Do You Have Acne? These Foundations Will Hide and Treat Your Breakouts (2024)

I don’t take the top spot on this list lightly, especially when the choice is one of the most expensive options. But this foundation from Oxygenetix, specially formulated for acne, is a game changer in terms of coverage level and ingredient profile. The MVPs in question include chemical exfoliant, salicylic acid, that buffs away dead skin cells and excess oil, antioxidant-rich grapeseed extract, and anti-inflammatory aloe vera. In combination, these ingredients treat active acne, while preventing new breakouts from occurring. The cherry on top? With just one or two pumps, my redness and pimples were totally covered, leaving me with smooth, shockingly clear skin.

• Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, grapeseed extract, aloe vera
• Oil-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “This is the only foundation that I will wear. It prevents me from breakouts, is moisturizing, and is super natural looking while also providing solid coverage. I tried at least 10 different foundations before I found this one and always would wear full-coverage ones.”

Looking for a lightweight, serum-like foundation that is acne-safe? Ilia’s Super Serum which checks all the boxes. “This foundation has been a legit miracle for my acne-prone skin,” says deputy beauty director Lauren Balsamo. “Not only does it protect my skin with zinc-based SPF 40, but it also contains brightening and anti-inflammatory niacinamide, which has dramatically reduced the red splotches and dark spots on my face.” Bonus: It’s also a clean formulation, meaning it’s free from any potentially icky or irritating ingredients.

• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, squalane, hyaluronic acid, zinc
• Oil-free? No

Glowing customer review: “It made my skin look like my skin but better. I used it over my everyday morning skincare. It matched my skin tone perfectly and helped minimize the appearance of my acne and hyperpigmentation. I tested it without setting powder or spray, and it lasted all day without budging. Plus, it didn’t cling to my dry patches like other face tints I’ve tried.”

My ride-or-die makeup product? This foundation stick from Hourglass. I know what you’re thinking...why would I want to put a heavy cream foundation on my acne-prone skin?! First, I get that, but second, take a beat. I dot this formula four times on my face (one on each cheek, one on my forehead, and one on my chin), blend it all in with a dense foundation brush, and *poof* any signs of redness or acne are completely covered up all freaking day long. When I wear this foundation, I often get asked what it is that makes my skin look so smooth.

• Key ingredients: Dimethicone, emollients
• Oil-free? No* (*but does not contain mineral oil)

Glowing customer review: “It is great for covering blemishes and acne. I have very dry sensitive skin and this formula works for me. It is very easy to blend with your fingers or brush...What I love about this foundation is that it has a skin-like natural finish and doesn’t accentuate texture.”

I love this foundation so much, I gave it a Cosmo 2024 Acne Award. The winning formula has a lightweight texture and a soft matte finish that doesn’t look or feel cakey. As I said in its award recognition, it combos SPF and full-coverage pigments into one serum-like product that doesn’t cake up around acne scabs or newly forming pimples. This is a game changer for people who often have a hard time finding a matte formula that works on dry, or healing patches of skin—i.e., anyone who deals with recurring acne.

• Key ingredients: Vitamin C, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid
• Oil-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “I have acne and hyperpigmentation so I require a decent amount of coverage. I was not expecting this foundation to provide that much coverage given that it is a serum consistency but I was pleasantly surprised. I LOVE this foundation. It looks natural like skin.”

Does this next pick even need an introduction? Because I—like so many celebrities and makeup artists—love talking about it. It’s a totally buildable medium-to-full coverage formula that covers acne and discoloration beautifully. With just a few pumps (I use two or three), my hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and blackheads are immediately camouflaged. The result is super-smooth skin that is best described as “healthy-looking,” IMO.

• Key ingredients: Viniferine, glycolic acid, papaya enzymes
• Oil-free? No

Glowing customer review: “You see how she doesn’t clog pores? Very mindful. I have acne-prone skin, and it’s hard finding something that doesn’t clog pores and lead to more breakouts. This was perfect! It took me years to find a product like this. It has a breathable, lightweight consistency, allowing the skin to feel comfortable without being suffocated by heavy product.”

Before I became a beauty editor, anything that I thought would exasperate my already oily skin had me running for the hills. That was until I was introduced to Patrick Ta’s glow foundation. Take it from Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette: “Dewy makeup + acne usually don’t mix, but Patrick Ta has nailed it,” she says, adding, “The lightweight formula makes my face look like I’ve got a real-life filter on it.” FYI, the formulation was so good during testing, it earned itself a Cosmo Acne Award.

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane
• Oil-free? No
  

Glowing customer review: “As an acne-prone, oily skin girl, I usually go for matte finishes; however, I love to try foundations like these because sometimes they can give you a beautiful glow without that shiny look we normally fear. This foundation was exactly what I was hoping for! It feels lightweight on my skin and blends out nicely with a buildable coverage.”

In high school, powder foundation was my go-to. Flash forward a few years and it found itself on the back shelf of my beauty stash. That was until I was reunited with MAC Studio Fix, which is hands down the best powder foundation for anyone that hates the feeling of traditional powder and also has acne. Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette says it best: “Matte skin that isn’t cakey, dry, or flat? Yup. It’s all because of this cult-fave powder foundation that helps even out my skin tone and smooth uneven texture.” Now’s your sign to finally try out this iconic formula, trust.

• Key ingredients: Silicone
• Oil-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “Used this for years when I suffered from major acne. One of the best powder foundations I’ve ever used. Can look a little cakey if you use too much, but with a damp beauty blender looks very natural.”

Another one of Lauren Balsamo’s faves? A multitasking beauty product. “I’m all about efficiency and this skincare/makeup/SPF hybrid is as efficient as they come,” says Lauren, who adds that it’s super easy to spread onto skin with just fingers. Combo the ease of application, MVP ingredients (hi, plumping peptides, and UV protecting SPF 50), and buildable coverage and you get an award-winning formula. (No, seriously, it won a Cosmo Acne Award this year.)

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, peptides
• Oil-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “If you like a skin tint with more coverage, this is the one. It leaves a nice glow to the skin after and it contains a lot of pigment. It really smooths out the skin! The shade is a little warm but blending it into the skin helps to get a more natural look.”

Everyone at Cosmo loves a deal, including Julee Wilson, our beauty editor-at-large, who awarded this drugstore foundation a 2024 Cosmo Acne Award. Julee says it’s ideal for anybody who is into a no-makeup makeup look and that “the lightweight gel formula is filled with pigmented capsules that break down to a barely there, flawless finish.”

• Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, tranexamic acid
• Oil-free? No
  

Glowing customer review: “My foundations all look so much smoother when I mix a half pump of the serum foundation. Pores look smaller and does not settle into fine lines. It makes foundations look very natural. I use my fingers to rub mixed foundation onto my face. I have acne-prone skin and does not break me out. One of the best skin tints I’ve ever tried.”

Have you ever met a CC cream that has the capabilities of a full-coverage foundation? No? Well then, pls allow me to intro you to my tried-and-true CC cream from IT Cosmetics. It’s jam-packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening niacinamide, powerful antioxidants, and last but not least, SPF 50. And not only does it work on acne-prone skin, but it’s also great for those who want anti-aging benefits, as well as those looking for a healthy-like glow.

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niaciamide, antioxidants, SPF
• Oil-free? No

Glowing customer review: “I have normal skin, sometimes get acne, sometimes get oily, have blackheads, but overall my skin is in that ‘normal’ category. This foundation is great. Full coverage, especially if you layer it on over a bad blemish. My freckles and melasma from the summer sun are totally hidden.”

There’s a reason everyone and their mother has heard of Dermablend’s incredible coverage abilities (case in point, here). So if you’re dealing with redness, painful inflammatory acne, or any discoloration, and you can’t find any product to conceal it, Dermablend has gotchu. This formula, in particular, is specifically a color corrector that includes acne-fighting ingredients like niacinamide, as well as antioxidants, SPF protection, and plumping caffeine. Translation: You can feel good about applying a heavier foundation knowing that it’s also helping to treat your active and old acne.

• Key ingredients: Viniferine, glycolic acid, papaya enzymes
• Oil-free? No

Glowing Customer Review: “I have an incredibly hard time with makeup because I am allergic to so many things. Pair that with hormonal acne and aging skin and it makes a horrible combination for trying to use some sort of coverage on your face. This is the best I have found since my skin has changed during menopause. I felt so confident in this foundation.”

Evaluate the ingredients

Dermatologist Allyson Brockman-Bitterman, MD, recommends to start by choosing products that are labeled “noncomedogenic.” Though the FDA doesn’t regulate this beauty claim, the proof is in the pudding—aka, you may have to try a few foundations out and read expert reviews (hi, it’s us). Other terms to look for? “Oil-free,” “doesn’t clog pores,” or anything of the like.

It’s also smart to look at the ingredient lists. Some makeup products contain amazing acne-fighting MVPs that get to work brightening, exfoliating, and unclogging your pores while camouflaging your breakouts—s/o salicylic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, etc. As for what to avoid? “Certain ingredients have been shown to be comedogenic and should be avoided,” says Dr. Brockman-Bitterman. Those in question are acetylated lanolin, petrolatum, coconut oil, and sodium laurel sulfate—all potential pore-clogging, acne-triggering ingredients.

Consider your skin type

“Picking the right foundation for your skin can also prevent future breakouts,” says Dr. Brockman-Bitterman, adding that using acne medications can oftentimes be drying, so it’s best to choose a liquid or cream foundation if you resonate with that. As for the other end of the spectrum, oily skin may do best with a mattifying, powder, or mineral option.

Complement your makeup routine with a good skincare routine

Concealing your acne absolutely works best if you develop a good skin hygiene routine. The best way to do so? “Washing off makeup before sleep and using clean applicators are two ways to make sure your skin routine isn’t leading to increased skin bacteria, which can also lead to breakouts,” says Dr. Brockman-Bitterman. Likewise, picking a cleanser that’s not too irritating and complements your skin type will also decrease your risk of breakouts, she says.

• Allyson Brockman-Bitterman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Milburn, NJ.