Highlighters and illuminators boost skin’s radiance, but the best way to achieve a truly glowing makeup base is by using the right foundation.
Keep scrolling to discover some of our favourite foundations for achieving that coveted dewy look.
Side note: Megan from our content team shares her thoughts on 4 of our best-selling foundations in the video below
"I initially purchased this as my eczema had flared up and wanted something that wasn't full coverage on my skin as I wanted my skin to breathe. I was already using a moisturizer from this brand so I thought why not! since I loved the moisturizer. This stuff is pretty good for a light weight BB cream and didn't flare up my eczema any further on my skin, as some other products and brands can. I would definitely recommend this to someone looking for a gentle BB cream for their skin." ★★★★★ - KM
La Roche-Posay Uvidea BB Cream is a multipurpose complexion-perfector developed with dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin in mind. Bursting with natural hydrators to replenish moisture within the skin, this BB cream offers a lightweight, sheer-to-medium tint. The formula melts into the skin to produce a naturally healthy-looking, luminous complexion.
Nourishing Uvidea BB Cream is infused with Shea Butter, which instantly hydrates the skin and also boosts the skin’s own barrier protection to soothe the skin and prevent moisture loss. This two-pronged approach to hydration helps reduce dullness, uneven skin texture and tone, and dehydration-induced fine lines. The BB cream also contains Thermal Spring Water for antioxidant protection, and light-reflecting pigments that cover imperfections such as fine lines, pigmentation, and blemishes.
This skincare-and-makeup hybrid not only leaves skin feeling healthier but enhances skin’s natural luminosity for a healthy and radiant glow.
4.6 of 336 reviews
"I spent over a month watching review after review of this product, but was worried about spending $100 on a foundation. I have very pale skin but it is warm toned, and I have found many foundations in the past leave me looking orange and don't get the yellow tone of my skin right. I eventually went and got a tester and tried it on my skin - and BOY was I blown away. This foundation looks like my skin, it gives a natural finish and barely looks like I'm wearing anything. The coverage is buildable, but I think it's a great foundation for the office but could easily be used on a night out. So glad to have bit the bullet and bought this product!" ★★★★★ - Gracey
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation has gained cult status in the beauty industry, especially loved by wedding-makeup artists for its long-lasting and radiant formulation. Suitable for all skin types, this buildable, light-to-medium coverage foundation imparts a healthy glow to skin, gently blurring imperfections to reveal a brighter and healthier complexion.
To instantly illuminate the skin, this iconic foundation harnesses Armani’s unique Micro-fil Technology. This means that each pigment is micronised before milling to create an ultra-smooth finish that contours and sculpts on the skin for a natural blur and light-infused look. Blending seamlessly into the skin, Luminous Silk Foundation is known and loved for looking like skin, without creating a mask effect or an overworked finish.
With an unchanged formula for over 15 years, it’s unsurprising that Luminous Silk Foundation has become a cult beauty secret for achieving a healthy glow.
4.3 of 172 reviews
"Ive used this foundation and adore it for full coverage. When i have really bad breakouts and blotchy spots, i reach for this foundation. Colour matching is easy and its also super easy to huildup coverage depending on problem spots. Not too oily or cakey feeling, theres a reason makeup artists love using this stuff! Glad us common people have access to it :)" ★★★★★ - Bri
MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Foundation has been developed to provide superior coverage without looking cakey or heavy on the skin. Instead, this second-skin foundation blends in seamlessly for a finish that’s invisible to the naked eye. Suitable for all skin types, especially normal-to-combination skin, Ultra HD Foundation is available in a variety of shades. It’s an easy makeup to fit into your beauty collection.
Ultra HD Foundation provides a flawless satin finish to your skin, effortlessly covering imperfections such as pigmentation and blemishes. And true to the brand’s name, this MAKE UP FOR EVER foundation provides long-lasting wear that doesn’t need touching up throughout the day. has been developed to provide superior coverage without looking cakey or heavy on the skin. Instead, this second-skin foundation blends in seamlessly for a finish that’s invisible to the naked eye. Suitable for all skin types, especially normal-to-combination skin, Ultra HD Foundation is available in a variety of shades. It’s an easy makeup to fit into your beauty collection.
Despite its high coverage, Ultra HD Foundation remains undetectable on the skin, designed to evade even 4K technology. With light-diffusing pigments, this foundation imparts a gorgeous radiance to the skin, leaving it looking flawless and airbrushed.
"I buy this for my mum who is in her mid-50s and it looks great on her skin. I sometimes borrow hers when I fake tan as she is more tanned than me and I think you can build up the product to be more full coverage without looking cakey. I think it has an amazing finish and SPF 25 is great. Not oily at all and can last all day as long as you put setting powder. This is better than double wear in my opinion, especially if you have normal to dry skin like me." ★★★★★ - Ant
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup SPF 25 is perfect for mature and ageing skin. This dewy foundation is bursting with anti-ageing ingredients that improve skin’s look and feel. Imparting a youthful luminosity to the skin, this hydrating foundation is the perfect base for your full makeup look.
This Estée Lauder foundation is infused with Perfectionist Serum Technology, which works to rehydrate the skin in an oil-free formula. The appearance of dehydration-induced fine lines and wrinkles is minimised. Skin is left looking brighter, with an even tone and texture. Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup also contains SPF 25 to help protect skin from age-accelerating environmental aggressors.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup SPF 25 is suitable for all skin types, from oily to dry. The non-comedogenic, oil-free formula is also deeply hydrating. And because this foundation is available in a wide selection of shades to suit all skin tones, you can enjoy the most natural look possible.
4.5 of 40 reviews
"Great medium coverage that looks super natural. Leaves a dewy finish. I often get compliments on how beautiful my skin is when wearing this. Works well on my dry skin too." ★★★★★ - Shelly
Lancôme Teint Miracle Foundation is all about boosting radiance in the skin. Enhancing radiance is especially important for sensitive complexions that can look dull and dry from repeated inflammation. With sheer-to-medium, buildable coverage and a luminous finish, this lightweight complexion-perfector adds radiance and a real-life photo-filtering effect to the skin.
Working to improve both skin tone and texture, Teint Miracle Foundation blends seamlessly into the skin for a natural satin finish. This Lancôme makeup is infused with Aura-Inside Technology, which uses pink and blue pigments to filter the skin for a softly diffused look. Teint Miracle also hydrates the skin, allowing for even and smooth application while reducing dehydration-induced discolouration and fine lines. is all about boosting radiance in the skin. Enhancing radiance is especially important for sensitive complexions that can look dull and dry from repeated inflammation.
Lancôme Teint Miracle Foundation is enriched with 37% pure Water and Rose Extracts, which work together to soothe the skin while banishing redness. It’s an excellent foundation for sensitive skin types, but its gentle formula is perfect for any complexion.
"Very lightweight, which I prefer. Glowy and looks very very natural on the skin. Great for everyday use." ★★★★★ - Fai
Clinique Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup SPF 15 is the ultimate one-stop shop for a glowing complexion. This advanced-formula foundation contains subtle luminising pigments to impart a brighter and healthier look and feel to the skin. Instantly improving both skin tone and texture for a perfected look, this lightweight foundation is a must if you want that lit-from-within glow.
With its streak-free and non-settling formula, this illuminating foundation glides effortlessly onto the skin for a natural and seamless finish. Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup is infused with Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which work together to diffuse pigmentation, brighten the skin, and protect against harmful environmental aggressors. This Clinique foundation also contains broad-spectrum SPF 15 to reduce sun damage and hyperpigmentation. is the ultimate one-stop shop for a glowing complexion.
Clinique Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup SPF 15 is suitable for all skin types, from dry and combination skin to oily skin. This dewy-finish liquid makeup provides undetectable coverage without causing irritation or oxidising throughout the day.
4.4 of 44 reviews
"In love with this product! I dont like wearing much make up to work, so i apply this and a tiny bit of mascara and im ready to go! it leaves my skin feeling so beautiful and moisturised, whilst covering my imperfections. I have super dry skin so this is my holy grail." ★★★★★ - Georgia
Clinique Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator SPF25 is as much skincare as it is makeup. The intensely nourishing formula provides 12 hours of non-stop hydration, leaving skin feeling plumper and smoother, with minimised dehydration-induced fine lines and wrinkles. The sheer tint also helps reduce the appearance of pigmentation and other imperfections, leaving a fresh and natural finish with a luminous glow.
Infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Activated Aloe Water, this complexion-perfector provides an instant dose of moisture while locking in hydration throughout the day. Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator is also enriched with Mimetic-Shade Technology, which allows the tint to blend naturally with your unique skin tone for a seamless and skin-like finish. Finally, a blend of SPF and antioxidants keep your complexion protected from free-radical damage. is as much skincare as it is makeup.
An ideal match for dry and dehydrated skin, oil-free Clinique Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator SPF25 delivers a natural glow for a fresh-faced finish from morning to evening.
4.3 of 65 reviews
"This foundation is a perfect medium-full coverage foundation. Feels light on the skin and gives the skin a lovely dewy glow! I have dry-combination skin and this lasts me all day. I am disappointed that the full MAC shade range is not available for this foundation as for someone with pale skin the NC15 can be too dark. You only need to use a little bit depending on how much coverage you are after so it lasts a long time." ★★★★★ - Isabella
Dry and dehydrated skin can look lacklustre, regardless of your age. M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Sculpt SPF15 Foundation has been created to tackle the specific needs of dry and dehydrated skin. This tube foundation restores vitality and lustre for a luminous and perfected glow.
Providing long-lasting hydration in a creamy liquid formula, Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation blends seamlessly into the skin for a natural, medium-to-full coverage, satin finish. This M.A.C makeup is infused with micronised pigments that have been coated in silicone to ensure easy application and colour stability throughout the day. The foundation also contains broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection against harmful sun damage. The water-resistant and long-lasting formula is suitable for all-day wear.
M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation is best for dry and dehydrated skin that needs a hydrating foundation to restore luminosity. Studio Sculpt is also particularly beneficial to ageing and mature skin, as it imparts a youthful glow and smooths over any fine lines and wrinkles.
4.5 of 153 reviews
"Love the colour & coverage but the best thing about this foundation is that it’s great for dry skin. No flakiness or dry spots when I use this!" ★★★★★ - Carly
Designer Brands Hydrating Luminous Foundation is a unique, gel-like face makeup that combines the skincare benefits of a moisturiser with the medium-to-full-coverage of a foundation. Perfect for smoothing over the roughness of dry and dehydrated skin, this illuminating foundation leaves your complexion looking brighter and healthier from the get-go.
To provide instant hydration, this Designer Brands foundation is infused with high concentrations of Hyaluronic Acid, which also improves water retention throughout the day. The formula is also full of antioxidants such as Aloe Vera and Green Tea, which work together to soothe and nourish the skin while protecting it from free-radical damage. Hydrating Luminous Foundation also contains a complex of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, which improve the skin tone and texture for a luminous glow. is a unique, gel-like face makeup that combines the skincare benefits of a moisturiser with the medium-to-full-coverage of a foundation. Perfect for smoothing over the roughness of dry and dehydrated skin, this illuminating foundation leaves your complexion looking brighter and healthier from the get-go.
Designer Brands Hydrating Luminous Foundation provides medium-to-full, buildable coverage, easily camouflaging any pigmentation and discolouration of the skin. The long-lasting formula will take you from day to night.
4.5 of 48 reviews
"I can’t even begin to say how good this foundation is the colour match was perfect. This is a light creamy formula that just melts into the skin and blends like a dream. Would highly recommend will definitely repurchase this." ★★★★★ - Aline
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All In One Glow Foundation is the perfect dewy foundation for normal-to-dry skin types, providing medium, long-wearing coverage and a lit-from-within glow. Working to hydrate the skin and smooth over imperfections, this nourishing foundation creates a fresh-faced and youthful look.
To tackle hydration, this water-based foundation from YSL is infused with Hyaluronic Acid. This ingredient not only delivers an instant moisture surge but also helps improve water retention throughout the day. Touche Eclat Foundation also contains Vitamin E and a blend of other antioxidants, which protect the skin from dehydrating free-radical aggressors as well as soothing any pre-existing damage. is the perfect dewy foundation for normal-to-dry skin types, providing medium, long-wearing coverage and a lit-from-within glow. Working to hydrate the skin and smooth over imperfections, this nourishing foundation creates a fresh-faced and youthful look.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All In One Glow Foundation always feels comfortable on the skin and never leaves a cakey or noticeable appearance. Providing medium coverage, it blends over any imperfections and imparts a healthy radiance for a fresher and brighter look.
The Best Makeup Brush Cleaners keep your foundation brushes fresh!
If you have warm skin tones and are looking for a foundation with a yellow base, be sure to have a read through our guide The 9 Best Yellow Undertone Foundations 2021
Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty’s highly trained Customer Service team. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.
This article has been updated on 16/02 to replace discontinued products with our recent product recommendations. Amelia from our Customer Service team has helped to bring you our most recommended products and up-to-date information.
