Best Acne Prone Skin Foundations with Good Coverage

Concerns such as the best powders or foundation for oily acne prone skin that will offer full coverage and how to conceal acne scars calls for one to get a good foundation and concealer that does not worsen acne outbreaks. We briefly want to have an overview of foundations that can be helpful to you where brands like Neutrogena cannot miss!

One assumption we are going to make is you know how to pick a foundation shade that will compliment your skin tone. We will only discuss brands which are good for you. It should generally match the color of your chest if you intend to use it on your face and neck and get the most natural looks.

Overview

For makeup lovers, a foundation is a goldmine for getting that flawless look. However, if you have acne prone skin, shopping for the right brand that will not clog your pores leading to a break-out can be a daunting task.

Some full-coverage foundations make you feel like you have another mask on top of your face. Other SPF containing brands lead to blemishes or spots. Just getting the right product for your skin seems to be a puzzle you can’t seem to solve. Here are some guidelines on what you should bear in mind.

Shopping for a foundation for acne-prone skin

When shopping for a foundation, the first thing you should bear in mind are the ingredients. Cream and sticky brands are a definite “no” for you as they tend to be heavy/thick. Although they provide good coverage to blemishes, the oily and occlusive formulations characteristic of these products could lead to a break-out.

Which foundation brand will be good for your acne prone skin
Which foundation brand will be good for your acne prone skin

It is advisable to shop for more natural, oil-free, non-comedogenic, foundations. The most preferred types are the mineral based, or powder based (water-based) brand. Today’s mineral powder foundations can give you a good coverage without weighing heavily on the skin.

Also, liquid options are a great option especially if they are light-weight, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. As a rule of thumb, you should remember that the thinner the foundation, the less likely the product is comedogenic. Lastly, not all liquid brands are oil-free. Some liquid foundations may contain emollients, for instance, oil or silicone. These ingredients may aggravate the skin leading to break-outs.

There are SPF containing foundations in the market. The benefit of such brands is that they provide your face with the much-needed sun protection while at the same time hiding the skin imperfections. However, if your skin is sensitive, the chemical sunscreens in some foundations may not necessarily work for you. Alternatively, look for a brand with physical sunscreen ingredients. These ingredients include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

If yours is very oily, you can shop for anti-shine foundations that will absorb the excess oil leaving you with a natural matte finish. You should also bear in mind that foundations do not correct flaws. Therefore, if you a struggling with acne, you should consider looking acne treatments that will help nourish and treat the skin.

Our best foundations for acne prone skin 2018

We all know better than to rely on advertising claims. That said, there are some brands in the market that have received high reviews from their users. We understand that every skin is different and that it is not easy to find the right brand for you. However, maybe you can give one of these products a try.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Makeup Stick

Although this is a stick foundation, it is one of the few that actually contains ingredients conducive to acne-prone skin. This oil-free, highly pigmented brand provides a buildable coverage. It also contains polymers that absorb the excess oil from your skin leaving you to shine free.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Makeup Stick
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Makeup Stick

Neutrogena skin clearing foundation

This brand is popular since as the manufacturers state, “scientifically shown to dissolve oil and help boost delivery of salicylic acid to the source of breakouts, for fast results. Its natural-looking coverage is great for use on oily, combination and even sensitive skin and won’t clog pores” [neutrogena.com]

Neutrogena skin clearing foundation
Neutrogena

Burt’s Bees Mattifying Powder

This natural based, lightweight, non-comedogenic brand is an ideal product for people with oily, or combination skin. It controls shine without over-drying it. It also paraben and fragrance-free.

Burt’s Bees Mattifying Powder
Burt’s Bees Mattifying Powder

Laura Mercier Silk Crème Oil-free

This Laura Mercier brand is oil-free, lightweight, brand that provides medium to full coverage. It is ideal for normal to oily skin types.

Laura Mercier Silk Crème Oil-free foundation
Laura Mercier Silk Crème Oil-free

Bobbi Brown Silk Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15

This product has been celebrated by those in the entertainment industry as an ideal product for oily skin types. It contains a combination of oil-controlling agents, mineral powders, and skin friendly ingredients such as vitamin E.

Bobbi Brown Silk Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15
Bobbi Brown Silk Long-Wear Weightless

Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free

A light-weight, shine-free foundation that also contains an anti-shine ingredient to control the excess oil. It is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and allergy tested. It offers a medium coverage and claims to last up to 10 hours.

Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free
Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free

Vichy – Dermafinish Corrective Fluid Foundation

A high-coverage foundation that comes with an SPF. The product claims to be ideal for all skin types including acne-prone skin. The product offers good coverage and happens to be fragrance-free and non-drying.

Vichy – Dermafinish Corrective Fluid Foundation
Vichy – Dermafinish Corrective Fluid

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream

This product is designed for oily skin types. It also contains an oil-free formula making it the go-to product for those who want to control shine, even out their skin tone, and prevent sunburn.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream
Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream

Final thoughts

Getting a good foundation is only a step towards the good looking skin. Be sure to develop a proper skincare routine involving acne-fighting products. Examining the product ingredients and user reviews before purchasing the product is a great step. Also, rather than try out a random product that could potentially irritate it, you can consult a beautician or dermatologist for further guidance on the issue.

Remember that whatever you purchase, from foundation to blush, or concealer, make sure the product is labeled oil-free, and hypoallergenic. Avoid products containing ingredients such as oil, lanolin, paraben, Isopropyl myristate, synthetic dyes, and pigments. Good luck!

References:

  1. Mark Lees. Clearing Concepts: A Guide to Acne Treatment, Cengage Learning, 2013
  2. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/how-to-prevent-acne
  3. https://www.neutrogena.com/makeup/makeup-face/makeup-face-foundation/skinclearing-liquid-makeup/6800400.html