In the GH beauty team, we’re always getting asked about our favourite products, those formulations that deliver an instant dose of confidence and make you look and feel good, with minimal effort. For me, in this camp sit a select few makeup bag must-haves: Merit’s Flush Balm blusher, Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer, UK Lash’s brown tubing mascara and now – from the moment I swatched it on my dull, hyperpigmented skin – Clinique’s new Daily Calm Balm foundation.
Deliciously creamy to apply and perfectly pigmented for a ‘your-skin-but-better' finish, the new launch has been two-full-years in the making and has been formulated for ultra-sensitive skin.
“At the heart of the Daily Calm formula is Uniflavon™, which first helps calm the rapid reaction that can lead to signs of sensitivity,” explains Janet Pardo, Senior Vice President of Global Product Development at Clinique. “It also fights against prolonged irritation reactions that can continue to cause visible sensitivity. As a result, skin looks and feels soothed instantly and visible redness is reduced, plus the skin becomes more resilient to irritation in the long term.”
This makes it particularly good for anyone who gets facial treatments like laser, which can cause sensitivity, or those with clinically sensitive skin who struggle to find a base product that doesn’t irritate but provides coverage.
But does it live up to its claims? I tried it out, alongside two of my GH colleagues, to see how it worked on three different skin types. Here's our verdict.
Clinique Daily Calm Foundation Balm at a glance
Pros
- Good for sensitised skin and sensitive skin
- Lightweight, your-skin-but-better coverage
- A little goes a long way
- It doesn’t count as a liquid on flights
- Shown to be safe for use just one day after Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment*
Cons
- Best applied with your fingers, so it can be messy
- Only eight shades available, but adapts to different skin tones
This sheer foundation balm has been designed with sensitive skin in mind, delivering sheer, buildable coverage that evens out skin tone while helping to reduce the appearance of redness and irritation. The silky balm formula melts into the skin for a smooth, lightweight finish, with blurring pigments that soften visible irritation without feeling greasy or heavy.
The ingredients are working hard beneath the surface too: Uniflavon™ and magnolia extract help to calm stressed skin; hyaluronic acid provides a boost of hydration; and a lipid trio works to strengthen the skin barrier over time.
The balm is suitable for all skin types – from very dry to oily combination – and comes in eight flexible shades that adapt to a range of skin tones, making it a great everyday foundation for anyone prone to redness or sensitivity. You do really need to warm it up with your fingers to get a good amount of pay off, but the finish is worth the effort.
This is what our writers thought.
Nadine, 44, peri-menopausal skin
“I’m 44 with skin that’s never caused me any problems but as I’m entering menopause, I’m starting to see changes. The word ‘balm’ appealed to me: I wanted something that would melt into my skin and not just sit on my face or sink into any nooks and crannies. I like that this goes on easily, gliding against the skin and providing coverage that doesn’t look cakey, instead leaving my skin looking hydrated and even.
“It’s also an excellent match for my skin tone, a problem that still exists in 2026 for people with a richer, darker hue. If I had one complaint, it would be that you have to use your hands to apply it. You need to have a proper hand clean before and after applying, which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to do it on the go. That said, it’s also easy to apply without needing any tools – perfect if you’re a low maintenance makeup kind of gal.”
Stacey, 38, dry skin
“I'm 38 and have dry-to-combination skin. I loved the texture of this balm and how easy it was to apply. It glides on beautifully and feels lightweight and comfortable from the moment you apply it.
“Compared with other foundations I've used, it feels much less of a commitment. It's lighter than a traditional base but offers more coverage and polish than a skin tint or serum. It sits perfectly between the two, giving you that ‘your skin but better’ finish while still feeling like you're not really wearing anything. I've been recommending it to anyone who'll listen, especially friends who don't wear makeup but still want their skin to look its best. It's particularly brilliant in the summer too, as it never feels heavy or cakey.”
Florence, 30, combination skin
“After turning 30 last year, my fine line-free forehead has become subtly creased. The crinkles around my eyes when I laugh are leaving their mark more each day, but as a sign of a life well lived, I don’t want to lose them or inject them away. I do, however, want my makeup to work with me and help me feel my best in the morning, rather than sinking into cracks and exacerbating the situation.
“When I first tried this foundation – warming the balm with my fingers to get it to a creamy texture and give it a good chance of spreading easily, as instructed by the Clinique team – I couldn’t help but smile at my reflection after applying it. My hyperpigmentation and dark patches left from hormonal breakout shadows were nowhere to be seen, and instead I was left with a more even, brighter skin tone and a healthy glow. I also always hate having to go makeup free when I have red skin from intense facials, so it’s great to have something I feel comfortable wearing the next day to cover any inflammation, while still being kind to my sensitised skin.
“The packaging is impossibly chic too, designed to feel like a heavy pebble, which is very soothing to hold. It’s easy to take on holiday because it slots easily into the side of any makeup bag, and the balm consistency means no scrambling to get it out and put it in your liquids at security. I do tend to use a concealer alongside it under my eyes on nights out, but this is what I’ve been reaching for all summer for subtle coverage on days in the office.”
The final verdict
All three of us were seriously impressed by this creamy, buildable base product – it’s exactly what was missing from my makeup bag for days when I want a little coverage over blemishes and a bright and glow-y face, without wearing anything heavy. Stacey said it’s her perfect holiday foundation and Nadine told me she now carries it in her handbag everywhere.
It is a little annoying to apply on the go because of the pot packaging, and it’s not suitable for anyone looking for full coverage. However, if you have sensitised skin from overuse of actives, get frequent intense pulse light facials, or were born with clinically sensitive skin, the search for a brilliant base product is over.
* Tested 1 day after Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment in 2-week clinical usage tested on 182 consumers.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
