The best foundations for acne-prone skin

Originally formulated for post-procedure skin, Lycogel is the real deal when it comes to improving the appearance of acne-prone skin. It offers non-comedogenic benefits and it’s also loaded with a blend of 12 active ingredients (known as its LYCO-Complex) to support the healing and repair of skin, meaning less chance of sensitivity and acne scarring.

Created by doctors in Los Angeles for sensitive post-treatment skin, you can just imagine how great this guy is for acne-prone skin that needs a little TLC. Enriched with soothing aloe vera, powerful salicylic acid and vitamin E, it works to stimulate collagen and new skin cell growth, while helping to heal blemishes and unblock pores.

This non-drying mineral foundation feels like absolutely nothing on skin and gives a smooth and natural finish. It contains salicylic acid and works to conceal redness, while reducing the appearance of pimples.

Loaded with all the ingredients you’d find in regular acne-fighting spot treatment, this full-coverage (and salicylic acid-packed) foundation both masks your breakouts (while maintaining a natural skin finish) while simultaneously treating them. Clever.

When all liquid foundations are too oily for your skin, reach for this lightweight loose mineral foundation. With over 50 per cent zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, this helps camouflage redness and prevents irritation, all while providing UVA/B protection, too.

The Amazonian clay in Tarte’s shine-free foundation works fast to absorb the skin’s excess oil, while reducing the appearance of pores and perfectly concealing any blemishes for up to 12 hours.

Packed with vitamins, emollients and redness reducers, this oil-free foundation works to improve the skin’s texture and is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin types. Plus, it’s totally buildable, so you don’t have to worry about it looking too cakey.

This long-lasting formula gives skin flawless-yet-natural coverage that still works to eliminate redness and shine, while concealing blemishes. It’s oil-free and non-acnegenic, so it doesn’t clog pores, but it doesn’t dry out the skin either. It also comes in 51 shades online, so it’s easy to find a good match for your skin tone!

Can confirm: this foundation is actual magic. Capable of reducing the appearance of acne and melasma, this collagen boosting, pore-tightening product is bursting with active ingredients such as laricyl (improves firmness), hyaluronic acid (improves hydration) and vitamin c (improves skin tone).

This oil-free gel foundation has a unique lightweight texture and is formulated with a mix of chamomile, aloe and arnica to soothe sensitive skin and calm irritation. It also blurs the appearance of blemishes without looking cakey.

Now that you’ve got the right tools, it’s time to get the technique down pat! It’s important to keep in mind that you should always use a light hand and apply foundation gently to avoid irritating acne-prone skin. Dr Cook says, “It also is important… not to share… makeup brushes and applicators and to clean them weekly to ensure that bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil are not spread to the skin, which can lead to new breakouts.”

And remember: While your foundation can work to heal and conceal your breakouts, it’s always a good idea to keep a blemish-fighting solution in your bathroom cabinet to nix pimples overnight. We recommend using Dr Natasha Cook Cosmeceuticals Concentrated Spot Destroyer to stop breakouts in their tracks. 

Battling with acne scars? Check out the top 5 scar-tackling treatments.

Have you tried any of these foundations? Let us know in the comment section below.