Acne and pimples are not limited to our adolescent years, as we all know. Adult acne is a genuine issue that is mostly caused by hormones. If you have the best foundation for acne prone skin, you know how difficult it is to find cosmetics that will not irritate your skin problems. The foundation best foundation for acne prone skin you use has a significant impact on the general health and look of your skin, and using the wrong formula might aggravate your acne. Here is a comprehensive guide to the best foundations for the best foundation for acne prone skin if you’re wondering what things to look for while buying a foundation.
Top 12 Best Foundation For Acne Prone Skin In 2021
The idea is to look for formulations designed particularly for best foundation for acne prone skin lighter-weight alternatives that won’t aggravate breakouts while yet providing coverage without drawing attention to problem areas. Acne-prone skin and foundation/base have a love-hate relationship. While using the best foundation for acne prone skin is the most effective technique to conceal a breakout or pimple, many products are comedogenic, which means they can clog your pores and potentially exacerbate your acne.
Furthermore, oils and synthetic perfumes might irritate pre-existing blemishes. When shopping for the best foundation for acne prone skin, check for elements like salicylic acid — this magical chemical has spot-busting properties and will help eliminate excess oil. Simply said, when concealing pimples or blemishes, you want a product that enables your skin to breathe while not clogging your pores. So, instead of exacerbating your acne, try these skin-friendly best foundation for acne prone skin formulations that will hide your problem spots without generating new outbreaks.
1. Best foundation for acne-prone skin full coverage: BareMinerals Blemish Rescue Skin-Clearing Loose Powder Foundation
Mineral-based foundations are an excellent choice for best foundation for acne prone skin since they often include fewer overall components than their liquid or cream counterparts—and, as a result, are less likely to block pores accidentally. You could use the original BareMinerals base, but this is preferable for the breakout-prone group. It includes a trace of acne-fighting salicylic acid, a calming oat protein to soothe inflammation, and phytosphingosine, a substance that aids your skin’s ability to battle germs. Add to it a full-coverage mineral complex that aids in the purification of pores, and you’re set to go.
2. Best drugstore foundation for oily skin acne-prone skin: Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup
This drugstore classic is one of our favorites not just because it’s a fantastic best foundation for acne prone skin with a silky texture and excellent coverage, but also because it functions as skincare. It has the brand’s MicroClear Technology, which is based on salicylic acid, one of the most effective blemish-fighting chemicals available. So, while you conceal your pimples, this dual-tasking product gets to work unclogging pores, dissolving oil, and treating your pimples.
3. Best drugstore foundation for acne-prone skin: Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
True, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a decent foundation. This one, a favorite of both beauty editors and makeup artists, is proof positive. Yes, the price is notable, but so is the formula. It’s a dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic liquid with a wonderful matte finish that tames shine but never appears chalky, due in part to micro-powders that absorb oil while also blurring the appearance of pores and pimples. It also comes in a whopping 40 different colors.
4. Best for Fair Skin: Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Foundation
Oil-free and non-acnegenic, this is a safe bet whether you’re looking to treat an existing breakout or prevent future ones. It, like the other treatments on this list, focuses on skin-clearing salicylic acid, as well as caffeine, a popular component for reducing redness. The long-wear product has a matte finish and medium coverage; it also comes in 11 colors, with more than half aimed towards lighter skin tones.
5. Best for Medium Skin: Beauty Bakerie InstaBake Aqua Glass Foundation
This is a full-fledged, all-encompassing formula that requires only a small amount to cover everything you want to be covered—and then some. Nonetheless, it applies well and never appears cakey. Happy reviews rave about how well it works on their acne-prone, combination, and oily skin, and although there’s a decent range of 30 hues, there’s a particular selection for medium complexions.
6. Best for Olive Skin: Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation
This groundbreaking foundation has so many fascinating features that we don’t know where to begin. Yes, it is available in 51 hues, which are neatly divided into six skin tone groups. But it’s not only the colors that are distinct; the formula has also been altered to specifically treat the concerns that are most frequent in the skin of that hue. Consider the olive skin category, which has an additional antioxidant that both prevents and controls oil production, which is a huge plus if you have a troubled complexion.
7. Best for Dark Skin: Flesh Pure Flesh Liquid Foundation
Because not all dark skin is identical, we love that this base comes in 40 different hues (with lots of nice alternatives for dark and deep skin) and that those shades for dark and deep skin have a variety of distinct undertones ranging from pink to yellow. It’s water-based, so it’s light and airy, and it provides medium coverage with a completely natural finish. It’s also free of mineral oil and silicones, which can block pores.
8. Best foundation for mature acne-prone skin: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation
Star Donaldson recommends this option, which comes in a whopping 56 hues. That’s reason enough to applaud, but the oil-free, oil-controlling prowess is also remarkable, as is the 24-hour lasting power, which is always useful when trying to conceal flaws. And, while it is unquestionably full coverage, it is also buildable and easily sheered out if desired.
9. Best foundation for acne prone skin for Oily Skin: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Although this choice from RiRi’s collection claims medium to full coverage (which it more than delivers on), it’s not at all thick or cakey. It has enough pigment to cover up those pesky pimples, but it also has an airy consistency that feels almost invisible on the skin. It’s also extremely long-lasting and humidity-resistant. While it applies like a liquid, it dries to a powder with a lovely matte finish. In typical brand form, it’s also available in 50 various colors.
10. Best for Dry Skin: Tarte SEA Water Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Do we know what you’re thinking—acne-prone, dry skin? It may not be common, but it does occur. And when that happens, this is the foundation for you. It’s water-based, as the name implies, and provides a lot of hydration without the oils that often aggravate outbreaks. Marine plants provide lots of antioxidant protection (always a good thing), and we appreciate that the SPF it depends on is mineral rather than artificial, which can aggravate breakouts in some people.
11. Best Water-Based: Dior Diorskin Forever Undercover Foundation
Water-based foundations, like water-based moisturizers (also known as gels), are an excellent choice for anybody with oily or troubled skin. This one, in particular, is a noteworthy option—it’s a lightweight solution that doesn’t mix with perspiration or clog pores while remaining in place even in hot or humid weather. It’s incredibly fluid, so it feels light and airy (give it a good shake before applying), but it has double the pigments as the brand’s original foundation, so you still get plenty of coverage.
12. Best makeup for acne-prone skin dermatologist: Laura Mercier Silk Crème Oil Free Foundation
This is not only non-comedogenic and oil-free, but it also has a silk powder blend to absorb excess oil while you wear it. In other words, blotting sheets and lunchtime powder touch-ups will be rendered useless. The complete coverage hides while also magically smoothing out texture, making it an excellent choice for usage over elevated blemishes and bumps as well as depressed acne scars.
Final Words
The BareMinerals Blemish Rescue Skin-Clearing Loose Powder Foundation is a clear favorite among the Byrdie crew. It’s lightweight, offers plenty of coverage, and includes a trace of salicylic acid to battle germs and unclog pores. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r, on the other hand, takes the cake in terms of hue variety and a matte, long-wearing finish. It provides excellent coverage without feeling heavy, and you won’t have to worry about noon shine. Furthermore, the collection includes 50 colors in a range of undertones, so you’re sure to discover your ideal match.
What to Look for in the best foundation for acne prone skin
Coverage and Finish
This is mostly a personal preference, but for oily, acne-prone skin, a heavier coverage, matte foundation formula will be your best bet in terms of lasting power. We recommend starting with a little amount of product and working your way outwards. Spot-apply extra coverage as needed with your finger or a precise blending brush. You won’t wind up with a thick, heavy base all over if you do it this way.
Components
It’s tough to make broad claims regarding pore-clogging chemicals because everyone’s skin is unique. Non-comedogenic and oil-free are good beginning points, but as Desiree Stordahl, Education Manager at Paula’s Choice, points out, these claims aren’t regulated, so it’s crucial to conduct more research and understand your unique acne triggers. Her advice to people seeking a non-acne-causing foundation is to avoid scent and denatured alcohol at all costs. Both of these might cause skin responses that aggravate acne and oiliness.
She also advises against using sticks and lotions since the substances often used to keep them firm might aggravate outbreaks. Oil-free products are also preferred but examine the ingredient list carefully.