The 10 Best Light Coverage Foundations For The Ultimate Soft Glam

Is there anything better than finally hunting down a foundation that ticks all your boxes? It can sometimes be a minefield to find the one that’s packed with the right skincare ingredients whilst still delivering the coverage you’re after.

From natural-look foundations that are buildable, to those infused with moisturising ingredients, we’ve found the best lightweight foundations for different needs and skin types. All available at BEAUTY BAY, you’re about to hit ‘Add to basket’ faster than ever.

The 10 Best Light Coverage Foundations For Every Skin Need

1. Best for mature skin: Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Serum Tint

2. Best for added skincare: Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint

3. Best for on the go: Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint

4. Best for illuminating: By BEAUTY BAY Glow Filter

5. Best for hydrating skin: Made By Mitchell Truth Tint Skin Tint

6. Best for sheer, buildable coverage: MAC Cosmetics Studio Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation

7. Best for balancing skin tone: Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation

8. Best for long-lasting coverage: Maybelline Super Stay Up To 24H Skin Tint Foundation

9. Best for oily skin: Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup

10. Best for light-to-medium coverage: Makeup Revolution Skin Silk Serum Foundation

Best for: mature skin

The key factor when looking for the best foundation for mature skin is a formula that doesn’t sink into fine lines and keeps skin hydrated. And that’s exactly what the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Serum Tint does. It’s enriched with a skin-loving blend of ceramides, cactus extract, peptides, squalane, and hylaluronic acid to provide intense hydration. And the cherry on top is the seamless blurring effect that smooths any uneven texture, as well as its ability to balance the skin tone and redness with the sheer pigment finish.

Best for: added skincare

As well as providing seamless, silky smooth coverage, the Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint is packed with powerhouse ingredients that deliver skincare benefits. Amino acids plump and condition, whilst peach flower extract improves elasticity. Althought its lightweight and veil-like, this lightweight skin tint blurs pores, neutralises dark spots, and evens skin texture with time. This really is a ‘your skin but better’ big hitter.

Best for: on the go

Packaged up into a handy stick, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint can be effortlessly applied on the go with your fingers, a brush, or sponge thanks to its silky formula. It’s non-cakey and non-greasy, leaving behind a sheer glow that can be easily layered to achieve your perfect finish. Formulated with eight skin-loving ingredients, the added peptides, shea butter, hyaluronic acid give skin a healthy hit of nourishment.

Best for: illuminating skin

Prepare to glow differently with the By BEAUTY BAY Glow Filter. Sheer and ultra-lightweight, it’s the perfect flawless base for those no-makeup makeup days or as a soft glam foundation. Or if you’re after more coverage, it’s dewy and glowy enough to layer underneath your foundation to add radiance for that real lit-from-within look. Easy to blend and with a juicy gel-like formula, we guarantee you’ll fall for its weightless feel.

Best for: hydrating skin

Lock in moisture and leave your skin hydrated and conditioned with the Made By Mitchell Truth Tint Skin Tint. It’s water-based and is designed to create a protective layer over the skin, leavin you with a truly healthy, dewy glow. This sheer lightweight foundation is easily to apply and effortless to build, meaning you can wear from day through to night with a simple top-up here and there.

Best for: sheer, buildable coverage

As an MUA fave (and BEAUTY BAY fave), we believe the MAC Cosmetics Studio Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation belongs in every makeup kit. Sheer enough to be worn on no-makeup makeup days, or built out for a little more lightweight coverage, this light foundation is a real multi-tasker. It glides seamlessly onto the face as well as the limbs. Oh, and did we mention it’s waterproof? 

Best for: balancing skin tone

One concernt that can come with lightweight foundations is that they’ll offer no coverage. But if you choose the right one, you’ll achieve flawless, effective coverage without any cakiness. The Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation conceals and minimises pores, whilst leaving behind a matte finish. So any skin tone irregularities or uneveness is balanced. Offering a wide range of shades for different skin tones; we think this is one the best light coverage foundations around.

Best for: long-lasting coverage

Don’t you just love it when you come across a multi-use makeup goodie? If that’s a “yes”, then you’ll love the Maybelline Super Stay Up To 24H Skin Tint Foundation. Infused with vitamin C, this golden find doubles up as a foundation and skincare all in one. So your skin looks and feels even brighter and more youthful. And you won’t need to worry about that brightness dwindling as this is a long-lasting lightweight foundation.

Best for: oily skin

Looking for a lightweight foundation for oily skin? The Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup is sweat, humidity and transfer-proof, so not only is that pesky shine kept under control but your pores don’t get clogged. By blurring breakouts, it’s perfect for days you want coverage without going for full glam. Packed with salicylic acid and other ingredients your skin will love, you can rely on this one.

Best for: light-to-medium coverage

One of the main benefits of light coverage foundations is that they give your skin a little breathing room. The Makeup Revolution Skin Silk Serum Foundation brings a buildable light-to-medium coverage with it for an airbrushed effect, so you can still embrace your natural skin. Infused with the good stuff – hyaluronic acid and plumping peptides – it gives your skin an added drink of moisture too.