For those with dry skin, alcohol will dry it out further, causing damage to its protective barrier. You’ll Love These Drugstore Foundations. The noncomedogenic, oil-free formula seamlessly covers imperfections with a soft-matte, pore-blurring finish. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Opt for liquid foundations with low concentrations of salicylic acid to safely fight blemishes, exfoliate dead skin cells and eliminate excess oil. These foundations will cover up your acne without making it worse, experts say. Foundation and acne can be a challenging combo. Alisa Hrustic has spent her entire career interviewing top medical experts, interpreting peer-reviewed studies, and reporting on health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness trends for outlets like Women’s Health and Men’s Health, where she both interned and worked full-time. It also contains SPF 20 which is a must for daily wear (especially if you’re on acne medication).” —Katie Snooks, "My ultimate concealer is the Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage Crème. I even struggle to go a day or two days without using it! 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. After 10 years of chronic acne, our beauty editor made a list of the best foundation for acne prone skin, plus the acne-fighting ingredients to look for. This lightweight foundation is vegan and longwear, lasting up to 12 hours, and the perfect option for those who want a flake-free, naturally radiant appearance. 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. Some foundations can disguise imperfections, but they tend to disguise your skin texture too. Top Picks for Best Drugstore Foundation for Acne Prone Skin 1. Conceal, Heal & Feel Great. “Heavy oils block your pores, leading to an accumulation of bacteria that promote inflammation and cause breakouts.”, 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. If your skin breaks out faster than a Disney Channel star onto the music scene, you know how laughable foundations at Sephora … Becca Skin Love Weightless Blur Foundation, 7. “This foundation literally give me confidence,” one tester raved. Makeup artists recommend the best foundations for mature skin, including Armani Designer Lift Foundation, Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick, NARS Longwear Foundation, Make Up for … Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 1/1/20) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 1/1/20) and Your California Privacy Rights. Great for oily skin, the fine oil-absorbing powders used in this oil-free foundation control sheen and reduce the need for touch ups throughout the day. That means we can give cash back to you. “A foundation with sunscreen can offer added protection when layered over your regular sunscreen,” he says. ... medium, or full — it's a foundation that can work with every skin type. —Katie Snooks, "At the moment, my favorite foundation is BareMinerals Bare Pro Foundation. Its buildable coverage produces a gorgeous matte finish that allows the real you to shine. —Samantha Schuerman, "For foundation, I like to use Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup because I suffer from acne and this foundation is the only one that covers my skin dilemma while delivering a great finish.” —Kadeeja Khan, "I like to use MAC Pro Longwear Concealer if I want to cover something bigger." From drugstore favorites to high-end formulas, this is what the makeup pros use behind-the-scenes. A well-known drugstore gem containing salicylic acid, this No7 product treats existing breakouts and controls oil production without clogging the pores and has SPF for sun protection. “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. Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Foundation, How to Choose the Best Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin, Avoid ingredients that can make skin worse, Look for formulas designed with acne-prone people in mind, Try formulas with medicated ingredients that fight acne, Consider switching to a different type of foundation, Keep or donate any portion of your cash back, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI4IPyHmrEM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZmUywR5i5o. Plus, it comes in a diverse shade range—from fair porcelain to deep espresso—so anyone can find their match. Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Foundation, 3. —Kadeeja Khan, "For so many years I assumed I was oily, but later realized my skin was actually severely dry, which was causing the overproduction of oil to try to balance it out. You just have to find the formula that’s right for you. All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. These concealers and foundations are the best at covering breakouts on acne-prone skin. Its oil-free … Dr. Zeichner recommends Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup, which contains 0.5% salicylic acid and aloe vera to soothe inflammation. If your skin has lots of redness – which is typical for acne prone skin- its worth using a green colored concealer to fade any redness and angry looking areas. So many of us rely on the pigmented makeup to mask whatever pimples we don't feel like showing off to the world, but the ingredients in … SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It’s a pricey but 100 percent worth it for a beautifully natural finish with a good pigment." Brands like Tarte and BareMinerals have outstanding formulas. Look for foundations that double as concealer. Whether you are looking to conceal the appearance of acne or treat your acne while still wearing foundation, the following are our choices of the best foundations for acne-prone skin… Skin in need of serious coverage? I apply a very light layer before I use foundation to camouflage the redness and scarring of the breakout." Bartlett agrees. A good general rule of thumb is to look for products won’t clog your pores. Kaolin clay absorbs excess oil, green tea soothes, while caffeine perks up the skin. It provides shine-free natural coverage that is breathable and looks great. Light as air and oil-free, the liquid foundation glides over skin and dries to a powder for an instantly smooth, matte finish and a feeling that you’re wearing nothing at all. For those with dry, acne-prone skin, a stick or cream foundation is your best bet. By using an array of blurring ingredients and vitamin C, it works to reduce the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as well as existing acne. Macrene 37 Actives is a great lightweight foundation you can build upon to achieve more natural coverage,” she says, which contains 37 active ingredients—like amino acids, yerba mate tea, blue algae, and resveratrol—designed to fight signs of aging and breakouts. ... my blow out foundation option would be Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation. Apply a thin layer if you prefer a sheer, more natural finish (hey, who said acne always has to be 100% covered?) “Powder foundations are less likely to clog your pores since the pigment particles are larger,” says Dr. Zeichner. You might also be interested in these foundations for other skin types: When you shop brands that partner with Giving Assistant you can feel good about your purchase. A part of managing acne is covering marks without making things worse, which can happen if you use the wrong makeup. No problem. Don’t be fooled though: The sweat- and humidity-resistant finish never feels thick or looks heavy. 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-causing impurities at bay. If you only need a little cover up, try Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation Serum. 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. Powder foundations have larger pigment particles, reducing the chance that they will clog your pores. The oil-free formula has a natural finish and feels lightweight, allowing your skin to breathe. You’ll proudly flaunt the flawless skin you’ve always wanted while simultaneously treating any skin issues. There's no rule that says you have to have amazing skin to be a beauty blogger. Ad Choices, 17 Concealers and Foundations Beauty Bloggers With Acne Actually Use. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. The best foundations for acne prone skin can do more than gloss over imperfections caused by acne, they can improve your actual skin… There are a few ways this may be labeled: While it isn’t a guarantee they won’t contain potentially irritating or pore-clogging ingredients, this is a useful guideline. —Audrey Victoria, "The LA Girl HD Pro Conceal is just a gem. It’s never easy breaking up with a foundation that checks all the boxes, but if it causes redness, irritation or breakouts you may have no other choice. Prevention participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. It's my absolute favorite, and honestly seems like it should be sold at Sephora instead of the drugstore just based on its quality!” —Audrey Victoria, "Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Concealer and Corrector is super creamy, but not too thick where it will clog my pores. —Audrey Victoria. And if you do not have acne-prone skin in general but rather get a few pimples or cysts from time to time, we highly recommend these zit patches! It never breaks me out and it does an amazing job at covering up my acne." “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: “Look for a liquid foundation with a low concentration of salicylic acid,” Dr. Zeichner says. There’s a reason reviewers call it “magic in a bottle.”. Here, six beauty bloggers with acne share their favorite concealers and foundations to cover redness, texture, and dark spots. This foundation is great for acne-prone skin because it doesn’t slip-slide around after it’s applied. This cult favorite drugstore foundation offers buildable, skin-like coverage at an affordable price. The foundation has a stick formula which is perfect for oily skin type. 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. You should always check the ingredients to be 100% sure. The formula is light but moisturizing, doesn't settle into lines, flakes or wrinkles, and covers color like nothing else." Acne prone skin needs the most gentle, non-irritant primer applied to create a calm, smooth and hydrated base.