Makeup
Best Foundation for Pale Skin

The Best Foundation for Pale Skin

By Ellie Child and Rebecca Jenkinson - 3 years ago | Updated 1 year ago

Now, don’t get us wrong – there is a huge range of foundations for pale skin and pale beauty lovers are really quite fortunate in that respect. Deeper tones tend to struggle the most when finding the perfect shade, having the least amount of options to choose from (until Fenty Beauty came along and shook the game up, well done RiRi).

However, for really pale guys and gals, you’ll probably find that even most brands’ ideas of fair leave you with that awful orange foundation line somewhere along your neck.

But don’t give up hope just yet! We put a range of foundations for pale skin to the test to see what brands can match porcelain skin. So, say hello to flawless, natural-looking pigments and goodbye to mismatched foundations!

Discover the best foundation for pale skin, here at Cosmetify. Once you've found your perfect match, check out our concealers section to add even more flawless coverage to your visage!

Best foundation for pale skin with pink undertones:

Finding the right foundation is partly to do with figuring out the right undertone. Annoying, but oh-so-essential.

The Ordinary Coverage Foundation

£7.04

This is one of the bestselling foundations on the market and it’s not hard to see why. It provides a full coverage finish but has a lightweight formula which feels comfortable on the skin all day long.

Better yet, it comes in a wide variety of shades from fair to deep with a superb range of undertones. Follow their guide to find the perfect one for you. For fair makeup lovers with pink undertones, we suggest 1.1P-Fair.

Best foundation for pale skin with warm undertones:

Jane Iredale Beyond Matte Liquid Foundation

£34.95 £53.00 (35% off)

If your pale skin has warm undertones, try to find foundations with yellow hues. Jane Iredale has a bunch of great options as the formula is self-adjusting, making it easy to find your true match. The fan-fave product also teams together the power of a primer, concealer, and foundation all within one product to reduce the appearance of pores and imperfections. Win-win!

Best luxury foundation for pale skin:

Stila Stay All Day Foundation & Concealer

£30.02 £35.40 (16% off)

Now this foundation truly is an indulgent treat for any makeup lover. Not only does it come with plenty of pale hues, but it also offers antioxidant protection to keep your face looking youthful and radiant.

The foundation has a medium to full coverage and is infused with a cocktail of vitamins and minerals to help you achieve a glowy, dewy effect.

Best drugstore foundation for pale skin:

Milani Conceal & Perfect 2 In 1 Foundation & Concealer

£15.88

Searching for an affordable, yet gorgeous pale foundation? Look no further than the Milani Conceal & Perfect 2 In 1 Foundation & Concealer. This is a medium-strength foundation with pale shades that can be built up to an evening look very easily.

Best foundation for pale oily skin:

Maybelline Fit Me! Matte & Poreless Foundation

£10.58

This purse-friendly option from Maybelline boasts a velvet, matte finish that sits comfortably on the skin for up to 12 hours. It’s a great one for minimising the appearance of redness, blemishes and dark circles. Choose from an array of pale shades, including Fair Porcelain and Natural Procelain.

Best foundation for pale dry skin:

Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Dewy Finish Second Skin Foundation

£24.73

If on the other end of the spectrum you have dry, dull skin, it’s time you try the Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Dewy Finish Second Skin Foundation. This wonder product has a hydrating formula, which helps smooth and soothe dry skin types. Plus, it comes in a range of shades that help enhance your complexion without feeling too cakey.

Best lightweight foundation for pale skin:

ZOEVA Authentik Skin Foundation

£22.94 £25.00 (9% off)

You simply cannot go wrong with the ZOEVA Authentik Skin Foundation; this is a makeup bag classic for a reason. It has a lightweight, sheer coverage which gives you a gorgeous wash of colour. And thanks to the genius ingredients included, it enhances the skin texture whilst also providing a fantastic colour match. Build-up, buff and blend for a beautiful complexion.

Best full coverage foundation for pale skin:

Inglot Cosmetics All Covered Foundation

£30.09

All areas really are covered with this foundation from Inglot Cosmetics. The buildable formula can be layered up to create the perfect full coverage finish. But the real star power is that it lasts up to 24 hours! Yep, you heard us right. Even when tested by heat, humidity and your busy diary, this foundation won’t budge a bit.

Best cruelty free foundation for pale skin:

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

£24.75 £33.00 (25% off)

Cruelty-free foundations doesn’t have to mean poor quality products. In fact, quite the opposite. This cruelty-free Illamasqua foundation is an indulgent treat for your face. It effortlessly covers blemishes and imperfections, while creating a radiant, glowy finish. With a range of 28 shades, there’s a colour match for everyone and every occasion.

Best foundation for pale acne prone skin:

Colorescience Tint Du Soleil SPF 30 Whipped Foundation

£45.00

Boasting a whipped-cream texture, this foundation is perfect for those wanting to cover uneven skin tone and texture. The unique formula utilises good-for-skin ingredients that help you conceal blemishes, redness and imperfections without that gross cakey-feel. Plus it has a semi-matte finish so that you can beat the midday slick.

And there you have it. No matter the occasion, there's a foundation to suit all your pale needs.

And just because we like to treat you, check out our guide to the best bronzers for a summer glow if you are looking for a little extra surge of warmth.

Written by Ellie Child

With five years’ experience under her belt, Ellie has worked alongside a range of highly regarded makeup artists, giving her a real insight into what consumers should be spending their money on.

Written by Rebecca Jenkinson

Rebecca is a content writer with over three years’ experience and a keen interest in cosmetics. Cosmetify allows her to combine her blogging skills with her passion for beauty.