Achieving radiant, glowing, dewy skin isn’t easy. You have to maintain a meticulous skincare routine, and with priorities coming at you from every direction, that can be a bit challenging.
Fortunately, you can still get that lustrous “glowing from within” look simply by having an impeccable dewy foundation in your makeup arsenal. That’s not to say that you no longer have to work hard on getting healthier skin—you should definitely keep doing that—but at least you can look the part while you wait for the fruits of your labor.
We know makeup shopping can be a drag, so we’ve rounded up a selection of glowy, illuminating foundations to help you find the best dewy foundation for your skin.
- Features to Consider in Finding the Best Dewy Foundation
- Top 10 Best Dewy Foundations 2026
- 1. Best Overall Dewy Foundation: L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Foundation
- 2. Best Premium Dewy Foundation: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
- 3. Best Long-Wear Dewy Foundation: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation
- 4. Best Budget Dewy Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy Foundation
- 5. Best Full-Coverage Dewy Foundation: Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation
- 6. Best Dewy Foundation for Sensitive Skin: Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation
- 7. Best Dewy Foundation for Dry Skin: bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Cream
- 8. Clinique Even Better Glow Foundation
- 9. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
- 10. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation
- Guide to Buying the Best Dewy Foundation
- Final Thoughts
Features to Consider in Finding the Best Dewy Foundation
When you have so many options to choose from, it can be hard to determine which dewy foundation is best for you. To narrow down your options, compare the products according to the attributes below.
Skin Type
The first thing you need to consider when looking for the best dewy foundation is your skin type. Foundations, whether matte, dewy, or otherwise, aren’t made the same way nor with the same ingredients. They can have different effects depending on your skin type, so it’s important that you get one that’s suitable for your skin.
You’ll typically see what skin type a product is well-suited for on the bottle or tube, so finding one for your skin type shouldn’t be hard at all. If you don’t know your skin type, farther down the article is a section explaining the different types.
Shade
Foundations typically come in a variety of colors, with some products coming in at least 15 shades. Usually, the more shades the better, since it means you’re more likely to find a shade that’ll match your skin color. But when you have over 10 shades to choose from, finding the right one can be tricky and time-consuming. Even if you pick a shade that looks similar to your skin color, it could still end up being the wrong shade.
To avoid picking the wrong shade, you should figure out what skin color and undertone you have. Later in this article, you’ll see a guide to picking the right shade.
Dewiness
Since you’re getting a dewy foundation to get a radiant glowing look, you have to make sure to pick a foundation that will actually give you that intended effect without sacrificing other desirable features. What you particularly want to avoid is a foundation that makes your face so oily you could almost fry an egg on it. Dewy skin doesn’t equate to oily skin: dewy skin is moist, isn’t too shiny, and looks fresh.
The perfect example is L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Foundation. It has all the great features of a dewy foundation despite being an inexpensive drugstore pick.
Weight
Weight in foundation refers to how it feels on your skin. Ideally, you should get a lightweight foundation that feels as if it’s not there at all. The heavier a foundation is, the more uncomfortable it is—heavy foundation is a nightmare to wear, and you’ll even notice it clogging your pores.
Coverage
What coverage you want depends on whether you have anything you want to conceal, and how much of it. Many dewy foundations offer medium coverage and can conceal things like redness, wrinkles, scars, and other blemishes.
If you want a perfectly flawless look, however, you might want to get a foundation that offers full coverage, like Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation. But if you are blessed with unblemished skin or want your distinctive marks like freckles to come through, pick a foundation that has light coverage.
Longevity
It’s rare for a foundation to last 24 hours even if it says it will, especially when you consider things like skin type, sweat, temperature, humidity, and dirt. But some of the best dewy foundations can last through the day and still look good, like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation.
Sun Protection
Sun damage is a real threat, which is why the Skin Cancer Foundation advises the public to wear sunscreen every day. If you’re not keen on including a facial sunscreen as part of your daily routine, you might want to pick a foundation with a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF value of at least 15, as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help protect you against the sun.
Now that you know what to look for in a good dewy foundation, it’s time to take a look at our top picks and see why they stand out from the rest.
Top 10 Best Dewy Foundations 2026
1. Best Overall Dewy Foundation: L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Foundation
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Skin Type: All
- Shades: 15
- Coverage: Medium
- Longevity: Up to 8 hours
- SPF: 20
L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Foundation is packed with all the benefits you’d want in a dewy foundation. It is made with 40% pure water to keep your skin hydrated and makes use of Liquid Light Technology to give your skin that instant glow. It’s also infused with antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin E to improve the look and feel of your skin. Because it doesn’t have any harsh ingredients, it’s good for sensitive skin as well.
Performance
True Match Lumi Foundation goes on smoothly and blends easily. It’s truly a godsend to some of us who don’t want to spend too much time doing our makeup, especially since doing it can feel like an eternity at times.
It also blends well with your skin tone, so it’s great for people who often buy the wrong shade, because even if the foundation is a shade or two lighter (or darker) it’ll still look natural. It lasts up to eight hours, so you probably will only need to touch up once or twice a day.
Moreover, it offers medium buildable coverage, which is enough to hide some mild redness on the skin. But since it’s lightweight, it won’t really feel heavy on your skin. It might not be able to fully cover darker blemishes, though.
As for the drawbacks, it has two. First, it may cause acne in some people, and second, it may be a little too thin or watery for your liking. Physicians Formula’s The Healthy Foundation, with its skin-safe lightweight formulation, is a worthy alternative for anyone who’s worried about the possibility of their foundation causing acne.
Pros
- Instant glow
- Budget-friendly
- Improves your skin health over time
- Good for all skin types
Cons
- Thin and watery
- May cause acne
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Skin Type: All
- Shades: 15
- Coverage: Light to medium
- Longevity: Up to 24 hours
- SPF: N/A
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation would be the best dewy foundation around if it weren’t for the hefty price tag. At over $60 a bottle, it’s over ten times as expensive as a bottle of L’Oréal True Match Lumi.
But the price is actually justified—not only is it a hit with professional makeup artists and vloggers, but it’s also a cult favorite among celebrities like Rashida Jones and Cate Blanchett. Even Kim Kardashian loves this lustrous foundation.
Performance
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation will allow the natural glow of your skin to shine through even if you use a lot of it. It’s actually the foundation behind Meghan’s fresh, flawless complexion. It offers excellent mild to medium coverage while still looking natural.
It also lasts all day, and doesn’t melt or streak in undesirable conditions. Despite its dewy finish, it doesn’t feel wet or oily to the touch at all. And it’s so lightweight it’ll feel like a second skin.
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is suitable for all skin types and comes in 15 shades. Unfortunately, these shades are scattered all over Amazon via different listings. But we gathered them so you don’t have to look for them yourself:
- 2 – fair, peach
- 5 – light to medium, olive
- 75 – very fair, pink
- 4 – light, golden
- 5 – light to medium, natural
- 75 – light, pink
- 5 – light, neutral
- 25 – medium pink
- 5 – natural beige
- 75 – medium, neutral
- 6 – medium, olive
- 5 – medium to tan, neutral
- 7 – medium to tan, peach
- 8 – tan, neutral
- 10 – deep, golden
Pros
- Provides a natural fresh glow
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Will break the bank
3. Best Long-Wear Dewy Foundation: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Skin Type: Normal to dry
- Shades: 11
- Coverage: Light to medium
- Longevity: Up to 24 hours
- SPF: 15
L’Oréal is undeniably the best drugstore makeup brand when it comes to dewy foundation. The best overall dewy foundation is a L’Oréal product, and L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation bags the most long-lasting dewy foundation title as well. Like Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, it lasts up to 24 hours, but it won’t cost you an arm and leg.
Performance
It’s not easy to find a foundation that gets you through the day and more, much less one that continues to look nice after long periods. But Infallible Pro-Glow really shines in that department. Unless your job or workout makes you sweat like a racehorse (or it’s over a hundred scorching degrees outside), you won’t really need a touch-up.
As for the feel and consistency, it is lightweight and goes really smoothly and quickly on the skin, probably because it’s runnier than your average foundation—too runny for some people, in fact. It has buildable light to medium coverage and can hide mild blemishes. But if you want heavy, full coverage, you might want to try Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation instead.
Another great thing about this foundation is that it comes in a squeezy tube. Apart from being easy to dispense, it’s also travel-friendly.
While Infallible Pro-Glow works well on normal or dry skin, it’s a little harsh on sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Pros
- Lasts all day
- Smooth and fast application
- Easy dispense
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- Runny
- Not for sensitive or acne-prone skin
4. Best Budget Dewy Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy Foundation
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Skin Type: Normal to dry
- Shades: 28
- Coverage: Medium
- Longevity: A few hours
- SPF: 18
Maybelline Fit Me Dewy Foundation is probably the most popular glowy foundation you’ll find—and for good reason. Its creamy, unlike L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Foundation, and non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores. At less than $8 per 1-oz bottle, it’s also the best dewy foundation in the budget range.
Performance
Fit Me has a hydrating formula that will make your skin feel smooth and supple. Also, despite offering great coverage, Fit Me is extremely lightweight and doesn’t feel cakey. People who typically use a concealer may not even need it anymore. You may need to touch up more often, however, since it doesn’t last that long.
It does a great job of giving your skin a lovely glow, but if you have oily skin, you’ll have to pick something like the Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation. While it can be the best dewy foundation for normal to dry skin, it doesn’t get along with oily skin. Depending on your skin type and sensitivity, it can break you out as well.
Fit Me comes in 28 shades so you’re sure to find the right color for your skin.
Pros
- Leaves skin smooth, supple, and glowing
- Lightweight
- Great coverage
- Comes in 28 shades
Cons
- Not for oily skin
- May cause acne
- Only lasts a few hours
5. Best Full-Coverage Dewy Foundation: Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Skin Type: Normal to oily
- Shades: 20
- Coverage: Medium to full
- Longevity: Up to 24 hours
- SPF: N/A
Joining the array of makeup cult favorites is Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation, a German dewy foundation that has mattifying qualities. It sounds contradictory, but basically what it does is gives your skin a natural glow while mattifying the oily parts of your skin to reduce that unwanted, over-the-top shine.
Performance
Catrice HD Liquid Foundation gives concealers a run for their money when it comes to coverage. It masks skin discoloration, fine lines, and blemishes without looking cakey or feeling heavy. It should be your go-to foundation if you’re looking for buildable medium to full coverage. It goes on smoothly and pretty much lasts all day.
Since this foundation offers full coverage, it tends to clog your pores, so it might not be the best option if you have acne-prone skin — Physicians Formula’s The Healthy Foundation would be a safer choice if you tend to break out.. It also emphasizes large pores and dry areas on your face.
Pros
- Hides imperfections
- Long-lasting
- Smooth application
Cons
- Clogs pores
- Emphasizes large pores and dry patches
6. Best Dewy Foundation for Sensitive Skin: Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Skin Type: All
- Shades: 12
- Coverage: Medium
- Longevity: Up to 24 hours
- SPF: 20
Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation is a fantastic dewy foundation that caters to all skin types, whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin. It even works well on sensitive and acne-prone skin because of how mild the ingredients are.
The foundation is infused with antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E, and hyaluronic acid, which help to hydrate skin, while the brand’s exclusive Brightening Complex ingredient brightens and evens out your skin tone.
Performance
Many foundations, including some of the best dewy foundations, tend to make sensitive skin break out. But that’s not something you’d have to worry about The Health Foundation at all. On top of that, it’s also the best dewy foundation around for oily skin. If you have oily skin, it won’t make your skin look shinier than a lip gloss.
It offers medium coverage, lasts well throughout the day, and is also lightweight. Unfortunately, it oxidizes and can make your skin look orange if you have warm undertones. And even though it claims to be fragrance-free, you can really smell the sunscreen in it.
Another drawback is that picking the right shade for your skin is quite tricky. It turns a darker color when you apply it, so you might have to buy a lighter shade. If you can’t find a good match, you might have better look with the shades offered by the Clinique Even Better Glow Foundation.
Pros
- Brightens skin
- Good for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types
- Lightweight