When you suffer from acne, everything else skincare and makeup related in your life has to be adapted to that. The better the habits and practices you have towards addressing acne, the less prone you’ll be to having it. In this post, we will disclose the results we have after thoroughly researching the best foundation for acne-prone skin.
First, congratulations! Today you are taking the first steps in fighting acne by learning about yourself and what your skin needs. As a result, you will be so much closer to your confidence goals. We definitely want to see you get there!
How are the acne-fighting foundations different from regular ones?
You might have the misconception that all foundations for acne-prone skin have to be matte, thick, and full-coverage to the extreme. However, the beauty world innovation is constantly developing by providing new solutions for old issues.
The first and most important aspect to notice in a foundation for acne-prone skin is the oil-free stamp. As long as it’s oil-free, you know that a product will not clog your pores or remain extra-shiny on the surface.
Moreover, oil-free foundations usually contain hydrating ingredients, making the lack of oil help hydration penetrate the skin to the dermis.
What are we all looking to achieve when using makeup for acne-prone skin?
We want results. We want to know that our efforts, dedication, and ultimately the money we are spending on products are worth it.
The average product should show a noticeable change within 2 weeks. Because we are talking about foundations, you can almost instantly tell if a new product is the right fit for you. However, you also need to monitor its efficiency over time.
While foundations for acne-prone skin are not supposed to be a cure/treatment against acne, they are still meant to promote positive change and “support” your acne treatment in the long-run.
How can you tell if it’s working?
We suggest that you evaluate the efficiency of your products by taking pictures along the way.
What to look for: hours of resistance, texture on dry and oily areas, the effect on inflammation, and coverage.
Now it’s time to share our findings!
In this top, we will categorize the 15 best acne-fighting foundations and their benefits. Based on this, you will know what product to select when creating a party-look or natural day to day makeup.
Top 15 Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin
1. Dermablend Cover Cream Full Coverage
It provides full-coverage and solar protection with SPF 30. A very suggestive name that makes it obvious their whole range is about skincare.
We recommend this for a smooth finish and a long-lasting mattifying effect.
It also promises all-day hydration and the repair of the skin protective barrier. It can be used both as foundation and concealer with the application by sponge, brush, or simply with your fingers.
You can definitely keep this on your best foundation to cover acne list.
2. Lorac POREfaction Foundation
You can use this when trying to achieve a natural, effortless look with a silk-finish and minimized pores. The POREfaction is oil, paraben, and fragrance-free, aspects that highlight the care and specific tailoring for acne-prone skin.
Rich in botanicals like olive leaf extract, lemon fruit extract, and papaya fruit extract, this foundation delivers exceptional skincare benefits.
Calling all clean beauty supporters who want to recharge and obtain a fresh look with natural ingredients! Fruit extracts are well-known for offering radiance and a youthful, glowing complexion.
3. PÜR 4-in-1 Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation & Concealer
Are you ready to hear this? 100 shades. Also, vegan. It definitely ticks the innovation radar. “Love your selfie” name claims you’ll look so good you’ll skip all editing filters. We stand strongly about self-love and care, and we are incredibly excited to see such initiatives on the beauty market.
Another major advantage is the buildable coverage, offering you versatility for all occasions. Casually shine by day, full-coverage expert by night.
4. Colorescience Even Up Clinical Pigment Perfector
Targeting inflammation and sun damage, this product offers broad protection with SPF 50 and vital ET, a bio-available form of vitamin E. This is the go-to foundation if you envision a natural look that slightly covers blemishes.
Another focus is pigmentation and discoloration, which constitute some of the most stubborn skin conditions. Not only an acne-fighting foundation but a multi-target one. If you can address more serious skin issues at once, why not do it?
Their motto is based on healthy skin to the detriment of surface beauty. What do you think? Now that skincare education is growing and expanding, more and more people would opt for a lifetime of beautiful skin and give up on temporary glam.
5. Juice Beauty SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Moisturizer
Described by clean beauty and mother’s Nature values in all shapes of forms.
Do you love organic beauty? For such a long period of time, organic was underrated in the beauty world due to the multiple misconceptions. It was thought that organic beauty is not as strong as laboratory-produced ingredients.
It turns out that organic products can have the same strength and act as an equally powerful treatment for many skin conditions.
For sensitive skin types, clean beauty products are the only way to go. If you feel like nothing works and most products irritate your skin, give this a go.
Mineral, rich in aloe and pomegranate antioxidants along with organic plant oils of coconut, sunflower, jojoba, and vegetable hyaluronic acid.
Due to HA, this can be a highly beneficial option for all skin types, including mature skin.
6. Dermacol Make-up Cover Full Coverage Foundation
We have to mention the holy grail of full-coverage foundations of all times. With the necessary coverage to fully hide a tattoo, this is what you need in case of a last-minute photo shoot.
Magic? It’s all explained. Dermacol contains 50% pigments and can cover bruises, marks, and high discoloration. It’s mostly used professionally with the option to be used on both the face and body.
It comes in a quite small tube, and it’s not really your day-to-day foundation, more like a day-to-day concealer or spot cover.
Try to hydrate your skin well before use, the formula of Dermacol is quite heavy, and it might affect the hydration balance after long-term use.
7. Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation
We view this as one of the best options for anti-aging prevention. The formula contains hyaluronic complex and vitamin c for firmer, healthier-looking skin, instantly boosting volume. However, it also targets dehydration and uneven skin tone, making it suitable for all ages and skin types.
It also offers a smooth finish, making it easy to follow with creamy products and powders.
8. Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup
As a trusted name in the skincare-focused beauty, Clinique offers yet another solution for acne-prone skin. They recommend the usage of their whole “Acne solution” range, which you can do to enhance the effectiveness of the foundation.
It claims all-day resistance without a “cakey” transformation throughout the day and offers a wide variety of shades.
The innovative formula here improves the appearance of post-acne-scars by neutralizing redness and acting gently on sensitive skin.
9. Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Makeup
Neutrogena represents one of the oldest, trusted names in the beauty industry, well-known for their hand and body products. As was expected, they showcase their product as more of an acne treatment rather than just a foundation with skincare properties.
If you want a simple and effective routine, this is the right choice. Treats and covers at the same time, implying that no excessive under layers of products are required.
Are you a savvy, always on the go girl? You can maximize your skincare while saving time using a multi-task product like this. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, allowing you to feel comfortable wearing it all day long.
10. Almay Clear Complexion Makeup
How is this different from the rest? The focus of this foundation for acne-prone skin is oiliness. It contains salicylic acid, one of the best ingredients to combat acne, extra sebum, and prevent occasional spots.
Basically, you can use this acne-fighting foundation to normalize and control oily skin while clearing blemishes.
The best part is that if at any time you don’t have a salicylic acid product or blemish solution at home, you can use this on the spot to dry an occasional blemish. Easily apply it to necessary areas and let it work.
11. NYX PROFESSIONAL Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation
If you truly love makeup, this is already a staple in your routine, along with many NYX pigments and affordable yet luxurious lingerie liquid lipsticks.
We recommend this to all beauty lovers who don’t let a day go by without creating an astonishing makeup look. Versatile, easy to use, full-coverage, affordable with a quality texture.
To enhance the acne-fighting process, select an NYX primer accordingly to either boost hydration or control oiliness.
12. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
This is the perfect compromise between casual and classy – maintain a matte, flawless complexion whilst only using a medium coverage foundation.
You could powder-set it to obtain a matte finish or let your skin texture show by only applying it with a dense brush.
Allow your skin to breathe every day and add glow by preference with a highlighting powder or serum.
This is suitable for normal to oily skin, and it is lightweight enough for everyday use.
13. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector Tinted Facial Moisturizer and Retinol Treatment
Neutrogena’s tinted moisturizer with strong skincare properties is highly beneficial for prematurely aged skin. Vitamin A derivates successfully improve mature acne and balance blemish-prone skin.
The product assures your UVA + UVB protection with SPF 20, and it is reviewed as one of the lightest, skincare-based foundations to offer high coverage.
The benefits Retinol offers are endless. It has been an “it” ingredient in many successful anti-aging treatments, and it continues to deliver up to its prestigious name.
What this could mean for a foundation formula is the outcome of a smoother appearance and a fine-lines volume boost.
14. Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream
Lightweight formula, a very appropriate fit for young skin. In terms of acne-fighting, this could be a great option to prevent it from an early age.
The 2% salicylic acid helps to keep the complexion clear and immediately dries any occasional spots.
Introducing salicylic acid in your skincare as early as possible will be the strongest acne-fighting solution you could adopt.
Do you ever think about what’s causing your acne? While the cause could be hormonal imbalances, there’s also the chance your foundation is too heavy. If that’s the case, this balm would be the perfect alternative.
As a result of switching from an unsuitable foundation to one that fits your skin particularities, you will notice changes in texture, radiance, and hydration level.
15. e.l.f Flawless Finish Foundation
We recommend taking advantage of this foundation and its variety of application options. Whilst offering a full-coverage, it can also be mixed with a basic moisturizer to transform it into a glowy, silk-finish foundation.
By using this flawless finish foundation, you will notice instant skin brightness and smoothed texture.
Compared with many high-end foundations, this one wins through affordability and a wide set of benefits.
Joan S. Wilson is a lifelong makeup and skincare enthusiast. She used to work as a makeup artist for 5 years. Joan is always curious and wants to learn more when it comes to makeup and skincare. She tries her best to make other people’s skin health better. This is why Joan is so passionate about writing articles on beauty topics. She always looks for products that are high-quality, dermatologist-tested, and does that it says on the label. In every article, she shares her knowledge to make your life healthier and happier!