9 Acne-Safe Foundations Celebrity Makeup Artists Trust Most
As a beauty expert and consumer, there are some products that I just know will require extra work beyond just a simple purchase. Take foundations, for example. If you have a brand you’ve been using for years, restocking is a cake walk. But when you’re going for something new, it’s not that simple.
Not only do you have to find your right shade (which, let’s be honest, isn’t always the easiest), but you also have to find a formula that has ingredients that complement your skin type. This can be especially tricky if you have acne-prone skin. You want coverage, but you also don’t want to use something that’s going to make your acne worse.
Truthfully, it’s a process that requires trial and error, but that doesn’t mean you have to go into it without guidance. Ahead, three celebrity makeup artists reveal the foundations they use on their clients with acne-prone skin.
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Best Overall: Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Foundation
Clinique
Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Foundation
Our top pick is none other than Clinique’s Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Foundation that treats acne while also providing coverage. “What I love about this foundation is that it goes beyond simply concealing blemishes,” says celebrity makeup artist Alexa Persico. “It’s formulated with salicylic acid, which helps unclog pores, treat existing breakouts and prevent new ones from forming.” She adds that it’s especially good for someone who wants to even their complexion without relying on layers of makeup.
Pros: Fragrance-free, controls oil, treats acne
Cons: Contains alcohol
Shades: 24
Finish: Natural matte
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, red algae extract, licorice, caffeine
Customer review: “Love the coverage from this product. Have oily skin and so really appreciate that this acne solution base with a great matte finish. My new go-to.”
Best for Mature Skin: Estée Lauder New Double Wear Stay-In-Place Lightweight Longwear Matte Foundation
Estée Lauder
New Double Wear Stay-In-Place Lightweight Longwear Matte Foundation
If you have mature skin and are on the hunt for long-lasting coverage, consider this option from Estée Lauder. “This is a fantastic option for someone with acne-prone skin who wants a fuller coverage without having to layer on more product,” says Persico. “I love how it beautifully evens out discoloration and the appearance of blemishes while providing a full coverage, long-lasting finish for oily skin types.”
Pros: Long-wearing, controls oil, sweat and heat resistant
Cons: Contains fragrance
Shades: 57
Finish: Matte
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, brown algae extract
Customer review: “As someone who doesn’t wear much makeup, I loved how easy this foundation was to apply and blend. The shade was a beautiful match for my skin tone, and the lightweight formula felt comfortable all day. Even though it’s matte, it gives my skin a natural, dewy look without feeling heavy or cakey.”
Best for Redness: NARS Light Reflecting Skin Improving Medium Coverage Foundation
NARS
Light Reflecting Skin Improving Medium Coverage Foundation
Nars is one of those classic, reliable brands, so it’s no surprise that Persico loves it too. “One of the biggest misconceptions about acne-prone skin is that you have to wear a completely matte foundation, but that’s false,” she says. “I love a natural skin-like finish, especially when someone is experiencing dryness from acne treatments.” She notes that this foundation provides buildable coverage without a heavy mask-like appearance.
Pros: Buildable coverage, suitable for sensitive skin, blurs pores and texture
Cons: Slightly pricey
Shades: 40
Finish: Natural
Key ingredients: Biomimetic oat, Japanese lilyturf, cacao peptides, milk thistle
Customer review: “This is one of my favorite foundations. As someone with acne-prone skin, it’s hard finding foundation that won’t cause me to break out. This applies smooth and gives a skin-like finish.”
Best Lightweight: Givenchy Prisme Libre Glow Serum Blurring Foundation
Givenchy
Prisme Libre Glow Serum Blurring Foundation
Blurring foundations that are also lightweight can be hard to come by. That’s why Persico loves this foundation from Givenchy. It’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores and cause further breakouts. Plus, it contains niacinamide to improve skin tone, reduce redness, and support the skin barrier. “I always remind clients with acne-prone skin that you don’t need more coverage, but the right coverage,” she says. “I love the idea of a foundation that allows you to build coverage exactly where you need it while keeping the rest of the complexion looking fresh and natural and this foundation does just that.”
Pros: Hydrating, buildable coverage, long-wearing
Cons: Contains fragrance, pricey
Shades: 30
Finish: Natural
Key ingredients: Micro hyaluronic acid, yuzu extract
Customer review: “I love this foundation. It’s very lightweight and sits beautifully on the skin. It has a glowy and dewy finish that looks like my skin but better. Coverage is sheer to medium. Doesn’t sit in my fine lines.”
Dermablend
Continuous Correction Tone-Evening Cc Cream Spf 50+
Ask any beauty editor, and they’ll tell you that a foundation with SPF gets brownie points in their book. This Dermablend formula contains SPF 50, providing ample protection from the sun while evening skin tone. “This lightweight, non-comedogenic formula offers buildable coverage without feeling or looking heavy,” says celebrity makeup artist Robin Schoen. “It’s especially helpful when you want to neutralize redness and uneven skin tone while maintaining a natural finish.”
Pros: Full coverage, SPF 50+, fragrance-free
Cons: Not as many shades available
Shades: 13
Finish: Satin
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, vitamin E, baicalin
Customer review: “Great foundation. I was fed up with my acne and needed to switch all my products, but the dermablend one did not let me down! This is my new staple.”
Best Splurge: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Liquid Foundation
Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Liquid Foundation
If you’ve seen any of our previous foundation guides, you’ve probably seen this Armani foundation make a few appearances. Turns out, Schoen loves this one for acne-prone skin, too. “Its lightweight texture blends effortlessly into the skin, creating a soft-focus effect that helps minimize the appearance of uneven texture and imperfections without looking overly made up,” she says. “Rather than masking the complexion, the luminous finish leaves skin looking naturally radiant, smooth, and beautifully refined.” Pro tip: Start with a blurring primer and apply a sheer layer first before slowly building it up.
Pros: Buildable coverage, long-wearing, transfer-resistant
Cons: Contains some fragrance
Shades: 44
Finish: Natural
Key ingredients: Niacinamide
Customer review: “As someone who hates the feeling of foundation, this is the first foundation I have absolutely LOVED. I have combo dry skin with some acne and marks, and this looks flawless on my skin. The shade match is perfect for me.”
Best Blurring: Tower 28 Beauty Swipe Serum Non-Acnegenic Foundation
Tower 28 Beauty
Swipe Serum Non-Acnegenic Foundation
This foundation serum from Tower 28 blurs without clinging to dry spots or blemishes. “Tower 28’s launch of their Swipe Serum Foundation is such a great addition for normal-to-dry skin types but also acne-prone,” says celebrity makeup artist Michaeline Becker. “Specifically credited as “Non-Acnegenic,” (meaning it helps prevent breakouts), this formula includes portulaca oleracea extract, which is an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredient.”
Pros: Lightweight, fragrance-free, good for sensitive skin
Cons: May need powder for shine
Shades: 36
Finish: Natural, radiant
Key ingredients: Purslane extract, fermented oat, lactobacillus ferment
Customer review: “Great, hydrating product. Doesn’t cling on to dry spots and leaves an almost blurred effect. Light, but still leaves great coverage and evens out my skin tone.”
Best Powder Formula: bareMinerals Original Loose Talc-Free Powder Mineral Foundation
bareMinerals
Original Loose Talc-Free Powder Mineral Foundation Spf 15
Yes, you can use powdered foundation on acne-prone skin. In fact, Becker loves this option from Bare Minerals. “One thing about loose powder foundation is that is has significantly less ingredients than liquid foundation,” she says. “The powder ingredients will also absorb some oil and reduce shine, which is great for oily, acne-prone skin types. I personally used this when my skin was acne-prone and I had great results!”
Pros: Buildable coverage, talc free, mineral SPF
Cons: Can get messy
Shades: 29
Finish: Natural
Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica, iron oxides
Customer review: “I love trying new products and always come back to this. Especially when I had hormonal acne and could not use much products because I was scared of a breakout. I could always use this and never got a negative reaction. Blendable and great coverage.”
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best foundations for acne-prone skin, we leaned heavily on celebrity makeup artists, first-hand testing, and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including shade range, finish, key ingredients, and customer reviews. We’re aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details.
Why Trust Who What Wear
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Since 2006, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
