Non-comedogenic makeup: acne prone foundations

Updated June 2021

Whether you buy your makeup at a drugstore, department store, Sephora, or another retailer, it’s important to take a look at what’s in it—lest you end up with breakouts or dry, irritated skin. So we’ve rounded up a bunch of popular foundations, from high-end to inexpensive drugstore brands, to find out which are safe for acne-prone or sensitive skin.

Psst… whether or not high-end foundations are worth the premium is totally up to your personal preference — and depends on the ingredients in each product. High-end makeup products aren’t necessarily “better” for you!

How to find out if a foundation is safe for your skin

Some common ingredients in cosmetics and skincare products can clog pores or irritate sensitive skin (yes, even if the label says a product is “non-comedogenic” or “gentle”). Find out which ingredients can potentially clog pores

Irritation can lead to acne

One rule of thumb: avoid foundations and any product that contains denatured alcohol. Denatured alcohol actually doesn’t clog pores (it’s non-comedogenic), but it can be very irritating and drying — especially to pimples that are already red and inflamed.

A note on foundation with SPF

Some foundations contain SPF—which is great!—but don’t let that fool you. You probably still need to wear sunscreen underneath your makeup. If you plan to spend any time in the sun, consider wearing sunscreen underneath your foundation. We recommend SPF 30 at least. If your foundation does have SPF 30 or higher, remember that SPF isn’t a one-and-done deal: you need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day for it to keep working.

What’s the deal with mineral makeup?

In general, mineral makeup contains ingredients like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica, and iron oxides. Mineral foundation tends to have fewer ingredients, which is often a good thing for people with sensitive skin. But if you have oily skin, sometimes the mineral powder combines with oil and can appear caked or clumpy.

Enough preamble—on to the reviews!

Non-Comedogenic High-End Foundations: The Good

Alima Pure Satin Matte Mineral Foundation — $28

Photo Credit: Alima

• Light to medium coverage

• 45 shades

• Vegan, nut-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free (but pricey)

BareMinerals Blemish Rescue Loose Powder Foundation — $23

Photo Credit: bareMinerals

• Contains acne-fighting salicylic acid

• Powder allows for a light yet buildable coverage

bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 — $32

Photo Credit: bareMinerals

• Contains only 5 ingredients

Glo Skin Beauty Pressed Base Foundation — $50

Photo Credit: Glo Skin Beauty

• Talc-free

• Contains Vitamin C and Vitamin E

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream with SPF 50+ — $39.50

Photo Credit: IT Cosmetics

• Great built-in sun protection

• Long ingredient list, so maybe avoid if you have sensitive skin (or if you’re a minimalist).

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation — $37

Photo Credit: Kat Von D

• Full-coverage, matte, might need setting powder

• Cruelty-free

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation — $31

Photo Credit: MAC

• Medium coverage

• Matte finish

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation — $43

Photo Credit: Make Up For Ever

• Buildable pigment to achieve medium-to-full coverage

• Natural, skin-like finish

PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 15 — $29.50

Photo Credit: PÜR Cosmetics

• Long-lasting, matte finish

• Built-in SPF

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup — $40

Photo Credit: Urban Decay

• Lightweight feel, per its name!

Non-Comedogenic Drugstore Foundations: The Good

e.l.f. Acne Fighting Foundation — $6

Photo Credit: e.l.f.

• Contains salicylic acid (BHA) to combat acne while wearing makeup

• Vegan and cruelty-free

e.l.f. BB Cream SPF 20 — $6

Photo Credit: e.l.f.

• Reviews mention it does leave a sheen/glow, probably not ideal for oily skin

Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation — $7.99

Photo Credit: Maybelline

• Formulated for normal to dry skin

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free All-in-1 Cushion Foundation — $20.50

Photo Credit: Walgreens

• Great if you have a talc allergy!

• SPF 50

L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup — $10.95

Photo Credit: Wal-Mart

• Wide range of shades to match skin color and undertone (cool vs. warm)

• SPF 17

Avoid Pore Clogging Ingredients

A few ingredients to avoid — some of these can be irritating/drying for inflamed acne or irritation-prone skin. Some can also clog pores! If you have a foundation with these ingredients, you may want to stop using it!

• Denatured alcohol

• Acetylated lanolin

• Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate

• Isopropyl Palmitate

• Oleic acid

• Laureth-4

Clogged pores, nasty breakouts, irritation, and redness may result from using foundations with any of the ingredients listed above. If you’re trying to recover from a foundation that did you dirty, Curology has your back with dermatology providers and a custom prescription cream to help restore your skin back to health.

Ditch the Makeup

We know it isn’t easy to choose a foundation that checks all the boxes: the right texture, color, consistency, finish (matte or glowy?), and safe ingredients. But take it from the experts: the safety of a product’s ingredients should be your #1 concern before putting anything on your skin! Especially if you’re prone to acne or irritation.

If all these choices seem overwhelming, or your skin doesn’t seem to react well to any foundation, remember: there’s absolutely no shame in forgoing foundation! It can be beneficial to give your skin a break from makeup and let it breathe. Try just a little concealer, a tinted moisturizer, or a BB cream (check out our guide to BB and CC creams on the blog). And if you’re ready to break up with makeup altogether, try the minimalist approach: just slap on a non-comedogenic sunscreen in the AM, and you’re golden. Your skin will thank you — and you’ll have more time to snooze.

Just a reminder: we aren’t affiliated with any brands. Our product reviews are always based on what’s best for you and your skin!

Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Nicole Hangsterfer, PA-C