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This skincare-led foundation 'minimised my redness' – and it's 20% off now. The lightweight, serum-like foundation left my skin glowy – don't let this one pass you by.
Lucy Smith Beauty writer Tuesday 28 April 2026 13:10 BST
Skin tints and serum foundations have become the backbone of the 'clean girl' make-up look, with lightweight, skin-first formulas continuing to eclipse heavier foundations for many beauty enthusiasts. Promising coverage that enhances natural skin rather than masking it, it is little surprise serum foundations have become such a crowded category – so the ones that stand out are all the more impressive.
Perricone MD's no makeup SPF 20 serum foundation (was £52, now £41.60, Lookfantastic.com) is one I come back to time and again. The brand has long had a loyal following among skincare devotees (I first noticed it in the golden era of beauty YouTube), but this hybrid base feels especially relevant now with its combination of sheer, glow-giving coverage and skincare benefits.
When I spotted it discounted by 20 per cent, it felt like a good excuse to revisit the foundation. Reacquainting myself with the skin base, I got up close and personal with its finish and staying power to see whether it still delivers nearly 10 years since I first tried it. Ahead, I have broken down everything worth knowing before you buy.
Perricone MD no makeup foundation serum SPF20
- Size: 30ml
- Shades: Eight
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, peptides, hyaluronic acid
- Cruelty-free: Yes
- Fragranced: No, but does include daisy extract
- Why we love it: Lightweight, still leaves your complexion looking like 'skin'
- Take note: Pipette is a little bit hit and miss
While I had a bit of trouble getting enough product from the pipette onto my make-up brush, this was my only qualm with the Perricone MD foundation. It was easy to blend and slippery enough without drying out for me to achieve the ultimate seamless finish. I would go as far as to say that I probably could have applied it with my fingers as it really is comparable to a serum in feel: liquidy and easy to distribute.
I enjoyed how it has a more skincare focus than traditional foundations and I could certainly feel the hydrating impact of the glycerin upon application, as well as after a few hours of wear. I imagine the added peptides (two different types) would be a big bonus for more mature skin, too, with an anti-ageing appeal and a more hydrating texture for drier, post-menopausal skin.
My cream bronzer did make the foundation budge ever so slightly, but this could entirely be the fault of the stiff blending brush I was using. As for the final finish, I loved that it minimised my redness without appearing flat. In terms of how it looked on my oily skin, I am pleased to confirm that the Perricone MD formula did not prompt any excess shine as the day progressed.
Is Perricone MD's serum foundation worth it?
With a weightless feel, reasonable level of coverage and 20 per cent off right now, I would not hesitate to repurchase Perricone MD's no makeup foundation. It left my skin glowy without shine, concealed without heaviness and it was super quick to apply which, for me, is a must on work days. Do not let this one pass you by.
How I tested
To properly assess the performance of Perricone MD's no makeup SPF 20 serum foundation, I tested it as I would any everyday base, applying it on bare skin before following with my usual bronzers, powders and the rest of my routine. Wearing it on multiple occasions, I focused not just on coverage, but how the skincare-foundation hybrid behaved throughout the day, particularly on my oily skin. Specifically, I considered:
- Application: I assessed how easily the liquid distributed across skin, whether it blended seamlessly with a brush (or could be applied by hand) and how user-friendly the pipette packaging was to use.
- Texture and feel: I paid attention to the serum-like consistency, how weightless or heavy the formula felt on my skin and whether it delivered the hydrating, skincare-led feel it promises.
- Finish and coverage: I looked at how well the foundation evened tone, softened redness and created a natural-looking finish, also noting whether coverage could be built up without turning flat or cakey.
- Staying power: Throughout the day, I monitored whether the formula prompted excess shine, slipped around oilier areas or maintained a fresh-looking finish over time.
- Compatibility: I tested how well the foundation layered with cream and powder products, noting any pilling, movement or disruption when bronzer and other complexion products were applied on top.
- Comfort: I considered how the foundation felt after several hours of wear, including whether skin felt as though it could breathe.
Lucy Smith is a senior shopping writer for IndyBest, and spends her days reviewing countless make-up products, including foundations and skin tints. Not only is she in the process of compiling a wider guide to the best foundations, but she has reviewed other popular formulas including Charlotte Tilbury's new airbrush flawless foundation and Tirtir's Korean cushion foundation. She has also covered the best foundation brushes and frequently speaks to make-up artists to glean their professional wisdom.
