During the summertime, the last thing you want to be is caked in thick foundation, it’s a recipe for disaster!
Sweat, heat, and humidity can turn thick formulas into a melty mess, leaving your skin feeling suffocated, and that white top of yours…well, not so white.
Thankfully, however, there are a plethora of lightweight foundations designed to up stand long hot days and nights.
Allowing your skin to breathe while still serving the smooth and radiant coverage that you crave, lightweight foundations are the holy grail come the warmer months.
Whether you are after a sheer tint, or a buildable base, we have rounded up the best lightweight foundations to keep you looking fresh, flawless, and summer-ready.
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT FOUNDATIONS FOR DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES
- Dry skin types require a foundation with hydrating bases, try the Milk Hydro Grip Gel Tint
- Combination skin types require an element like niacinamide to keep things neutral, try the La-Roche Posay Effaclar Duo treatment
- Oily skin types require a stabiliser to prevent makeup from melting away, try Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF50 tinted veil
The best lightweight foundations to shop 2025
It is essential to find a lightweight foundation that is best suited to your skin type. Not only will this ensure long-lasting wear, but with a formula that has been appropriately designed for dry, oily or combination skin, it is easier to create that coveted glass skin appearance.
Best lightweight foundations for combination skin
Combination skin types require a formula that hydrates dry areas without turning the T-zone into a grease zone come midday. Superior lightweight foundations for combination skin strike a balance between offering breathable coverage, oil control, and a natural finish that won’t cling to dry patches or slide off shiny spots.
Semi-matte finishes or satin finishes and ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide help to keep your skin happy all day long.
Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin foundation 30mL
$73.60 $92
Designer Brands LongWear 24 hour foundation
$14.99 $24.99
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo treatment unifant 40mL
$31.16 $38.95
Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional foundation 30mL
$57.60 $72
Best lightweight foundations for dry skin
Dry skin and summer heat can be a frustrating combo, especially when foundation clings to flaky patches or feels tight by midday. That’s why it’s essential to choose a lightweight formula that is as hydrating as it is high coverage.
We recommend foundations that are infused with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or squalane to lock in moisture and deliver a dewy, radiant finish. Skipping out on matte and powder based formulas, and instead opting for a cream-base will leave your skin appearing fresh, plump, and glowy all day long.
Milk Hydro Grip gel tint 35mL
$66
Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid foundation 30mL
$15.59 $25.99
It Cosmetics CC+ full-coverage foundation 32mL
$82
Rare Beauty Positive light tinted moisturiser 30mL
$54
Best lightweight foundations for oily skin
The girls with oily skin types know the struggle of makeup that looks flawless in the morning but quickly becoming a shiny, smudgy mess by lunchtime. Of course blotting paper can assist in damage control, but it comes to a point where a lightweight foundation designed for oily skin may have been the better alternative. In summer, the challenge of controlling oil production is only made more difficult. The key is a foundation that controls excess oil without feeling heavy or clogging pores.
Think mattifying formulas that keep shine at bay while still letting your skin breathe. Look for oil-free, long-wear foundations with blurring or soft-focus finishes that keep your complexion smooth, fresh, and shine-free, no powder or touch-ups required.
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop blurring skin tint foundation 32mL
$54
Ultra Violette Daydream Screen SPF50 tinted veil 50mL
$55
Clinique Even Better Clinical vitamin makeup 30mL
$52 $65
Huda Beauty Easy Blur natural airbrush foundation 30mL
$66
What foundation is best for summer?
Typically, we recommend a lightweight liquid foundation for summer beauty routines. Unlike powder base foundations that offer a more matte finish, liquid and similarly cream based foundations offer a soft and dewy look that melts into the skin rather than flaking off during the day. It is also important to consider your specific skin concerns when searching for a summer foundation.
For those with oily skin, it is best to opt for oil-free formulas. While those with combination and dry skin types may find it more beneficial to purchase a water base or gel based formula filled with skin-loving ingredients like squalane, niacinamide, or hyaluronic acid.
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