10 best foundations for acne-prone skin that cover blemishes without causing breakouts
Using foundation when you suffer with acne can often seems futile. On the one hand it’s tempting to cover up any breakouts, but on the other you don’t want to aggravate your skin anymore than you have to. The wrong foundation can only serve to worsen acne.
In an ideal world, foundation would work with your skin to combat the oils that trigger acne, as well as building up to easily mask problem areas. During our testing, we put each product to the test on acne-prone skin, testing each formula across several days where we were either on the verge of a breakout or already in full-swing.
Using new products is notoriously risky on acne-prone skin, which can be easily triggered. The idea that foundation will worsen your complexion stems from the fact that most products are synthetically fragranced, which can be the worst aggressor for acne. So we searched for formulas that were as free of irritants as possible, to give our skin the best fighting chance.
We were also looking for formulas that blur imperfections – like acne scarring – and hold oiliness at bay without falling into the matte-trap of leaving skin looking too flat or dull. Any foundations that left skin looking cakey or inflamed were omitted from the list, as were those which reduced our tester’s skin’s natural glow for the sake of coverage.
While we wanted to our foundation to even out texture caused by acne, we also wanted to try and stop it in its tracks — and, if possible, help our skin improve in the long-term.
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Marc Jacobs re(marc)able full cover foundation concentrate: £37, Harvey Nichols
Marc Jacobs’ foundation gained cult status overnight when it was released, and for good reason. Out of all the entries on this list, it by far had the best staying power (you can easily cover your whole face with two drops) without going patchy. As a result, it feels incredibly light on the face, which is refreshing for such a pigmented formula. While it may be on the pricey side, we feel like it’s worth the splurge as a little goes a long way thanks to its use of lecithin – an ingredient with a skin-like texture – which helps it blend effortlessly for a smooth finish.
Our tester wore this on a day where she felt particularly conscious of residual acne scarring around the jaw. While other products tend to wear off in that area over time, her jawline looked as clear at the end of the day as it had after application – the first time she had ever experienced this – and her skin didn’t react negatively to the new formula.
It Cosmetics your skin but better CC+ oil-free matte with SPF 40: £31, Cult Beauty
The It Cosmetics CC+ cream is already a staple in most make-up artists’ kits, but for those struggling with acne, the original formula is too dewy to keep things under control. Thankfully the brand have added an oil-free addition to their collection, combining everything we loved about the original — its buildable, light consistency and glowy finish — without congealing over shiny, acne-prone skin as the day goes on. This edition is also unscented and generally feels more nourishing to skin, thanks to its use of tea tree extract and Moroccan lava clay. Don’t be put off by the thicker than expected consistency: our tester found that when blended with a dense brush, it masked a fresh breakout for most of the day.
Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation: £42, John Lewis & Partners
While Giorgio Armani also offers a matte foundation –power fix – which sounds like a more traditional formula for acne-prone skin, our tester actually preferred luminous silk. As the name suggests, it’s a lightweight, fluid foundation that blends so much easier than its matte counterpart. It not only masked imperfections but gave a subtle, oil-free glow – moisturising skin enough to add radiance, but not too much that it fed a breakout.
Fenty Beauty pro filt’r soft matte long-wear foundation: £28, Harvey Nichols
Our tester was initially sceptical of this pro filt’r foundation from Rihanna’s hugely popular make-up brand, as it looked cakey after the first application. However, using it with the Fenty Beauty primer is a game-changer, taking it from disappointing to one of the most impressive formulas our tester has ever used. It’s easily buildable, but manages to blur flaws without hiding your natural complexion. The finish is matte with a very subtle glow, but oxidises slightly so be sure to get an accurate match – not that that should be difficult, considering the brand’s legendary shade range. It’s also a non-comedogenic formula, which means that you don’t need to worry about it clogging pores or enabling the growth of bacteria.
Kevyn Aucoin sensual skin enhancer: From £35, Beauty Bay
This is the most unorthodox addition to the list, with a formula so thick that we initially dismissed it as a surefire cakey mess. It also comes in a small, concealer-like pot, providing only 0.63oz of product. While it can be used as a foundation, the trick is not to approach it as such, but rather use it as a concealer, foundation and highlighter hybrid. It’s extremely well-pigmented, covering textured breakouts and scarring alike. The consistency seems like it should be an acne sufferer’s worst nightmare, but in actuality it allows you to use minimal product to great effect, letting your pores breathe where they can. It’s no surprise that it’s Kylie Jenner beauty must-have.
Bare Minerals matte foundation SPF 15: £27, John Lewis & Partners
Powder foundations are hit and miss on acne-prone skin. On one hand they can be gentle enough to keep your complexion calm, but on the other it can clog your pores and make the situation worse. Bare Minerals have mastered powder products, with a formula free of parabens, binders and fillers.
The result is a natural-looking finish that keeps skin matte without layering on ingredients that irritate acne — the brand claims that its formula is so pure that it wouldn’t cause a breakout, even if you slept in it. While we wouldn’t recommend that, it definitely makes a positive and noticeable difference to your natural skin over time and converted our powder product-averse tester.
Burt’s Bees goodness glows foundation: £10.04, Look Fantastic
Burt’s Bees have come up with this 98.9 per cent natural mineral formula, free from parabens, phthalates, SLS, petrolatum and anything that irritates skin. We loved how natural this felt to apply — it’s more akin to a liquid moisturiser than a formula. However, those whose acne comes hand-in-hand with oiliness might want to avoid this one, as it definitely struggles to control shine all day long.
Dior forever matte foundation: £37, John Lewis & Partners
Dior foundations are always a safe choice, but we particularly like their forever matte formula. Acne-prone skin is usually accompanied by larger than average pores, which can appear magnified under the wrong product. While no foundation is going to shrink your pores, this foundation stands out in its ability to give the appearance of tightening and refining your skin.
It provides a medium-full coverage that isn’t too heavy and contains rose hip extract, which helps protect inflamed skin from further aggressors. Our tester loved how it served as the perfect base for other products, clinging onto powdered bronzers and blushers which tend to be the first to slip off when skin gets too oily.
Too Faced born this way foundation: £29, ASOS
The ultimate goal for a foundation is to look like you’re wearing none at all. That can seem impossible when you’re prone to acne, with oil-control often serving as the biggest hurdle between you and fresh, flawless skin. Born this way is oil-free, instead opting to develop your glow over time – some of its primary ingredients are coconut water and hyaluronic acid, which gently balance out your skin and boost moisture without triggering an oily disaster. We found this product to be one of the easiest to layer, as well as looking the closest to our natural skin. Perfect for summer, we recommend this one for hotter climates.
Hourglass vanish seamless finish liquid foundation: £51, Liberty London
Hourglass products are notoriously high quality and their vanish seamless finish liquid foundation is no exception. It’s a weightless, highly-pigmented formula that uses light-refracting microspheres to leave you with the kind of soft, dewy finish that can often seem so elusive to acne sufferers. We especially liked how little product you need upon application; on breakout days, our tester used one pump, while only half was needed when her skin cleared up.
It’s easy to overdo it when trying a new foundation, so we recommend approaching this one with a less is more attitude to avoid a cakey mess or breaking out your skin with too thick a layer. This is definitely on the pricier side, but if you’re looking to invest in a long-term product, this could be the formula for you.
The verdict: Foundations for acne-prone skin
When it comes to both masking and preventing acne, Marc Jacobs’ re(marc)able full cover foundation is tough to beat. However, it is a bit pricier than other options, we also loved Burt’s Bees’ more affordable foundation for its impressive formula. For the most natural finish, we recommend It Cosmetics’ CC cream.
