The 18 Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin in 2023

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 

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 

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 

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

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 

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 

"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." When applied with a brush, you’ll get full-coverage, uber-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 am loving the newly reformulated Lancôme Teinte Ultra Wear foundation! The foundation itself is so light, but provides amazing coverage. I applied using my beauty blender. A little goes a long way and isn't the least bit cakey. The shade was so easy to match and lasted all day while in the heat outside. This is a foundation game changer!" — Ulta 

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 

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." 

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

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 

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

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

“It took ages for me to find a foundation that both evened out my hyperpigmentation and was light enough to keep acne at bay, and before I found this formula, I'd just about given up. This clean, cruelty-free formula melts into my skin without feeling cakey, and it blends seamlessly with the rest of my makeup. A little bit of it also goes a long way, so one bottle has lasted me for ages.” — Gabrielle Ulubay, E-Commerce Writer 

Pros: Cruelty-free; Editor-approved 

Cons: A little heavy 

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." 

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

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 evening. Even after blowing my nose all day with a cold. Full coverage but not cakey at all!" — Sephora 

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

Customer Review: "I wanted a stick foundation for around the house use but was shocked at how this performed. It has replaced my daily foundations (Dior forever skin namely). 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 

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

Customer Review: "I actually use this product as my concealer. It doesn't crack and it provides full coverage without showing dry patches. It works very well for coverage. I will advise to order one shade darker than you would expect. I have a very fair skin and usually have to buy the lightest cool shade I can find, but I had to go one cool shade darker with dermablend because their fair is super white." — Ulta 

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

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

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

Customer Review: "I have acne prone, combo skin, and it’s never caused me to breakout. 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 

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 

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 

It can be tricky to find a matte foundation that genuinely feels lightweight. More often than not, full coverage comes at price—one that’s heavy, cakey, and skin suffocating. But, KVD swooped in and changed the game with a formula that’s unlike anything else on the market. From a texture standpoint, it looks and feels exactly like a light coverage, tinted serum. But once you start applying it to the skin, you’ll realize it packs a surprising amount of pigment. It genuinely gives a full coverage pigment, covering 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 

With over 9,000 five-star reviews on Ulta alone, you can feel confident that this crazy affordable foundation is vetted—and loved—by the masses. It also gets our hard-earned stamp of approval thanks to the texture, ingredient profile, and longwear. It has a natural matte finish that leaves you looking fresh and oil-free (not cakey) thanks to the inclusion of clay in its formula. 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 am 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 

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

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 break outs and it pairs well with other products." — Ulta 

Powder foundation is scary—there, I said it. It can get cakey quickly and has the potential to feel suffocating on the skin. On the flip side, it’s waterproof and sweat-proof nature is great for oily and acne-prone skin types. Enter Make Up For Ever’s latest and greatest. It’s a matte, pressed powder designed to give a silky, smooth base with buildable pigment. You can by all means apply it all over, but I personally 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 others 

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