Occupying the previously empty space between makeup and skincare, serum foundations are a Godsend for those of us who could use an extra boost of skin-loving ingredients. Whether you're wanting to hydrate, protect or plump up your complexion underneath.
Sure, the best serum foundations have been gaining momentum for the past few years, most notably thanks trendy “skinimalism” and the “clean girl” aesthetic. MAC launched a their Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation, which (as expected) went viral on TikTok for its nourishing formula, radiant finish and lightweight coverage. Then, the Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation launched, seemingly winning the hearts of every beauty enthusiast on the planet.
In 2024 both of these formulas have been joined by a plethora of new launches, and the serum foundations category has really come into its own. Forget pore-clogging formulas that cause breakouts and leave our skin parched. This year, we're met with serum foundations packed full of skin-loving ingredients, that deliver weightless, buildable coverage. In the wise words of Hannah Montana, *you get the best of both worlds*.
To help you navigate through all the options available, we've put together a full edit of all the best serum foundations, hailing from brands such as MAC, ILIA, Bobbi Brown, Haus Labs, Perricone MD, Kosas and Maybelline.
SKIP TO: What is a serum foundation? | What's the difference between a serum foundation and a standard foundation? | Which serum foundation should I use?
Best serum foundations at a glance:
- Best Overall: MAC Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation, £39
- Best Sheer Serum Foundation: HydraTint Moisturising Tinted Serum, £23, Sculpted by Aimee
- Best Serum Foundation for Sensitive Skin: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30, £48
- Best Lightweight Serum Foundation: Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25, £35
How we test
Here at GLAMOUR, we are dedicated to providing honest and trustworthy reviews of all the products we feature. Our team of experts, editors and reviewers get hundreds of new beauty launches land on their desks every week – and the serum foundations featured below have excelled when scored on value for money, longevity, packaging, shade range, how well they blended and long-term skin benefits. Find out more about how we test.
1. Best serum foundation overall
Why we love it: Suitable for all skin types, the MAC Studio Radiance serum foundation comes infused with a wide range of skin-loving ingredients such as glycerin, jojoba seed oil and hyaluronic acid that keep your complexion hydrated throughout the day. Effortlessly blendable and provides balanced medium buildable coverage. A favourite among makeup artists.
Key ingredients: 10% hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and jojoba oil.
2. Best serum foundation for a natural sheer tint
Why we love it: This skin-perfecting tint from Sculpted by Aimee is the ultimate makeup-skincare hybrid. It comes in twenty different flexible sheer shades, is barely detectable on the skin, and its formula has been enriched with nourishing ceramides to boost the skin’s integrity, and hyaluronic acid to ensure long-lasting moisture.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica water, and ceramides.
3. Best serum foundation for sensitive skin
Why we love it: This award-winning serum skin tint from ILIA is powered by a wide range of actives that help alleviate dryness and uneven skin tone while also reducing the appearance of blemishes, dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles and redness. Plus, it's also vegan, cruelty-free and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog up your pores and cause unwanted breakouts.
Key ingredients: squalane, shea butter, hyaluronic acid.
GLAMOUR-approved: Admittedly, Ilia's serum was my first encounter with serum foundations. I was shockingly in love and have been using the foundation for my everyday looks ever since. I particularly love the light finish, the great glow and the nourishing ingredients. Perfect for all beginners who want to try a serum foundation. – Leona Ullmann, Affiliate Editor, GLAMOUR Germany
4. Best serum foundation for a natural look
Why we love it: The Kosas serum foundation is available in a wide range of shades that match any and all skin tones. Great for embracing the natural look, thanks to its light coverage – and it comes with sun protection built-in to help shield your skin from the elements.
Key ingredients: niacinamide, caffeine, squalane, peptides and hyaluronic acid.
5. Best lightweight serum foundation
Why we love it: Designed to fuse with your skin, this transfer-resistant, sweat-resistant and crease-proof gel-cream formulation can be worn comfortably for up to 12 hours a time. It also comes dermatologist-approved and is made without fragrances to suit even the most sensitive of skin.
Key ingredients: squalane, glycerin and aloe juice.
6. Best serum foundation for acne-prone skin
Why we love it: Hailing from Lady Gaga herself, this innovative formula is perfect for reducing redness and evening out uneven skin tones – in other words, it's ideal for anyone with more sensitive or acne-prone skin. Its (not-so) secret ingredient is fermented arnica, which alleviates irritation and protects your delicate complexion from environmental stress.
Key ingredients: fermented arnica, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and squalane.
7. Best affordable serum foundation
Why we love it: A good, reliable serum foundation doesn't necessarily have to break the bank. There's plenty of suitable drugstore options out there, and this is definitely one of them. This Maybelline serum foundation comes with vitamin C for a brightening effect to help illuminate dull skin.
Key ingredients: vitamin C.
8. Best serum foundation for a semi-matte finish
Why we love it: This lightweight formula from The Ordinary delivers semi-matte medium coverage for a long-lasting effect. Available in 21 different shades, free from alcohol and oils, and made with a vegan and cruelty-free formula that doesn't feel cakey in the slightest. 10/10 would recommend.
Key ingredients: stearic acid.
9. Best serum foundation for a soft, dewy glow
Why we love it: Soft like a serum and tinted like a lightweight foundation, this hybrid product from L'Oreal Paris helps deliver a nude, glowy finish. Approved by dermatologists, it comes with 1% pure hyaluronic acid that helps plump and hydrate your complexion with each use.
Key ingredients: 1% pure hyaluronic acid.
10. Best premium serum foundation
Why we love it: Particularly perfect for mature skin, this premium serum foundation from Dior helps firm up your complexion, introduce radiance and reduce the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. The best part is that it stays in place comfortably all day long.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid and jasmine flower extract.
11. Best serum foundation for a radiant finish
Why we love it: Enriched with a range of botanical oils such as meadowfoam seed and rosehip, this serum foundation provides a radiant finish with light coverage. It also provides broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays to keep your skin in tip-top condition.
Key ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil and rosehip oil.
12. Best long-lasting serum foundation
Why we love it: Formulated to last for up to 24 hours at a time, this makeup product has a lightweight formula improves the appearance of bare skin while offering medium coverage with a smooth, satin finish. Ideal for both combination skin and oily skin.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid.
13. Best soothing serum foundation
Why we love it: Made with vitamin E, vitamin B5 and aloe vera, this soothing formulation helps minimise the appearance of enlarged pores while improve both tone and texture. One of our go-tos for the trending ‘no-makeup makeup’ skin looks.
Key ingredients: aloe vera, vitamin E, vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid.
What is a serum foundation?
Just like the name suggests, a serum foundation usually provides buildable light-to-medium coverage while also delivering a seemingly endless range of skincare benefits that you can tailor to specifically address any skin concerns you might have.
What's the difference between a serum foundation and a standard foundation?
First of all, both serum foundations and typical ol' foundations offer different amounts of coverage. Serum foundations have less concentrated amounts of colour pigments, meaning that while you shouldn't expect full coverage from a serum foundation, it's definitely the best option for the fans of the 'no-makeup makeup' look that's been making rounds on the Internet in the past few years.
And to make matters slightly more confusing, skin serum foundations are also rather similar to tinted moisturisers, which also belong to the family of skincare/makeup hybrid products – however, the latter tend to focus mostly on hydration and plumping rather than any other skincare benefits.
Which serum foundation should I use?
When it comes to skincare, everything can be tailored to your individual skin needs and there's rarely a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. For example, if you have dry skin, you might want to get ahold of the MAC Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation, which contains a range of hydrating ingredients such as jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
If you have sensitive skin, you'll likely have better luck with the Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25, or the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30, both of which have non-comedogenic and fragrance-free formulas that don't feel heavy or cake-y. Oh, and don't forget the Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation – after all, you can pretty much never go wrong with Glossier when it comes to lightweight, radiant and dewy makeup looks.
After more makeup goodness? Check out our guides on best drugstore foundations, best setting powder, best foundation brushes, best concealers, best highlighters and the best setting sprays. And don't forget to prep your skin with one of the best moisturisers, best hyaluronic acid serums and the best sunscreens for face.
For more content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
This article originally appeared on GLAMOUR Germany.
