Best Drugstore Foundations For Acne-Prone Skin

1. Best Oil-Free:Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation

The Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation is a cult-favorite product, with over 40 shades to suit every skin tone. It is the go-to foundation for people with acne-prone and oily skin types. The lightweight formula minimizes the appearance of pores and is infused with micro-powders that control excess shine and blur imperfections to provide a natural matte finish. This video will provide you with added insights about the product. Pros

Lightweight Easy to blend Full coverage Long-lasting Non-comedogenic Dermatologist-tested Oil-free Fragrance-free Allergy tested Available in 40 shades

Cons None

2. Best Blendable:L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

If you are looking for a foundation that stays in place all day long without budging, try the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation. The lightweight formula offers medium coverage and hides imperfections to give you a smooth and flawless makeup look with a semi-matte finish. It is available in 28 shades that suit light, medium, and deep skin tones. Take a look at this video to know more about the product. Pros

Lightweight Easy to blend Long-lasting Oil-free Transfer-resistant Available in 28 shades

Cons None

3. Best Transfer-Resistant:Revlon Colorstay Makeup For Combination / Oily Skin

The Revlon Colorstay Makeup offers a smooth, matte finish that stays intact all day. The foundation provides medium to full buildable coverage and is easy to blend. It is formulated with SPF 15 to protect your skin from sun damage. This drugstore foundation comes in 43 shades that suit all skin tones – light, medium, or dark. You may check more about this productin this video. Pros

Long-lasting Buildable coverage Transfer-proof Oil-free Has SPF 15 Available in 43 shades

Cons None

4. Best Sweat-Resistant:L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation

This foundation by L’Oreal Paris offers 24-hour staying power and provides medium to full coverage. It is formulated with a blend of three oil absorbers that make it non-comedogenic, able to absorb water and sweat, and transfer-proof. This easily blendable drugstore foundation goes on smooth and stays true to its color to give you a natural look. It comes in 30 shades to suit various skin tones. Pros

Long-lasting Lightweight Has SPF 25 Easy to blend Waterproof Transfer-proof Sweat-resistant Non-comedogenic Available in 30 shades

Cons None

5. Best Non-Cakey:L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation In A Powder

The L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation In A Powder is an almost weightless mattifying formula. It offers a non-cakey look and breathable comfort with great coverage that lasts all day long. It effectively blurs imperfections, evens out your skin tone, and is resistant to transfer, heat, water, and sweat. The foundation is available in 14 shades that offer a non-greasy finish. Pros

Lightweight Waterproof Sweat-proof Transfer-proof Heat-resistant Non-cakey Non-greasy Non-comedogenic Long-lasting Dermatologist-tested

Cons None

6. Best Coverage:Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation

If you are looking for a full coverage, lightweight foundation for a naturally matte finish, pick this one from Catrice Cosmetics. It effectively conceals imperfections and evens out the skin tone and lasts up to 24 hours. It feels almost like a second skin, leaving you with an airbrushed effect. This drugstore foundation features an easy dropper applicator and comes in 23 shades that work across all skin tones, ranging from fair to deep. Pros

Lightweight Long-lasting Excellent coverage Easily buildable Alcohol-free Gluten-free Oil-free Vegan Cruelty-free

Cons

May dry out the skin

7. Best Hypoallergenic:Covergirl Clean Powder Foundation

If you want a 2-in-1 foundation that provides liquid-like coverage but feels light like a powder, go for the Covergirl Clean Powder Foundation. It evens out your skin tone to give you a smooth and flawless complexion. This hypoallergenic foundation doesn’t clog pores and provides a fresh feel that allows your skin to breathe. Pros

Lightweight Easy to blend Great coverage Non-cakey Hypoallergenic Non-comedogenic Cruelty-free

Cons None

8. Best Natural Finish:Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil-Free Makeup

The Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil-Free Makeup is a blemish-concealing liquid foundation that offers a natural finish. It also prevents the formation of new acne on your face. Its MicroClear Technology controls excess oil secretion while boosting the effectiveness of salicylic acid in the formula to prevent breakouts from the root. This drugstore foundation reduces shine and offers breathable coverage. It is available in 14 shades that are designed for a variety of skin tones. Pros

Non-comedogenic Non-greasy Hypoallergenic Oil-free Long-lasting Lightweight Easy to blend

Cons None

9. Best Waterproof:Phoera Matte Liquid Foundation

The Phoera Matte Liquid Foundation provides medium, buildable coverage that feels light on the skin and makes it soft. It helps blur skin imperfections like fine lines and blemishes for an airbrushed effect and controls excess oil. This drugstore foundation is waterproof and oil-controlling and provides a matte finish. It is enriched with SPF 25 to provide effective sun protection. It comes in 10 shades that suit all skin tones from fair, light, and medium to tan and deep. Pros

Buildable coverage Long-lasting Waterproof Non-cakey Lightweight Cruelty-free Vegan

Cons None

10. Best Fragrance-Free:Almay Clear Complexion Makeup

The Almay Clear Complexion Makeup has a unique anti-acne formula that not only conceals active acne but also prevents its further formation. It is enriched with a maximum strength dose of salicylic acid that controls shine, minimizes pores, and reduces acne flare-ups without irritating the skin. The foundation helps conceal blemishes and is hypoallergenic and lightweight. It comes in 14 different shades to suit a variety of skin tones. Pros

Non-cakey Buildable coverage Hypoallergenic Non-comedogenic Dermatologist-tested Cruelty-free Fragrance-free

Cons None If you are wondering how to apply makeup on acne-prone skin for the best results, here’s a step-by-step tutorial that will help you get a flawless look.

How To Apply Makeup To Acne-Prone Skin

  1. Start With A Primer: Choose a primer that offers a matte and non-sticky finish while smoothing over your imperfections and bumps.
  2. Color-Correct The Spots: Go for a color-corrector to conceal blackheads, spots, and active acne. Use a peach or orange corrector to cover up dark circles and spots and a green corrector for active zits.
  3. Cover Up With Concealer: Once you are done color-correcting, follow up with a concealer that is one or two shades lighter than your actual skin tone.
  4. Use Your Drugstore Foundation: Layer the concealer with your choice of the best drugstore foundation for oily and acne-prone skin that offers full coverage, depending on your skin tone.
  5. Set Your Makeup: Once you are done, you are all set to apply a setting powder or a setting spray to ensure a longwear experience. Now that you are aware of how to apply your ideal foundation to cover up those pesky imperfections, read about the factors that prove significant in making the right choice while investing in the best drugstore foundation.

How To Choose The Best Drugstore Foundation For Acne-Prone Skin—Buying Guide

Check The Product Label

The main issue with acne-prone skin is that regular makeup products end up clogging the pores, worsening the severity of breakouts. So, ensure that the label clearly mentions ‘non-comedogenic,’ which means it won’t clog the pores. Another rule of thumb is to go for water-based foundations that do not affect oily skin adversely. Avoid foundations with denatured alcohol, artificial fragrance, or isopropyl alcohol that may end up stripping your skin of its natural oils and moisture.

Ingredients

Look for acne-fighting actives like glycolic acid and salicylic acid in the formula. They help regulate oil production, exfoliate dead skin, and keep your pores spot clean.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup techniques and finds her passion in helping people choose the right products through her well-researched reviews. For this article, she extensively researched drugstore foundations for acne-prone skin to zero in on the best products listed above. These transfer-proof foundations, also endorsed by users through their valuable reviews, are lightweight, long-lasting, and easy to blend. Moreover, they help cover imperfections like blemishes, scars, etc. What is the best drugstore foundation to cover acne? The Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation is the best foundation to cover acne. It is a lightweight formula that blurs and hides all skin imperfections and provides an airbrushed effect. How often should you wear foundation for acne-prone skin? A foundation that has non-comedogenic ingredients can be used daily. Foundations with comedogenic ingredients like acetylated lanolin and algae extract can clog pores and worsen your acne. It’s best to avoid those products. What makes a foundation great for acne-prone skin? A full coverage foundation that has a matte finish is great for acne-prone skin. It will be able to entirely hide all the acne scars. A formula that features non-comedogenic ingredients is ideal for acne-prone skin. Does foundation make acne worse? Certain foundations contain harmful chemicals and comedogenic ingredients that increase sebum production, clog the pores, and develop more pimples. So, foundations can deteriorate the condition of acne. Therefore, invest in non-comedogenic foundations that are specially formulated for acne-prone skin. How do I apply foundation to acne-prone skin? •  Deep cleanse your face and apply a lightweight moisturizer. •  Apply a mattifying primer to smoothen the pores. •  Use a green color corrector to neutralize the red acne marks. •  Apply a thin layer of your oil-free foundation to your face with a damp beauty blender. Do not use excessive foundation to cover the marks. It will look cakey. •  Dab some powder especially on the t-zones to give a matte effect.

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