Do or someone you know have acne prone skin? It’s no surprise that if you have a breakout, your first inclination might be to grab your foundation to cover it up.
But recent studies say that if you are using the wrong foundation, it might make your breakout even worse!
If you have struggled to find the right foundation that won’t cause your face to break out, look no further!
I’ve narrowed down my list of a few of my favorite foundations for acne prone skin, but I’m answering a couple of the most common questions when it comes to foundation and acne prone skin!
Let’s get started!
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Best foundation for acne prone skin: full coverage
If you need a full coverage foundation that promises to keep everything covered up and smooth, check out a few of my favorites below!
1. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better
✅Pros:
CC+ Cream: What can’t this foundation do? This foundation is a CC cream, has anti-aging properties, and SPF 50! You cannot go wrong with this foundation that does A LOT of everything!
Healthy Ingredients: This foundation includes so many amazing ingredients like collagen, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and more! These ingredients make your skin firmer, more hydrated, and healthier! Plus, this foundation is oil-free!
Natural Finish: I love that this foundation doesn’t look cakey, even though it offers full coverage. It has a gorgeous matte finish that looks natural and smooth on your face
⭕️Cons:
No Shade Variety: This foundation does not have many options when it comes to shades. It only has 12 shades in total, and a lot of them are focused on light skin.
Expensive: You definitely have to spend a pretty penny if you want this foundation. It is one of the more expensive full coverage foundations on this list.
2. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
✅Pros:
Variety of Shades: Unlike the foundation above, this Estee Lauder foundation is extremely inclusive, with 56 different shades to choose from! These shades include every skin tone, so it will be easy to find one that matches your gorgeous skin!
Lifeproof: One of Estee Lauder’s taglines is that their makeup is “lifeproof.” This means their foundation is waterproof, sweatproof, and heat/humidity resistant. No matter what the day throws at you, this foundation will stay on your face without fading!
⭕️Cons:
No SPF: While Estee Lauder products used to contain SPF, this new foundation does not include any kind of sun protection. So make sure to wear a product with SPF to keep your face protected!
3. Lancôme Teint Idôle Matte Foundation
✅Pros:
Wide Variety of Shades: This is another foundation that has a wide variety of shades to choose from, varying from light to dark skin tones. It has 50 shades in total!
This foundation not only takes your skin tone into account, but it also develops shades for your undertones as well, so you can find an extremely shade-accurate foundation!
Long-Lasting: This is another foundation that promises 24-hour wear, and it delivers. It will stay on your face all day long, without any touch-ups!
⭕️Cons:
Difficult to Blend: Some customers found this foundation difficult to blend on their skin. If you want to know more about how to properly apply your foundation for flawless skin check my guide on perfect foundation application.
4. CHANEL ULTRA LE TEINT Ultrawear Flawless Finish Foundation
✅Pros:
Lightweight: One of my favorite features of this foundation is that feels lightweight. You can seamlessly build this foundation without it feeling heavy or cakey.
Don’t Need a Lot of Product: You can cover your entire face with a full-coverage foundation with very little product. In fact, many customers say they only need a dime of makeup a day for full coverage!
⭕️Cons:
Expensive: This is one of the most expensive foundations on the list, so if you are hoping to save a few dollars, this is not the foundation for you. Worth every penny though.
5. MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation
✅Pros:
Gel Serum Formula: People are in love with this gel-serum formula. Its unique applicator and formula provide instant long-lasting hydration. It is also extremely tightening and makes your face look smooth and supple.
SPF Coverage: Another great feature of this foundation is that it has SPF 30 foundation!
⭕️Cons:
Lack of Shades: One big con with this foundation is that there are not many shades to choose from.
This foundation has 16 shades, and most of them are for medium-skinned makeup lovers.
Best foundation for acne-prone oily skin
When it comes to oily skin, I love a good matte foundation. Check out a few of my favorites that are a great fit for oily and acne prone skin.
6. Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Foundation
✅Pros:
Buildable: One of the reasons why I love this foundation is that it is buildable. It has a gorgeous matte finish, and you can layer it without it looking cakey!
Includes Salicylic Acid: As you’ve already seen, I love a product with salicylic acid! This is so good for oily skin, and acne prone skin in general!
Oil-Free: When oily skin makeup lovers are looking for a good foundation, having it be oil-free is a must! Luckily, this foundation fits the bill.
⭕️Cons:
Pricey: This is not a drugstore foundation, so you will have to spend a few extra dollars on not a lot of products. However, if you can’t live without the pros I listed above, then the few extra dollars are worth it!
No Shade Diversity: it does not have a good shade range. It is great for light to medium skin, but it does not have very many options for dark skin. Check the shades here.
7. Revlon ColorStay Makeup
✅Pros:
Specifically Designed for Oily Skin: I love that this foundation is specifically designed for oily or combination skin in mind. It is made with an oil-free formula, and it was created to reduce the amount of oils on your face!
Long-Lasting: This foundation is built to last for 24 hours long! While your acne prone skin definitely shouldn’t be wearing makeup 24 hours a day, you can rest assured that this makeup will stay on all day long!
⭕️Cons:
- Light Coverage: This could be a pro or a con, depending on what kind of foundation you are looking for. But, if you were hoping for a full coverage foundation, this is not the one for you. It is buildable but will start to look cakey if you add too much foundation.
8. FENTY Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation
✅Pros:
Massive Shade Range: This foundation is extremely diverse and inclusive. With 50 shades to choose from, ranging from light to dark, I love that this foundation is perfect for any makeup lover, no matter their skin tone.
Long Lasting: This oil-free foundation will last all day long, without any touch-ups. Not only will it last all day long, but it also feels lightweight on your skin, and reduces the look of your pores!
⭕️Cons:
Very Matte: While this foundation is great for oily skin, it is not going to be a good fit if you have dry skin. It can make your skin look dryer, and some customers complained that this foundation looked “too matte,” and not very natural.
9. Almay Clear Complexion Foundation
Pros:
- Amazing Ingredients: This foundation is made with 1% salicylic acid, so it is perfect for acne-fighting. It also has probiotics and aloe, so it is nourishing and hydrating to your skin! Plus, it is free of bad oils, and it is hypoallergenic!
- Soft Texture: I love the matte finish that this foundation leaves. Plus, it feels soft and lightweight on your face! This foundation is buildable, but doesn’t feel cakey or heavy, even with multiple layers!
Cons:
- Not Long Lasting: You might have to reapply this makeup throughout the day because it does fade after a few hours. If you are in need of a long lasting foundation, check out a few of the other foundations on this list!
10. Smashbox Studio Skin Hydra Foundation
✅Pros:
Great for Aging Skin: This is one of my favorite foundations for mature skin because it doesn’t settle into fine lines or pores, and it leaves your face looking smooth all day long!
Long-Lasting: Unlike the Almay foundation above, Smashbox lasts all day long! You can apply it in the morning and enjoy this natural finish the entire day, without any need for touch-ups.
⭕️Cons:
- Not Creamy: Some customers did not like the texture of this foundation. It doesn’t feel creamy. To blend it right, I recommend to apply it with a brush and then, take your makeup sponge and blend the product with tapping motions.
11. Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Powder
✅Pros:
Keeps Shine Under Control: If you’ve been waiting for a powder foundation that is perfect for oily skin, look no further. I love this sheer powder! It reduces that shiny look on your face and sucks up all of those unwanted oils!
Good Coverage: Even for a sheer powder, Clinique’s formula still offers good coverage! You might need to touch up a couple of times throughout the day, but overall it offers medium coverage!
⭕️Cons:
Cracks: A few customers noticed that this powder cracked if they applied a couple of layers. Try to avoid applying multiple layers for this foundation to avoid cracking.
12. Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation
✅Pros:
Affordable: While there are a few more expensive foundations on this list, this foundation is definitely one of the most affordable options.
Great Ingredients: This foundation also includes a great blend of antioxidants and pressed minerals, so this foundation is great for your skin and makes it looks smooth and amazing!
⭕️Cons:
No Applicator Brush: One complaint that customers have is that foundation does not come with any kind of applicator brush, so you will have to purchase one separately.
What type of foundation is best for acne prone skin?
As you pick out the best foundation fit for you, make sure to keep these ideas in mind:
Buy a non-comedogenic foundation: This basically means that you want a foundation that doesn’t clog your pores (just like some of the foundations that I listed above!)
Check the ingredients: While I highlighted some of the great ingredients in a few of the foundations above, make sure that you are always checking the ingredients before you purchase a foundation.
If you find a foundation that has a lot of chemicals, you do not want that on your acne-prone face! Instead look for a foundation that has healing ingredients, like salicylic acid.
Is powder or liquid foundation better for acne?
While powder foundations are less likely to clog your pores, you can also find great liquid foundations for your acne prone skin (as seen in a few of the products above)!
However, keep in mind that just because a foundation is powder, it won’t clog your pores. Some powder foundations includes ingredients and oils that are comedogenic (AKA will clog the pores) so always seek for the legend “non-comedognic” in either product, powder or liquid foundation.
Does foundation worsen acne?
While the wrong foundation can aggravate your skin and cause further breakouts, dermatologists don’t say that acne prone makeup lovers shouldn’t wear makeup. But, there are a few ways that you can prevent a breakout.
Buy a good foundation
It should come as no surprise that buying a high-quality foundation is the key for acne prone skin. Just check out all of the amazing foundations above! Find your favorite (or grab a couple to try) and see for yourself how good a great foundation can be for your skin!
Only use non-comedogenic Foundations
If you powder or liquid foundation says “non-comedogenic” you are using the right one. If you are not sure, compare the ingredients of your foundation with this comedogenic ingredients list.
Clean your makeup brushes
Did you know that you should clean your makeup brushes once a week? If you aren’t regularly cleaning your makeup brushes, you might be irritating your skin! Make sure to clean your brushes once a week to avoid breakouts!
Don’t sleep with makeup on
One of the worst things you can do for your face is to leave your makeup on overnight. Make sure that you wash your face every night and are removing all of that makeup so you don’t clog your pores!
Conclusion Best Foundation for acne prone skin
Our #1 BEST recommendation for foundations for acne-prone skin is the It cosmetics cc cream foundation. It’s a lightweight matte full coverage foundation that has acne-friendly ingredients that will cover the marks completely without making them worse.
Is your cart full of great foundations yet?
Whether you found one foundation or five to try, I hope that this list gave you a little more insight into the best foundation for acne-prone skin for your next shopping spree!
Plus, keep all of the tips and tricks in mind that I listed above as you learn how to best take care of your face and reduce the amount of breakouts you have!
What’s next? Related Oily skin posts:
- The Ultimate Makeup Guide for beginners: MAKEUP 101 (Printable guide)
- Best Face Cleanser for Oily skin and large pores!
- How to do makeup WITHOUT foundation! (Easy daily makeup routine)
- 10 Best Drugstore non-comedogenic foundations for Oily skin and Acne prone skin!
- Concealer vs Foundation: How to apply, when to use each and more!
