Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave this storySave this story
Wearing one of the best foundations for acne-prone skin can make a big difference in your relationship with makeup. Anyone who has struggled with acne, be it cystic acne, oil-spurred T-zone blemishes, or dryness-related breakouts, knows that it can be tough to find a base product that offers coverage without looking cakey or causing future flare-ups.
The key: Finding a foundation that’s thin, but dries down “because the less your base shifts, the less you touch your face, the less you re-layer, and the less texture gets amplified by midday,” says New York City-based makeup artist Christian Briceno. Our favorites are made with gentle ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory ingredients like lactobacillus ferment to calm sensitivity. Read on for the best foundations for acne-prone skin, plus insight from dermatologists and makeup artists on what makes a breakout-friendly formula.
Our Top Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin
- Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation, $69
- Best Demi-Matte: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation, $52
- Best Matte: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation, $53
- Best CC Cream: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream With SPF 50+, $47
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Which ingredients should I look for in a foundation for acne-prone skin?
- Which ingredients should I avoid in foundation?
- What is the best way to apply foundation if I have acne-prone skin?
- What other steps can I take in my routine to prevent new breakouts from forming?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Save to wishlist
Giorgio Armani
Luminous Silk Foundation
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why we love it: We’d be lying if we said we weren’t a little nervous when Giorgio Armani reformulated its beloved Luminous Silk foundation. But thankfully, after testing, it’s still one of our favorite base products. The new version comes in more accurate olive and deep shades, thanks to the addition of green and blue pigments that prevent ashiness, Armani Beauty research and development specialist Rena Hayashi told Allure. It’s also made with hydrating glycerin and caprylyl glycol (a humectant), plus brightening niacinamide for a more even skin tone over time. Multiple editors confirmed that the light- to medium-coverage formula glides over dry and oily skin effortlessly while hiding redness and discoloration. It also layers well without feeling too thick or mask-like, so you can build it up where you need to. And the radiant finish? Still iconic: “The new formula is just as beautiful, just as luminous, and just as trustworthy,” NYC-based makeup artist Kirin Bhatty told Allure.
Allure Beauty Box content manager Hannah Brower before applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Hannah Brower
Brower after applying the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Hannah Brower
Tester feedback from Beauty Box content manager Hannah Brower
LargeChevron
“After applying with a sponge, I wore this for a night out, and after many, many hours, my makeup still looked flawless. The foundation didn't separate, slip, or feel heavy at all. I have acne-prone skin, and products can easily cause breakouts, but thankfully, I didn't notice any blemishes in the days following. I absolutely love the new formula—even more than the original—though I will miss the classic frosted glass bottle. That said, this launch has reignited my love for Luminous Silk, and it will likely become my new go-to.” —Hannah Brower, Beauty Box content manager
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide, caprylyl glycol
- Who it’s for: all skin types with texture, discoloration, or acne
- Coverage: medium
- Shades: 44
Best Demi-Matte: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Save to wishlist
Estée Lauder
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: For an oil-controlling (but not flat) finish, there’s Estée Lauder’s recently reformulated Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation. The new version is made with “polymer mesh matrix technology,” a mix of polymers that helps the foundation move with your skin, according to the brand. You’ll also see AlgaeNiacin, “a proprietary blend that combines brown algae and niacinamide to decrease sebum production for a more matte and oily-skin-friendly story,” cosmetic chemist Amanda Lam told Allure. But the acne-friendly ingredients don’t stop there: Other key players include lactobacillus ferment, a probiotic that soothes skin while defending against bad bacteria, and resveratrol, an antioxidant plant compound that smoothes over dry, scaly patches.
You can build up coverage to mask bouts of redness and discoloration, and the shine-free finish lasts up to 36 hours (although we highly recommend washing your face before then!). “On acne-prone skin, that stability is everything,” says Briceno. He notes that, when foundation stays put, you don’t need to add more product or touch up your face throughout the day, which can make breakouts look raised and irritated.
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor before applying the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Jesa Marie Calaor
Calaor after applying the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Jesa Marie Calaor
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
LargeChevron
“The new Estée Lauder Double Wear is reliable in every way you’d want a foundation formula to be: It glides on smoothly, doesn’t catch on the dry patches around my lips and along my jawline, and lasts through an entire workday (which, during Fashion Week, stretches well beyond midnight). I wore 4N2 Spiced Sand, a neutral medium shade, and it’s a spot-on match for my winter skin tone. (I'm floored, because many of my winter foundations skew a little too warm, and I definitely don't have cool undertones.) It covers redness and discoloration beautifully, but I do wish it were more lightweight, so it wouldn’t conceal the beauty marks I love so much.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin, lactobacillus ferment, resveratrol
- Who it’s for: people with oily skin who prefer a natural-looking finish
- Coverage: buildable, medium to full
- Shades: 70
Best Matte: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
Save to wishlist
Lancôme
Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: T-zone looking shiny by lunch? Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation is made with oil-absorbing perlite and silica, leaving a matte finish that stays intact all day. Still, the formula isn’t drying, thanks to hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and soothing, antioxidant-packed moringa oil. It’s also a favorite of NYC-based makeup artist Delina Medhin because "it helps cover up acne as your skin heals," she told Allure. Whether you’re dealing with active breakouts, dark spots, texture, or all of the above, Teint Idole can help create a smoother, even base that won’t stress your skin out further.
Pro tip: The brand’s Teint Idole Ultra Wear All-Over Concealer pairs perfectly with this foundation and offers up to 24 hours of wear—no touch-ups needed.
Pai before applying the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
LargeChevron
"While I usually prefer a lightweight foundation, there's nothing I trust more than this to get me through a breakout—or the usual post-inflammatory dark spots that follow. It gives me just enough coverage to even out my skin, but doesn't ever feel cakey, and the transfer-proof, sweat-resistant formula can hold up even on the hottest days.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, moringa oleifera seed extract (moringa oil), lactobacillus, perlite, silica
- Who it’s for: people with oily or combination skin who prefer a matte finish
- Coverage: full
- Shades: 55
Best CC Cream: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
Save to wishlist
IT Cosmetics
Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick applying the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream With SPF 50+
Lexi Herrick
Why we love it: CC (or color-correcting) creams are all about skin-like coverage, and the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream delivers. It "corrects any uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, and redness, and also blurs pores—while still leaving a natural finish on the skin," NYC-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli told Allure. A three-time Readers’ Choice Award winner, this cream is packed with broad-spectrum SPF 50 and hydrating heroes, hyaluronic acid, and snail mucin. Meanwhile, brightening caffeine and niacinamide get to work on dark spots left behind by previous breakouts. Skin is left looking more even and glowy.
Editor’s note: We always suggest using a standalone sunscreen before applying any makeup, even if it has at least SPF 30—because chances are, you aren’t applying the recommended amount.
Herrick before applying the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream With SPF 50+
Lexi Herrick
Herrick after applying the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream With SPF 50+
Lexi Herrick
Tester feedback from senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick
LargeChevron
"The coverage of this CC cream cannot be matched. As someone who still fights active breakouts, this cream provides amazing coverage for all blemishes, dark spots, and scars. It brightens my whole face, lasts all day long, and the SPF is perfect for long summer days when you need coverage and extra protection." —Lexi Herrick, senior director of commerce audience & analytics
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, caffeine, glycerin, snail secretion filtrate (snail mucin), 6.3% zinc oxide, 9.02% titanium dioxide
- Who it’s for: people with dry skin and texture, redness, large pores, and/or hyperpigmentation
- Coverage: full
- Shades: 17
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Save to wishlist
Saie
Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Amazon
Sephora
Credo Beauty
Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Elizabeth Gulino
Why we love it: Saie’s Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer is super-lightweight, but still packed with ingredients that dry, acne-prone skin loves. In addition to mineral SPF—which tends to be gentler on sensitive skin than chemical SPF—there’s redness-reducing bisabolol, soothing aloe vera, and hydrating hyaluronic acid. But the real star is brightening licorice root extract, which can help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation over time. No wonder it won an Allure Best of Beauty Award. While Slip Tint doesn’t come in as many shades as many of our other picks do, each shade is designed to blend in seamlessly with a wide range of skin tones. (You can also utilize the brand’s Shade Finder to find the right match!).
Gulino before applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Elizabeth Gulino
Gulino after applying the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Elizabeth Gulino
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
LargeChevron
"It only took a week of using this product for me to add it to my beauty drawer permanently. The application is easy, it provides just enough buildable coverage, and it has left my skin looking glowy without being too oily. A feat! I've been applying it with Saie's The Big Brush—a perfect combination, in my opinion. I've been using shade two, which was formulated for very light skin tones with peach undertones. The packaging looks and feels luxe, but the scent is not my favorite. That's not necessarily a dealbreaker for me, though." —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: 15% zinc oxide, glycerin, lactobacillus, bisabolol, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, licorice root extract
- Who it’s for: people with dry skin and hyperpigmentation
- Coverage: light
- Shades: 14
Best Lightweight: Basma Beauty The Foundation Stick
Save to wishlist
Basma
The Foundation Stick
Amazon
Sephora
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Basma Beauty The Foundation Stick
Sarah Felbin
Why we love it: You hate how heavy some foundations feel—we get it, and so does Basma Beauty. Just a few swipes of The Foundation Stick is enough to cover your whole face, and the formula layers easily without caking. It’s made with moisturizing, dry-skin-friendly apricot seed oil, so it won’t emphasize scaly patches or flakes. Plus, soothing aloe vera and skin barrier-strengthening vitamin E help maintain balance, even if you have sensitive skin (like our editor does). Pro tip: Pick up a second stick in a slightly deeper shade to add definition—like a cream bronzer designed to conceal texture.
Felbin before applying the Basma Beauty The Foundation Stick
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the Basma Beauty The Foundation Stick
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
LargeChevron
“I have sensitive, oily, acne-prone skin, so it's hard for me to find a foundation that has good coverage and lasts all day without separating, especially in my T-zone. Basma's foundation stick has quickly become my favorite base product because it checks every box. I love that I can layer it where I need more coverage, and I can even apply a little under my eyes underneath my concealer to help hide my dark circles. I only need a few swipes to even out my skin tone, even when I'm breaking out, and the shade match is one of the best I've ever found. I was a foundation stick skeptic—I've tried others that were too thick and drying—but this one made me a believer.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: apricot oil, aloe vera, vitamin E
- Who it’s for: people with dry or textured skin
- Coverage: buildable, light to full
- Shades: 42
Best Medium-Coverage: LYS Beauty Triple Fix Blurring Skin Tint Foundation Stick
Save to wishlist
LYS Beauty
Triple Fix Blurring Skin Tint Foundation Stick
Sephora
Credo Beauty
Why we love it: LYS Beauty’s Triple Fix Blurring and Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation Stick snagged a Best of Beauty Award for its part-serum, part-primer, part-foundation formula. Safflower and rosehip seed oils pull double duty, moisturizing skin as they help the color glide on evenly. Meanwhile, green tea extract soothes redness and irritation, hyaluronic acid hydrates, and watermelon fruit extract helps skin hold onto moisture. Swipe it on wherever you want to even your skin tone, or apply a few layers for natural-looking medium coverage all over. Bonus: The solid stick formula is super-easy to travel with or toss in your bag for touch-ups while you’re on the go.
Tester feedback from senior copy manager Dawn Rebecky
LargeChevron
“This foundation stick is so packed with goodie ingredients, you might expect the formula to feel heavy. But the light-to-medium coverage blends beautifully (even around my nose) and feels like nothing on my skin, even layered over SPF. One glance in the mirror, though, and I know it's there, keeping me looking cool and crease-less all day." —Dawn Rebecky, senior copy manager
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, green tea extract, safflower seed oil, rosehip seed oil, watermelon fruit extract
- Who it’s for: all skin types with texture
- Coverage: buildable, light to medium
- Shades: 22
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ingredients should I look for in a foundation for acne-prone skin?
When shopping for foundation attuned to the needs of acne-prone skin, check for acne-fighting and soothing ingredients. "Look for ingredients such as salicylic acid, which works to clear the pores and exfoliate while they cover," Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, explains. “This beta hydroxy acid penetrates pores and breaks down the bonds between dead skin cells, oil, and other debris that clog pores,” Cincinnati, Ohio-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos adds.
Word to the wise: Salicylic acid can limit your color options, which is why you won’t find it in any of our picks. “Products containing salicylic acid need to be formulated at a low pH in order to be effective, and ultramarines—a class of pigments that are helpful when creating deeper skin tones—do not tolerate low pH well,” Dobos says.
You should also prioritize formulas featuring ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid that help hydrate acne-induced dryness. "These ingredients help to reduce redness and inflammation and restore the skin's protective barrier,” Maryland-based board-certified dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD, told Allure. Dobos adds that “Bisabolol has potent anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce redness and calm irritated skin, as well as mild antimicrobial properties, which may also help in managing acne-prone skin.”
Which ingredients should I avoid in foundation?
New York City-based dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD, recommends steering clear of isopropyl myristate, isopropyl isostearate, butyl stearate, and octyl palmitate. Also, watch out for heavy, oil-based, and occlusive ingredients in your foundation—these can clog pores and cause new breakouts to form. Some people are also sensitive to lanolin, Dr. Kobets adds.
What is the best way to apply foundation if I have acne-prone skin?
“Prep is everything,” says MarQuis Ward, an Atlanta-based makeup artist. He recommends starting with a light layer of hydration on top of clean skin and, if you need one, an oil-controlling primer only in the areas where you get shiny. Next, it’s time for foundation: Start with a thin layer and build coverage where needed, Ward says. “Pressing product into the skin with a damp sponge creates the most seamless result and prevents dragging across active breakouts,” he adds.
When you’re ready to set, use a fine translucent powder wherever you crease or produce excess oil. (“Over-powdering can emphasize texture,” Ward says.) Finish with a lightweight setting spray all over to melt everything together.
Need to touch up throughout the day? “Blot first, always,” Briceno says—otherwise, your powder may mix with the oil on your face to create a paste. Then, he recommends adding a small amount of powder only where you see shine. Notice a spot peeking through? Try tapping a tiny amount of concealer directly on top of it, he says, press the edges until they disappear, and then finish with powder.
What other steps can I take in my routine to prevent new breakouts from forming?
Makeup can only do so much—it’s important to assess your skin-care routine, too. Use a non-stripping cleanser, a moisturizer with humectants, lipids, and ceramides that won’t clog your pores, and a mineral sunscreen, and avoid layering too many products on top of each other, Dr. Kobets says. At the end of the day, remove your makeup using micellar water (not makeup wipes), she adds, and don’t over-cleanse. Both Dr. Kobets and Ward also recommend washing your makeup brushes and tools often to prevent bacteria from spreading.
Meet the experts
- Christian Briceno, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Kirin Bhatty, a makeup artist based in New York and Los Angeles
- Rena Hayashi, Armani Beauty research and development specialist
- Amanda Lam, a cosmetic chemist based in Los Angeles
- Delina Medhin, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
- Ife Rodney, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Maryland
- Kseniya Kobets, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City and the director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care
- Neil Scibelli, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist based in Cincinnati, Ohio
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best foundations for acne-prone skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, dermatologists, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
