Everything You Need to Know about Serum Foundation

Everything You Need to Know about Serum Foundation

A shining star is emerging from the array of ever-popular hybrid beauty products: serum foundation. This two-in-one sensation is closing the gap between routine skincare treatments like moisturisers and complexion make-up such as foundation. Coinciding with this trend is a widespread call for an alternative to foundations that do not meet all these expectations. Consumers want the best of all worlds: flawless coverage, effortless textures, and breathable skin-friendly products.


The latest breakthrough from Clarins Laboratories gives you all this and more with Double Serum Foundation. This newest addition to the Double Serum family infuses unparalleled expertise with proven performance to revolutionise how you think about and use both make-up and skincare. Find out what makes this hybrid foundation so remarkable.

What is serum foundation and what are the key benefits?

Serum foundation is foundation with skincare benefits. In other words, it’s make-up that does double duty thanks to skincare ingredients such plant actives and nourishing vitamins. The ultimate goal is to make your foundation work to enhance your skin as it conceals blemishes and evens out skin tone.


The best serum foundations meet modern demands for a smooth texture with natural-looking coverage.


Clarins Double Serum Foundation is backed by our expertise in formulating the Double Serum skincare line. That means it’s fortified with age-defying ingredients that helps blur and improve fine lines while elevating luminosity for youthful radiance. In fact, it contains nine of the same ingredients as Double Serum, but also stabilised papain (papaya enzymes for gentle exfoliation) and our exclusive four-ingredient AURA technology (Advanced Ultra Radiance Amplifier) for enhanced light refraction.


Products like BB creams and tinted moisturisers perform differently in terms of make-up and skincare. They are great for a lighter touch, especially on skin that requires less coverage for imperfections, scars or redness.


Clarins Double Serum Foundation takes it a step further. Not only does it provide medium to full buildable coverage with a luminous satin finish, but it boosts the skincare benefits with nine ingredients from our groundbreaking Double Serum. All in a serum foundation make-up formula that both covers and cares.

What's the Difference between Serum Foundation and Tinted Serum?

With all the options out there, it can be a little daunting to choose foundation that makes your unique skin flawless. When it comes to this new type of foundation containing serum, it’s easy to confuse it with tinted serum. So, how do you distinguish serum foundation versus tinted serum? This little chart should help clear things up:

Serum Foundation Tinted Serum
Formula Make-up designed to conceal imperfections while providing skincare benefits Skincare enhanced with a hint of pigment that may even out skin tone
Coverage & Finish Medium to full customisable coverage for luminous satin finish Sheer texture for enhanced glowy natural complexion
Main benefits Radiant, long-wear coverage that smooths, hydrates and visibly refines skin. Healthy glow and nourished skin that appears smoother and more radiant.



Clarins developed Double Serum Foundation as its ultimate serum foundation make-up that cares for your skin. If you are looking for lightweight tinted serum with a hint of mineral pigments, explore our 11 beautiful shades of Tinted Oleo Serum.


Who should use serum foundation and how do I apply it?

Serum foundation strikes the ideal balance of nurturing skincare and lightweight foundation for everyday use. The youthful, luminous finish appeals to anyone who wants a natural appearance while feeling put-together. If you wear make-up most of the time, a hybrid serum foundation is the perfect choice. It’s also becoming a favourite for fans of the glass skin trend looking for flawless results.


Clarins believes that knowing how to apply foundation can greatly improve its performance, which is why we always recommend learning the proper technique. You’ll be glad to know that applying Double Serum Foundation is as easy as 1-2-3:


  1. Prepare your skin: Apply a hydration layer to help the serum foundation make-up blend and adhere better. Clarins recommends applying a layer of Double Serum because it contains most of the same ingredients and boosts the overall effect. This iconic reduces the appearance of wrinkles, shrinks pores, and increases firmness and radiance. You can also use a moisturiser. Apply any SPF cream or sunscreen at this stage.
  2. Choose your technique: For a more natural look, apply this serum foundation with your fingers. If you want to build additional coverage, use the Gua Sha-Inspired Foundation brush for a lift effect. You can also apply it with a sponge working from the middle of your face outwards.
  3. Layer or set: Once your hybrid foundation is applied, you can opt to add extra coverage with a concealer in specific areas. To further mattify, set with Fix Make-Up moisturising mist.

Is serum foundation good for dry skin and mature skin?

Yes! Serum foundation is known to work wonders on combination skin and dry skin. This skincare make-up is formulated to provide coverage, moisture, and benefits for mature skin. It evens out the skin tone while improving the appearance of fine lines. Since mature skin tends to be drier, anyone looking for age-defying foundation will swoon over serum foundation. It’s also a complexion-saver for people with sensitive skin. What’s not to love?


Serum Foundation Recap:


What is serum foundation?

Serum foundation is complexion make-up with natural to medium coverage formulated with skincare ingredients such as hydrating agents, vitamins, peptides, and SPF protection. Unlike tinted serum that prioritises skincare, it provides instant make-up results with long-term skincare benefits.


Can I use serum foundation every day?

Absolutely. In fact, Clarins developed Double Serum Foundation to be worn all day, every day. It delivers some of the amazing skincare benefits of the beloved Double Serum formula because it contains nine of the same ingredients. These include AURA technology for ultra radiance with stabilised plantain for a contribution in light exfoliation. It actively conceals blemishes and evens out skin tone with a radiant satin finish.


The global appeal of serum foundation is clear evidence of what modern make-up wearers want: flawless coverage and seamless textures in a breathable skin-friendly formula. Clarins has answered the call with Double Serum Foundation, its first-ever dual formula in make-up. It offers skincare benefits with medium to full coverage and a luminous satin finish for visibly youthful radiance. As part of the Double Serum family, this hybrid serum foundation is formulated with nine of the same age-defying ingredients.


It’s ideal for combination to dry skin, including sensitive and mature skin. Easy to apply with your fingers, a brush or a sponge, it glides on for medium to full coverage.


Clarins Laboratories also develops every type of foundation, from light-coverage Skin Illusion SPF 15 to high-coverage foundation like Skin Illusion Full Coverage. If you’re wondering whether serum foundation is for you, use our foundation finder to pinpoint the perfect complexion make-up.

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