The secret behind a youthful and radiant no-makeup look is here — the best serum foundations! Yes, you read it right! We are here talking about foundations infused with the goodness of serums and their amazing skincare properties so that you can easily cut down on the makeup layering job a little. The best part of investing in such foundations is their unique formulations that work and blend seamlessly on your skin. They are light in weight and act as anti-aging, age-defying, and color-correcting creams that blur your skin imperfections. Our contributor Anna Misztela, Board licensed Esthetician and Founder of the Brand - Beauty & Cutie, shares here some important facts about serum foundations. She says, “A serum foundation is the next step up from your ordinary foundation as they incorporate additional beneficial skincare ingredients. Being multifunctional products, they could be an excellent choice for some people who are overwhelmed with the sheer number of cosmetic products available and only have so much room in the bathroom cabinet. As they are more hydrating than simple foundation products, they are especially suitable for those of us with mature and/or dry skin.” Be it wrinkles, dark circles, open pores, fine lines, or redness, a serum-based foundation lays a blanket over them all!

Serum foundations are available in an array of shades and SPF to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Thus, it allows you to always prioritize skincare over makeup. To indulge in such a magical elixir, below is our comprehensive list of some top-notch serum foundations that you must think of investing in. FYI, we have curated the list only after thorough research to make your shopping spree more easy breezy. 

• 1
  Best Overall

  L'ORÉAL PARIS AGE PERFECT RADIANT Serum Foundation - Ivory

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Our very first recommendation is Age Perfect Radiant serum foundation from L'oréal Paris. We love the fact that this foundation is enriched with the goodness of vitamin B3 and loaded with SPF 50 for maximum skin hydration and sun protection. In addition, it offers lightweight coverage and keeps your skin looking glowy and radiant for hours. Plus, it doesn’t settle into the fine lines and wrinkles of the face making it an ideal foundation serum for mature skin.

2

Best for All Skin Types

L'ORÉAL PARIS true match nude HYALURONIC Tinted Serum - 2-3 Light

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Here comes another best foundation serum from L'oréal Paris that got our attention because of its nude and radiant finish. All thanks to the 1% of hyaluronic acid that it contains to make your skin look and feel instantly hydrated and brightened. Plus, it is infused with mineral pigments to offer you light coverage. Not just that, this tinted serum is non-comedogenic, enhances the moisture-retaining abilities of your skin, and suits all skin types. 

 

3

Best for Mature Skin

L'ORÉAL PARIS VISIBLE lift SERUM ABSOLUTE - Buff Beige

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It was clearly impossible for us to resist recommending one more of our favorites from the shelves of L'oreal Paris. This visible lift serum got our hearts for its impeccable age-reversing properties. It visibly amps up your radiance by fighting against the signs of aging and ultimately leaving your skin smooth, supple, even, and brightened. If you ask us, investing in this serum-based foundation is actually the best decision one can ever make to minimize imperfections and give way to even-tone skin. 

 

4

Best for Anti-aging Properties

No7 Lift & Luminate TRIPLE ACTION Serum Foundation - Warm Beige

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While researching for a top-notch lightweight serum foundation, we came across this No7 triple-action foundation. It comes with a broad spectrum of SPF 15 and is enriched with anti-aging properties. Thus, it is an ideal product that helps in improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles effortlessly. Addedly, it makes your skin look plump and hydrated. So if you miss adding this one to your cart, you are at a great loss!

 

5

Best for Sensitive Skin

Neutrogena SENSITIVE SKIN Serum Foundation - Light Medium

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Have a look at Neutrogena’s sensitive skin serum foundation and we bet you will be bowled over by its magnificent results. It contains pro-vitamin B5 to leave your skin looking hydrated and healthy. To note further, this foundation seamlessly blurs imperfections and is designed to reduce redness. Addedly, it is a non-comedogenic makeup essential that is safe for your skin and an expert in offering buildable coverage for attaining the no-makeup look of your dreams. 

 

6

Best Semi-matte Finish

Perricone MD NO MAKEUP Foundation Serum - Buff

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In the 6th position comes this no-makeup foundation serum from Perricone MD. What we really liked about it is the fact that it comes with SPF 20 for utmost sun protection. After glancing at its overall features, we gave it 10 on 10 for its semi-matte finish and buildable coverage. Plus, it suits all skin types and works as a skin-improving foundation. To note, you can use this serum daily or whenever you wish for a low-profile makeup base. 

7

Best Weightless Texture

Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Flawless Serum Foundation - Sand

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Juice Beauty’s Phyto-Pigments is not an ordinary serum foundation, rather it is a must-have makeup product with impeccable skin-perfecting properties and impressive age-defying abilities. To tell you more about its goodness — it suits all skin types. To top off, with this one foundation in your makeup vanity, we bet you need nothing else to look a lot more youthful than ever before. All credits go to its buildable coverage and easy-to-blend formula that makes your skin noticeably smooth and healthy. 

 

8

Best Satin Finish

CLINIQUE even better clinical Serum Foundation

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For all those looking out for a good-quality makeup serum foundation, snatch a glimpse of Clinique’s even better clinical serum foundation that is loaded with SPF 25. What we liked the most about it is that it suits all skin types. We also glanced through the review section and to our surprise, this product is loved for its buildable coverage and lightweight formula. Plus, it is a good product at a great price to use on an everyday basis. 

 

9

Most Cost-effective

BOBBI BROWN Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40 - Sand

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Our next recommendation is Bobbi Brown’s Intensive Serum Foundation which contains an effective formula that flawlessly prevents collagen damage. If you ask us, this is no less than a magical elixir that makes your skin look youthful and radiant. The best part — it comes with SPF 40 which provides the utmost protection from environmental and UVA and UVB damage. Without a doubt, we label it as one of the best serum foundations with SPF.

 

10

Best for Medium Coverage

LAMEL Smartskin Serum Tinted Foundation

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What made us recommend this best tinted serum foundation from Lamel is the fact that this foundation is hypoallergenic, extremely hydrating, and provides anti-aging and color-correcting benefits. It also is enriched with hyaluronic acid and comes with SPF 30 to take due care of your skin. While researching, we also came to know that this product helps in reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, open pores, and other skin imperfections while leaving behind a flawless glowy finish. To boot, this is a good pick for those looking out for a foundation in the budget.  

 

11

YENSA SUPER Serum Silk Foundation

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Our last recommendation is Yensa Super serum silk foundation which manages to gain all hearts for its bronzing agents. This foundation beautifully covers all of your imperfections and seamlessly blends with your skin tone. It is extremely light in weight and leaves no place for complaints. The bonus — it is packed with vitamins and nutrients and thus regarded as the best foundation with skincare benefits. After rolling our eyes through the review section, we could see a couple of happy faces. 

 

That’s all folks! This was our all-inclusive list to help you pick a top-notch serum foundation just by sitting at home. Now, let us run you through our detailed buying guide to make your shopping spree more easy and breezy. 

 

Here are a few aspects to consider before vouching for the best serum foundation - 

Ingredients: Make sure you pay heed to the list of ingredients of the serum foundation you are planning to buy. It is advisable to pick one that is loaded with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B, C, and other skin-enhancing nutrients and antioxidants. Such kinds of foundations will take care of your skin and help retain moisture. 

As per our contributor Anna Misztela, a serum foundation can also be created at home. She says, “You can mix serum and foundation to create a serum foundation. One DIY recipe is to put one drop of serum on the back of your hand and add two drops of foundation, mix and apply for a foundation that covers and helps with reducing dark spots, while simultaneously brightening and moisturizing your face.”

Formula: Ensure that you invest in the best serum foundation that is free from harmful toxins, parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances. Always pick a foundation that is vegan, cruelty-free, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic. 

SPF And Coverage: Check the amount of SPF and the type of coverage that the foundation offers. For broad spectrum coverage, pick a foundation with SPF 40 to 50. For minimum sun protection, you may invest in a product with SPF 15 to 30. 

According to Jackie Alves, Founder & Head Educator of The Real Makeup Artist and Co-founder of The Beauty Bar, “The best precautions one can take  when it comes to applying foundations and the rest of the makeup layers are to be sure the serum contained in the foundation is one that agrees with your skin and wont cause a reaction, and also when using a concealer and setting powder with a serum foundation, be sure they are lightweight formulas as well. Adding a thick, full coverage product on top not only defeats the purpose of these glow-producing, air spun formulas, but you may also see them begin to separate or look patchy later in the day, as they typically don't mix well.”

Contributor: Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist, The Right Hairstyles