Pick your fighter: letting your skin breathe or a flawless complexion. Just joking. It’s 2023, and as we’ve seen with face tan waters, it’s now possible for us to have our cake (healthy, nourished skin) and eat it too (seamless coverage). How? By prioritising the use of skin care-makeup hybrids in your routine. Namely: serum foundations.
As the love child of a hydrating serum and a blemish-diffusing tint, serum foundations will hydrate, protect and repair, all while evening out our complexion and concealing breakouts.
What are serum foundations?
Not dissimilar to a regular full coverage foundation, serum foundations are used as a base product to conceal redness, pigmentation and blemishes. The only difference? They are infused with skin care heavy-hitters such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and peptides to heal our skin long-term as they deliver immediate coverage.
What are the best serum foundations?
Yves Saint Laurent Youth Liberator Serum Foundation
We say: Formulated to boost the radiance of lacklustre skin, Yves Saint Laurent’s anti-wrinkle serum foundation has been enriched with vitamin E to protect the skin from photo-induced ageing and deliver 24-hours of uninterrupted hydration.
You say: “If you are looking for a medium coverage foundation, with semi dewy finish, with extra skincare benefit, this is the one for you. I think this is the best in the category and I have tried many.” – Labisdream
Want to know more? Read Yves Saint Laurent Youth Liberator Serum Foundation reviews here…
$98 at Amuse Beauty
Max Factor Ageless Elixir Miracle 2 in 1 Foundation and Serum
We say: For a blemish-blurring foundation with a side of anti-ageing, Max Factor’s 4.5 star-rated formulation has been carefully infused with wrinkle-fighting ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin and vitamin E.
You say: “I have quite bad acne scars. After eight years of looking I came across this product. Easy to use fast to apply and you I only have to apply one layer instead of three sometimes. It’s changed my life.” – Faithx201
Want to know more? Read Max Factor Ageless Elixir Miracle 2 in 1 Foundation and Serum reviews here…
$11 at Cosmetic Online
COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Wrinkle Defying Foundation
We say: COVERGIRL has infused their creamy foundation formula with Olay’s fine line-banishing Regenerist Serum. The true meaning of multi-use, the pigmented formulation works to protect, nourish and airbrush your skin all at once. And with over 50 4-star reviews, we think this is a well-suited match.
You say: “This foundation on the other hand is very different. I have had excellent results with this specific coverage and am very happy to say I have not broken out in any spots or have had any allergic reactions to it.” – TheKatsMeows
Want to know more? Read COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Wrinkle Defying Foundation reviews here…
$24.30 at Amazon
Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20
We say: If dark spots or pigmentation are the bane of your existence, treat your skin to the natural coverage of Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation. From salicylic acid to vitamin C to Clinique’s own dark spot-fighting molecule UP302, this really is more than just another pretty-looking bottle.
You say: “The serum foundation makes my skin look plump, hydrated and dewy. It creates a more even looking complexion. I love the satin finish as it is not too shiny or too matte, it is just the perfect glowy in between” – Beautybabe140194
Want to know more? Read Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20 reviews here…
$66 at Clinique
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 25
We say: Blending skin tone-correcting pigments with supercharged ingredients (including those used in Chinese medicine), it may be expensive, however, Bobbi Brown’s serum foundation is one of the best in the game.
You say: “Perfect for everyday dewy complexions. This didn’t cause me to breakout and stayed on pretty well. Looks fresh all day and doesn’t crease into lines or indented acne scars.” Ageha sans
Want to know more? Read Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 25 reviews here…
$103 at Adore Beauty
Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 HR Foundation
We say: Rated 4 out of 5 stars by over 150 of our members, this transfer-proof and skin-friendly formula provides instant hydration and a full coverage finish that lasts up to 25 hours (yes that’s right, it lasts an entire day and then some).
You say: “This foundation is hands down my favourite drugstore foundation! I will never stop recommending this amazing bottle of goodness. It’s packaging, it’s longevity, its dewy finish, its coverage and of course it’s price! Everyone needs this in their foundation collection.” – Shanhads
Want to know more? Read Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 HR Foundation reviews here…
$12.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth Infusing Makeup SPF 25
We say: Infused with the brand’s youth-enhancing, powerful Perfectionist [CP +R] Serum, you’ll enjoy a glowing, satin finish, plus an additional SPF 25 to prevent sun damage.
You say: “Love the look this moisture binding foundation fluid provides.Glides over skin effortlessly and it seems to sort of adapt to your skin tone without masking it. Just looks like skin.” – Gemini Jen
Want to know more? Read Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth Infusing Makeup SPF 25 reviews here…
$75 at Myer
Have you ever tried a serum foundation? What did you think?
Main image credit: @patrickta
2-in-1 products are usually good to try
Yes a good cost saver too
Bobbi Brown's moisture rich is really moisturising from experience.
I have a thing for foundations and so I'm excited to try these.
There are so many new products claiming the next best thing. I no longer live near anywhere to get any samples to try so just making do with what I have available now.
Samples are becoming less available as well. Not everyone has them anymore.
Love these
YSL one looks so good!
Didn’t know about these. Cool
What a great idea!
I haven’t, now it is something I would consider.
I haven’t but would like to.
I did not know these were a thing!
I like the Rimmel foundation. Smells lovely too.
I like the Rimmel one and it is good. I love trying out new foundations at the moment I have 3 on the go. Depends on where I am going and my mood on which one to use.
Sounds like fun
The concept is good but I wouldn’t go for any of those brands. I would prefer something more natural.
Something I’d like to try.
What a good idea .I have never tried on but certainly open to
I don’t think I have but I want to!
I’m excited to try some of these. I like that there is something for every price range.
I’m a bit doubtful how helpful the skincare ingredients would be in these foundations, I would rather have a solid skincare routine and apply a regular foundation on top
I definitely need to try one of these. I have rosacea so it sounds like these would be full coverage foundations.
When scrolling through I just thought how different all the containers were. Amazing.
I have tried none of these yet but the first one looks intriguing.
a nice lighter texture too
I’d like to try the Yves Saint Laurent Youth Liberator Serum Foundation.
I’d like to be given a few to trial, @Onlyoni!! Wouldn’t that be fun – you’re allowed to say, “In your dreams, Trish.”
The Clinique one is good!
The Max Factor one is surprisingly affordable
Have not tried them, but I am eyeing off the Ilia foundation serum.
such a trend
My biggest question is are they heavy feeling, because that is one of the main reasons I don’t like wearing foundation.
I must admit that I dont usually wear foundation either.
Love the sounds of the ones with spf in them!!
This sounds like a product I really need to try. I get a bit lazy about makeup sometimes but religious about skincare.
I haven’t try.It is really exciting to see ingredients on these foundations.
Id love to try one of these.
That clinique foundation is amazing
Interesting I’ve never tried a serum foundation, i don’t think ill like it to be honest