The Best Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin: Top Non-Comedogenic Picks

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Finding the right foundation when you have acne-prone skin can be difficult. Not only do you have pimples, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and acne scars to cover, but the wrong product or application technique can make texture more noticeable, clog your pores, irritate your skin, and make breakouts worse.

Whether you’re looking for something that feels lightweight, works on oily skin, or effectively covers acne scars, there are many acne safe foundations to choose from.

Best Lightweight Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

The best foundation for acne-prone skin is one that will provide enough coverage to make you comfortable while also not clogging pores. While our first instinct might be to get a full coverage foundation to cover breakouts, lightweight foundations are also a good choice for acne-prone skin because they tend to contain fewer heavy oils and waxes, minimizing the risk of clogging pores. 

Lighter weight foundations are also less likely to cake up or get patchy over breakouts during the day, and allow for more versatility in your makeup routine. You can build up coverage where needed without overloading the rest of your face with product. Added anti-inflammatory agents or soothing ingredients in foundation like niacinamide or salicylic acid can be a nice bonus if you aren’t already using them in your skin care routine.

With all that in mind, here are some of our favorite non-comedogenic lightweight foundations for acne-prone skin:

Best Foundation for Oily Skin

For those with oily skin, finding a foundation that strikes the perfect balance can be tricky as many products can leave you looking shiny or cause your makeup to slide off throughout the day. While many of us with oily skin tend to reach for highly mattifying foundations, these can sometimes backfire, making it more obvious when your skin’s natural oils start to break down the makeup, leading to patchiness. 

Instead, foundations with a satin or semi-matte finish offer a more natural look that melds seamlessly with your skin, reducing the risk of noticeable makeup breakdown throughout the day. Pairing these foundations with effective treatments such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to manage oil production can help you achieve a long-lasting finish without the need for overly mattifying products.

Here are some of the best foundations for oily acne-prone skin that provide that perfect, natural-looking balance:

Best Foundations for Acne Scars

Textured acne scars can be challenging to cover smoothly without your makeup feeling heavy or cakey.

One effective strategy to combat this is to start with a lightweight foundation applied evenly over your entire face, creating a natural base. Then, use a full-coverage foundation or a concealer only in the areas where you need extra coverage, such as on the scars themselves. Setting the foundation with a finely milled, translucent powder will help to blur any remaining texture and keep your makeup in place throughout the day.

Before applying foundation, consider using a pore-filling or smoothing primer. These primers create a more even surface by filling in the uneven texture of the scars, allowing your foundation to glide on smoothly.

Additionally, applying foundation with a damp makeup sponge in a stippling motion helps to press the product into the skin, rather than just sitting on top, which can minimize the appearance of textured areas. 

Here are what we find to be some of the best foundations to cover acne scars while still being safe for acne-prone skin: