So, you have acne. Welcome to the club—breakouts are 100 percent normal, and something that the majority of the population experiences. While there’s no need to cover up your acne or blast it with acne spot treatments (you do you), we’re happy to report that the best foundations for acne-prone skin will disguise redness, blur over texture, and look like an extension of your skin—not like a mask.
While picking a top-notch formula is the foundation for a great base (pun very much intended), application technique is just as important. “It’s all about patience and targeting,” says makeup artist Ehlie Luna. “Don’t treat your entire face like the more acne-prone spots. The skin will always look fresher if you keep things on the more sheer side wherever you can and go in a little more where you need more coverage.”
With this makeup artist-approved tip in mind and one of the best makeup brushes on standby, keep scrolling to shop the all-time best foundations for acne. From lightweight liquids that pack surprising coverage to heavy-duty complexion products that won’t let redness peek through, here are our tried-and-true favorites.
What to Look For
Very rarely will you find a foundation with a "good for acne-prone skin" stamp on the bottle. Instead, finding a formula that won't break you out is a bit more nuanced. Typically, you'll want to look for a full-coverage, longwear formula that has a matte finish. The most important criteria however is picking a non-comedogenic formula. “It’s not necessarily right to say that all foundations are bad [for acne],” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali. “I’d just recommend looking for ones that are non-comedogenic and don’t have any ingredients that can clog pores or lead to breakouts.”
Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin
- The Best Full Coverage Foundation for Acne: Lancôme Teint Idôle Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation (opens in new tab)
- The Best Longwear Foundation for Acne: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup (opens in new tab)
- The Best Velvet Matte Foundation for Acne: Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (opens in new tab)
- The Best Lightweight Foundation for Acne: Pat McGrath Skin Fetish: Sublime Fetish Foundation (opens in new tab)
- The Best Mineral Foundation for Acne: Good Mineral Loves You Back Powder Foundation (opens in new tab)
"A current foundation fave in my personal and professional kit is Lancôme’s Teint Idol Ultra Wear 24H Longwear Foundation," says makeup artist Jennifer Fleming. "It's lightweight wearability and full coverage help camouflage texture and hyperpigmentation—I was hooked instantly! An added bonus? It is oil-free and non-comedogenic, making it perfect for acne-prone skin." Another callout? The formula contains both perlite and silica, two ingredients that will absorb excess oil so your complexion stays matte all day long.
Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Full coverage; Lightweight
Cons: Expensive
Luna—along with thousands of others—can’t get enough of this Rihanna creation, which features a medium to full coverage soft matte finish. “It doesn't emphasize texture like dewy foundations or make your skin appear dry or looking flat,” she says. It’s also a great option for extra hot or humid days, as it has a special climate-adapting technology (yes, it's a thing) that keeps shine and sweat under control.
Pros: Makeup artist-approved Shine control; Blurs texture; Longwear
Cons: Some reviewers say the color oxidizes
Makeup—meet skincare. The Uoma range is infused with a handful of skin-loving ingredients. The ingredients differ depending on the shade range you fall into. “The foundation helps target the most common skin concerns of that family of skin tones,” says Luna. “It’s truly innovative.” For example, the light brown range contains woolly thistle, which helps reduce inflammation, while the dark brown range includes tomato extract, which boosts radiance.
Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Contains skincare ingredients; Personalized
Cons: Some say it's difficult to blend
If you’re worried about your foundation causing breakouts, Luna strongly encourages WLGY. The entire line was formulated with acne-prone skin in mind, so you can breathe easy during application. “It not only provides full coverage, but it also contains niacinimide to help improve the texture of skin.” Niacinamide, which is found in endless acne-fighting skincare products, is also effective at controlling oil, reducing the appearance of pores, and preventing future breakouts.
Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Skin-loving ingredients
Cons: Some report orange undertones
This foundation has stood the test of time—and for good reason. It quite literally doesn’t budge on even the oiliest of skin types. It has a waterproof formula that is guaranteed to stay put for 24 hours—no creasing in sight. As for the coverage? It ranges from medium to full depending on how much product you use, but manages to feel uber-lightweight regardless. It going to give a matte finish and absorb any excess oil throughout the day. That said, it might be a tad drying for some skin types.
Pros: Longwear; Lightweight
Cons: Not ideal for dry skin
Kim Kardashian, Gigi Hadid, and Meghan Markle are *obsessed* with this foundation, so you know it’s worth the hype. If that’s not enough to convince you to add this velvet matte formula to your cart, allow us to throw some more praise in Armani’s direction. The formula is oil-free (no breakouts!), looks like a second skin, and doesn't mattify skin, which is ideal if you want a glowy look that still covers acne.
Pros: Velvet finish; Oil-free
Cons: Expensive
If you can’t stand the feeling of foundation, allow us to direct your attention over to Pat McGrath. This non-comedogenic formula quite literally feels weightless on the skin. That’s not an exaggeration, you’ll forget you’re wearing anything at all. Coverage is super customizable, so you can build from a sheer glow to pretty decent medium coverage. You might just want to layer some concealer over particularly angry breakouts. Another callout? It has a self-setting formula, so you don’t have to weigh down your face with powder.
Pros: Lightweight; Self-setting
Cons: Expensive; Not full coverage
Once your pimples have subsided, there’s the inevitable dark spots to contend with. While skincare products like retinol and vitamin C are going to be your best defense at lightening post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, this foundation is a close runner-up. It’s formulated with sea daffodil extract, which has been shown to fade discoloration and even skin tone. The stick design also makes this ideal for on-the-go application.
Pros: Easy to apply; Helps with discoloration
Cons: Some report that the stick falls out of packaging
Not in the mood to mess around? This full coverage formula doesn’t play games. It will camouflage everything it touches—from acne and vitiligo to birthmarks and tattoos. Just be mindful that a little goes a very long way. Because it delivers such intense coverage, it is going to feel a bit weighted. That said, it’s not going to cause acne; it’s been dermatologist-tested, is non-comedogenic, and was designed with sensitive skin in mind.
Pros: Full coverage; Completely camouflages
Cons: Can feel heavy on skin
Blur over blackheads and blemishes with a little help from this medium-coverage formula. While it’s going to give you an even complexion in the moment, it’s also designed to help make your skin clearer over time. In fact, 70 percent of the formula consists of skincare-first ingredients. Oat helps address redness, while milk thistle fights against the effects of blue light and environmental stressors. Over time, you should notice a calmer, more even-toned complexion.
Pros: Blurring; Redness reducing
Cons: Not full coverage
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand previously told Marie Claire that mineral foundations are a solid option for acne-prone skin types, as they “won’t clog pores, are oil-free, and have extra benefits due to the inclusion of kaolin.” But that’s just one of the reasons we love this mineral formula. It also looks natural on the skin and provides buildable coverage. The key to a non-powdery application? Press the product into your skin—don't wipe.
Pros: Derm-approved; skincare-loving ingredients
Cons: Can look cakey
While we’ve written a love letter about the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin, there’s nothing wrong with getting a little extra protection in your foundation. This full-coverage liquid formula checks all the boxes: It has SPF 40, color corrects, leaves a matte finish, and gives skin a little dose of hydration throughout the day. The formula is also infused with charcoal, which is an ingredient loved for its oil-absorbing properties.
Pros: Contains SPF; Color correcting
Cons: Limiting shade selection
Water- and gel-based formulas are ideal for acne-prone skin types, so you’ll be happy to hear that this luxe cream is made of 60 percent water. And still—it gets better. The formula also features anti-inflammatory botanicals like aloe vera and chamomile to calm the skin and reduce redness, while also providing coverage in the healing interim. Coverage here is going to be super flexible: Add a few drops of a facial oil to get a sheered-out texture or add an extra layer on your skin for full coverage.
Pros: Water-based; Anti-inflammatory
Cons: Expensive
While this might be a little too moisturizing for really oily skin types, it’s one of our favorite options for anyone with dry, normal, or combination skin dealing with acne. The cream formula has a crazy full-coverage finish that covers discoloration and blemishes in no time at all. Applying product with your finger is going to be your best bet for spots, but we love to use a stippling brush for all-over coverage.
Pros: Full coverage; Easy to apply
Cons: Might be too oily for some
Salicylic acid is the holy grail of acne-fighting ingredients, so it’s no surprise that this BHA-infused foundation landed on our list. Not only is this liquid foundation going to cover existing blemishes, but the salicylic acid is going to actively prevent new ones from forming. It’s a win-win. Plus, you can't beat the lightweight texture—it feels almost like a second skin. Feel free to rub this in with your fingers or go to town with a beauty blender.
Pros: Contain salicylic acid
Cons: Doesn't stay on all day
With 24 hour-wear, sweat-resistant technology, and a non-comedogenic ingredient list, Dior’s foundation gets five stars across the board. It’s infused with floral extracts as well to help reduce shine over time and tighten pores with continued use, along with a base of SPF 30. It's going to provide medium, matte coverage, but don't worry: Your skin won't look dry and tight. Thanks to wild pansy extract, you'll stay hydrated all day.
Pros: Longwear; Waterproof; Mattifying
Cons: Expensive