You’re sitting in a meeting with a client, looking as professional as you could manage. The stress of the moment is creating small beads of sweat across your face. In a moment of panic, you grab a tissue and try to blot your face without looking like the anxious mess you are. You look down at the tissue and are suddenly mortified. A glob of the weak, greasy foundation you were wearing has wiped right off your face and onto the napkin in your hand. Great. Now he can see my nerves and the blotchy acne on my face.
If this has been you in more than one situation, your solution is not calming your nerves; it’s finding a better foundation. These days, foundations are geared towards a myriad of skin types: oily, dry, acne prone, sensitive, etc. You can buy foundations for acne prone skin–an “acne foundation” anywhere, but do you know which ones are actually worth the money? For a wipe proof, blotch-covering, confidence-inducing foundation, check out the list below. We promise your face (and boss) will thank you.
Neutrogena is one of the biggest players in foundation for acne prone skin. This SkinClearing Liquid Makeup contains salicylic acid and will keep the bacteria responsible for your breakouts at bay. It is much more sheer in coverage than other options, but is still great for pretty makeup and clear skin.
If you need an acne foundation that will give you just the right amount of coverage without irritating your pores or bringing notice to your fine lines, this is the one for you! Its glide on texture is perfect for easy application – perfect for those moments when you’re in a rush!
Nobody likes uncontrollable shine, right? With L’Oreal’s Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation, you’ll be able to skip the shine for up to 24 hours while still evening our your skin tone, blurring imperfections, and hydration your skin for that perfect matte glow. It’s best for combination skin types.
Every girl needs a little Dior in her collection. With a creamy, thin layer that helps fight redness and shrinks pores, who wouldn’t want to splurge a little on this fabulous foundation? For a makeup foundation that is as glamorous as you are, get your hands on Diorskin Forever today!
While covering up your skin imperfections may be important, it is only one piece of the puzzle. More necessary than coverage is treatment! Clinique’s Instant Perfecting Makeup does just that. It is creamy and smooth in application, but is infused with a bit of salicylic acid to help you fight your breakouts while looking pretty. It is available in a ton of shades, so it’s a great foundation for multiple skin tones and skin types!
Heavy foundations are definitely a thing of the past (hooray!). This lightweight foundation has sheer coverage, and is best for those who may be looking for more of a tinted moisturizer than a foundation. It does its job in staying matte all day long and the best part? No creasing!
If your skin doesn’t react well to oil-based makeup, this may be the perfect foundation for you. It reduces redness and shine, and is water-based so it won’t irritate any active breakouts or melt off your face in the middle of the day. It dries to a powdery finish, although spreads like a liquid!
For a true acne fighting formula, this E.l.f foundation may be your greatest ally. It is packed with salicylic acid, witch hazel, tea tree oil, and aloe, making it the one stop shop for breaking up with breakouts. The hydrating formula makes it a top choice in foundation for acne prone skin.
If fuller coverage and smaller pores is what you seek, Make Up For Ever has got your back. Their Ultra HD Liquid Foundation is just hydrating enough to soothe your skin and hide your trouble zones without feeling too caked on. The liquid glides on smooth and stays dewy enough to prevent that chalky effect from all day wear. It is available in over 40 shades, so go find your perfect match!
This Liquid Halo HD foundation from Smashbox blends easily and beautifully, is reliable for all day coverage, and definitely won’t irritate your breakouts. It has SPF 15, which will compliment a sunscreen nicely to give you tough protection against the sun.
Covergirl is a giant in the drugstore makeup game, and for good reason! This foundation is lightweight and offers good pigmentation for covering up unwanted spots, although it may have a little too much slip for oilier skin types.
Another big drugstore brand, Physician’s Formula, understands the need for a foundation that can last through work and play while still keeping your skin free of acne. The coverage is light to medium, and since it is powder foundation it may be best for very oily skin types.
For superior coverage and natural staying power, this concealing foundation is just what you need. It’s a mineral foundation with SPF 20, which means it is great for anyone concerned with using better, more natural products. The coverage is so amazing; it can double as a concealer!
This foundation stick from Bobbi Brown is perfect for quick touch ups and anyone that might only need spot coverage. Use a lot or a little, it’s up to you! The natural look combined with the weightless feel of this foundation will be enough to keep you coming back for more.
The last foundation to make the cut is Revlon’s ColorStay Makeup designed for Combination/Oily skin types. It is long lasting and incredibly easy to apply, with decent coverage for any girl that wants to blur some imperfections while staying under budget. It won’t break the bank, and it definitely won’t cause breakouts!
Foundations for Acne Prone Skin
With all these options for long-lasting foundation, your next meeting will be a breeze. Whether you stick with just one or choose a few, the choices on this list will be sure not to disappoint! If you want to give your skin a little more loving, check out our post on prepping your unique skin type for makeup. Don’t forget to comment below or use #liveglam to show us your favorite go-to foundation!
Preeti Sareen