18 Foundations That Work Wonders For Acne-Prone Skin

You can get acne all over your body, even in places you never thought you could, but for millions of people, having regular bad breakouts of the face is the worst. While there are lots of ways to cover up redness and blemishes, you never want to sacrifice your skin to do so. Fortunately, there are plenty of great foundations that actually make acne-prone skin appear flawless without aggravating or irritating it further.

It’s tough to cover up uneven skin without looking cakey or worse, breaking out even more. If you’ve ever been afraid to put on base makeup for fear it will make it all worse, try these out.

1. Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup ($27, Sephora)

When I was in sixth grade, I began developing small swarms of blemishes, leaving me both confused and embarrassed. My mom took me to the Clinique counter in Macy’s where I was given the perfect cleanser, moisturizer, and foundation for my issues, all of which cleared it right up. 13 years later and I am still a Clinique devotee! This oil-free foundation is perfect for banishing blemishes, neutralizing redness, and perfecting your complexion all day long.

2. Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation ($43, Sephora)

There are so many reasons to love Make Up For Ever’s famous foundation. We reviewed this formula back in October for Controversial Cult Fave and found that it made skin look absolutely flawless. Plus, it’s oil-free and creates a “soft focus effect,” allowing your skin’s imperfections to be blurred away, both on camera and in real life.

3. e.l.f. Studio Acne-Fighting Foundation ($6, EyesLipsFace)

How does e.l.f. do it? They make awesome products with equally awesome prices, it is a beauty miracle. This foundation features salicylic acid to combat breakouts and aloe to soothe your irritated skin, leaving you with a flawless look, with and without foundation.

4. BareMinerals Blemish Remedy Acne-Clearing Foundation ($27, Sephora)

If you prefer a powder formula, this might be the perfect option for you. Not only does it perfect your complexion and make your pores look smaller, it is formulated with salicylic acid to actually clear up your skin. Hallelujah!

5. Dior Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation ($62, Sephora)

Besides making your skin look flawless in an instant, this airbrush-like spray formula removes brushes from the equation. Unfortunately, many of us don’t wash our makeup brushes as much as we should (I am guilty of this, too, eek!), which can lead to clogged pores, irritation, and blemishes. Skipping that all together can be a beautiful solution!

6. Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil-Free Makeup ($13.99, ULTA)

Get a naturally flawless look with this lightweight formula that includes salicylic acid to help combat breakouts.

7. Stila Stay All Day Foundation And Concealer ($44, ULTA)

Sick of not being able to find perfectly matching concealer and foundation? Search no more: Stila has got you covered with this oil-free two-in-one set, complete with a spatula (in the bottle) and brush to apply it flawlessly.

8. Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Cream ($18, Sephora)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Dr. Jart+ is unbelievably good. This particular rendition of the brand’s famous BB cream calms sensitive skin while treating dark spots–a common problem for folks who currently have or have previously had acne. Plus, it’s got sun protection: SPF 25!

9. W3LL PEOPLE Natural Lover Starter Kit ($53, Birchbox)

This powder makeup contains rose hip and acai to protect skin from elemental damage, zinc oxide as a natural sunblock, and aloe to soothe skin while keeping it moist. If you’re looking for a more natural glow, this is could be great for you.

10. Revlon ColorStay Makeup For Oily/Combination Skin ($12.99, ULTA)

Get your skin looking smooth while regulating its oil output with this oil-free, mattifying foundation. One of the best things about this product: it comes in 20 shades, so you won’t have to mix and match in order to find the perfect one for your complexion.

11. Shiseido Sheer And Perfect Foundation SPF 18 ($35, Sephora)

Get a dewy, ethereal glow with this oil-free formula from Shiseido that has even more features than meets the eye. It’s formulated with three powders that counteract skin inconsistencies: green powder to combat redness, white powder to make pores look invisible, and blue powder to cancel out dark circles and spots.

12. Burberry Velvet Foundation ($54, Burberry)

This lightweight, oil-free gel formula evens out your complexion without looking too heavy or matte. And who could resist having such an iconic little bottle on their vanity?

13. Jouer Matte Moisture Tint ($40, Birchbox)

I absolutely love this product! Jouer’s Matte Moisture Tint evens out your skin, keeps your T-zone’s oiliness at bay, and delivers a perfect amount of coverage.

14. Cover FX Natural Finish Oil Free Foundation ($40, Cover FX)

If you’re looking for a good amount of buildable coverage to even out your skin tone plus emollients to keep it moist, Cover FX’s famous foundation could be your perfect product. It’s water-based, packed with vitamins, and comes in 24 shades with pink, neutral, and golden undertones.

15. Maybelline Superstay 24Hr Makeup ($8.79, Drugstore)

This oil-free, fragrance-free formula is great for long days, particularly when it’s hot, humid, and you happen to be a sweaty person. While I wouldn’t recommend actually wearing it for 24 hours, it has solid reviews for its ability to last. And who can beat the price?

16. La Prairie Cellular Treatment Foundation ($90, La Prairie)

Give your skin a smooth powder finish with this luxurious formula from La Prairie. It’s perfect for those with combination skin, as you can apply it both wet and dry depending on your desired effect. This oil-absorbing foundation features plant extracts and antioxidants, as well as buildable coverage, making it a calming and versatile pick.

17. Zelens Youth Glow Foundation ($98)

If you want a gorgeous, dewy, radiant complexion, you need to try this Zelens foundation, which features antioxidants in the formula that help to protect your skin from the elements. I can tell you firsthand that it makes your skin look fantastic and doesn’t feel greasy or sticky whatsoever–it even disguised my dark spots without needing any concealer.

18. Korres Wild Rose Mineral Foundation ($28, Korres)

Skincare genius brand Korres doesn’t just have lovely lip balms and great moisturizers, it also has this gentle, ultra-sheer foundation powder that brightens your skin and keeps it looking even all day long.