We Tested 22 Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin, These 12 Performed the Best

Those with acne-prone skin know the struggle that is trying to find a foundation that effectively evens your complexion without contributing to breakouts. You might even wonder, is wearing foundation bad if you have acne? We’ve long been told that foundations are pore-clogging, heavy, and can cause acne. But modern formulas have significantly improved, and, according to Dr. Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, you can totally wear foundation (stress-free) even if you have acne-prone skin. Justbe sure you’re choosing the right formula and more importantly, you’re removing it at the end of the day. 

“Keep it simple by reaching for lightweight oil-free, non-comedogenic liquid or serum-based foundations that say they are for acne-prone skin,” she says. “You must do a thorough cleanse to be sure all foundation [is removed] before bed. I recommend a double cleanse with micellar water or a cleansing balm followed by cleanser. Spend 30-60 seconds performing both steps. There is no way to have healthy clear skin if sleeping in foundation.”

So which foundations are best? After many hours researching formulas that are compatible with acne-prone skin, we selected nearly two dozen to put to the test in our lab facility in NYC and at home in the real world. We evaluated each one based on itsingredients, coverage, finish, feel, transfer, and wear, and below, we’re sharing which ones earned the buuk.top stamp of approval.

Best Overall

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation

Dermstore

View On Amazon | $66.00 View On Dermstore | $66.00

Out of all the foundations for acne-prone skin we tested, this one is our favorite from a formulation perspective and based on how it looked on the skin. It wasformulated specifically for those dealing with acne, so you can rest assured that the ingredients wont exacerbate breakouts. Itcontains salicylic acid, which Dr. Jeffy recommends for acne-prone skin since it helps to clear pores and dissolve dead skin cells and excess oil. It’s also free from potentially irritating ingredients, like synthetic fragrance and talc. Something that sets it apart from other options on the market is that ithas an aloe base rather than oil or water, which helps to calm the skin without clogging pores.

Just one pump worked to fully conceal redness and blemishes, giving the skin an overall more even appearance. We loved that, despite having full coverage, itfelt comfortable and lightweightand looked natural on the skin. It has a natural finish with a hint of radiance that looks nice whether you have dry, oily, or balanced skin, and we appreciate that it’sformulated with all skin types (even sensitive skin) in mind. We also found that it only had minimal transfer and wore well throughout the day.

While we wish the shade range was more extensive (there are currently only 13 shades available), if you do find a shade that works for you, we think you’ll be seriously impressed with this option.

Coverage: Full| Finish: Natural/radiant | Shades: 13 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora | $69.00 View On Macy's | $69.00 View On ecosmetics.com | $69.00

We crowned this pick best overall in our round-up of the best foundations on the market, so it’s no surprise that we love it for acne-prone skin, too. It’soil-free, which Dr. Jeffy recommends since specific oils like mineral oil can be pore-clogging and lead to breakouts, and we appreciate that the texture is lightweight and breathable. It offersmedium coverage that’s buildable, so it covers breakouts and redness without looking mask-like.  

It has a natural finish with some luminosity that gives the skin a healthy-looking glow, and itnever looks heavy, cakey, or dry, which is especially important when using it on textured breakouts. We found that the finishhelped to smooth the appearance of texture, and we were impressed by how well it wore without transferring, creasing, or fading. 

Our one con with this formula is that it does contain synthetic fragrance, although it doesn’t smell very strong during application or once it dries down. However, if you’re not sensitive to fragrance and you’re looking for a buildable, medium-coverage foundation that looks natural, we highly recommend this popular pick.

Coverage: Medium| Finish: Natural/radiant | Shades: 40 | Cruelty-Free:

No

Is Giorgio Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Foundation Worth the $65?

Best Budget

L'Oréal Infallible 24hr Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder

Amazon

View On Amazon | $10.60 Shop On Ulta | $16.99 View On Walgreens.com | $16.99

If you’re looking for an option you can pick up at your local drugstore, we recommend this one from L’Oréal Paris. It’s apowder formula that can be applied on its own as a foundation or on top of a liquid foundation to set it and add additional coverage, making it quite versatile. The powder has an ultra-fine, smooth consistency that blends across the face seamlessly, and we love that it offersfull coverage that’s buildable. It doesn’t feel heavy or cakey like some powder foundations do, rather it feels almost weightless and comfortable all day. 

It covered breakouts and hyperpigmentation beautifully and once applied, we found that it was totally transfer-resistant and didn’t settle into lines. We did find that it looked a bit dry and powdery on those with dry skin, so if that applies to you, we recommend exfoliating and applying a rich moisturizer before using this one. If you havebalanced or oily skin and you’re looking for a matte option, we think it’s a great choice for you. 

Coverage: Full| Finish: Matte | Shades: 20 | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Budget

Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup

Amazon

View On Amazon | $9.21 View On eCosmetics | $13.49 View On Walgreens | $16.99

Another budget-friendly foundation we love for acne-prone skin is this popular option from Neutrogena.Formulated with salicylic acid and without fragrance and oils, it was created specifically with acne-prone skin in mind. It offers medium coverage that can be built up, and we loved that it didn’t look cakey even after applying several layers where we wanted extra coverage. It has anatural finish that works well on all skin types—think not too matte and dry for dry skin, and not too dewy for oily skin. It blends in easily, looks smooth even on textured areas, and is fairly transfer-resistant.

One downfall of this product is that the shade range is very limited. We wish the brand would expand the offering to include more options for deep and dark skin tones and more varied undertones. But if you can find a shade that matches you, it’s anexcellent pick that will give your complexion an even appearance that doesn’t look too makeup-y.  

Coverage: Medium| Finish: Natural | Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: No

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Best with SPF

It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation with SPF 50+

Sephora

View On Macy's| $47.00 View On Amazon | $47.00 Shop On Ulta | $47.00

Although we recommend applying a separate sunscreen underneath your makeup, opting for a foundation with SPF protection is an added bonus. Keep in mind though that sunscreen ingredients can cause breakouts in some people because they can be pore-clogging, but if you’re not sensitive to chemical SPF, we highly recommend trying this foundation from IT Cosmetics.

The texture feels like a thick mousse, but it’s easy to blend and feels comfortable and hydratingall day. Itcontains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E to help support a healthy skin barrier, which Dr. Jeffy says can help reduce acne breakouts. 

We loved that just one pump covered the face and offered full coverage that camouflaged breakouts and discoloration. While we did experience some transfer, we think setting it with powder would help minimize this. Other than that, itwore beautifully without creasing or fading. We also appreciate that while there isn’t an outstanding number of shades, the range is well-dispersed from fair to dark.

Coverage: Full| Finish: Natural | Shades: 22 | Cruelty-Free:Yes

Best for Oily Skin

bareMinerals BarePro 16-HR Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation

bareMinerals

View On Amazon | $38.00 View On Macy's | $38.00 Shop On Ulta | $38.00

This matte powder foundation is great for people with oily and acne-prone skin—it has a smooth, matte finish and it’s formulated without talc and synthetic fragrances. Available in 35 shades that range in depth and undertone, it providesfull coverage that can be layeredfor your desired look.

During testing, we were impressed by how smoothly it applied and how soft and blurring it looked on the skin.It worked to cover redness and dark under-eye circles beautifully, and it felt lightweight and comfortable to wear. We also appreciate that it can be used on its own for significant coverage, or layered on top of a liquid foundation. It balanced oily skin nicely—it didn’t contribute to excess oil, but it also wasn’t cakey or drying. 

While not necessarily a big concern for those with oily skin, it’s worth noting that it did cling to some dry patches during our test. We recommend exfoliating and moisturizing before applying this one.

Coverage: Full| Finish: Matte | Shades: 35 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

  

Best for Dry Skin

LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora | $24.00 View On Credo Beauty | $24.00

If you have dry skin that’s acne-prone, we recommend opting for a foundation that offersbuildable coverage and a luminous finish, like this one from LYS Beauty. The serum-like consistency feels incredibly lightweight and breathable on the skin, and blends effortlessly to create a smooth, even finish.One layer provides light coverage that minimizes the appearance of redness, while another layer yields medium coverage that covers most redness and discoloration. This is ideal if you want your foundation to even your skin tone without looking like you’re wearing a lot of makeup.

We enjoyed that the luminous finish gave dry, dull skin a healthy-looking glow. We also love that it’s fragrance-free and comes in a wide range of shades that range from very fair to very dark. And while we appreciate that it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and avocado oilto provide hydration, we found that it looked more hydrating than it felt. It certainly wasn’t drying, but we didn’t notice that it improved the skin’s moisture.

Coverage: Medium| Finish: Luminous | Shades: 35 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Powder

 

Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation Refillable Compact Set

Jane Iredale

View On Amazon | $46.00 View On Dermstore.com | $46.00

Those who enjoy using powder foundation formulas should absolutely check out this one from Jane Iredale. Itearned high marks during our test across all the attributes we tested for—coverage, feel on the skin, wear, transfer resistance, and finish. We found the formulafelt soft and utterly weightless on the skin, and the coverage was very buildable, yet still natural-looking. We used a dense foundation brush to buff it into the skin, and itdid a great job of covering redness, hyperpigmentation, and dark circles. Once applied, it looked smooth and non-cakey(it even helped to blur the appearance of texture), and it provided a matte finish that didn’t look too flat. It applied easily, looked gorgeous on the skin, anddidn’t transfer or settle into fine lines.

In addition to how well it performed, we like that it contains mineral SPF and is free from talc and fragrancewhich can be potential irritants for those with acne-prone skin. While we do wish it came with a sponge applicator like a lot of other powder foundations do (they’re great for when you’re on the go), it’s certainly not a dealbreaker considering how much we love the formula. It’snice for all skin types and can be used on its own or layeredon top of a liquid or cream foundation, a huge plus in our book.

Coverage: Medium| Finish: Soft matte | Shades: 26 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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Best Blurring

Wander Beauty Wanderlust Powder Foundation

Sephora

View On Dermstore | $14.00 View On Amazon | $42.00

This powder foundation seriously impressed us during our test thanks to the super-lightweight formula, the way it effortlessly meshed with our skin while blending, and how nicely it blurred the appearance of texture and discoloration. It comes with a sponge applicator which helps press the product into the skin, but we also found that the formula blended beautifully with a brush. Theformula is extremely buildable, allowing you to customize your coverage and add more in areas you might want to conceal. We loved that thefinish is matte but not flat, and it didn’t emphasize texture, rather it did an incredible job of blurring the skin to create asmooth, airbrushed, finish. 

It’s formulated without talc, synthetic fragrances, and mineral oil, and contains hydrating and soothing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, allantoin, vitamin E, and more. These hydrating ingredients also lend to a powder that doesn’t feel dry or chalky, we loved how soft, smooth, and lightweight it felt on our skin.

We loved everything about this foundation except for the shade range—it’s quite limited with just 12 options available. But if you can find a shade that works for you, we think this is anexcellent choice for anyone looking for a lightweight powder foundation with impressive blurring capabilities. 

Coverage: Medium| Finish: Matte | Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free:Yes

 

Best Multipurpose

Patrick Ta Major Skin Crème Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo

Patrick Ta

View On Sephora | $52.00 View On Patrickta.com | $52.00

Perfect for makeup minimalists or those on the go, thisduo comes with a cream foundation and a pressed powder in one convenient compact. The cream formula is emollient and easy to blend with your fingers, a brush, or a damp sponge, and we loved thatwe could easily build up the coverage where needed. It has a luminous finish that looks and feels hydrating on the skin, and we noticed that it didn’t emphasize dry patches—it even worked to subtly blur the appearance of texture. As for the powder formula, it’s lightweight and does a nice job of setting the skin. It’s tinted, so you’ll get a small amount of additional coverage, though it’s not as pigmented as a classic powder foundation.

We love that the two formulas can be applied alone or paired together, making this a versatile product to have in your makeup bag. Note that we did find the cream formula transferred a bit, so we recommend setting it with the powder if you’re concerned about transfer.

Coverage: Medium| Finish: Luminous, matte | Shades: 24 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Shade Range

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15

Sephora

View On Amazon | $33.79 View On Sephora | $40.00 Shop On Ulta | $40.00

This foundation is a bit polarizing—some people adore it, and others not so much. But hear us out—if used on exfoliated and moisturized skin, we think those with oily or balanced skin types will truly enjoy it. During testing, we were impressed by how easily it blended out and how buildable the coverage was. One layer offered medium coverage whilean additional layer provided full coverage that concealed all redness, blemishes, and discoloration. It’s on the thicker side in the sense that it’s creamy and not runny like a lot of liquid foundations are but we found that it stillfelt comfortable and not heavy on the skin. It did cling to dry patches, which is why we recommend properly exfoliating and moisturizing before using it, but despite this, it didn’t look overly matte or dry.

In addition to the impressive coverage and ease of blending,we love that it’s fragrance-free and oil-free, making it a nice choice for those with acne-prone skin that are on the oilier side. We also appreciate that it’s available in46 shades that range from fair to dark and come in lots of different undertones. 

Coverage:Full| Finish: Matte | Shades: 46 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Lightweight

Dermablend Flawless Creator Lightweight Foundation

Dermablend

View On Amazon | $42.00 View On Dermablend.com | $42.00

Those who dislike the feeling of foundation sitting on their skin will love this weightless, serum-like formula from Dermablend. With just a few drops of the liquid product, you’ll be able to achieve a smooth, full-coverage look. We loved that it melted into the skin beautifully with our fingertips, andworked to cover blemishes and redness while remaining undetectable on the skin. 

It did transfer a bit so we recommend setting it with powder, but we were impressed that itdidn’t settle into lines or emphasize dry patches or skin texture. It’s oil-free and fragrance-free, making it a nice option for acne-prone and sensitive skin types. We think the serum consistency, buildable coverage, and natural finish make it agreat choice for anyone looking for a lightweight product that offers great coverage—regardless of your skin type.

Coverage: Full| Finish: Natural | Shades: 20 | Cruelty-Free: No

Where We Stand

Out of all the options we tested, the Oxygenetix Oxygenating Acne Control Foundation is our favorite thanks to its impressive coverage, comfortable feel, and ingredient list that includes acne-fighting salicylic acid and does not include synthetic fragrance. If you prefer a powder foundation, the Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation SPF 20/15 is a great,  talc-free option, offering buildable coverage that looks smooth on the skin.

How We Tested

To find the best foundations for acne-prone skin, we did tons of research on highly-rated formulas before selecting nearly two dozen to test in our lab and at home. We evaluated each one based on its ingredients, coverage, finish, feel, transfer, and wear. We also consulted with a dermatologist and a makeup artist to learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for foundations for acne-prone skin.

What to Look for in Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

Acne-Fighting Ingredients:When it comes to treating acne, things like your skincare routine, diet, and lifestyle will make the biggest difference, but it doesn’t hurt to use a foundation that offers some acne-fighting ingredients. Dr. Jeffy recommends seeking out formulas that contain salicylic acid, niacinamide, or retinol. “Salicylic acid deep cleans pores by dissolving the dead skin cells, oil, and debris that contribute to acne,” she explains. “Niacinamide normalizes oil production and gently exfoliates to improve acne while also reducing inflammation. Retinol exfoliates to keep pores clean and stimulates collagen and elastin production to help smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of scars over time.” Our best overall pick, the Oxygenetix Oxygenating Acne Control Foundation, is a fantastic choice with salicylic acid.Non-Irritating Ingredients: It’s also important to use formulas that won’t irritate your skin or contribute to acne. Dr. Jeffy says that ingredients like bismuth oxychloride, mica, silica, talc, fragrance, and dyes can be irritating to the skin barrier which can lead to breakouts. She also notes that occlusives like silicone, petroleum, mineral oil and paraffin wax can be pore-clogging. “If your skin tends to be dry, look for products that contain non-comedogenic oils, like jojoba oil,” she says. “But otherwise stick with oil-free.”Formula: When you have acne-prone skin, it’s important to consider what kind of formula a foundation has. Makeup artist Dominique Della Maggiore recommends opting for liquid or serum foundations over cream formulas as they tend to be more lightweight. Dr. Jeffy agrees—she also recommends non-comedogenic liquid or serum foundations. “More hydrating formulas containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or squalene help to give a smoother finish, reduce caking, and support a healthy skin barrier which reduces acne tendency,” she says. The IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation with SPF 50+ is a nice choice that contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Powder formulas are also great if you have oily skin or you’re looking for a versatile product you can use on its own or layered.

FAQ

What type of foundation is best for acne-prone skin?

As Dr. Jeffy mentioned, opting for lightweight liquid or serum foundations that are non-comedogenic and specifically formulated for acne-prone skin is best when you have acne. She also recommends trying a formula with salicylic acid to help minimize breakouts. If you prefer using powder foundation, go for something that’s talc-free and fragrance-free, like the Wander Beauty Wanderlust Powder Foundation or the Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation SPF 20/15.

How do you apply foundations for acne-prone skin?

“You want to avoid a heavy or thick foundation application as it can make any imperfections stand out,” says Maggiore. “I love to apply foundation with a brush first before going in with a damp [makeup sponge] to smooth any streakiness and give a flawless finish.”

How do you prevent acne when wearing foundation?

In addition to choosing a formula that doesn’t have irritating ingredients, you must remove your foundation properly. Dr. Jeffy recommends double-cleansing to ensure all traces of makeup are removed from your skin. She also says that consistently washing your makeup tools consistently (ideally after each use) helps rtently (ideally after each use) helps reduce inflammation-causing bacteria.

Best Overall