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Our top pick is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation Top Powder Foundations
Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE with over 10 years of experience covering all things beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. At PEOPLE, she collaborates with the PEOPLE Tested team to share our top recommendations for everything from the best shapewear to the best dark spot correctors.
There may be a few reasons you're looking for a foundation for acne-prone skin — perhaps you need a formula that won't clog your pores or something more full-coverage to hide the look of breakouts.
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf, the best place to start is by assessing your individual complexion. From there, you can decide your coverage level needs (many formulas are buildable, meaning you don't necessarily need an inherently full-coverage foundation).
“A matte foundation is more suitable for those with oily skin or more coverage needs. For dry skin, a dewy foundation containing more natural oils and humectants is a better choice.” —Dr. Jeannette Graf, board-certified dermatologist
Whether you have oily or dry skin (or you're more of a balanced skin type), finding makeup that will improve the overall look of your complexion without exacerbating your skin's condition is key. With that in mind, our PEOPLE Tested team considered dozens of formulas before taking 23 foundations out for a real-world spin.
Here are our picks for the best foundations for acne-prone skin.
Barely-there feel lets skin breathe while providing good coverage
Features SPF for sun protection
Boasts medium to full coverage that is easy to build upon
Not a great option for those looking for a no-makeup-makeup look
The Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation wowed us — it's a foundation, concealer, and sunscreen all in one.
In addition to its medium coverage, the formula is also enhanced with skin-benefiting ingredients, including antioxidant-rich pomegranate extract to keep free radicals at bay and pine bark extract for evening out the skin tone, which is great for dark spots caused by acne blemishes.
If you don’t love the look of a matte finish but want something that still keeps excess oil at bay, this is a great option because it has more of a satin finish that mattifies without completely masking your skin's natural glow.
After three months of daily use, our tester said the lightweight and buildable coverage this product provides is mind-blowing. It also doesn’t settle into creases on her skin the way some powder foundations do. She applies a light layer of this product on top of her liquid full-coverage foundation and finds that it covers old acne scars beautifully. She also experienced fewer breakouts while using this foundation, which we attribute to the non-clogging mineral pigments.
Size: 0.2 ounces | Key Ingredients: Titanium oxide, zinc oxide, pomegranate extract, pine bark extract | Shades: 26
Full coverage without a caked-on look and feel
Easy to apply and build upon
Masks breakouts, blemishes, and excess shine
High price tag (though a little goes a long way)
After testing 23 formulas, one of the best is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, a liquid foundation that has a matte finish and masks excess oil.
During testing, we were impressed by the full coverage and found that it was super easy to build without experiencing any streaks, resulting in a more seamless finish. The product also has a creamy and smooth consistency that makes it easier to apply in general, whether you use your fingers, a brush, or a makeup sponge. It absorbs quickly and layers nicely without creating a caked-on look.
The Armani foundation comes in 40 shades, making it easy to find a natural-looking finish that suits your undertones. While it is on the pricey side, one tester notes that you don’t need much product to achieve full coverage, making it worth the investment.
After three months, the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is still performing as well as on the first day. It has not caused any irritation or additional breakouts, and it works well on our tester's skin whether she’s experiencing a breakout or not. The formula is easy to apply and remains consistent throughout the day. While it is expensive, we feel it is worth the investment.
Size: 1 ounce | Key Ingredients: Glycerin | Shades: 40
Lightweight finish (and excellent option for summer)
Includes hyaluronic acid for hydration
May be too drying in winter for some skin types
For a less expensive foundation for oily, acne-prone skin, consider the Wanderlust Powder Foundation. After testing this formula, we were highly impressed by its ultra-lightweight feel, smooth finish, and how easy it is to blend into the skin. Because of this, the Wanderlust foundation is a fantastic option for buildable coverage, and you don’t need to use a ton of product to get the desired look.
In addition to being a less expensive option, it’s also one of the best powder foundations for summer, as just one layer is light enough to let the skin breathe while providing ample coverage. The powder formula is also enriched with lots of nourishing ingredients that promote skin health, including hyaluronic acid, jojoba esters, aloe leaf, honeysuckle, safflower, and hibiscus extract.
The Wanderlust Powder Foundation wasn’t ideal during the winter when our tester's combination skin is more dry. It was useful as an occasional spot concealer rather than an all-over foundation.
Size: 0.31 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, jojoba esters, aloe leaf, honeysuckle, safflower, hibiscus extract | Shades: 12
Completely covers acne blemishes and redness
Made tester's peach fuzz more detectable
If you want excellent coverage without breaking the bank, the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation-in-a-Powder is our top pick. This under-$15 powder foundation is one of the most budget-friendly options on our list and is excellent at hiding acne blemishes and redness on the skin.
Despite its amazing coverage, this formula is still lightweight enough so that the skin can breathe. Available in 20 shades, it was easy to match the formula to our skin. While the powder consistency did make the peach fuzz on our tester's cheeks stand up, it never clung to dry patches and didn’t have a cake-y look.
After three months of use, this foundation has become our tester’s favorite. The lightweight product looks great on her skin and makes her pores less visible than her typical liquid foundation. She uses the foundation three to four times a week and finds that it saves time in her morning routine and has not caused skin irritation. In fact, she accidentally fell asleep without washing the foundation off her face and her skin didn’t break out.
Size: 0.31 ounces | Number of Shades: 20
Includes squalane for lightweight nourishment
Provides slightly more coverage than a tinted moisturizer
Consistency blends well with oily complexions
Can stick to dry patches
Another winning mineral option is the bareMinerals 16-HR Skin Perfecting Powder Foundation, which is slightly less expensive than the Jane Iredale foundation. This powder foundation provides light coverage — slightly more than a tinted moisturizer — with a mattifying finish to combat excess oil and shine. It also goes on smoothly and is easy to build to cover blemishes as well as dark under-eye circles.
While our tester did notice it stick to some dry patches on their forehead, it was smooth and seamless on the parts of their complexion with more shine, so it’s a great option for those with oily skin. Overall, this is a better option for people with oily skin who want light coverage.
After testing it for three months, our tester liked some aspects of this product but found it works best as a light coverage foundation. The compact was easy to carry for touch-ups throughout the day (although the foundation did break into several pieces after carrying it in a bag for a week). Our tester prefers using a foundation brush instead of a sponge and found that the sponge applicator didn’t cover her acne-scarred skin evenly. Because she was already a bareMinerals user, it was easy to choose her ideal color online. Overall, she felt that the powder foundation would be better for those looking for less coverage.
Size: 0.2 ounces | Key Ingredients: Pineapple complex, peony extract, sugarcane-derived squalane | Shades: 35
Doesn’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles
Dewy finish works for dry, acne-prone complexions
Targets blemishes with salicylic acid
Layers well with other products
Less shades available than others we tested
If you experience breakouts and have dry skin, the Clinique Acne Clearing Solutions Foundation is our top pick. This formula is enhanced with salicylic acid, so it can effectively target blemishes while providing coverage.
When testing this formula, we found that it has more of a dewy finish, making it a good option for those with dry skin as it can provide a lightweight glow. In addition to masking blemishes, it also helped even out the redness on our tester's cheeks for a more even-looking skin tone and never sank into fine lines and wrinkles.
The only downside? This formula only comes in 15 shades and our testers noted that finding the right color was a bit challenging.
While this Clinique foundation hasn’t become part of our tester's daily routine during the past few months, it is the product she reaches for to prep for events and heavier weekend makeup looks. Unlike other foundations she has used, she did not experience breakouts when using this product.
Size: 1 ounce | Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Shades: 15
Covers blemishes and dark under-eye circles
Smoothing effect on skin that blurs the look of pores
Easy to blend into the skin for a seamless finish
Some makeup transfer during blot test
Hard to get right amount of product with pipette dispenser
If you want a foundation that can hide blemishes, cover up dark circles, and minimize the appearance of pores, the Dermablend Flawless Creator Lightweight Foundation is our top pick.
We loved how easy this formula is to blend into the complexion (even when using our fingers to apply it). It effectively covers redness and pimples while also evening out the skin tone under the eyes. Additionally, it has a noticeable smoothing effect that blurs the look of pores upon application and masks shine thanks to silica.
Although some makeup was transferred during our blotting paper test, it effectively stayed put throughout the day.
Since she first began using it three months ago, this Dermablend foundation has become our tester’s go-to formula. She likes the medium but buildable coverage that hides redness and scars, but it also leaves her skin looking natural and smooth. The only thing she doesn’t love about the foundation is the packaging. She found that the pipette dispenser either provided too much product or not enough.
Size: 1 ounce | Key Ingredients: Silica | Shades: 20
"Soft-focus effect" virtually blurs the look of pores and blemishes
Doesn't settle into fine lines, wrinkles, or dry patches
Not very moisturizing (though expected for matte foundations)
While matte foundations can sometimes read flat or cake-y, this foundation from Huda Beauty is the exact opposite. Our tester raved at how well it blended into the skin with a foundation brush and how weightless it was on their skin. They also noted how well it evened out their skin which is prone to redness and hyperpigmentation.
The finish is powdery, giving the skin a "soft focus" effect that essentially blurred their pores and blemishes, noting that "bumps and unevenness are hardly detectable." They also noted how soft their skin felt afterward.
The only downside detected was that, given its matte finish, the formula is not moisturizing, and if you have dry skin, you might find that you need to either put on a very hydrating moisturizer for acne-prone skin beforehand or work into the product before picking up with your brush or sponge.
After three months of use, our tester reports that this product continues to perform well. One change she has noticed during the winter is that it feels a bit drier and heavier on her skin, so it might be best to apply a hydrating primer before the foundation. She uses this full-coverage product weekly for more formal events and has found that it is effective and doesn't cause additional breakouts.
Feels lightweight despite full-coverage finish
Diminished the look of dark circles, blemishes, and redness
Better option for dry skin with acne than oily skin
The best foundation formula with SPF is the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation. This formula is enhanced with SPF 50+ for sun protection and also features hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E for nourishing and hydrating dry skin.
We love this formula because it has that lightweight CC cream feel but also provides coverage comparable to a full-coverage foundation. Since it’s so hydrating, it feels like a cross between skincare and makeup which is beneficial for healthier skin.
After three months of use, our tester mastered this formula's application. To avoid a cakey finish, she applies a small amount all over her face with her fingers and then uses a damp beauty blender all over to blend it in. She wears the foundation at least once a week and finds that it lasts best on her skin when she sets it with powder and a setting spray. She loves the finish, coverage, and skincare benefits of the product, which covers her post-acne hyperpigmentation well.
Size: 1.08 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin E, SPF 50+ | Shades: 22
Thick consistency doesn’t feel super heavy on the skin
Easily covers acne and blemishes
Blends easily into the complexion for a natural-looking finish
Takes some time to dry
When it comes to masking breakouts and blemishes, the YSL All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation is like Photoshop IRL. This formula has a thick consistency that provides even and seamless coverage without feeling super heavy on the skin. It not only covers blemishes but also works well at blurring fine lines and wrinkles, without sinking into them or creasing. It's also available in 40 shades so it’s easy to find a match for your skin tone.
Although we wish this foundation dried a little faster on the complexion (it remained quite creamy and "wet" after applying), we found that a setting powder did the trick and helped complete the overall smooth look.
Now an essential part of one tester's high-coverage makeup routine, this product does not leave her skin cakey, dry, or broken out, and it has lived up to its 12-hour wear claims. She wears it three times a week (or whenever she’s doing a full face of makeup), and loves that it feels smooth, lightweight, and comfortable on her skin. A little of the product goes a long way, so even though it’s pricey, it does last.
Size: 0.85 ounces | Key Ingredients: SPF 30 | Shades: 40
Wasn't longwearing despite claim
This formula is our top pick for the best foundation with full coverage. As its name suggests, this formula is enhanced with Amazonian clay to help draw out impurities and offer a mattifying finish. Additionally, it's enriched with vitamin E for anti-inflammatory benefits and mineral pigments to soothe and soften the complexion.
We were highly impressed by the coverage level (just one layer was enough to even out our complexions) and love that it melts nicely into the skin. While the matte formula can feel a bit drying as the day wears on, this wasn't a deal-breaker since it works so well at masking breakouts and hyperpigmentation. We also appreciated its squeeze-tube packaging which allows you to better dispense more product than a glass bottle. On top of that, the foundation has one of the most impressive shade ranges on our list, with 46 options to choose from.
This product grew on our tester after three months. Because it provides full coverage, she has had to adjust her routine and apply just one to two dots of the product at a time. The product does have a drying effect on her combination skin and it separates throughout the day. Despite the initial coverage, it looks great for a few hours but does not hold up for the 16 hours promised.
Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Amazonian clay, vitamin E, mineral pigments | Shades: 46
Whether you go with a liquid foundation or a compact powder, Dr. Graf recommends shopping for formulas with a matte finish. “Choosing a mattifying finish for your foundation can help the appearance of oily skin and control excess oil,” she explains. While oily skin isn’t the only skin type that experiences acne, many oily skin types can be more susceptible to acne.
For dry skin types who are prone to acne, consider using a hydrating and glow-enhancing formula with ingredients that support skin health and keep acne at bay. The It Cosmetics CC Cream features hyaluronic acid to leave the skin feeling more nourished and hydrated.
Since foundation sits on top of the complexion for long wear, ingredients can play a major role in how effective they are at supporting overall skin health, including reducing blemishes and excess oil.
“Choose foundations with ingredients such as salicylic acid or tea tree oils, as they will control oil production and reduce clogging of your pores,” says Dr. Graf. The Clinique Acne Clearing Solutions Foundation contains salicylic acid to help keep breakouts at bay.
While a liquid foundation with a matte finish can help reduce the look of excess oil, Dr. Graf says it doesn’t hurt to have a compact of mineral powder-based foundation on hand. This type of foundation for acne-prone skin usually contains zinc, which is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and naturally protects the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Consider these mineral powder foundations for acne prone skin:
To find the best foundations for acne-prone skin, our PEOPLE Tested team researched dozens of options before taking 23 formulas out for a real-world test drive.
If you experience breakouts every time you wear foundation, Dr. Graf says, it’s possible that the foundation isn’t compatible with your skin type or that the ingredients in the foundation are leading to skin irritation. “It is also possible that there is too much clogging, especially with powder added to the mix,” she explains.
Caring for the skin and your application tools before applying foundation will also play a role. “It is essential to make sure that your face is completely clean before applying makeup and make sure that your makeup applicators are clean,” Dr. Graf explains.
The answer is technically, both. “A matte foundation is good for acne and provides coverage,” Dr. Graf explains, adding that a powder mineral foundation can also work well. It really all comes down to the ingredients used, and keep in mind that those with salicylic acid can actually help improve the look of acne and combat excess oil while also preventing further breakouts. And, if your skin skews dry and matte foundation is too drying, a formula with hyaluronic acid will help provide the necessary hydration.
Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. When covering the best foundations for acne-prone skin, Jessie carefully reviewed the insights from the PEOPLE Tested team, carefully considering the formulas’ finish, coverage, and blendability. She also considered their overall experiences and looked at how the formulas held up against breakouts, blemishes, dark spots, excess oil, and dull skin.
Additionally, Jessie reached out to Dr. Jeannette Graf to learn more about why it’s important to use a foundation for acne-prone skin if you experience breakouts, what to look for in top formulas, and answer some of our most pressing questions.
Dr. Jeannette Graf is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine.
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