Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (2024)

Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (1)

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  • The best foundation for acne-prone skin needs to do two key things: effectively cover up breakouts (duh) and not trigger new breakouts or clogged pores. The latter is especially important since cosmetic-induced acne is all too real. The key to avoiding it choosing face makeup with noncomedogenic ingredients and acne-friendly formulas. Don’t know where to start? I gotchu. Because I deal with hormonal acne in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, and cystic acne (lucky me, I know), I have tested countless foundations for acne over the years and am happy to report that there are some truly excellent options out there.

    Our top picks for best foundation for acne-prone skin:

    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (3)

      Best Overall Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

      Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation

      Read more

    • Best Clean Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

      Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

      Read more

    • Best Longest-Lasting Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

      Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

      Read more

    Keep scrolling for the full list of the 11 best foundations for acne-prone skin, according to me, my fellow Cosmo editors, and board-certified dermatologist Allyson Brockman-Bitterman, MD.

    1

    Best Overall Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

    Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (9)

    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (10)Fragrance and oil-free formulation
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (11)Testers note that the amount of product they get doesn't last very long

    I don’t take the top spot on this list lightly, especially when the choice is one of the most expensive options. But this foundation from Oxygenetix, specially formulated for acne, is a game changer in terms of coverage level and ingredient profile. The MVPs in question include chemical exfoliant, salicylic acid, that buffs away dead skin cells and excess oil, antioxidant-rich grapeseed extract, and anti-inflammatory aloe vera. In combination, these ingredients treat active acne, while preventing new breakouts from occurring. The cherry on top? With just one or two pumps, my redness and pimples were totally covered, leaving me with smooth, shockingly clear skin.

    • Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, grapeseed extract, aloe vera
    • Oil-free? Yes

    Glowing customer review: “This is the only foundation that I will wear. It prevents me from breakouts, is moisturizing, and is super natural looking while also providing solid coverage. I tried at least 10 different foundations before I found this one and always would wear full-coverage ones.”

    2

    Best Clean Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

    Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (13)Lightweight formulation won’t cling to your post-breakout pimple dryness
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (14)Made with clean ingredients
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (15)Contains SPF 40 for added UV protection
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (16)Super oily skin types may not like the more glowy-like texture and finish

    Looking for a lightweight, serum-like foundation that is acne-safe? Ilia’s Super Serum which checks all the boxes. “This foundation has been a legit miracle for my acne-prone skin,” says deputy beauty director Lauren Balsamo. “Not only does it protect my skin with zinc-based SPF 40, but it also contains brightening and anti-inflammatory niacinamide, which has dramatically reduced the red splotches and dark spots on my face.” Bonus: It’s also a clean formulation, meaning it’s free from any potentially icky or irritating ingredients.

    • Key ingredients: Niacinamide, squalane, hyaluronic acid, zinc
    • Oil-free? No

    Glowing customer review: “It made my skin look like my skin but better. I used it over my everyday morning skincare. It matched my skin tone perfectly and helped minimize the appearance of my acne and hyperpigmentation. I tested it without setting powder or spray, and it lasted all day without budging. Plus, it didn’t cling to my dry patches like other face tints I’ve tried.”

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    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (18)Won't accentuate skin texture
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (19)Doesn't contain any acne-treating ingredients

    My ride-or-die makeup product? This foundation stick from Hourglass. I know what you’re thinking...why would I want to put a heavy cream foundation on my acne-prone skin?! First, I get that, but second, take a beat. I dot this formula four times on my face (one on each cheek, one on my forehead, and one on my chin), blend it all in with a dense foundation brush, and *poof* any signs of redness or acne are completely covered up all freaking day long. When I wear this foundation, I often get asked what it is that makes my skin look so smooth.

    • Key ingredients: Dimethicone, emollients
    • Oil-free? No* (*but does not contain mineral oil)

    Glowing customer review: “It is great for covering blemishes and acne. I have very dry sensitive skin and this formula works for me. It is very easy to blend with your fingers or brush...What I love about this foundation is that it has a skin-like natural finish and doesn’t accentuate texture.”

    4

    Best Full-Coverage Matte Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

    Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF 25

    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (21)Contains double the amount of pigment versus other competitor serum foundations
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (22)A good for choice for acne-prone skin that’s also sensitive
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (23)Some testers say that in order to get good results, you need to properly prep your skin with moisturizer

    I love this foundation so much, I gave it a Cosmo 2024 Acne Award. The winning formula has a lightweight texture and a soft matte finish that doesn’t look or feel cakey. As I said in its award recognition, it combos SPF and full-coverage pigments into one serum-like product that doesn’t cake up around acne scabs or newly forming pimples. This is a game changer for people who often have a hard time finding a matte formula that works on dry, or healing patches of skin—i.e., anyone who deals with recurring acne.

    • Key ingredients: Vitamin C, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid
    • Oil-free? Yes

    Glowing customer review: “I have acne and hyperpigmentation so I require a decent amount of coverage. I was not expecting this foundation to provide that much coverage given that it is a serum consistency but I was pleasantly surprised. I LOVE this foundation. It looks natural like skin.”

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    5

    Best Cult-Favorite Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

    Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation

    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (25)Iconic formulation loved for years by celebrities, makeup artists, and beauty editors
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (26)Gives a second-skin finish while providing ample coverage
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (27)Most expensive option on this list

    Does this next pick even need an introduction? Because I—like so many celebrities and makeup artists—love talking about it. It’s a totally buildable medium-to-full coverage formula that covers acne and discoloration beautifully. With just a few pumps (I use two or three), my hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and blackheads are immediately camouflaged. The result is super-smooth skin that is best described as “healthy-looking,” IMO.

    • Key ingredients: Viniferine, glycolic acid, papaya enzymes
    • Oil-free? No

    Glowing customer review: “You see how she doesn’t clog pores? Very mindful. I have acne-prone skin, and it’s hard finding something that doesn’t clog pores and lead to more breakouts. This was perfect! It took me years to find a product like this. It has a breathable, lightweight consistency, allowing the skin to feel comfortable without being suffocated by heavy product.”

    6

    Best Full-Coverage Dewy Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

    Patrick Ta Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation

    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (29)Free of potentially irritating ingredients that may affect sensitive skin types
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (30)May look oily at first on some skin, but a little setting powder in the T-zone will curb that quickly

    Before I became a beauty editor, anything that I thought would exasperate my already oily skin had me running for the hills. That was until I was introduced to Patrick Ta’s glow foundation. Take it from Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette: “Dewy makeup + acne usually don’t mix, but Patrick Ta has nailed it,” she says, adding, “The lightweight formula makes my face look like I’ve got a real-life filter on it.” FYI, the formulation was so good during testing, it earned itself a Cosmo Acne Award.

    • Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane
    • Oil-free? No

    Glowing customer review: “As an acne-prone, oily skin girl, I usually go for matte finishes; however, I love to try foundations like these because sometimes they can give you a beautiful glow without that shiny look we normally fear. This foundation was exactly what I was hoping for! It feels lightweight on my skin and blends out nicely with a buildable coverage.”

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    7

    Best Powder Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

    MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (31)

    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (32)Blurs redness and texture
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (33)Shockingly lightweight for a powder
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (34)There are not enough deeper shades available

    In high school, powder foundation was my go-to. Flash forward a few years and it found itself on the back shelf of my beauty stash. That was until I was reunited with MAC Studio Fix, which is hands down the best powder foundation for anyone that hates the feeling of traditional powder and also has acne. Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette says it best: “Matte skin that isn’t cakey, dry, or flat? Yup. It’s all because of this cult-fave powder foundation that helps even out my skin tone and smooth uneven texture.” Now’s your sign to finally try out this iconic formula, trust.

    • Key ingredients: Silicone
    • Oil-free? Yes

    Glowing customer review: “Used this for years when I suffered from major acne. One of the best powder foundations I’ve ever used. Can look a little cakey if you use too much, but with a damp beauty blender looks very natural.”

    8

    Best Skin Tint for Acne-Prone Skin

    Naked Sundays BeautyScreen Peptide Foundation Tint SPF50

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (35)

    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (36)Contains adequate SPF protection from harmful UV rays
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (37)Sheer-to-medium coverage is easy to build and blend
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (38)Some testers with paler skin noted that the shades looked a bit too orangey on them

    Another one of Lauren Balsamo’s faves? A multitasking beauty product. “I’m all about efficiency and this skincare/makeup/SPF hybrid is as efficient as they come,” says Lauren, who adds that it’s super easy to spread onto skin with just fingers. Combo the ease of application, MVP ingredients (hi, plumping peptides, and UV protecting SPF 50), and buildable coverage and you get an award-winning formula. (No, seriously, it won a Cosmo Acne Award this year.)

    • Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, peptides
    • Oil-free? Yes

    Glowing customer review: “If you like a skin tint with more coverage, this is the one. It leaves a nice glow to the skin after and it contains a lot of pigment. It really smooths out the skin! The shade is a little warm but blending it into the skin helps to get a more natural look.”

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    9

    Best Sheer Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

    Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence Foundation

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (39)

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (40)

    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (41)Contains plant-based retinol alternative, bakuchiol that smoothes skin texture over time
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (42)If you deal with a lot of discoloration due to acne, you may want a formula with more coverage

    Everyone at Cosmo loves a deal, including Julee Wilson, our beauty editor-at-large, who awarded this drugstore foundation a 2024 Cosmo Acne Award. Julee says it’s ideal for anybody who is into a no-makeup makeup look and that “the lightweight gel formula is filled with pigmented capsules that break down to a barely there, flawless finish.”

    • Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, tranexamic acid
    • Oil-free? No

    Glowing customer review: “My foundations all look so much smoother when I mix a half pump of the serum foundation. Pores look smaller and does not settle into fine lines. It makes foundations look very natural. I use my fingers to rub mixed foundation onto my face. I have acne-prone skin and does not break me out. One of the best skin tints I’ve ever tried.”

    10

    Best SPF Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

    IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (43)

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (44)

    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (45)Doesn’t settle in fine lines and wrinkles
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (46)Contains SPF 50 to protect from UV damage
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (47)Provides impressive coverage for a CC cream
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (48)Oily skin types may want to try out the IT Cosmetics matte version instead

    Have you ever met a CC cream that has the capabilities of a full-coverage foundation? No? Well then, pls allow me to intro you to my tried-and-true CC cream from IT Cosmetics. It’s jam-packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening niacinamide, powerful antioxidants, and last but not least, SPF 50. And not only does it work on acne-prone skin, but it’s also great for those who want anti-aging benefits, as well as those looking for a healthy-like glow.

    • Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niaciamide, antioxidants, SPF
    • Oil-free? No

    Glowing customer review: “I have normal skin, sometimes get acne, sometimes get oily, have blackheads, but overall my skin is in that ‘normal’ category. This foundation is great. Full coverage, especially if you layer it on over a bad blemish. My freckles and melasma from the summer sun are totally hidden.”

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    11

    Fullest Coverage Foundation For Acne-Prone Skin

    Dermablend Continuous Correction Tone-Evening CC Cream Foundation

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (49)

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (50)

    Pros
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (51)Shocking coverage that doesn't feel cakey
    Cons
    • Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (52)Not as transfer-proof as other Dermablend formulas, some testers note

    There’s a reason everyone and their mother has heard of Dermablend’s incredible coverage abilities (case in point, here). So if you’re dealing with redness, painful inflammatory acne, or any discoloration, and you can’t find any product to conceal it, Dermablend has gotchu. This formula, in particular, is specifically a color corrector that includes acne-fighting ingredients like niacinamide, as well as antioxidants, SPF protection, and plumping caffeine. Translation: You can feel good about applying a heavier foundation knowing that it’s also helping to treat your active and old acne.

    • Key ingredients: Viniferine, glycolic acid, papaya enzymes
    • Oil-free? No

    Glowing Customer Review: “I have an incredibly hard time with makeup because I am allergic to so many things. Pair that with hormonal acne and aging skin and it makes a horrible combination for trying to use some sort of coverage on your face. This is the best I have found since my skin has changed during menopause. I felt so confident in this foundation.”

    How to choose the best foundation for your acne-prone skin:

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (53)

    Evaluate the ingredients

    Dermatologist Allyson Brockman-Bitterman, MD, recommends to start by choosing products that are labeled “noncomedogenic.” Though the FDA doesn’t regulate this beauty claim, the proof is in the pudding—aka, you may have to try a few foundations out and read expert reviews (hi, it’s us). Other terms to look for? “Oil-free,” “doesn’t clog pores,” or anything of the like.

    It’s also smart to look at the ingredient lists. Some makeup products contain amazing acne-fighting MVPs that get to work brightening, exfoliating, and unclogging your pores while camouflaging your breakouts—s/o salicylic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, etc. As for what to avoid? “Certain ingredients have been shown to be comedogenic and should be avoided,” says Dr. Brockman-Bitterman. Those in question are acetylated lanolin, petrolatum, coconut oil, and sodium laurel sulfate—all potential pore-clogging, acne-triggering ingredients.

    Consider your skin type

    “Picking the right foundation for your skin can also prevent future breakouts,” says Dr. Brockman-Bitterman, adding that using acne medications can oftentimes be drying, so it’s best to choose a liquid or cream foundation if you resonate with that. As for the other end of the spectrum, oily skin may do best with a mattifying, powder, or mineral option.

    Complement your makeup routine with a good skincare routine

    Concealing your acne absolutely works best if you develop a good skin hygiene routine. The best way to do so? “Washing off makeup before sleep and using clean applicators are two ways to make sure your skin routine isn’t leading to increased skin bacteria, which can also lead to breakouts,” says Dr. Brockman-Bitterman. Likewise, picking a cleanser that’s not too irritating and complements your skin type will also decrease your risk of breakouts, she says.

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    Meet the expert:

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (54)

    Why trust Cosmopolitan?

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (55)

    Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan with more than four years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She constantly speaks with cosmetic chemists and dermatologists about the newest and greatest in the beauty world, with a particular interest and expertise in acne. Her stories include the best salicylic acid cleansers and blue light therapy for acne treatment.

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (56)

    Siena Gagliano

    Associate Editor

    Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.

    Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (2024)
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