13 Best Lightweight Foundations That Provide A Natural Glow
Steal the show with the lightweight foundations that offer a perfect natural glow.
Kerrin JacksonMakeup Artist
Expertise: Makeup
Experience: 25 years
Kerrin is a 4-time Emmy-nominated film and television makeup artist. She has worked on TV shows, such as The Walking Dead, The Mandalorian, and Our Flag Means Death, and films, such as Star Wars - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars - Attack of ... more
Expertise: Beauty & Lifestyle
Experience: 5 years
Chaitra has a triple main bachelor’s degree in journalism, communicative English, and economics from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication fro... more
Image: Shutterstock
If your makeup often ends up looking heavy or cakey, you are probably missing out on the best lightweight foundations. Although we are very picky about the shades of foundations, we forget to pay attention to its finish. The lightweight formulas absorb into the skin and sink into the pores to provide a flawless yet natural glow. But with the endless options available in the market make it a challenge for us to pick the most suitable product for our skin. Fret not because we are here to help. This article lists full coverage lightweight foundations that received the best reviews and ratings. Swipe up!
Top Picks
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint Neutrogena $9.72 ON AMAZON Read More › $9.72 ON AMAZON - 3
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Make Up For Ever Ultra HD $73.46 ON AMAZON Read More › $73.46 ON AMAZON - 4
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Cargo Cosmetics Oil-free Foundation $36.0 ON AMAZON Read More › $36.0 ON AMAZON - 5
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Benefit Cosmetics Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation $47.0 ON AMAZON Read More › $47.0 ON AMAZON - 6
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Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick PRICE ON AMAZON Read More › PRICE ON AMAZON - 8
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In This Article
13 Best Lightweight Natural-Looking Foundations of 2023
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Up To 24H Fresh Wear Foundation
This long-wear foundation from L’Oréal Paris is crafted with breathable skin-technology. The fresh wear foundation lets your skin breathe without compromising on the coverage. It offers medium to full coverage and provides hydration for up to 24 hours. Formulated with three oil absorbers that will resist transfer, sweat, and water, it provides healthy-looking complexion all day long. The ultra-thin formula glides on smoothly and blends in well with the skin. The non-comedogenic foundation is ideal for all skin types and comes in 30 shades with SPF.
Pros - Ideal for all skin types
- Stays true to color
- Contains SPF
- Non-comedogenic formula
- Breathable skin-technology
Cons
- May transfer slightly
RememberBefore applying the foundation, test it in good lighting to understand whether the shade completely matches your skin tone or not. Avoid looking ashy or too dark by following this step.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint
Image: Neutrogena The hydro-boost hydrating tint from Neutrogena is probably one of the best lightweight foundations available in the market today for two reasons. The first one being, the water gel formula which contains hyaluronic acid that is known for its hydrating and skin plumping properties. Second, it is non-comedogenic so you don’t have to worry about the product clogging your pores when you are wearing it all day long. The oil-free gel moisturizes your skin while improving the suppleness and complexion. The foundation comes in ten blendable shades that offer even coverage to the skin.
Pros - Contains hyaluronic acid
- Won’t clog pores
- Lightweight water gel combination
- Oil-free formula
- Provides hydration for 24 hours
Cons
- May not suit oily skin
CautionYour foundation may appear cakey if you layer too much makeup over it. Even if you apply too much makeup after foundation, make sure to blend all of it well for a natural and flawless look.
The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD has a texture so lightweight that it would give you the sensation of a second skin. The fluid foundation is specially formulated to provide invisible coverage and a comfortable look with its exclusive 4K Co6mplex. The uniquely coated pigments offer a medium, buildable coverage. It also evens out the texture of the skin by concealing imperfections like acne scars and blemishes. Infused with hyaluronic acid, it moisturizes the skin. The foundation blends in with all skin types and provides a naturally flawless look. The Ultra HD best lightweight full coverage foundation comes in 22 shades.
Pros
- Lightweight texture
- Moisturizes skin
- Crafted with exclusive 4K Co6mplex
- Ideal for all skin types
Cons
- Provides only medium to buildable coverage
Quick TipUse a skin-friendly highlighter along with your foundation to make your face appear glowy. Blend the two well and apply a setting spray to set them right.
The oil-free foundation from Cargo Cosmetics is truly one of the best lightweight foundations with good coverage. The ultra-hydrating formula offers a silky finish when applied on the skin. With this foundation, you can either opt for a sheer natural look or full coverage. The innovative product packaging which comes in the form of a pouch makes it travel-friendly and hygienic to use. It allows you to skip on heavy powder as it offers a long-wearing finish with great coverage. This innovative formula is perfect for both oily and dry skin types. The liquid foundation comes in 11 different shade ranges.
Pros
- Offers full coverage
- Travel-friendly pouch
- Long-wearing finish
- Ultra-hydrating and oil-free
Cons
- May not work for extremely textured skin
- Slightly on the expensive side
This lightweight formula from Benefit Cosmetics is our next pick in the list of best lightweight foundations. The soft blur foundation offers sun protection with SPF PA+++ that protects you against UVA rays. The liquid foundation gives you sheer to medium coverage and provides a natural finish. The sheer foundation is suitable for sensitive, normal, dry, combination, and oily skin. It contains soft-focus optical blurring spheres that work towards blurring imperfections and evens out skin tone. The presence of shea extract smoothens the skin and protects it at the same time.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Blurs imperfections
- Provides light to buildable medium coverage
- Suits all skin types
- Provides SPF sun protection
Cons
- Does not provide full coverage
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
The stick foundation from Hourglass comes with many features that make it one of the best full coverage foundations out there. The lightweight foundation has the fluid consistency of a liquid and offers coverage of a concealer. The waterproof formula is as weightless as a powder and provides absolute full coverage. The intense pigmentation ensures that a little goes a long way, thus providing maximum coverage in a single application. The foundation stick comes in 32 shades for every skin tone and blends effortlessly into the skin making is a great base makeup. The long-wearing formula provides coverage of 12 hours.
Pros - Concentrated formula
- Comes in 32 different shades
- Waterproof formula
- Vegan
- Provides coverage up to 12 hours
Cons
- Might dry out a little quickly
This lightweight and hydrating formula reduces the appearance of pores and reveals healthier-looking skin. The foundation is made using natural ingredients such as beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter among others. The natural light weight foundation can be applied using a foundation brush or fingers for a better blending experience. The product can be used on the face and under-eye area as a concealer for covering skin imperfections. The “un” cover-up formula heals and moisturizes the skin while rejuvenating it. The luxurious beauty brand is GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and cruelty-free. It is the best lightweight drugstore foundation.
Pros
- Foundation and concealer
- Moisturizes and heals skin
- Contains natural ingredients
- Covers up redness efficiently
- High coverage
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation
The Bobbi Brown powder foundation is a cult favorite and makes it to our list of the best lightweight foundations. The creamy-like cashmere texture of the foundation delivers a fine polished look and lasting finish. The powder foundation provides natural coverage that feels smooth and comfortable on the skin. The oil-free formula is perfect for normal and oily skin types. It effortlessly blends into the skin to conceal fine lines, pores, and imperfections. The Bobbi Brown powder foundation offers medium to full coverage that looks fresh and shine-free. It is the best lightweight foundation for oily skin.
Pros - Beautiful texture
- Provides natural-looking coverage
- Ideal for normal and oily skin types
- Shine-free look perfect for heat and humid climate
- Oil-free formula
Cons
- Can get a little dry
Youngblood Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint
Brought to you by Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, this lightweight moisturizer does a lot more than your average typical moisturizer. Hence it’s one of our favorite lightweight foundations. The tinted moisturizer has a lightweight and oil-free formula that provides sheer coverage while hydrating the skin. The nourishing product contains a great deal of nutrients and has a fresh orange scent. Infused with ingredients such as licorice root, brown seaweed, kiwi, and vitamin E, it offers a luminous finish on the skin. The tinted moisturizer comes in five different shades and is suitable for all skin types.
Pros - Infused with antioxidant ingredients
- Hydrating formula
- Luminous finish
- Mix it with your foundation for a liquid bronzer
- Ideal for all skin types
Cons
- Has fragrance
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, Barcelona
This weightless foundation from NARS requires just one drop of the product to provide full coverage due to its high pigmentation. One of the best full coverage foundations available in the market today, the lightweight formula effortlessly blends into the skin and gives coverage for 16 hours. The oil-free foundation is ideal for all skin types and tones and provides a luminous matte finish. The long-wearing formula is sweat and humidity-resistant. It is a great product for someone looking for a foundation free of parabens, alcohol, and fragrance. It is the best light foundation for combination skin.
Pros - Highly pigmented
- Alcohol-free
- Free of parabens
- Full coverage up to 16 hours
- Resistant to sweat and humidity
Cons
- A little on the pricey side
Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation
The coveted lightweight foundation from Koh Gen Do is designed to provide a natural coverage, hydration, longevity, and radiance. Formulated using light-diffusing minerals, the aqua foundation minimizes the pores and brightens the skin while giving a youthful glow. The foundation comes in a breathable serum formula to provide hydration while resisting oiliness and sweat all day long. The emollients present in it also improves the skin’s health and gives flawless complexion. The lightweight foundation is unscented, cruelty-free and comes in 10 different shades. The product is suitable for all skin types.
Pros - Provides sheer coverage that can be built up to medium
- Cruelty-free
- Breathable formula
- Sweat and oil-resistant
- Minimizes the appearance of pores
Cons
- Provides minimal coverage
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Next in the list of best lightweight foundations is the luminous silk foundation from Giorgio Armani. The foundation has a fluid texture and provides light to medium coverage for your skin. It can be used on all skin types and provides a hydrating glow that lasts long. The product glides on smoothly for a flawless finish and improves the skin’s texture by blurring imperfections. You can apply it using a blender brush on your face to give you an air-brushed look. This best coverage lightweight foundation comes in various shades to match every skin tone.
Pros - Blurs imperfections
- Glides on smoothly
- Provides medium coverage
- Gives an air-brushed look
Cons
- May not suit oily skin type
This lightweight foundation from Charlotte Tilbury comes in a liquid formulation and provides a radiant finish. Made using ingredients such as pseudo ceramides, the foundation hydrates the skin for 18 hours. The foundation creates a flawless look by minimizing pores and the appearance of wrinkles. It also smoothens, hydrates, and illuminates the skin while protecting from environmental factors. The product also protects the skin against the sun with SPF 15 and is free of sulfates and animal ingredients. It is also cruelty-free and gluten-free.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Contains pseudo ceramides
- Matte but not cakey
- Vegan
- Free of SLS and SLES
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Best Lightweight Foundation Buying Guide
Choosing the right foundation is pivotal if you want your makeup to have a more natural look. Lightweight foundations are made of formulas that glide on effortlessly without giving you a heavy or cakey look. These are weightless foundations that give you the desired look without compromising on coverage.
A lightweight foundation will have a lightweight formulation and will be generally mentioned in the product description or name. Make sure you buy a foundation that suits your skin type and skin tone.
Kerrin Jackson, a 4-time Emmy-nominated film and television makeup artist, says, “Your foundation choice is not only about how you want to look, but also how you feel. Choose a lightweight foundation to feel like you aren’t wearing any makeup, and for that very light and natural coverage. And if you have an even skin tone, try just using it on the areas that need coverage, and not necessarily over your entire face. Keep it simple and make sure it feels good!”
- Make sure you wash your face with a cleanser and moisturize your skin before applying the foundation.
- Next, apply the foundation on your skin using a brush or applicator, starting with areas that need more coverage.
- Slowly blend out the formula evenly on your skin using a makeup blender sponge or your fingertips.
- Dab the foundation all over your face and around the corners of your mouth and eyes by using the pointed tip of the sponge.
- Best Foundations For Sensitive Skin
- Best Foundations For Dark Skin
- Best Foundations For Acne-Prone Skin
- Best MAC Foundations For Different Skin Types
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You can easily get a lightweight foundation in the market. Make sure to choose one that suits your skin tone, and you’ll be good to go.
It’s time to bid your goodbyes to cakey and heavy makeup looks and opt for a more natural finish with our list of the best lightweight foundations available in the market today. Are there any other important features that you look for in a foundation? We would like to know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Chaitra Krishnan, is a makeup expert and enthusiast. She understands how makeup works for various skin types and helps the users pick the best one that suits their skin. She curated this list of full-coverage lightweight foundations after carefully reviewing the products and checking reviews on trusted online platforms. These foundations blend well, cover blemishes and spots, and make the skin look flawless.
Is Fenty foundation lightweight?
Fenty Beauty has a range of foundations, some of which come in lightweight formulations.
What is the best lightweight foundation for oily/combination skin?
If you have oily or combination skin, look for foundations that are oil-free and non-comedogenic and specially formulated to suit your skin type. L’Oréal Paris Infallible up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation, Cargo Cosmetics Oil-free Foundation, Benefit Cosmetics Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation, and Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation are some of the foundations that are ideal for oily/combination skin.
What is the best lightweight foundation for sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin may be prone to irritation caused by certain ingredients. L’Oréal Paris Infallible up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD, and Benefit Cosmetics Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation are few of the lightweight foundations suitable for sensitive skin
What is the best lightweight foundation for dry skin?
Look for a foundation that has moisturizing properties or ingredients. Some of the best lightweight foundations for dry skin include Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD, Cargo Cosmetics Oil-free Foundation, and Youngblood Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint.
What type of foundation is light coverage?
Foundations that offer sheer coverage and cover minor imperfections are light coverage foundations.
What’s the major difference between full and lightweight foundation?
Foundations with less pigment and a sheer finish are lightweight, while full coverage foundations cover your skin to provide an even tone finish.
Should concealers be lighter than foundation?
Yes, it is best to go for a concealer at least one shade lighter than your foundation to conceal darker pigmentation.
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