🏆 In a hurry? Here’s our #1 pick:
What is the BEST makeup for acne-prone skin ?
The SimplyBestOf.com editor's choice is the Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation.
Realizing that your face has broken out overnight is the worst way to wake up, so in order to save the day, we have come up with a list of the eight best makeup products for acne-prone skin.
No longer do you need to call in sick from work or take extreme measures to cover up your breakout (and some of those measures even make it worse!).
We’ve done the work for you to find you the best products to not only help to conceal acne, but also work to treat the root causes. They tend to be less oily, which will ensure that pores do not get clogged, and some have acne medicine in their formula to help soothe the severity of a breakout and protect against future ones.
What’s more, these products will ensure that people are not distracted by the condition of your skin, but instead will be paying attention to you and the important things you have to say.
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The Best Makeup for Acne-Prone Skin
- 1. Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation
- 2. Neutrogena Skin Clearing Makeup
- 3. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup
- 4. DHC Velvet Skin Coat
- 5. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup
- 6. Almay Clear Complexion Oil-Free Concealer
- 7. BareMinerals Blemish Remedy Foundation
- 8. Smashbox Cosmetics Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Foundation
Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation |
It is advertised as a full-coverage foundation that applies to skin with an airbrush-like quality, i.e. smooth and barely-there.
The Good: Users …
It is advertised as a full-coverage foundation that applies to skin with an airbrush-like quality, i.e. smooth and barely-there.
The Good: Users who love Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation also love the coverage it provides.
It lasts all day, which is a huge plus to those of us that can’t stand having to reapply throughout the day, or who finish out the day looking like they weren’t wearing any makeup at all.
They also report that when it is applied, it does not go on too thick or heavy so as to look unnatural.
One user who struggles with acne said she loves that it evens out the redness caused by skin irritation.
Several also mentioned that using this foundation in conjunction with Tarte’s primer and their special brush will ensure best results.
The Not-so-good: A few people did not feel that it provided the full coverage that was needed, and also felt that the colors left something to be desired.
Bottom Line: Due to the fact that people had more positive things to say about Tarte than negative, I think this product has earned its spot on the list of Best Makeup For Acne-Prone Skin.
One nice thing about taking a chance on it is that it is not as expensive as the top brands, which means you won’t be shelling out a ton of your hard-earned money, even if you end up not liking it.
One thing to keep in mind, though – if you are going to give this product a try remember that in the future, you may end up wanting to purchase the Tarte brush and primer to go with it (which, of course, will cost you more).
Pros:
• Great, long-lasting coverage
• Natural look on the skin
• Evens redness
Cons:
• Smaller selection of colors
• Less coverage
Neutrogena Skin Clearing Makeup |
Additionally, it boasts that in a clinical trial, 100% of women who tried it had imp…
Additionally, it boasts that in a clinical trial, 100% of women who tried it had improved skin over time.
We agree that this is a bold statement to make (and we don’t know the details of the clinical trial), but the internet doesn’t lie, right?
The Good: The active ingredient in this Neutrogena Skin Clearing liquid makeup foundation is salicylic acid, which is a well-known acne medicine, and contains other acne-fighting ingredients, such as silica and titanium dioxide.
Users love that this makeup does two things at once – treats the acne that is already there AND prevents future breakouts.
Also, the Neutrogena brand tends to be easier on the wallet, which doesn’t hurt either.
Having a formula that fights acne while helping to cover it makes this one of the best makeups for acne prone skin.
The Not-so-Good: One thing to keep in mind – it seems that this product probably isn’t best for those with overly-sensitive skin, as it is likely to cause excessive drying and, in some cases, even burning and stinging sensations.
Additionally, it is important to moisturize your skin regularly in order to combat flakiness.
It may also be helpful to keep in mind that this should be applied in a very thin layer, as a thick application can cause it to LOOK like you’re wearing foundation (which no one wants).
Bottom Line: Of course, Neutrogena recommends that this product is best used in combination with other products in its SkinClearing line, but for the price, why wouldn’t it be worth it to give it a try?
Pros:
• Salicylic acid treatment with silica and titanium dioxide
• Inexpensive
• Fights existing acne and future breakouts with regular use
Cons:
• A bit harsh for sensitive skin
• Can cause drying, a little goes a long way
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup |
The Good: In their reviews, most users report that they love this produc…
The Good: In their reviews, most users report that they love this product because it is light and doesn’t feel “caked on.” They also love that they can get to the end of the day and the foundation hasn’t faded or been wiped away like what tends to happen with so many others.
Finally, they reported that it works to treat unwanted pimples and blemishes while simultaneously covering them and evening the skin’s surface.
The Not-so-good: Probably the biggest complaint about this product was that some people experienced excess drying of their skin – a few even to the point where their breakouts not only didn’t improve, but actually got worse.
For those who decide to try this one out, it may be a good idea to only do so if your skin is already somewhat oily and could benefit from a little extra drying.
Bottom Line: Clinique tends to have a great reputation for its makeup and skin care products.
Whether or not this particular one is a good buy for you really depends on you, your preferences, and your skin.
But if you have had good luck with this brand in the past and your skin doesn’t tend to be hypersensitive, you can probably safely give it a try.
Make sure to report back!
Pros:
• Goes on lightly without excess
• Lasts all day without getting smudged
• Covers breakouts while helping to prevent them
Cons:
• Some users may experience dry skin
• A few reviews reported breakouts getting worse after use
DHC Velvet Skin Coat |
It is best used if applied prior to foundation or with nothing else on top of it (for those that prefer a more natural, less makeup-y look).
The Good: One positive factor about…
It is best used if applied prior to foundation or with nothing else on top of it (for those that prefer a more natural, less makeup-y look).
The Good: One positive factor about this DHC Velvet Skin Coat is that it contains silica, which is an acne-fighting ingredient.
Along that same line, some users reported that it made their pores appear reduced and wrinkles appear less drastic.
Many also reported back that this primer’s formula really did make their skin feel as smooth as velvet and helps makeup stay on longer.
They also love that, although the tube is small, it can last forever! Okay, maybe not forever…but in this case, a little really can go a long way.
One reviewer wrote that she tends to go through only about 2 ½ tubes per year.
The Not-so-good: A few users reported that this primer dried out their skin and, in some cases, made it flaky.
Some also did not like the fact that it was expensive for a tube so small and felt like they were not getting their money’s worth.
Bottom Line: Is this product worth your money? At the end of the day, it all comes down to preferences and what you are willing to pay for.
But out of several hundred reviews, the majority of people rated it five stars and were more than happy with it.
Pros:
• Reduces appearance of pores and wrinkles
• Leaves skin feeling smooth
• A little goes a long way
Cons:
• May be drying
• Users who use more product per application may need a bigger tube
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup |
Although it may seem more expensive than what some people prefer to spend (like me – I’m cheap), most of the people who reviewed this pro…
Although it may seem more expensive than what some people prefer to spend (like me – I’m cheap), most of the people who reviewed this product had only good things to say about it.
The Good: One customer posted pictures of what her skin looked like before using this foundation versus after applying it.
Now, she is a beautiful woman, but like all of us, deals with redness and certain skin imperfections.
But the way she was able to achieve flawless skin with this product is truly amazing.
Another user commented that it covered up her acne scars perfectly.
In terms of length and quality of coverage, the same user also mentioned that she had gone swimming, forgetting that she was wearing makeup, but it still held up! Several others commented that this is the best foundation they have ever used.
The Not-so-good: The biggest drawback of this product has to be the price.
But I think everyone expects more expensive products from Estee Lauder and are more willing to accept it, especially because they feel that they are paying for exceptional quality.
One reviewer also commented that she did not like the texture of the product (too oily), but that may be just a matter of opinion, as no one skin type is the same.
Bottom Line: If you are willing to spend a little more money, this product is probably will likely provide more than effective coverage for any acne or skin issues you may have.
Pros:
• Can provide excellent full coverage
• Covers up scars
• Long-lasting and high quality formula
Cons:
• Higher price
• Not as light as other formulas
Almay Clear Complexion Oil-Free Concealer |
We want one that will not only cover pimples and blemishes, but one that is also invisible and blends in perfectly with our skin tones and other makeup.
In addition to covering up acne, this concealer also w…
We want one that will not only cover pimples and blemishes, but one that is also invisible and blends in perfectly with our skin tones and other makeup.
In addition to covering up acne, this concealer also works to treat it at the same time, making it one of the best makeups for acne-prone skin .
The Good: Its active ingredient is salicylic acid (which we have already learned is an acne medicine), and it contains silica and titanium dioxide that both help to control excess oil on the skin.
Almay Clear Complexion Concealer contains aloe, which helps to soothe irritation.
One user, who suffers from Rosacea, describes this cover-up as a “lifesaver,” that helps her feel normal at a time when she would otherwise be self-conscious.
The application process couldn’t be easier – simply dab the concealer on the affected area with the sponge-tip wand, blend with your ring finger, and voila! Acne be gone.
The Not-so-good: Like with most makeup for covering up acne, be careful of excess drying in the areas on your face that you are using this product.
Bottom Line: It is rare to find a product with very few negative reviews, but this one only had one! Since most people seem to be happy with it and the price range is considerably less than most brand-name products, it makes sense that this concealer made our list of Best Makeup For Acne-Prone Skin.
Pros:
• Contains soothing aloe vera to help counteract the acne treatment
• Quick and easy application
• Great acne-fighting ingredients
Cons:
• May be drying for sensitive skin due to salicylic acid
• Takes longer to cover up a large area
BareMinerals Blemish Remedy Foundation |
Naturally (see what I did there?), we had to include it on our list of Best Makeup For Acne…
Naturally (see what I did there?), we had to include it on our list of Best Makeup For Acne-Prone Skin.
The Good: In addition to feeling light and weightless, BareMinerals Blemish Remedy Foundation also contains ingredients such as aspen bark and tea tree oil, which can help calm and soothe irritated skin.
Reviewers love that it evens out skin tone and redness, easily lasts all day, and isn’t oily, which leaves pores clear and unclogged.
Finally, it is made with a non-comedogenic formula, which means that it is specifically formulated not to cause blocked pores.
The Not-so-good: The one “negative” review of this product wasn’t exactly negative at all.
Although not everyone was happy with the coverage or the color, that may just be a matter of preference.
But as far as how it affected the skin’s appearance and condition (dry, oily, covering blemishes, etc.), most people seemed to be happy with the product.
Bottom Line: This is a brand that lies somewhere in between brand name and drugstore, and it can always be difficult to tell if it is a good idea to spend a little more than normal, but not quite as much as a top, more expensive brand.
However, based on the reviews of this product, it seems that BareMinerals has a good reputation for a reason and may be worth your time (and money!).
Pros:
• Natural ingredients
• Fair price for the quality
• Aspen bark and tea tree oil to soothe irritated skin and prevent blemishes
Cons:
• Some reviewers dissatisfied with coverage or color
Smashbox Cosmetics Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Foundation |
The…
The good: People love that this Smashbox Cosmetics Studio Skin Foundation goes on light for a liquid foundation AND provides excellent coverage.
A few said that they have been using it daily for several years and can’t think of using anything else.
They also love that it evens out the skin’s surface, whether trying to cover up blemishes or even out wrinkles.
One reviewer also mentioned that the bottle lasts several months, which is always a plus.
The Not-so-good: There were only two negative reviews of this product.
One reviewer felt that this foundation was too thick and the color didn’t match well.
The other didn’t feel that it provided full coverage, and stated that her skin did not react well to the formula, as it became itchy.
Bottom Line: Feedback for this product was mostly positive.
Liquid foundations tend to be a little iffy, but since most people seemed to feel that it was a good product, we think it’s worth a try!
Pros:
• Light liquid foundation
• Excellent coverage
• A bottle lasts a while
Cons:
• One reviewer reported it was too thick
• One reviewer broke out from the product
There is a lot of makeup for acne prone skin out there, but the best makeup for acne prone skin is a safe product that works fast. Comment below with the makeup product that has most helped your acne so that others can benefit!