It’s packed with ingredients that are ideal for mature skin, including allantoin (moisturizes and calms), bisabolol (reduces redness and brightens), and niacinamide (refines pores). It’s the Goldilocks of formulas: “It has this beautiful natural finish—not too matte, not too shiny—and gives really good coverage, lasts throughout the day, and has SPF 50,” says Dominic. We’d just love to see it offered in more shades suitable for dark skin tones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a lightweight foundation?
We won’t sit here and say that a lightweight foundation is better than a full-coverage foundation, or that a full-coverage foundation is better than a mid-coverage foundation, and so on—but we will say, that on days that call for a low-profile base, a lightweight foundation offers a bevy of benefits. Often, lightweight foundations feature skin-loving ingredients, as they’re closer in consistency to skin care than heavy makeup. “Foundation just adds another opportunity for hydration while also addressing a cosmetic benefit,” says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut. Still, she recommends using moisturizer to prep skin.
How should I apply a lightweight foundation?
When applying a lightweight foundation, the natural warmth from your fingertips is an excellent tool for blending. “I love starting with a sheer, lightweight foundation, blending it all over, and massaging into my face with my fingertips. This way, all the product is being blended into your skin and not being eaten up by your sponge or brush,” said makeup artist Joey Camasta. “This should give you a smooth veil of coverage, eliminating any redness or unevenness.”
If you like using a sponge or a brush, however, do so as the second step in your application. “I like to apply foundation with my hands to help warm it up, press it into the skin and into the contours of the skin. I usually go in outward, circular motions. Then, I fine-tune any additional blending with a clean foundation brush,” makeup artist Joseph Carillo added.
How can I make a lightweight foundation last longer?
Making your lightweight foundation last longer starts well before application time. “Prep is everything,” says Dominic. Start with a moisturizer of your choice, and ensure it’s fully absorbed into the skin before you move to the next step, she advises. For those with oily skin, keep moisturizer to a minimum and consider a lightweight or oil-free formula. “You also might want to consider a primer to give the foundation something to grip onto,” adds Dominic.
After foundation application, do not skip the setting process. “Setting is your best friend and the key to longevity,” she says. Consider a loose setting powder to keep makeup in place and absorb excess oil, as “a light dusting of a finely-milled setting powder, especially in your T-zone, makes a huge difference,” she says. “Then, if desired, lock everything in with a setting spray.”
Meet the experts
- Lisa Aharon, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Kirin Bhatty, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles and New York City
- Amrita Mehta, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles and New York City
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut
- Joey Camasta, a makeup artist and podcaster
- Joseph Carillo, a makeup artist
- Caitlyn Dominic, a makeup artist in Charlotte, North Carolina
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best lightweight foundations, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out 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.
