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 light coverage 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 shoppable makeup, skincare and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
This article originally appeared on GLAMOUR Germany.