18 Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin in 2024, According to Experts

So, you have acne. Welcome to the club—breakouts are a fact of life and one hundred percent normal. While there’s no need to conceal your blemishes or hide them under acne spot treatments if you don't want to, some of the best foundations out there are made to cover and treat acne-prone skin simultaneously. Foundations for acne-prone skin will disguise redness, blur over texture, and look like an extension of your skin. No matter how bad your breakout is, no one will be the wiser.

While picking a top-notch formula is the foundation for a breakout-prone base (pun very much intended), application technique is just as important when you're covering blemishes and blackheads. “It’s all about patience and targeting,” makeup artist Ehlie Luna tells Marie Claire. “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 foundation brushes on standby, keep scrolling to shop the best foundations for acne-prone skin. From lightweight liquids that give surprising coverage to heavy-duty complexion products that won’t let redness peek through, the following options are tried-and-true favorites tested by makeup artists, celebrities, and Marie Claire editors. 

The Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin

Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation

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, consider all the ingredients that go inside. The formula is oil-free (no breakouts!), looks like a second skin, and doesn't mattify when it's applied. It's an ideal trifecta if you want a glowy, clean look that still covers acne. 

Pros: Velvet finish; Oil-free; Celebrity-favorite

Cons: Expensive 

Customer Review: "I love this foundation! It never breaks me out, never creases or causes dry patches. It’s smooth, hydrating, and perfect coverage for me. I also like the way it smells (but that’s a personal preference). I have combination skin that is extremely sensitive and acne-prone. In the summer, I am incredibly oily, and in the fall and winter, my skin is dry. So this foundation works for me during all the seasons." — Sephora 

Lancôme Teint Idôle Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation

Makeup artist Jennifer Fleming names this Lancôme foundation her current favorite in her personal and professional kits. "Its 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."

When applied with a brush, you’ll get full-coverage, matte results. Want something a little lighter? Mix the foundation with your favorite moisturizer and use a makeup sponge to dab it onto the skin. You’ll have a breathable texture—and even a soft glow. Regardless, you’ll reap the benefits of the skincare ingredients (shoutout, glycerin) infused into the formula.

Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Full coverage; Lightweight 

Cons: Expensive

Customer Review: "I recently started using this foundation and I've been loving it! I love the medium-full coverage. I have combination skin that gets particularly oily, and I feel like this foundation gives a good natural/matte finish. I really like the feel of the product as well. My only complaint is that I wish it stayed put a bit better and lasted longer. It doesn't last as long as I'd like it to, but it's pretty easy to touch up." — Sephora 

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

Estée Lauder's foundation has been a mainstay for years. It doesn’t budge on even the oiliest of skin types. It also 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 lightweight regardless. It's 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 

Customer Review: "My favorite foundation for years. The only foundation that has amazing coverage and feels super lightweight. I have combination-oily T-zone and this foundation really keeps my face matte and doesn't oxidize over time. You really have to blend fast once you put it on because it dries fast and will be harder to blend. Also, some products may not work with this foundation." – Sephora

Pat McGrath Skin Fetish: Sublime Fetish Foundation

If you can’t stand the feeling of wearing foundation, direct your attention to Pat McGrath. This non-comedogenic formula quite literally feels weightless on the skin. 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 your face down with powder. 

Pros: Lightweight; Self-setting 

Cons: Expensive; Not full-coverage

Customer Review: "I’ve been wearing this Foundation for a few weeks now and I’m in love! Matte but still natural. Lasts all day and into the evening. Even after blowing my nose all day with a cold. Full coverage but not cakey at all!" — Sephora 

Good Mineral Loves You Back Powder Foundation

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand previously told Marie Claire that mineral foundations are a solid option for acne-prone skin types, because 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 editors 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

Customer Review: "I have used many mineral makeups, but this is the first that makes my skin look better and glow. I have imperfect skin with hyperpigmentation from healing pimples. With this product, my skin looks flawless. The best part is it’s lightweight and doesn’t irritate my skin at all. It’s a miracle product." — Amazon

Also Recommended

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte

Leave it to Rihanna to develop a beloved foundation under her Fenty label. Luna—along with thousands of others—can’t get enough of this 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 

Customer Review: "So good! It’s not heavy at all, a little goes a long way, and it blurs my pores. Not only that, it's literally so long-lasting, and gives you a perfect matte finish, and isn’t cakey. Love this so much!" –Sephora

NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation

Blur over blackheads and blemishes with a little help from this medium-coverage NARS formula. It’s certainly going to give you an even complexion for the moment, but 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, for instance, addresses 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; Expensive

Customer Review: "Love this foundation! So hydrating and lasts all day! I have oily skin, but with the right matte primer and matte powders, my makeup holds up very well! Doesn’t oxidize either and I wear it for 10+ hours a day!" — Sephora 

Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation

Makeup, meet skincare. The Uoma range is infused with a handful of skin-loving ingredients, which differ depending on your shade range. “The foundation helps target the most common skin concerns in a 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

Customer Review: "This foundation of the game changer, so long wearing I work 10- to 12-hour days and it does not budge crack or flake. This is a Serum foundation so it is very watery but the coverage is absolutely amazing. I have never seen a foundation blur the way this does." — Ulta 

When Life Gives You Lemons Hi-Function Foundation

If you’re worried about your foundation causing breakouts, Luna strongly encourages this option from 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,” she says.

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. Bottom line: Smooth, not shiny, skin ahead.

Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Skin-loving ingredients 

Cons: Some report orange undertones

Customer Review: "I love this foundation! I've had the same bottle for five months and I just ran out. You don't need a ton to cover everything and it feels good on my skin. I have acne on my cheeks and sometimes on my forehead and this foundation covers it perfectly. I recommend this to anyone who struggles with acne but loves makeup." — WLGYL

Tarte Face Tape Full Coverage Vegan Foundation

“It took ages for me to find a foundation that both evened out my hyperpigmentation and was lightweight enough to keep acne at bay," Marie Claire Beauty Writer Gabrielle Ulubay says. She had just about given up the search before she came across this clean, cruelty-free formula. The results? "It melts into my skin without feeling cakey, and it blends seamlessly with the rest of my makeup," she reports. "A little bit of it also goes a long way, so one bottle has lasted me for ages.”

Pros: Cruelty-free; Editor-approved; Vegan; A little goes a long way

Cons: Somewhat heavy formulation

Customer Review: "This is the best foundation I have. The coverage is great and it is my perfect match. It doesn't sink into my pores and I get beautiful full coverage with little effort and you don't have to use a lot. It leaves my skin with a natural glow (my skin is a bit oily in some places). I have tried other foundations, but always end up coming back to this one." – Ulta

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation

Once your pimples have flattened, there are inevitable dark spots to contend with. While potent retinols and the best Vitamin C serums are going to be your best means of 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 it ideal for on-the-go application. 

Pros: Easy to apply; Helps with discoloration 

Cons: Some report that the stick falls out of the packaging

Customer Review: "I wanted a stick foundation for around-the-house use but was shocked at how this performed...I have combination skin that is oily on my T-zone, but dryness around my mouth from retinol. After skin prep, I put SPF on and then apply this as my foundation, followed by a concealer under my eyes and some sculpting colors. It lasts me all day without touch up, and does not easily slip around my oily zones." — Sephora 

Dermablend Cover Creme Full Coverage Foundation

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's thick and may feel weighty. However, 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

Customer Review: "I’ve been using this cover creme and setting power for DECADES. The best product for my vitiligo. The coverage is perfect and it LASTS all day, even when swimming." — Dermablend

It Cosmetics CC Cream Oil Free Matte

While Marie Claire editors have written love letters 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

Customer Review: "I have acne-prone, combo skin, and it’s never caused me to break out. I use my fingers to pat it into my skin, and it covers my redness, blurs my dark spots/scars, and overall, leaves me with a 'my skin but better' appearance." — Sephora 

Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation

Water- and gel-based foundations are ideal for acne-prone skin types because they're so lightweight. This luxury foundation is 60 percent water and glides on easily while covering up blemishes. It gets better: The formula also features anti-inflammatory botanicals like aloe vera and chamomile to calm the skin, reduce redness, and provide flexible coverage. Mix a few drops of a facial oil with this foundation to get a sheered-out texture or add an extra layer on your skin for full coverage. 

Pros: Water-based; Anti-inflammatory; Natural ingredients

Cons: Expensive; Not a wide range of shades

Customer Review: "I love the way this foundation wears on my skin. Never tight, never cakey. Just the perfect my-skin-but-better foundation. My skin just glows when I wear this foundation. I only really wish there were more color/undertone choices." — Chantecaille 

KVD Beauty Good Apple Full Coverage Transfer Proof Serum Foundation

Few matte foundations genuinely feel lightweight. More often than not, full coverage comes at a price—one that’s heavy, cakey, and skin-suffocating. KVD, however, swooped in and changed the game with a formula unlike anything else on the market. From a texture standpoint, it looks and feels exactly like a light coverage, tinted serum. Once you start applying it to the skin, you’ll realize it packs a surprising amount of pigment. It genuinely gives a full-coverage, eliminating any redness associated with acne. 

Pros: Lightweight; Doesn’t transfer 

Cons: A little drying

Customer Review: "I’m not a foundation person but I wanted to find something that I could wear daily with a natural finish. I don’t like liquid foundation and so this was a really great option for me. It transfers a bit throughout the day but I don’t think the oxidation is as bad as some people say. With this product, you need to build it up in very thin layers." — Sephora 

Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless

With more than 9,000 five-star reviews on Ulta alone, you can feel confident that this crazy affordable foundation is vetted—and beloved—by the masses. It also gets Marie Claire's hard-earned stamp of approval thanks to its smooth texture and effective ingredients. Its clay-infused formula has a natural matte finish that leaves you looking fresh and oil-free. It’s also fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and allergy-tested, so it won’t cause any additional breakouts. 

Pros: Affordable; Cult-favorite; Mattifying 

Cons: Wears off throughout the day

Customer Review: "Like so many of us, I have had great difficulty finding the right color match for my skin tone. The search ended for me with Maybelline's Fit Me foundation. I have a fairer olive/yellowy skin tone, and Ulta's Find Your Shade tool on the website helped me choose the 118 Light Beige. It provides medium, buildable coverage, and gives a smooth look. I did experience shininess pretty quickly, especially on my forehead, but that is pretty common for me, no matter what product I am using." — Ulta 

Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Foundation Makeup

Salicylic acid is the holy grail of acne-fighting ingredients, so it’s no surprise that this BHA-infused foundation landed on Marie Claire's list. Not only does this liquid foundation cover existing blemishes, but its key ingredient also actively prevents new pimples from forming. It’s a win-win. Plus, you can't beat its lightweight texture—it feels (and looks) like a second skin. Feel free to rub this in with your fingers or go to town with a beauty blender—it's buildable and a breeze to apply.

Pros: Contain salicylic acid 

Cons: Not very long-lasting, according to some reviewers

Customer Review: "I have extremely oily skin and this is the only foundation that I don't want to immediately take off from feeling greasy. Nice with or without primer. I also rarely get any breakouts and it pairs well with other products." — Ulta 

Make Up For Ever HD Skin Matte Velvet Undetectable Longwear Blurring Powder Foundation

Powder foundation is scary—there, I said it. It can get cakey quickly and feel suffocating on the skin. On the flip side, its waterproof and sweat-proof nature is great for oily and acne-prone skin types. Enter Make Up For Ever’s latest and greatest option yet. It’s a matte pressed powder designed to give a silky, smooth base with buildable pigment. You can apply it all over, but I like to use it as a setting powder on areas where large pores or blackheads are bothering me. 

Pros: Multi-purpose; Silky

Cons: Not as full-coverage as competitors 

Customer Review: "I don’t use powder foundation. Like at all. After trying this, this is truly all I need. Coverage is AMAZING, when I wear it people can’t tell I even have makeup on! They think my skin is flawless. Forever repurchasing." — Sephora 

What to Look For in the Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin

Foundations for acne-prone skin range from sheer to heavy coverage. Consider your skin type and makeup preferences before committing to one. Sheer formulas or light-coverage options serve as a base without clogging or suffocating sensitive skin. For a foundation that can cover redness and blur texture, try a full coverage, long-wear formula with a matte finish. 

• Ingredients

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 exacerbate break outs is a bit more nuanced and requires plenty of testing.

The most important requirement across brands and shades is a non-comedogenic formula, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali. “It’s not necessarily right to say that all foundations are bad [for acne],” the expert notes. However, non-comedogenic formulas are specifically designed to prevent blocked pores. Also keep an eye out for formulas including salicylic acid—it's an acne-fighting ingredient that's sometimes infused into foundations, to treat your skin while wearing your makeup.

Dr. Bhanusali also suggests avoiding ingredients that can irritate the skin barrier and cause breakouts. Those range from oils and heavy fragrances to dyes and occlusives (moisturizing agents).

Meet the Experts

Dr. Bhanusali is a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. After being accepted into medical school at 17, he completed his studies at the Michigan State University medical scholars program where he was also awarded the Spartan Scholarship and Arthur L. Foley Memorial Scholarship. He went on to complete his dermatology residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. He specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology and looks to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technologies and established paradigms. Dr. Bhanusali was recently featured as the dermatologist behind Amazon’s first skincare line, launched globally in 2019, and currently serves as a medical expert for many companies in the field, including Johnson& Johnson (Neutrogena, ROC, Clean & Clear, Aveeno) and Solta (Fraxel, Clear & Brilliant, Pelo).

Ehlie Luna is a pro makeup artist, content creator, and creative consultant with a focus on sharing expert tips, entertaining, and injecting her unique perspective into the beauty space. She has worked as the key makeup artist for the New York City Ballet and has collaborated with brands like MAC Cosmetics, Beautyblender, Uoma Beauty, Macys, and more. 

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