10 Nourishing Foundations That Will Give You Better Skin—Starting At $8

WHAT IT DOES: If you’re looking for a lightweight, buildable serum foundation, add Perricone MD’s No Makeup Foundation to your shortlist. Meant to leave you with a semi-matte finish, this foundation combines color-correcting superpowers with the ability to smooth over uneven tones and imperfections.

NOTEWORTHY INGREDIENTS: Foundation that's good for your skin? Please and thank you. The lineup of supplements behind this foundation includes wrinkle-fighting neuropeptides, a skin-brightening antioxidant called bisabolol, and daisy flower extract (which is known to even out skin tone).

WHAT IT DOES: The Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint Foundation has a few tricks up its sleeve. For starters, it plumps fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in tighter, firmer skin. But more importantly, it provides glowy, all-over coverage while protecting your skin from harmful UVA rays.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS: Shoppers say that this is one of the best serum foundations for aging skin, likely due to Hourglass’s Hyaluronan Complex (an advanced form of hyaluronic acid) in the formula.

WHAT IT DOES: Thanks to the addition of coconut alkanes in Juice Beauty’s Phyto-Pigments Flawless Serum Foundation, this product is highly adept at hydrating and softening skin. But it also provides a buildable to full-coverage finish that won’t leave you feeling bogged down.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: If you find yourself wondering what a phyto pigment is, you’re not alone. We did some digging and discovered that phyto pigments are Juice Beauty’s plant-based substitute for artificial, synthetic, and insect-based dyes.

WHAT IT DOES: We love a top-rated beauty product you can pick up at your local Target, which is exactly what No7’s Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation is all about. This best-selling serum foundation offers a light layer of coverage that will reduce (not enhance) the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS: Out of the 300+ five-star reviews for this product, this one sums up it in a short and sweet sentence: “Makes my skin feel soft and airbrushed and is super hydrating at the same time.”

WHAT IT DOES: This full-coverage, weightless liquid foundation promises to deliver a smooth complexion with a satin matte finish. And because it has an oil-free formula, it’s one of the best serum foundations for those with combination or oily skin types. 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Clinique really said “we’re going to make a foundation that looks like skin,” and somehow, they were successful. Plus, they made this miracle product available in 42 different skin tones, so your chances of finding the perfect match are pretty good.

WHAT IT DOES: Described as having a “skin-like finish,” this serum foundation offers buildable coverage for those with oily, combination, and normal skin types. As a bonus, it’s non-comedogenic and safe for sensitive skin, so if that’s a concern for you, Ilia’s got you covered.

NOTEWORTHY INGREDIENTS: Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is the primary ingredient behind Ilia’s True Skin Serum Foundation. Niacinamide is common in skincare products because it helps build keratin, a type of protein that keeps your skin firm and healthy. Additionally, it helps your skin retain moisture, which means this is one of the best foundation options for dry skin.

WHAT IT DOES: You’ve probably seen The Ordinary’s Serum Foundation in a TikTok, but if you haven’t, that’s okay, because we’re going to tell you what you need to know. This affordable liquid foundation offers lightweight medium coverage without caking or settling into fine lines.

REVIEWER HIGHLIGHTS: With nearly 800 five-star reviews behind it, this serum foundation has amassed quite a fan base. After a quick scroll through the reviews on Ulta’s website, we’ve learned that users love that this foundation looks just as good after hours of wear as it does when first applied.

WHAT IT DOES: In addition to offering ample protection from the sun due to the inclusion of SPF 50 in the formula, L'Oreal Paris’s Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation provides lightweight coverage and all-day hydration.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: What’s interesting about this product is that it’s as much of a face sunscreen as it is a foundation. It lives somewhere on the spectrum between tinted moisturizer and face sunscreen, which makes it a fantastic option for those with a mature skin type looking for an everyday foundation. 

WHAT IT DOES: It’s right there on the label: Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint moisturizes and plumps skin for up to 24 hours. But it also conceals uneven skin tones and blemishes by providing a light layer of coverage.

NOTEWORTHY INGREDIENTS: If you’re going to use the word “hydrating” in your product, you’ve got to have an ingredient list that backs that claim up. We’re thrilled to share that this serum foundation does, with hyaluronic acid (an ingredient known for its skin plumping and hydrating properties) leading the way.

WHAT IT DOES: At the top of our list of the best serum foundations is Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint Foundation. As an Allure Best of Beauty award winner and a Sephora community favorite, this foundation combines niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and plant-based squalane to create a lightweight, tinted serum that will leave you with a smooth and dewy complexion.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: The addition of SPF 40 ensures protection from the sun, but what you may not know is that this product is formulated with zinc oxide in order to shield your skin from free radicals, blue light, and pollution as well.