After years of trial and error, here are the best foundations for pale skin - as tested by seriously pale beauty editors

And they don't compromise on the skin-like finish we love

Mica Ricketts testing the best foundation for pale skin
(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to honing in on make-up that works for me, my years as a beauty journalist mean that I can pretty much tell from a brief glance at a mascara wand or a quick swatch of a cream blusher whether a product is going to end up in my beauty bag. However, there’s no denying that deciphering the best foundation has been a decidedly more arduous process of testing and trialling. Why? Because I have pale skin, and many foundations that claim to cater to the lighter end of the spectrum are often too orange or too pink.

"It’s really difficult to tell [if a foundation will suit pale skin] from looking at it in a bottle," explains make-up artist Lisa Caldognetto. "Trying a foundation out is really important because some definitely do oxidise. This means that it might look perfect at first, but then within ten minutes of wear it’s gone a little bit orange or a little bit yellow and you just kind of look unwell, or like it’s totally not a match for your skin tone."

Yes, it seems that the subtleties of undertones (that’s those ingenious hints of yellow or pink that help to make a foundation tone look genuinely skin-like) tend to be lost once we get into the porcelain and ivory end of a foundation’s shade offering. In fact, I’d say that at one point basically all foundations for pale skin were available pretty much exclusively in either Victorian ghost or streaky fake tan. Far from ideal. 

How to find your undertone

Caldognetto explains that there are some tricks to deciphering your undertone if you’re not sure—if you think you suit gold jewellery more then you’re likely to have warm or yellow undertones, whereas if you suit silver then chances are you have cool or pink undertones. However, if you’re still not sure then neutral is a good place to start: "The beauty of wearing a pale foundation with a neutral undertone is that, whatever your true skin tone, the colour will absorb slightly and work for you without veering to one extreme or another."

My testing criteria

Luckily though, times are changing and there are some amazing brands out there creating brilliant foundations in a truly diverse spectrum of skin tones. (In fact, I should caveat this piece with the fact that historically finding decent foundations on the high street has been an even harder task for those with darker skin tones—and is a space where there is still much room for improvement.) I asked Valeza Bakolli - MCUK's Junior Shopping Editor and fellow pale foundation forager - for her input on the best formulas out there. In our extensive testing to find the best foundation for pale skin, we’ve found that they all have these things in common:

  • They all look natural and skin-like when applied, regardless of coverage and finish.
  • They are available in a spectrum of shades and undertones that genuinely work for pale skin—there’s no one shade fits all approach.
  • They never verge into fake tan territory. It’s an orange streak-free zone.

Below, our pick of the very best foundations for pale skin. For more inspiration, don't forget to check out our guides to the best foundation for dry skin, the best foundation for oily skin, the best foundation for acne-prone skin and even the best drugstore foundations

1. L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation

Mica Ricketts testing the best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation - best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Lookfantastic)

L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation

Best for a genuine colour match

Reasons to buy

+
Buildable coverage
+
Looks like healthy skin
+
Impressive budget buy

Reasons to avoid

-
You might want to powder to improve longevity

"For a high street foundation, the shade range here is impressive—48 in total and recently reformulated with green and blue colour pigments for even more skin-like tones. I wear shade 1W, which has just the right amount of yellow for my skin tone without veering into sallow territory. Plus, the addition of hyaluronic acid means it boasts a beautiful plump, bouncy skin finish." - Mica Ricketts, Beauty Contributor

2. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

Mica Ricketts testing the best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation - best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Sephora)

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

Best for oily skin

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly long-lasting
+
Disguises pores and pigmentation
+
Feels lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
Might cling to drier skin types
-
I find it applies best with a make-up sponge

"Despite having skin that leans to the oily side, I tend to avoid matte foundations like the plague—this one from Fenty Beauty being the only exception. Yes, it’s shine-free, but skin never looks flat or lifeless when wearing this. Instead, it acts like a filter; blurring over pores and generally smoothing things out. Available in 50 shades, including tons for pale skin (I’m in shade 120), it’s an ideal choice if you want a foundation that stays put." - Mica Ricketts, Beauty Contributor

3. Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation

Mica Ricketts testing the best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation - best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Cult Beauty)

Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation

Best for a healthy glow

Reasons to buy

+
Natural, glowy finish
+
Contains vitamin E and white tea extract for a skincare boost

Reasons to avoid

-
It’s fairly pricey 
-
Coverage is quite sheer

"This is the foundation I reach for when I haven’t had enough sleep and I need something that’s going to make me look healthy, fast. Traditionally, I’ve found that glowy formulas tend to skew as orange-y on pale skin or they’re laden with shimmer, but this one from Hourglass is all about that subtle lit-from-within glow. I wear shade 2 (and there are 32 available) and love the sheer, natural finish." - Mica Ricketts, Beauty Contributor

4. Saie Glowy Super Skin Foundation

valeza trying the best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Future)

saie glowy super skin foundation

(Image credit: Cult Beauty)

Saie Glowy Super Skin Foundation

Best for a hydrated finish

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Long-lasting
+
Glowy finish

Reasons to avoid

-
Formula separates in the bottle - but nothing a quick shake won't solve

"Foundations with hydrating, glowy formulas are hands down my favourites - come winter or summer - and when it comes to a radiant finish, no foundation delivers quite like Saie. The clue is in the name here, but it really does leave my skin with an impressive glow - even on grey and gloomy days. It comes in 36 shades, with a great selection for pale skin, and unlike other lighter foundations I’ve tried, it doesn’t leave my skin looking at all chalky. I will mention, it’s important to give this foundation a good shake before use as the formula can separate a little in the bottle, but once well mixed, it glides on like water and leaves a beautiful, healthy-looking finish." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor

5. The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation

Mica Ricketts trying the best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation - best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: The Body Shop)

The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation

Best all rounder

Reasons to buy

+
Natural, radiant finish
+
Feels moisturising on the skin
+
Affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a fan of the spatula applicator
-
Need a concealer for extra coverage

"When it comes to make-up, The Body Shop tends to fly massively under-the-radar, but this is truly one of the best foundations for pale skin that I’ve ever tried. Sure, it doesn’t promise anything fancy—it’s a medium coverage, hydrating formula with a natural skin-finish—but don’t we all need one of those in our make-up bags? Available in 40 shades (I wear 2W) it’s basically healthy skin in a bottle and it’s perfect for everyday wear." - Mica Ricketts, Beauty Contributor

6. Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation

Mica Ricketts testing the best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation - best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Lookfantastic)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation

Best for staying power

Reasons to buy

+
All-day wear
+
Medium coverage

Reasons to avoid

-
Might need to powder if you’re prone to oiliness

"Although Anastasia Beverly Hills is a brand that’s synonymous with brows, it turns out that their first and only foundation offering is pretty impressive in its own right. With 50 shades in a range of warm, cool and neutral undertones (I’m in 120W) it has nailed the pale colour offering. But most appealingly, the subtly luminous finish covers everything from spots to dark circles and stays put all day without looking cakey." - Mica Ricketts, Beauty Contributor

7. Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting SPF30 Foundation

Mica Ricketts testing the best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting SPF30 Foundation - best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Lookfantastic)

Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting SPF30 Foundation

Best for changeable skin

Reasons to buy

+
Conceals pores and fine lines
+
Bright, healthy-looking skin

Reasons to avoid

-
Might slide off oily areas by end of the day

"I always recommend Shiseido as a great place to start for people with pale skin. As while there are 30 shades available here  (I’m in shade 130 Opal) they are definitely weighted more heavily towards the lighter end of the colour spectrum. If, like me, your skin is oily one day, dry the next and you’re also spotting some signs of ageing in the form of fine lines, then this flexible foundation offers coverage, smooths texture and brings a subtle glow." - Mica Ricketts, Beauty Contributor

8. Kosas Revealer Foundation

valeza testing Kosas Revealer Foundation

(Image credit: Future)

Kosas Revealer Foundation

(Image credit: Space NK)

Kosas Revealer Foundation

Best for specific undertones

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight but pigmented
+
great for neutral undertones
+
Has SPF 25

Reasons to avoid

-
The glass bottle is a little heavy

"This foundation has my favourite kind of consistency - thin but pigmented - and glides onto my skin like water. It’s a dream to buff in (I choose to do so with fingers for a speedy, natural-looking finish), and doesn’t emphasise my dry patches, despite having exceptional coverage. My favourite thing about this foundation, though, has to be its truly neutral undertone. It allows me to completely neutralise any redness, so I can go in with blusher on the areas I want to cover only - a complete game changer. Alongside neutral, the range of shades covers warm, cool and olive undertones, meaning you can really tailor it to your skin." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor

9. Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick

Mica Ricketts testing the best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick - best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Cult Beauty)

Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick

Best for skipping concealer

Reasons to buy

+
Portable packaging
+
Versatile coverage
+
Applies well with fingers

Reasons to avoid

-
Creamy texture might be too heavy for some

"Stick foundations don’t tend to be my bag, but the addition of skincare ingredients like moisturising blue lotus and marshmallow root extract mean that this one from Milk Makeup is ultra-creamy and easy to apply. It layers up beautifully so you can wear it sheer or build it to full coverage, and doubles as a decent under-eye concealer. Available in 36 shades, I’m in Shell—fair with golden undertones." - Mica Ricketts, Beauty Contributor

10. bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Liquid Foundation SPF 20

Mica Ricketts testing the best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Mica Ricketts)

bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Liquid Foundation SPF 20 - best foundation for pale skin

(Image credit: Lookfantastic)

bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Liquid Foundation SPF 20

Best for coverage

Reasons to buy

+
It outlasts every other foundation I own
+
Makes skin look smooth and fresh

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite heavyweight packaging

"I swore by the classic bareMinerals powder foundation for many years before becoming fickle with foundation testing. However, this liquid version is my new favourite from the brand thanks to its incredible staying power and ability to cover absolutely everything while still maintaining the illusion of natural skin. Much like Shiseido, its 35-shade offering dominates at the lighter end of the spectrum but makes it a great choice for pale skin." - Mica Ricketts, Beauty Contributor

Mica Ricketts

Mica Ricketts is a freelance beauty editor and contributor to Marie Claire. She has written for titles including Refinery29 and Who What Wear UK, and also works with beauty brands on content messaging and marketing copy. She was previously Who What Wear UK's beauty editor. As someone that has tried basically every acne product on the market, she has a particular passion for debunking skincare myths and finding products that work. Plus, with two small children at home she is all about time-saving beauty routines that boost glow and disguise dark circles.

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