10 Dewy Foundations For A Natural, Radiant Glow

Trends may come and go, but glowing skin never goes out of style. And while a good exfoliator and a rich moisturizer can help give your skin a major boost, sporting a lit-from-within glow year-round comes down to one thing: a radiant foundation that’s packed with moisture-boosting ingredients and light-reflecting properties.

From standout drugstore picks to celeb-approved cult faves, we’ve rounded up the best dewy foundations to help you fake a post-facial glow.

What should you look for in a dewy foundation?

Like foundations for dry skin and foundations for mature skin, a good dewy foundation is formulated with skincare ingredients to care for skin as you wear it and amp up your natural glow. Look for moisturizing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and squalane, and brightening actives, like vitamin C or niacinamide.

To easily spot dewy foundations when shopping, look for words like “radiant,” “glow” or “luminous” on the label.

The best dewy foundations to shop in 2024

L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, $22

Brightening up your complexion can be tricky when your skin is dry, but this foundation—which is available in 12 shades—is packed with one percent hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. It moisturizes like a serum, while being pigmented enough to even out skin tone. The addition of luminous pigments helps smooth out the appearance of flaky patches without highlighting them.

Maybelline Dream Radiant Liquid Hydrating Foundation, $18

Radiant skin starts with a good skincare routine, but a little help from your foundation certainly doesn’t hurt. This medium coverage option—available in 20 shades—is comfortable to wear thanks to moisture-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen. Fans praise its silky texture and love that it doesn't crease throughout the day.

Fenty Beauty Soft’Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation, $54

The latest addition to Fenty Beauty’s foundation line-up is sure to become a cult favourite. The brand describes it as “golden hour glow, bottled,” and for good reason. It comes in an extensive shade range and delivers a light-to-medium coverage that evens out skin tone without masking imperfections. The result is a sheen that's neither shimmery nor oily.

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint with SPF 40, $62

The multi-purpose serum-foundation hybrid from Vancouver-founded Ilia is beloved for its dewy finish and skin-like coverage. The lightweight tint—which comes in 30 shades—is loaded with mineral sun protection and skincare ingredients, like squalane, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. We love the liquid texture and the fact that the formula is dispensed via a pipette that makes controlling the amount you use easy.

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Nude Glow with SPF 40, $63

Packed with 90 percent skincare ingredients, this cream foundation provides 24 hours of hydration. It contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, green tea extract, as well as broad-spectrum sun protection. It has slightly less coverage than the original CC+ Cream, but boasts a natural sheen and more skincare benefits than its matte finish counterpart.

Make Up For Ever HD Skin Hydra Glow Foundation, $64

Inspired by the plumping power of sheet masks, this medium-coverage foundation is made with 86 percent skincare ingredients, including hyaluronic acid. The formula is buildable, allowing you to achieve a radiant base for every occasion. And with 37 shades to choose from, finding the perfect match is easy.

Armani Beauty ⁠Luminous Silk Foundation, $93

This cult product is the secret behind many of your favourite celebs’ radiant complexions, including Meghan Markle and Kim Kardashian. It blurs imperfections and improves the skin’s texture for an Instagram-ready look—no filter needed.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation, $19

Formulated specifically for mature skin and enriched with a skin-friendly cocktail of hydrating ingredients, this lightweight foundation doesn’t settle into fine lines or dry patches. It camouflages imperfections without looking heavy, like some high-coverage, matte foundations can. It comes in 21 shades.

Saie Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation, $57

Ideal for sensitive skin types, this formula is made with 85 percent skincare ingredients and 15 percent pigments to deliver a skin-like radiant finish that plumps skin and hydrates. The medium coverage is radiant without being greasy or oily, and it comes in 36 shades.

Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation, $68

If you’re looking for a foundation with serious glow, this makeup-skincare hybrid option is the answer. It’s infused with a light-reflecting complex for radiance and photochromic technology, which means the foundation adjusts to the light so you never look washed out in photos. It has a selection of 36 shades, so you're guaranteed to find your match.