The 13 Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin

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It's a catch-22 with foundation when you have acne: You want to apply it to cover up the breakout, but risk the makeup making it even worse. Or maybe you're starting out with clear skin, but your foundation has ingredients that end up clogging your pores—causing acne that you have to then cover up with more foundation.

"Like any product you apply to your skin, foundation can exacerbate acne," says New York-based board-certified dermatologist Jeannette Graf. Everyone's skin is different, but certain foundations are formulated specifically for acne-prone and oily skin, so they won't trigger breakouts (and in some cases, will help treat them).

Need a rec? Ahead, we found the 13 best foundations for acne-prone skin, thanks to Graf, Bazaar editors, and reviewers' picks.

SkinClearing Oil-Free Acne and Blemish Fighting Liquid Foundation

Graf recommends this drugstore favorite because "on top of being a foundation that provides natural-looking coverage, it also includes skincare ingredients that help to fight acne while covering it." Namely, she explains, "It contains 0.5 percent salicylic acid, which penetrates pores and helps to dissolve oil, product, and dead skin cell buildup, effectively helping to treat breakouts."

Customer Review:

"I have eczema and acne, so my skin is very sensitive, this foundation has great coverage while still being very lightweight, and i love that it has salicylic acid in it, really good for the price." —Anna

Luminous Silk Foundation

"This famous foundation is remarkably great for acne-prone skin (it’s water-based!) as it feels weightless on skin, provides great coverage, and minimizes shine and pores without sacrificing all-over radiance," says Bazaar Beauty Director Jenna Rosenstein, who also notes that "the shade range is the epitome of inclusive."

Customer Review:

"I’ve gone through 5 bottles of this stuff. No other foundation comes close—I would honestly pay even more for how solid this foundation is. PLUS it’s never made me break out. Love love love." —olivia15151

Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation

"Although this foundation has medium coverage, it’s as thin as a serum, light as air, and has a beautiful natural finish that gives a subtle glow and brightening effect," says Bazaar Associate Beauty Editor Katie Intner. "It’s super buildable but never feels heavy on the skin (or clog my pores). Plus, it’s infused with redness-reducing oat, cacao peptides, and hydrators that improve the skin barrier."

Customer Review:

"NARS girl for life. It’s so glowy and natural I have combination acne-prone skin and this sits so well and has decent coverage but looks like skin!!!" —388393lasey

Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation

"As someone with acne-prone skin, I stand on business when it comes to just about anything Haus Labs creates, including their Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation," says Bazaar Associate Beauty Commerce Editor Tiffany Dodson of this product, which is available in over 50 shades. "Its long-wearing formula is vegan and hypoallergenic and contains proprietary complexes that protect against environmental stressors while promoting skin healing and calming."

Customer Review:

"Buildable coverage and decreased breakouts. I love this foundation and the concealer too. I've used it with a brush and beauty blender, both great!" —immortal61616

Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder

This compact, offered in 20 shades, is oil-free, waterproof, heatproof, sweatproof, and non-comedogenic—making it just about perfect for those with oily or acne-prone skin looking for long-lasting coverage.

Customer Review:

"This is the best powder foundation I have ever used. I have oily skin and I don't always like using liquid foundations. But this gives you great coverage and keeps you looking flawless. No oiliness, no dry patches, just smooth powder foundation that doesn't even feel like you're wearing anything." —Sam41

Loves You Back 3in1 - Mineral Powder Foundation

The Good Mineral brand was formulated by two sisters with acne-prone, sensitive skin and has a limited ingredient list to prevent irritation. The shade range may seem small—just 12—but the natural pigments adapt to match your skin tone.

Customer Review:

"I have used many mineral makeups, but this is the first that makes my skin look better and glow. I have imperfect skin with hyperpigmentation from healing pimples. With this product my skin looks flawless. The best part is it’s lightweight and doesn’t irritate my skin at all. It’s a miracle product." —Claire

SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation

Mineral sunscreens have a reputation for being thick and difficult to blend, but this foundation with non-nano zinc oxide has buildable coverage and a natural-looking finish. Even better, it's designed for sensitive skin and boasts the seal of the National Eczema Association.

Customer Review:

"This is the first tinted SPF that I can use and not break out. I’ve tried every “clean” brand out there but I either had a reaction to the SPF ingredients, or the moisturizer ingredients were too heavy and made my break out. So far this is heaven, it goes on smooth - perfect amount of coverage - and it feels like I just put on a great moisturizer." —Hannah

C-Shield Anti-Pollution Moisture Tint SPF 30

Think oil-free formulas can't leave you looking dewy? This formula debunks that myth beautifully with its glowy finish, and has built-in skincare benefits like SPF 30 and vitamins C and E.

Customer Review:

"My 13 year old daughter loves it. It gives coverage but doesn’t make it look like my teen has a lot of makeup on which this momma loves." —Missy G

Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Foundation

Mattifying, non-comedogenic, and containing 0.5 percent salicylic acid, this foundation is a triple-threat against breakouts. Plus, the lightweight consistency is a dream to apply, and never feels cakey.

Customer Review:

"I just bought this for the first time today in the color ivory. It covers bad acne without having to use a ton of product and it dries quickly without feeling it will smear or rub off. I plan to repurchase it when I run out. Really like this foundation." —Angie

The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Merit's complexion stick is both blendable and buildable, making it great for touching up on the go. Its slim size is also great for covering up blemishes—but won't make them worse (or cause new ones in the process).

Customer Review:

"I have a different shade that I use as a concealer and this one I use for contouring. The formula is perfect! I struggle with acne and I never feel that the product is too heavy or irritating for me. The cream is smooth when applying to the skin. buildable and long-lasting. Definitely one of my favorite products from Merit." —Jennifer P

Liquid Mineral Foundation

Foundations for oily or acne-prone skin can often be on the dry side. Not so with this mineral formula, created with a deep-sea hydrating complex of cucumber and calendula extracts to soothe and plump skin. Reviewers also rave about how lightweight and natural it looks.

Customer Review:

"Best foundation I’ve ever used. No breakouts or dry crackly spots. Super creamy and a perfect match." —Michele N

CC+ Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream SPF 50+

If you're looking for full coverage, IT Cosmetics' CC+ cream has it (in 22 shades). And though it covers well, it won't crease or settle into fine lines. The formula also has a whopping SPF 50+ and is rounded out with hydrating hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E.

Customer Review:

"A little goes a long way with this product. Good coverage and it hasn’t caused any breakouts." —Suzie

Barepro 24HR Wear Matte Liquid Foundation Mineral SPF 20

A shine-free finish that lasts is hard to find, but BareMinerals created one that spans 40 shades. Better yet, it holds up for as long as 24 hours—even through sweat.

Customer Review:

"This has been my go-to for foundations out of my collection. The formula is so beautiful and looks so natural on the skin. I can easily layer cream products on top without the foundation lifting underneath as well and it doesn't look caked when you apply powders over top. I'm impressed with the coverage as well. I have some acne spots and just one layer does the job." —Angela

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can Wearing Foundation Make Acne Worse?

Yes, it can. "This will most commonly depend on your specific skin and the formulation of the foundation you’re using," says Graf. "Some foundations have pore-clogging ingredients that can settle into pores and cleansing on its own will not effectively remove the product."

There is good news, however: "For most people, you should be able to find a foundation option that works for you and your skin type and doesn’t exacerbate acne after some trial and error." May we recommend one of the 13 products listed above?

What Foundations Are Best for Acne-Prone Skin?

There are a few options to look for, according to Graf. "If you have acne-prone skin, I recommend looking for a lightweight foundation that is applied evenly over the skin, providing good coverage," says the derm. "Mineral makeup can also be a good option for those with oily or acne-prone skin because it has oil-absorbing properties and has added ingredients such as salicylic acid to help oil clogging and breakouts."

So what should you avoid when you have acne-prone skin? "I recommend avoiding high-coverage foundations and instead opt for a lightweight foundation that doesn’t have the common skin irritants," says Graf. "Liquid foundations are also usually the best option for acne-prone skin, because cream foundations commonly have waxes in their formulations which can be pore-clogging."

Meet the Expert

• Dr. Jeannette Graf, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

Why Trust Harper's Bazaar?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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