The Best Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin 2025: Our Top 10 Picks

Finding the best foundation for 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 excellent foundations to choose from for acne-prone skin.

Best Foundations 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, light to medium coverage foundations can also be a good choice for acne-prone skin because they are less likely to cake up or get patchy over breakouts during the day. You can use a full-coverage foundation or a concealer in just the spots where you need extra coverage without overloading the rest of your face.

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

Best for Oily Skin

Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Medium Coverage Foundation with Salicylic Acid Natural Matte Finish

$39.00

Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup by Clinique is designed to both treat and cover breakouts for combination to oily skin types. This oil-free, lightweight foundation blurs away imperfections and has a natural matte finish to help control excess oil. This foundation will also gently clear pores with 0.5% salicylic acid, which exfoliates and penetrates oil, and contains added ingredients like caffeine to reduce redness. With 24 varied shades, there is a match for most skin tones in this medium coverage formula.

Pros:

0.5% salicylic acid to gently clear pores
Lactobacillus ferment, licorice, and caffeine help reduce redness
Natural matte finish for combination to oily skin

Cons:

Alcohol may be drying for some people

Buy on Amazon

06/30/2025 04:26 pm GMT

Best Radiant Finish

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Medium Coverage Foundation with Natural Radiant Finish

$46.00

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better combines skincare with foundation to improve your skin's health while its medium coverage hides imperfections. This water-light formula contains hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to hydrate. Micro-fine pearl powder provides a radiant finish that can help blend the appearance of excess oil throughout the day for a glowy instead of patchy look. The buildable coverage improves the look of your natural skin and allows you to customize the amount of coverage you want on a given day.

Pros:

Radiant finish can help blend in excess oil
Water-light buildable medium coverage
Hydrating formula with aloe and hyaluronic acid

Cons:

May be too moisturizing for very oily skin

Buy on Amazon

06/30/2025 04:41 pm GMT

Best Buildable Coverage

Dermablend Flawless Creator Lightweight Buildable Full Coverage Foundation with Natural Finish

$42.00

Flawless Creator Lightweight Foundation from dermatologist favorite makeup brand Dermablend is made to be easily customized. It comes in a weightless 10-ingredient formula that is safe for acne-prone and sensitive skin. Although it is lightweight, it also contains a concentrated blend of pigments, making it buildable from sheer to full coverage that can hide hyperpigmentation while still feeling natural on your skin. It can be used alone or mixed with skincare to change it up.

Pros: