If You Hate Foundation, These Natural-Looking Alternatives Will Win You Over
From Chanel to Westman Atelier, these are the best formulas on the market.
I don't like foundation. Never have, never will. As a beauty editor, it's safe to say my gripes with foundation cause me some issues. Because while I hate the way it makes my skin feel greasy and appear two-dimensional, a huge number of people wear it every single day. And the most confusing part of it all is, I love the way certain formulas look on other people—I just can't stand them on me. If I could have it my way, I'd never wear foundation ever again. However, in the name of research and being a good beauty editor, I've tried virtually every formula out there—from skin tints to full-coverage glowing foundations.
And while I know my disdain for foundation is particularly extreme, I also know that there are a lot of people out there who share some of my views. The truth is, foundation simply doesn't look like natural skin, and I don't think it ever can. I feel confident enough to say this because, as someone who has tried all of the best and most luxurious foundations on the market, I have never found a formula that isn't visible on the skin (or the screen of my phone after I've taken a call). And it is this basic issue that has natural-looking-makeup lovers distancing themselves from foundation.
You see, we foundation haters all share the same makeup ideal: We want fresh, radiant, natural-looking skin that's clear, even in tone and smooth to the eye. Is that really too much to ask?
Well, for the most part, I'll admit that yes, it is. But there are some foundations and bases out there that deliver as close to natural-looking results as can possibly be delivered. I'm talking fast-absorbing formulas with skin-like finishes that don't pool, crease or turn patchy.
What Should I Look for in a Natural-Looking Foundation?
When it comes to getting a natural-looking foundation, there are a few things to look for. Firstly, you should look for a foundation that is described as 'sheer', 'lightweight ', or having a 'natural finish'. The most natural-looking foundations will bestow a subtle tint on your skin without masking. They'll offer just enough coverage to even out your skin and disguise redness, but they will still let freckles peek through. You'll also often find natural-looking foundations having a subtle dewy finish that makes your skin look like yours, just more refined.
If you want a subtle veil of coverage that helps even skin out while ensuring it still looks like yours, I've got you covered. Whether you're looking for an affordable foundation, a dewy foundation or even a natural-looking base for mature skin, here are the 12 best natural-looking foundations out there.
The Best Natural Foundations, Tried & Tested
- Best Overall: Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint (£42)
- Best for All Skin Types: Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation (£39)
- Best Skin Tint: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint (£42)
- Best for Glow: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation (£40)
- Best Affordable Foundation: Beauty Pie Everyday Great Skin Foundation (£16)
1. Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint
Shades: 12
This Summer Fridays skin tint/foundation hybrid is without doubt the best base product out there for those who don't like wearing foundation. The coverage is light, so if you prefer a fuller-looking face, it won't be for you. However, if you're in the market for a sheer skin perfecter that's ideal for daily use, this is the best I've ever tried. It's lightly hydrating, doesn't sit on the skin's surface, and takes down redness and discolouration with concealer-like ease. If you haven't found the perfect no-makeup-makeup base product yet, I can assure you it's this.
Pros
- Full of hydration, so great for all skin types
- Blends like butter
- Undetectable on skin
Cons
- Only available in 12 shades
2. Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation
Shades: 42
I genuinely could not believe just how much I fell in love with this stuff considering it's pretty full coverage. In fact, I love it so much that after trying it for the first time, I wore it every single day for a month, which is entirely unheard of for me. The finish is somewhere between satin and matte. It doesn't dull the skin at all, but it doesn't leave it looking greasy or dewy either. The coverage is relatively full, but you can just use less if you want to sheer things out. The most impressive thing about this foundation, though, is the way it doesn't scupper the skin's natural radiance or glow. Whenever I wear it, I'm guaranteed compliments on my skin (not my foundation)!
Pros
- A full coverage that also sheers out beautifully
- Keeps natural glow
- Formulated with lots of skincare ingredients
Cons
- I really struggle to think of any downsides, but I suppose really dry skin would benefit from a hydrating primer
3. Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
Shades: 30
Pros
- Has a great shade offering for a skin tint
- Really hydrating
- Treats the skin while it works
Cons
- Finish is dewy, so not for everyone
- It oxidises slightly when on the skin, so opt for a shade lighter than you might normally
This is a cult product that deserves every ounce of hype it receives online. It has a thicker consistency than most skin tints and feels more like a foundation than other products of its kind, but the finish is unbelievably natural-looking. Plus, it's chock-full of skin-loving ingredients that treat the skin while it works.
Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden, also adores the dewy finish of this stuff. "I can't live without Ilia's Skin Tint," she says. "The serum texture melts into the skin and offers impressive coverage that doesn't look heavy. Instead, it imparts a healthy, dewy glow, while the additions of niacinamide and squalene genuinely leave my skin looking better as I wear it. It's by far one of the best Ilia makeup products."
4. Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation
Shades: 30
Don't be fooled by the skin-tint-like bottle; this stuff is a foundation through and through. It has an impressive amount of coverage (one layer will deliver medium coverage, but it can be layered for more) and delivers a truly radiant, dewy glow. Formulated with a plethora of hydrating skincare ingredients, it's the sort of foundation that really works with skin rather than against it.
Pros
- Imparts a natural-looking, dewy finish
- Skincare ingredients work to illuminate natural skin
Cons
- It's heavier duty than you'd think, so go in light and build it up
5. Beauty Pie Everyday Great Skin Foundation
Price shown is member price.
Shades: 21
With a buildable medium coverage, this foundation is surprisingly lightweight on the skin, but provides an impressive soft-focus effect with a radiant matte finish that doesn't look flat or cakey. It's also oil- and fragrance-free, making it ideal for those with breakout-prone or sensitive skin. If you're looking for a forgiving matte foundation for the evening that still looks natural, this is it.
Pros
- A fuller coverage finish
- Matte while still maintaining skin's radiance
Cons
- It's not a melt-into-the-skin formula, so better for evening wear
- You need a membership to access the discounted prices
6. Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
Shades: 20
Pros
- Delivers an invisible veil of coverage
- Super easy to blend
- Feels wonderfully luxurious
Cons
- A pricer choice, for sure
- Has a very dewy, oil-like finish so not the best for oily skin types
Oily people, if you don't like having to use powder over your foundation, keep scrolling—this stuff will likely need a dusting of something mattifying if your skin is already oily. However, if you have normal-dry skin, you won't be able to get enough of these super-dewy drops. The formula is almost impossibly lightweight and invisible on the skin, delivering a truly stunning, dewy finish, which is perfect for those with dull or dehydrated skin. Don't be fooled by the water-like consistency of the product—it delivers seriously impressive coverage.
Eleanor is also a fan of Westman Atelier's drops. "On the days when I want lightweight coverage, I reach for these drops. I'd recommend giving them a good shake beforehand to ensure the pigment is mixed, but it lends the skin the most dewy, radiant finish while still letting my freckles peek through," she says.
7. Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch
Shades: 16
When Chanel first launched this product (albeit with a different name and formula) a few years back, I'll admit I didn't really get it. However, the brand gave things an update, producing something that is nothing short of perfection. Containing spheres of pigment that are suspended in a skin-loving, gel-like concoction of water, antioxidants and hydrating emollients, this formula delivers whatever your skin needs most at that time. Plus, the cooling gel consistency makes it beautifully glow-boosting. If you want a no-fuss, hydrating, natural-looking base for everyday wear in the warmer months, look no further.
Pros
- Really hydrating
- Buildable coverage
- Feels cooling and luxurious
Cons
- You'll need to swatch this product—the shades look much deeper in the bottle
8. Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Cream Foundation
Shades: 32
If I could have any beauty wish granted, it would be for this foundation to be cheaper. However, it is without doubt the best proper foundation I have ever used. With a beautifully buildable medium coverage, it becomes one with the skin in a way that, in my opinion, no other foundation can. It just leaves skin looking healthy. Considering the price, I really don't like shouting about this foundation too much, but I can't bring myself to round up the best natural-looking foundations out there and not include this. If you have £126 going spare or are looking to invest in your beauty regime, it's a magnificent buy.
Pros
- Luxurious, creamy texture that melts onto the skin
- Unrivalled skin-like result
- A medium coverage that builds without creasing
Cons
- It's silly expensive
9. Dior Forever Hydra Nude Foundation
Shades: 18
Dior's Forever foundations are a real hit amongst foundation lovers, so as a foundation-hater, I've surprised myself with how much I love this stuff. If you love a totally blurring, fully disguising, skin-smoothing foundation with impressive coverage, Dior Forever foundations are absolutely magnificent. However, if, like me, you prefer your complexion to look as though it can breathe, this Hydra Nude formula is a great option. It still packs a hefty amount of coverage, so personally, I'd use this just in the evenings, but with a 55% water base, it delivers a skin-like finish that doesn't possess a hint of cakeiness.
Pros
- A fuller-coverage formula
- A natural-looking, dewy finish
Cons
- A true foundation texture, so better for the evenings
10. Nars Light Reflecting Foundation
Shades: 46
Nars is famed for its excellent foundations, and the Light Reflecting Foundation is no exception. Unlike the brand's cult Sheer Glow, which has a relatively full-coverage, satin finish, this stuff puts glow first and has a buildable, medium coverage that allows you to tailor your results. I find it a little too glowy in the summer, but it's ideal for colder months when my skin is drier.
Pros
- Available in lots of shades
- Delivers really impressive glow
- A fuller coverage finish
- Extensive shade range
Cons
- The glow is impressive, so probably not one for really oily skin
11. Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
Shades: 30
For when you need slightly fuller coverage, this foundation is the one to go for—particularly if you have oily or combination skin and prefer a natural matte finish to your skin. It's creamy, packs a blemish-disguising punch and leaves skin looking like skin. The ball-point style applicator makes it easy to conceal just where you need it without masking your skin.
Pros
- Luxurious packaging, easy to travel with
- Replaces both foundation and concealer in your makeup bag
- Gives the skin a radiant matte finish
Cons
- Has more of a matte finish, so may be too flat for very dry or mature skin types
12. Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Shades: 18
Pros
- Hydrating
- Dewy, radiant finish
- Offers sheer, lightweight coverage
Cons
- The formula can leak out into the lid, which is a little annoying given the cost
If it's a dewy finish you're seeking, then Hourglass's Veil Hydrating Skin Tint is bound to tick all the boxes. "The creamy formula melts into the skin with a second-skin finish, leaving my complexion looking glowing and radiant," says Eleanor. "It's my everyday go-to when I want a natural-looking, dewy finish that doesn't feel like I'm wearing a mask. Plus, this is one of the best colour matches I've had from a base product in a long time."
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
