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The best foundation for acne-prone skin has two crucial qualities: It covers up your pimples without looking cakey and it doesn’t clog pores to create a never-ending cycle of breakouts.
“Covering marks is an important part of managing acne, but you can make matters worse if you use the wrong products,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “Heavy oils block your pores, leading to an accumulation of bacteria that promote inflammation and cause breakouts.”
How to choose the best foundation for acne-prone skin
Avoid making your skin worse: As a general rule of thumb, look for noncomedogenic products (which basically means “non-pore clogging”), and avoid foundations that contain SD denatured alcohol, sometimes called isopropyl alcohol. “This kind of alcohol harms your skin’s protective surface, makes oily skin worse, and exacerbates acne,” says Yoram Harth, M.D., San Francisco-based dermatologist and co-founder of MDacne, an acne-treatment app. Check for acne-fighting ingredients:
Try a powder: Dermatologists generally recommend powder products over liquid foundation for acne-prone skin. “Powder foundations are less likely to clog your pores since the pigment particles are larger,” says Dr. Zeichner. If you prefer a liquid foundation, avoid products with a dewy finish (this could end up looking greasy midday) and go for something oil-free and matte instead. (If you’re struggling with oil but don’t deal with breakouts, check out these foundations for oily skin.)
Thankfully, there are plenty of foundations that cover up (and maybe even improve) breakouts over time. Here, the best foundations for acne-prone skin.
1
BEST OVERALL
bareMinerals Blemish Rescue Skin-Clearing Loose Powder Foundation
Now 50% Off
This powder foundationfrom bareMinerals contains acne-fighting zinc, sulfur, kaolin clay,andsalicylic acid, while soothing ingredients like oat protein work to calm anyirritation. Tested by dermatologists, this foundation is also noncomedogenic and non-drying, so you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores or making your skin look (or feel) heavy.
2
BEST VALUE
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
This cult favorite drugstore foundationoffersbuildable, skin-likecoverage at an affordable price. The noncomedogenic, oil-free formula seamlessly covers imperfections with asoft-matte, pore-blurring finish. Plus, it comes in a diverse shade range—from fair porcelainto deep espresso—so anyone can find their match.
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“Concealer that’s too light or dark will highlight your trouble spots instead of hiding them,” Dr. Harth says. That’s why Glamsquad artistic director, Kelli J. Bartlett, likes MAC Studio Fix: “It’s the gold standard for a range of foundation shades,” she says. It’s alsodesigned to control oil and shine, but maintains a natural matte finish, so your skin won’t look too dull or greasy.
4
DERMATOLOGIST PICK
Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Makeup
Now 33% Off
Not all liquid foundations are a clear-skin death sentence. Dr. Zeichner recommendsNeutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup, which contains0.5% salicylic acid and aloe vera to soothe inflammation. The oil-free formula has a natural finish and feels lightweight, allowing your skin to breathe.
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This is another great powder foundation for those with acne-prone skin. Kaolin clay absorbs excess oil, green tea soothes, while caffeine perks up the skin. “I suffer from adult acne and am always battling cysts and redness all over my face and need full coverage,” one tester raved.“I’ve used probably every mineral foundation and this is BY FAR my favorite.”
Reviewers with acne love this foundation simply due its effortless coverage, diverse shade range, and smooth finish. “This foundation literally give me confidence,” one tester raved. “I have acne and combo skin so it really does make me look beautiful. It works for me and usually foundations don’t so I’m really happy.”
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This oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-acnegenic (meaning it was formulated to be less irritating for acne-prone skin) foundation from Clinique contains salicylic acid to keep pores clear of excess oil. With medium coverage, the lightweight, natural-lookingmakeup blurs blemishes and redness to smooth and even out the skin.
8
FENTY BEAUTY Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Rihanna changed the makeup game with FENTY, and this foundation in particular set the brand apart. Thanks to its unreal shade range, anyone can find their match—and the fully matte formula is a dream if you struggle with oily skin. Don’t be fooled though: The sweat- and humidity-resistant finish never feels thick or looks heavy.
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Dr. Zeichner explains that many acne medications make skin more sensitive to the sun, so SPF for your faceis even more important than usual (to be clear, sunscreen is always important). “A foundation with sunscreen can offer added protection when layered over your regular sunscreen,” he says. And there’s a long-term cosmetic benefit to using a foundation with SPF, like this one from Tarte: “Sunscreen is important for people with acne because it can decrease the risk of post-acne hyperpigmentation (a.k.a. dark spots),” Dr. Harth says.
This foundation is great for acne-prone skin because it doesn’t slip-slide around after it’s applied. Plus, it’s totally customizable. Apply a thin layer if you prefer a sheer, more natural finish (hey, who said acne always has to be 100% covered?) or build up to a flawless medium coverage that gives skin a healthy radiance. There’s a reason reviewers call it “magic in a bottle.”
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If you only need a little cover up, try Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation Serum. “It’s sheer and gives skin a healthy glow,” Ghiglieri says. It also contains SPF 20 for added protection, as well as nourishing vitamin E, anti-aging peptides, and dimethicone to seal in moisture without the risk of oiliness.
This liquid-to-powder foundation from Hourglass is a dream for acne-prone skin, since it has long-lasting full coverage, sops up oil to keep your complexion shine-free, and contains kaolinite clay to keep any pimple-causingimpurities at bay. Just be sure to use a moisturizer (like one of these moisturizers for acne-prone skin) before application, as any dry patches may be a bit more noticeable with this formula.
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This full-coverage, oil-free, matte foundation formula from IT Cosmetics has it all for acne-prone skin types: tea tree extract to fight breakouts, colloidal clay to absorb oil, SPF 40 for sun protection, and an anti-aging blend of collagen, peptides, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid to protect and hydrate skin.
14
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation SPF 20
A truly unique formula, thisapplies as a liquid and transforms into a powder to easily absorb oil while smoothing any imperfections. It has a bit of a lighter coverage, so it’s perfect for those days you still want some of your natural skin to peek through. Bonus: It has SPF 30 for a boost in sun protection.
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For a no-makeup look, apply several thin layers of foundation, instead of one thick coat. “Multiple thin layers help create a flawless finish that looks natural,” says celebrity makeup artist Gina Ghiglieri.
Bartlett agrees. “Dr. Macrene 37 Actives is a great lightweight foundation you can build upon to achieve more natural coverage,” she says, which contains 37 activeingredients—like amino acids, yerba mate tea, blue algae, and resveratrol—designed to fight signs of aging and breakouts.
Kiera Carter
Kiera Carter has a decade's worth of experience covering fitness, health, and lifestyle topics for national magazines and websites. In a past life, she was the executive digital editor of Shape and has held staff positions at Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, Prevention, and Men’s Health. Her work has been published by Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Travel + Leisure, and more. She spends her free time boxing, traveling, and watching any movie or show with a strong female lead. She is currently based in New York.
Alisa Hrustic
Deputy Editor, Prevention
Alisa Hrustic is the deputy editor at Prevention, where she leads the brand’s digital editorial strategy. She’s spent the last five years interviewing top medical experts, interpreting peer-reviewed studies, and reporting on health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness trends for national brands like Women’s Health and Men’s Health. She spends most of her days diving into the latest wellness trends, writing and editing stories about health conditions, testing skincare products, and trying to understand the next greatest internet obsession.