
- Coverage: light to medium
- Shades: 19
Best for Sensitive Skin: Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation
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Ilia
True Skin Serum Foundation
Ilia
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: If you closed your eyes and didn’t know what beauty product you were applying, you might guess this was a moisturizer. Samuels puts it best: “Ilia’s True Skin Foundation is so lightweight and thin, it blends in as quickly as a lotion.” And yet, it still manages to even things out in that low-effort, your-skin-but-better way. It’s especially kind to sensitive skin, thanks to calming aloe, allantoin, and bisabolol, plus niacinamide and gluconolactone (a gentle polyhydroxy acid) to smooth skin while providing coverage. Glycerin, squalane, and jojoba oil keep things nice and hydrated—so when experts say it wears like a lotion, we’re convinced.
Lee before applying the Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“I’ll admit, I picked the wrong shade at first (I’m bad at that), but because it’s a serum foundation with lighter pigment, it ended up blending in surprisingly well. The texture is silky and easy to work with, and there’s none of that obvious demarcation at the jaw you can get with fuller-coverage formulas. It’s so lightweight I barely noticed I was wearing it by the end of the day and almost (almost!) slept in it.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aloe, allantoin, bisabolol, niacinamide, gluconolactone, glycerin, squalane, jojoba oil
- Coverage: medium
- Shades: 30
Best for Oily Skin: Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
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Chanel
Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
Chanel
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
Sarah Felbin
Why it's worth it: If you have oily skin, you know the tricky balance: Anything too full-coverage can turn cakey fast, but anything too dewy can feel like it’s sliding off a few hours later. Chanel’s Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint hits that in-between with a mostly water-based formula featuring lightweight hydrators like glycerin that keep skin comfortable without getting greasy.
The formula suspends tiny pigment spheres that burst as you blend, creating a sheer, even finish that flexes across a range of skin tones (despite just having eight shades). “The texture alone is an experience; it leaves you with this fresh, luminous finish that feels effortless but elevated,” says Atlanta-based makeup artist Magen Grays. Or, as she puts it: “If a foundation could give you luxurious skin, this would be it.”
Felbin before applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“For a light layer of coverage on weekends or work-from-home days, I'm reaching for this tint. Once you pop the droplets of color inside the clear gel, you're left with a thin, hydrating tint that covers just enough redness and discoloration. (The mixing process is also super-satisfying.) It plays well with my other makeup and never pills on me. And it lasts—I have a pretty oily T-zone, but once I set this with a little powder, I'm good for the whole day.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aloe, allantoin, bisabolol, niacinamide, gluconolactone, glycerin, squalane, jojoba oil
- Coverage: light to medium
- Shades: 8
Best for Dry Skin: m.ph by Mary Phillips Le Skin
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m.ph by Mary Phillips
Le Skin
Sephora
m.ph Beauty
Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the m.ph by Mary Phillips Le Skin
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why it's worth it: When Mary Phillips—the artist behind some of the most enviable, “clean-girl” glam in Hollywood (think Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Kaia Gerber)—launches a foundation, expectations are…not low. M.ph by Mary Phillips’ Le Skin is a “new foundation favorite with an extra moisturizing texture and silky finish,” says Samuels. The formula is especially kind to skin that craves a little bounce: Two percent niacinamide smooths and evens tone over time, while hyaluronic acid draws in hydration for a plump, healthy-looking finish. It wears like skin—and looks like it, too—thanks in part to a thoughtful shade range, developed and tested in partnership with the Black Beauty Roster (a collective that connects Black hair and makeup artists with brands) to make sure shade ranges are inclusive.
Calaor before applying the m.ph by Mary Phillips Le Skin
Jesa Marie Calaor
Calaor after applying the m.ph by Mary Phillips Le Skin
Jesa Marie Calaor
Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“People have told me that my skin looks amazing on days I wear this, going as far as to ask me what skin care I use and treatments I do. (Those folks didn't see the shadowing under my eyes and redness around my nose and cheeks I had before I started my makeup routine. )The lightweight formula goes on to even out my complexion, creating a natural finish that's neither too dewy nor matte. It's not overly glowy either, which can be a big tell that you're wearing complexion makeup.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 2% niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Coverage: medium
- Shades: 35
Best Buildable: Sweed Glass Skin Foundation
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Sweed
Glass Skin Foundation
Amazon
Nordstrom
Revolve
Allure social media director Kassidy Silva applying the Sweed Glass Skin Foundation
Kassidy Silva
Why it's worth it: If you thought glass skin stopped at your sunscreen, Sweed’s Glass Skin Foundation keeps that radiant look going with your makeup look. What makes it unique are the marine-inspired extras: seawater (maris aqua) and hydrolyzed algin (derived from brown seaweed), paired with sucrose to help support hydration and keep skin feeling comfortably smooth throughout the day. Vitamin E adds a layer of antioxidant support, rounding things out. And compared to others on this list, it offers solid medium coverage, but is still buildable, so you can keep things sheer or dial it up where you need it.
Silva before applying the Sweed Glass Skin Foundation
Kassidy Silva
Silva after applying the Sweed Glass Skin Foundation
Kassidy Silva
Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva
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“During the winter, my foundation can get very patchy due to my dry skin. The Sweed Glass Skin Foundation keeps my glow without any rough spots coming out during the day. It's incredibly light and I only need a quarter-sized amount on the back of my hand for a full face.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: vitamin E, seaweed extract, sucrose, seawater
- Coverage: medium, buildable
- Shades: 15
Best for Mature Skin: Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
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Pat McGrath Labs
Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure content director Sophia Panych applying the Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
Sophia Panych
Why it's worth it: We’re no strangers to Pat McGrath’s wizardry—she is, after all, “Mother.” From backstage at fashion week to red carpets, she’s built a reputation on skin that looks otherworldly but never overdone, and Pat McGrath Labs’ Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation offers exactly that. The weightless formula melts into skin and stays put for up to 12 hours without settling into fine lines. The secret behind the 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner lies in its proprietary Vita-Serum Complex, which boosts hydration by supporting your skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Diamond Core Powder (we wouldn’t expect anything less from the artist known for working with unexpected materials) adds a brightening, lit-from-within finish. “The quality is lightweight yet impactful; it’s oil-free, and the shade range is 10/10,” says Samuels. “Skin looks radiant and healthy under any lighting.”
Panych before applying the Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
Sophia Panych
Panych after applying the Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
Sophia Panych
Tester feedback from content director Sophia Panych
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“This is a foundation for people who dislike foundation. It's lightweight both in texture and in coverage—one thin layer is a little more pigmented than a tinted moisturizer. But the magic is in the fact that the more you layer, the formula transforms into a medium-coverage foundation that gives you a flawless base that still has the reflectivity and bounciness of real skin. I love the flexibility it gives me (it's like having multiple base products in one glass bottle), and I love that while it feels hydrating and has a bit of dew, it doesn't make your skin look shiny. It's also one of the only foundations that has a shade that matches my skin nearly exactly. I'm Light 6, and it's the perfect neutral tone that doesn't skew too tan or too chalky on me.” —Sophia Panych, content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Vita-Serum Complex, Diamond Core Powder
- Coverage: medium, buildable
- Shades: 36
Best Long-Wearing: Dior Forever Skin Glow
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Dior
Forever Skin Glow
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Dior Forever Skin Glow
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: Making a foundation long-wearing is pretty formulaic for the most part—add film-forming polymers, silicones, pigments that resist oil and sweat…done. The harder part is getting that same staying power in a liquid-y, serum-like formula that still looks like skin at hour ten. Dior's Forever Skin Glow is up to the challenge with an ultra-thin, fluid texture that melts in like a skin-care treatment but holds up like a traditional, long-wearing base, resisting heat and humidity. The up-to-24-hour coverage is buildable (medium to full) with that soft, filter-like glow Dior does so well. The skin-care side pulls its weight with hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide to even tone, and peptides to support smoother, plumper-looking skin over time. Add in SPF 25, and it gives skin a little extra protection to boot.
Han before applying the Dior Forever Skin Glow
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Dior Forever Skin Glow
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I usually only wear concealer as my base, so when I do reach for foundation (unless it's for a really special event, like a wedding), you'd best believe it'll be a very lightweight formula (always a skin tint or serum foundation). Dior's Forever Skin Glow Foundation has a lightweight, radiance-boosting coverage that's spot-on, and I love that I literally can't feel it on my skin at all. The last thing I want is a foundation that feels heavy, or worse, cakes underneath the bursts of face mist I apply throughout the day.
As far as application goes, I dispense a pump onto the back of my hand to warm it up with my fingers—this step isn't totally necessary, given how fluid and serum-like it is, but I like to do it anyway to ensure more even coverage. To me, the hallmark of a serum foundation is that I could simply rub it in and blend out with my fingers in a pinch—as you can see, I still do that until it's about 80% blended, and then I go in with a sponge to meld everything together. While the coverage is light, I can build it up to blur more noticeable areas of discoloration (like the self-induced spots on the sides of my nose, oops). Overall, two pumps are my sweet spot, one for each side of the face.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides
- Coverage: medium to full
- Shades: 42
Best Shade Range: Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Foundation
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Natasha Denona
Hy-Glam Foundation
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Revolve
Why it's worth it: Natasha Denona’s Hy-Glam Foundation features Japanese amino acid-coated pigments—each one treated to glide more smoothly and disperse evenly, so you avoid the streakiness thinner formulas can sometimes slip into. It sounds like a small detail, but you can see the difference, especially in a serum foundation, where pigments have a harder time staying evenly suspended, and undertones can start to drift. “It offers buildable coverage while still keeping that natural glow,” says Riner, who adds that it “delivers a skin-like finish, even on less-than-perfect skin.”
A network of silicones and film-formers helps lock everything in place for up to 18 hours of wear without sacrificing flexibility. Glycerin and lightweight emollients add softness, while antioxidant-rich plant extracts, such as green tea, calm and balance skin. “The shade range feels especially well considered, making it easy to find a seamless match,” adds Riner.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Japanese amino acid-coated pigments, glycerin, silicones
- Coverage: medium, buildable
- Shades: 52
Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
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L’Oréal Paris
True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
L’Oréal Paris
Why it's worth it: Drugstore foundations are officially closing the gap, and L’Oréal Paris’s True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum is a strong contender in making this happen. “This one surprised me in the best way,” says Grays. The silky, fluid formula delivers sheer, fresh coverage that wears longer than you’d expect, thanks to oil-absorbing perlite and flexible film-formers that help it set without feeling tight. “It’s lightweight and fluid, but once it sets, it really holds up—perfect for long days when you still want that natural, skin-like finish,” she adds.
The 1% hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) draws moisture for a plump, smooth look, while glycerin and vitamin E provide hydration and antioxidant support. The dropper format reminds you of traditional serum packaging—though it can get a little clumpy if you’re not careful.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 1% hyaluronic acid, perlite, glycerin, vitamin E
- Coverage: sheer
- Shades: 15
Frequently Asked Questions
How are serum foundations different from skin tints?
Serum foundations sit a step above skin tints in terms of coverage and precision, offering light coverage with a more intentional finish. “Serum foundations offer more pigment than skin tints, so they should still be approached almost like a traditional foundation,” says Riner. Though they’re more sheer than foundations, matching still matters, along with how much you use and how you apply it. In terms of finish, they tend to deliver a natural-looking, glowy result, with the added appeal of skin-care benefits folded into the formula. Riner suggests starting with a small amount at the center of the face, then using a brush to stretch the product outward in a thin, even layer. In areas that need more coverage, lightly stipple on an additional layer rather than piling on too much at once. Think of them as the sweet spot: lightweight and skin-like, but a touch more polished than a skin tint.
How do you apply serum foundations?
You might tweak your approach slightly with serum foundations than you would a traditional foundation, mostly because they blur the line between skin care and makeup—and ultimately shape your overall makeup look. “Because these formulas sit at the intersection of skin care and makeup, your skin prep plays an important role,” says Riner—so layering on too much moisture underneath can affect how it wears. When it comes to application, you have options: A brush will give you a bit more coverage and polish, but fingers are great for a sheerer look and really pressing the formula into skin. Riner suggests starting with a small amount at the center of the face, then using a brush to stretch the product outward in a thin, even layer. In areas that need more coverage, lightly stipple on an additional layer rather than piling on too much at once.
Once applied, keep the finish in mind. Riner suggests setting strategically, focusing powder on the T-zone to control shine while letting the rest of the face maintain that radiant finish.
Meet the experts
- Magen Grays, a makeup artist based in Atlanta
- Tonya Riner, a makeup artist based in Houston
- Andrea Samuels, a makeup artist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best serum foundations, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
