13 Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin of 2023 (2025)

Clinique has been around for decades and its line of foundations has only continued to improve. "Unlike many that just work by covering bumps and redness, this foundation contains salicylic acid, which can help treat acne while also providing the coverage," says GH Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek.

Not only does this foundation, available in over a dozen shades, contain the holy grail acne-fighting skincare ingredient but it also feels lightweight on the skin. Wnek, who has acne-prone combination oily skin, reports a matte finish and medium coverage. While we wish more shades were available, a 4.5-star rating across 1,575 customer reviews on the Macy's website makes this a popular foundation that won't disappoint.

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, laminaria sacharina extract, hydroxydecanoic acid | Coverage: Medium

This drugstore find has 47 shades to choose from and an easy-to-use pump. It has medium coverage with a natural finish, leaving your skin looking fresh. Wnek says the formula is super lightweight and is a wonderful option for everyday wear.

It boasts a 4.5-star rating on Ulta and over 2,000 online customer reviews with one five-star review writing, "This is the first foundation I've actually liked. Coverage can be as light or heavy as you need it to be." However, reviewers do note that the pump makes it hard to get all of the foundation out from the bottom, thus leaving behind some unused product. Still, the color range and price make it a stand-out pick.

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Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, dimethicone | Coverage: Medium

This GH seal-holding and GH Beauty Award-winning foundation has wowed GH beauty pros over the years and we continue to stand by its performance. It may not be the least expensive foundation in this list, but we think it's a great value since it includes a primer, foundation and concealer all wrapped into one product. Our tests found the blendable full-coverage formula didn't look heavy or cakey. It has over 5,000 Amazon reviews, with customers saying: "Literally the best drugstore foundation" and "It lasts all day....really!"

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Ensulizole, propylene glycol, silica, titanium dioxide | Coverage: Full

"If I could only use one foundation for the rest of my life, it would be this one," says Wnek. And we agree, along with thousands of online customers. It's available in a wide range of light, medium and deep shades that you can filter through online. Plus, it has a semi-matte finish and medium to full coverage that lasts all day, so you can cover everything from redness to dark spots. Apply this foundation and see nice even skin as a result. However, the bottle doesn't have a pump which can make dispensing a tad annoying and potentially a little messy.

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Butylene glycol, tribehenin, titanium Dioxide | Coverage: Medium to full

GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn recommends Ambient Soft Glow for covering up acne scars. "This foundation blurs every imperfection and pore on my face, including dark spots on my cheeks from acne scarring," she says. She loves its natural air-brushed look and hundreds of online customer reviews report that the foundation blurs imperfections and lasts all day. We appreciate the range of shades you can choose from and pump for easy application. It is, however, one of the more expensive foundations in this list.

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: White tea extract, vitamin E, titanium dioxide | Coverage: Medium

Powder foundations like this one by L'Oréal Paris offer another great option for a matte finish. It's lightweight with buildable coverage, and "it does a great job at covering redness for a more even skin tone," says Wnek. It is formulated to not be cakey and hundreds of positive online customer reviews back up the claim.

One five-star reviewer says, "I love this product! It gives you full coverage without the cakey feel of a liquid foundation. I live in a hot climate and have never had to blot for grease with this powder foundation." It comes with a sponge for application but some customers note using another makeup tool instead. Either way, you'll want to clean your applicator of choice after each use.

Size: 0.31 oz. | Key ingredients: Silica, dimethicone | Coverage: Buildable

The silky formula lives up to its name: it earned a top rating in our tests for gliding onto skin and feeling like, well, silk. Our professional makeup artist evaluators also noted that it has a smooth texture and is best for blending into skin.

Malzahn cites it as a favorite for dealing with acne, and 4.3K customer reviews on Sephora and numerous online customers call it a "must have" for its long-lasting formula and lightweight feel. Choose from a range of shades available in standard and mini sizes so you can travel with your fave foundation. It is definitely on the pricier end, so you could try out the mini size first, which costs $24 less.

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Glycerin, cyclopentasiloxane | Coverage: Medium to full

The word "cream" may have you skeptical of this pick, but let us explain. This CC cream is specially formulated with acne-prone skin in mind, containing niacinamide to help reduce inflammation and acne. One GH editor says, "It blurs my imperfections and doesn’t cause breakouts.”

The CC cream also has a good selection of shades and thousands of positive customer reviews online. One 5-star reviewer says, "Sooo good! You don’t need a lot of the product because it’s such a full coverage CC cream. Wears so good throughout the day and never makes me look super dry, oily or cakey. Will be repurchasing."

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, titanium dioxide, niacinamide | Coverage: Full

While we haven't tested this powder foundation in the Beauty Lab, it contains the acne-fighting powerhouse salicylic acid so you can not only cover breakouts but also treat them in the process. Neutrogena claims the formula won't clog pores and is oil-absorbing for a shine-free finish. We wish the powder was available in more shades, but appreciate its affordable price point and inclusion of one of the only active ingredients that can help treat acne (even while you're wearing makeup).

Size: 0.38 oz. | Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, dimethicone | Coverage: Not listed

A top-performer in Beauty Lab tests, this highly pigmented foundation has a matte finish ideal for oily skin types. Evaluators ranked it the easiest formula to use and dispense the correct amount. It has a super smooth texture and is formulated to be long-lasting. Some reviewers call it, "My all time favorite foundation" with one customer writing, "After using different brand foundations this is the one I love the most and has helped me with my oily skin." We appreciate that it costs less than $50, which is not the cheapest foundation on the market but relatively inexpensive when it comes to makeup artist favorites.

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Dimethicone, silica dimethyl silylate | Coverage: Full

GH Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin recommends this serum by Ilia for dry acne-prone skin. "I love this skincare-makeup hybrid for my dry, sensitive skin because of its dewy effect." It has a lightweight formula and contains hyaluronic acid which will keep your skin nice and hydrated. Although advertised as a skin tint, Saguin says it has buildable and blendable coverage; "it’s super pigmented, so I like it for more medium coverage looks." Saguin also appreciates the dropper which makes it easy to apply the foundation. It has SPF 40 so your skin will be protected against the sun as you go about your day, too.

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalane | Coverage: Buildable

This pick has an impressive total of 51 shades to choose from, in a liquid, matte formula with adjustable coverage. It has a 4-star rating on Ulta with one customer writing, "It's very easy to blend into the skin, and wears great across the day. My absolute favorite thing about it though is that it has the best shade range and undertone range I've experienced." Other 5-star reviewers call it their favorite and go-to foundation, and Malzahn echoes this sentiment, calling it a favorite for covering acne breakouts. Some users did note that it can be rather watery, though.

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Dimethicone | Coverage: Buildable

Finding the right tinted moisturizer for acne-prone skin can be a tricky business, but we love this pick for a lighter, more casual everyday look. This formula by Tarte has oil-absorbing clay and retinol to address breakouts as well as extra pigment to cover current spots. One 5-star reviewer writes, "I am in awe with how this product just melts into my skin, moisturizes and controls my blemishes. My new favorite go-to when I get an impromptu video chat call!" However, customers with very dry skin found said the product sunk into fine lines and we wish there more shades to choose from.

Size: 1.7 oz. | Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | Coverage: Light

When shopping for your next foundation, keep in mind the following factors if you have acne-prone skin:

✔️ Acne-fighting actives: Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and sulfur are the only approved actives to treat acne, emphasizes Wnek, so foundations without these ingredients can only provide coverage. "The best formulas have salicylic acid to keep the pores clean and bacteria free throughout the day," explains celebrity makeup artist Tomy Rivero.

✔️ Ingredients: Consider foundations with mineral SPF to protect your skin as well as silicone free foundations as silicone's occlusive properties can clog pores and cause build up, explains Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. Look for a lightweight foundation that is water-based and formulated with hyaluronic acid that can help keep your skin hydrated.

✔️ Type: Foundation can also vary by type, from powder to liquids and serums. Rivero recommends using a liquid or serum foundation rather than a cream foundation which is often oil-based. "If maximum coverage is what you are looking for I suggest always opting for a liquid base and set with a mineral powder for extra coverage if you’re trying to hide acne scars," adds Rivero.

If you are prone to breakouts, it's key to practice good facial hygiene, like cleansing with a face wash for acne and following up with a moisturizer for acne-prone skin.

Once your "canvas" is clean and ready to go, it's time to select the appropriate application tool. Rivero recommends cutting makeup wedges in two pieces and using a piece per application and tossing after. "This ensures no bacteria has transferred into your application preventing the speeding of acne-causing bacteria." If you don't have cystic acne, Rivero says a makeup brush "is also a great way to get the best coverage while keeping things sanitized." Just make sure to wash the brush daily after each use.

When your foundation is all set, you can go in with one of our best concealers. And at the end of the day, take off all of your makeup with a non-greasy makeup remover before heading to bed.

Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she ensures our product guides always reflect the most accurate information, whether it's a round-up of the best sunscreens or the best wedding guest dresses. While Elizabeth has more combination-leaning skin these days, she still has hormonal breakouts and dealt with acne in middle and high school. When it comes to finding the right foundation, she knows the trials and tribulations.

To write this story she spoke with our own GH Beauty Lab pros as well as skincare experts Dr. Azadeh Shirazi and Dr. Zoe Diana Draelos (both board-certified dermatologists), and Tomy Rivero, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of Tomy Rivero Beauty Lab.