Top 10 Foundations For Acne-Prone Skin

LOVED FOR: This foundation is one of the most lightweight in the bunch, but it somehow manages to minimize fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and other imperfections while it heals and prevents the formation of breakouts. Talk about multi-tasking.

USERS SAID: "Even though it's pricey, I decided to give it a try because, in my opinion, good skin is worth it. I have tried so many different foundations (including high-end), and this really does keep my skin clear and looking good throughout the day."

LOVED FOR: Covering up acne scars and hyperpigmentation without clogging pores

USERS SAID: “This covers blemishes and dark circles and stays exactly where you apply it. The formula is very thick, but it feels very lightweight when it's on. The pigment is perfect and doesn't oxidize at all.”

BEST FOR: Preventing, treating, and covering acne and scars without breaking the bank

WHAT IT DOES: This oil-free foundation not only acts as a base makeup, but it also helps treat and prevent breakouts thanks to the salicylic acid-infused formula. It even helps to control excess oil production so your complexion looks naturally radiant and hydrated without looking greasy.

WHY YOU NEED IT: Formulated with coconut water, hyaluronic acid, and rose and seaweed extracts, this skin-loving foundation is available in 30 real skin tone shades so you don’t have to mix and match for your perfect hue. Plus, it’s free of oil, silicones, parabens, phthalates, petroleum, and drying alcohols.

FROM THE EXPERTS: In a clinical study, 93% of participants agreed their skin looked healthier and felt smoother after six weeks of use.

BEST FOR: Achieving an all-over flush of color without feeling like you’re wearing a face full of makeup

FROM THE EXPERTS: In a six-week clinical study, 90% of women saw improvement in their acne after using this powder foundation. 

WHAT IT DOES: A blend of cashmere kaolinite clay, phytostem edelweiss, and oxygenating solvents work throughout the day to control oil, protect against free radicals, and deliver oxygen to the skin so pores stay clear.

LOVED FOR: This foundation absorbs excess oils on the surface of the skin for an all-over matte finish.

WHY YOU NEED IT: This luxurious, award-winning formula is great for all skin types, including acne-prone. It gives medium coverage that's buildable to your liking and adds a natural luminosity to the skin to provide that lit-from-within glow—never a greasy one.

FUN FACT: This oil-free foundation has been awarded the “Best Liquid Foundation” for InStyle’s Best Beauty Buy Awards for 13 years in a row.

BEST FOR: An oil-controlling, blemish-fighting, sensitive skin-friendly foundation with natural coverage

WHY WE LOVE IT: "I'm all about glowy, barely-there foundations, so when acne struck in my 20s, finding the right formula was tough. I wanted something that would cover and clear my breakouts without looking heavy or cakey. Enter this stuff: just a dab is all it takes to cover even the worst, most irritated blemishes, and it has the prettiest natural finish. And thanks to the acne-fighting ingredients, my skin actually looks clearer when I take it off at the end of the day. This is my holy grail!"—Kate Ferris, Associate Editor

LOVED FOR: The unique blend of Amazonian clay, vitamins, antioxidants, and mineral pigments makes this base makeup last all day long while neutralizing free radicals and drawing out impurities.

ABOUT THE BRAND: All Tarte products are formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, and gluten.

BEST FOR: A lightweight wash of color similar to a BB cream or tinted moisturizer

WHY YOU NEED IT: If skincare and makeup had a baby, it would be this skin tint foundation. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, squalene, and niacinamide to keep skin hydrated and improve the texture and tone of your complexion while you wear it.