The Ordinary Serum Foundation: A Formulation for Skinimalists

If you love lightweight, breathable beauty that enhances rather than masks your skin, then The Ordinary Serum Foundation is made for you.

With its fluid, serum-like texture, our Serum Foundation offers medium, buildable coverage that blends seamlessly into the skin. It provides an ultra-lightweight feel while evening out skin tone for a fresh, natural look. Whether you prefer a barely-there finish or something more polished, The Ordinary Serum Foundation is the ultimate skinimalist foundation.

Less is more. That’s the philosophy behind skinimalism—a skincare regimen movement that champions simplicity and functionality. Skinimalism is about embracing natural beauty and simplifying your skincare regimen, so your skin looks like skin. The movement isn’t new but is seeing a resurgence in 2025.

Instead of layering multiple makeup and skincare steps, skinimalists prioritize high-performance, multitasking essentials. At its core, skinimalism means:

• Using fewer products with smarter formulations
• Achieving radiant but natural-looking skin
• Choosing makeup that blends seamlessly and feels weightless
• Focusing on quality over quantity

Foundation plays a key role in any skinimalist regimen—but not all foundations fit the bill.

For a foundation to be minimalist, it should be lightweight, adaptable, and buildable, giving you the flexibility to wear as little or as much as you need. That’s where The Ordinary Serum Foundation comes in.

Here’s our approach to foundation:

1. Lightweight yet buildable: Evens out skin tone while feeling breathable and comfortable.


2. Silicone-in-water formulation: Provides superior spreadability, making application effortless.


3. High-spreadability suspension system: Ensures a smooth, natural finish that won’t settle into fine lines.


4. Volatile silicones for weightlessness: These evaporate upon application, leaving pigment behind without a heavy residue.

The result? Skin that looks like skin—just smoother, fresher, and more even.

Setting the Foundation for Foundation.

The beauty of our Serum Foundation is that it is only as good as the skincare underneath it. Because it is truly makeup without any skincare added, the idea is to build on an existing regimen–to truly showcase real skin. On top of that, it offers three key features:

• Affordable and accessible—High-quality formulations without the high price tag.
• A range of 36 skin-inclusive shades with multiple undertones for a perfect match.
• Primer-friendly—Works well with silicone- and water-based primers, though patch testing is recommended for non-The Ordinary products.

Of course, skincare is the ultimate way to prep your skin before foundation application. Here’s an example of where it might fit in a dry skin regimen:

1. Squalane Cleanser
   Cleanses skin and removes makeup.


2. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
   Hydrates and plumps the skin.


3. Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides
   Rich, nourishing moisturizer to strengthen the skin barrier.


4. Serum Foundation
   Lightweight formulation smooths and evens skin.

Our Shade Finder Guide makes it simple to find a true-to-you match from our range of 36 inclusive shades. These are based on your skin tone and undertone as follows:

1. Lighter tones (1.0 – 1.2)
2. Medium tones (2.0 – 2.2)
3. Dark/deep tones (3.0 – 3.2)
4. Deeper tones (4.0 – 4.2)

These are then further broken down into Pink (P), Neutral (N), Yellow (Y) and Red (R ) undertones. You can determine yours based on the following common characteristics:

Pink:

• Hints of bluish, pink or a ruddy complexion.
• Veins appear blue or violet and the skin has a pinkish-blue tint
• Often true for less pigmented skin that does not tan and burns easily

Neutral:

• No obvious hints of pink or yellow
• Veins appear blue-green

Yellow:

• Hints of a yellow, peachy or golden complexion
• Veins appear green
• Often true for more pigmented skin that tans quickly or doesn’t burn

Red:

• Veins appear blue or purple
• Hints of red in the complexion
• Often true for more deeply pigmented skin

If your foundation looks too orange or yellow, you might need a cool or neutral undertone. If it washes you out, you might need a warmer undertone.

Why is it called Serum Foundation?

The name is based on its fluid, serum-like texture. However, this makeup shouldn’t be mistaken for skincare. While it does not contain any active skincare ingredients or benefits, it does layer beautifully and blend easily along with your daily regimen.

What are the benefits of a silicone-in-water formulation?

Silicones improve spreadability and long-lasting wear, creating a breathable film on the skin that allows oxygen and water vapor permeability. This helps maintain a smooth, lightweight feel throughout the day.

Is it suitable for oily, dry, or sensitive skin?

The Ordinary Serum Foundation works for all skin types.

What is the best way to apply Serum Foundation for a natural, real-skin finish?

Start with a small amount, building coverage where needed. You can either use your fingers for a light, everyday look or a damp sponge or buffing brush to blend seamlessly.

Does The Ordinary Serum Foundation darken or oxidize?

It may darken slightly after it dries down on the skin. But oxidation is influenced by your skin’s natural oils and skincare regimen. If you’re unsure, choose a shade slightly lighter than your skin tone.

Can I mix different shades?

Yes! You can mix multiple shades of our Serum Foundation to create a custom match for your skin tone.

We know how to do skincare, so naturally we do makeup just as well. Lightweight, breathable and buildable, it blends beautifully as the finishing touch to your bare face. As always, we believe skin should look like skin–even with makeup on. And we believe we’ve made your new favourite foundation.

Learn how to integrate The Ordinary Serum Foundation into your skincare regimen with our Regimen Builder. And sign up for our newsletter for beauty delivered seamlessly to your inbox.