Celebrities Get Breakouts Too—These Are the Acne-Safe Foundations Their Makeup Artists Trust Most

Our top pick is none other than Clinique’s Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Foundation that treats acne while also providing coverage. “What I love about this foundation is that it goes beyond simply concealing blemishes,” says celebrity makeup artist Alexa Persico. “It’s formulated with salicylic acid, which helps unclog pores, treat existing breakouts and prevent new ones from forming.” She adds that it’s especially good for someone who wants to even their complexion without relying on layers of makeup.

Pros: Fragrance-free, controls oil, treats acne

Cons: Contains alcohol

Shades: 24

Finish: Natural matte

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, red algae extract, licorice, caffeine

Customer review: “Love the coverage from this product. Have oily skin and so really appreciate that this acne solution base with a great matte finish. My new go-to.”

If you have mature skin and are on the hunt for long-lasting coverage, consider this option from Estée Lauder. “This is a fantastic option for someone with acne-prone skin who wants a fuller coverage without having to layer on more product,” says Persico. “I love how it beautifully evens out discoloration and the appearance of blemishes while providing a full coverage, long-lasting finish for oily skin types.”

Pros: Long-wearing, controls oil, sweat and heat resistant

Cons: Contains fragrance

Shades: 57

Finish: Matte

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, brown algae extract

Customer review: “As someone who doesn’t wear much makeup, I loved how easy this foundation was to apply and blend. The shade was a beautiful match for my skin tone, and the lightweight formula felt comfortable all day. Even though it’s matte, it gives my skin a natural, dewy look without feeling heavy or cakey.”

Nars is one of those classic, reliable brands, so it’s no surprise that Persico loves it too. “One of the biggest misconceptions about acne-prone skin is that you have to wear a completely matte foundation, but that’s false,” she says. “I love a natural skin-like finish, especially when someone is experiencing dryness from acne treatments.” She notes that this foundation provides buildable coverage without a heavy mask-like appearance.

Pros: Buildable coverage, suitable for sensitive skin, blurs pores and texture

Cons: Slightly pricey

Shades: 40

Finish: Natural

Key ingredients: Biomimetic oat, Japanese lilyturf, cacao peptides, milk thistle

Customer review: “This is one of my favorite foundations. As someone with acne-prone skin, it’s hard finding foundation that won’t cause me to break out. This applies smooth and gives a skin-like finish.”

Blurring foundations that are also lightweight can be hard to come by. That’s why Persico loves this foundation from Givenchy. It’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores and cause further breakouts. Plus, it contains niacinamide to improve skin tone, reduce redness, and support the skin barrier. “I always remind clients with acne-prone skin that you don’t need more coverage, but the right coverage,” she says. “I love the idea of a foundation that allows you to build coverage exactly where you need it while keeping the rest of the complexion looking fresh and natural and this foundation does just that.”

Pros: Hydrating, buildable coverage, long-wearing

Cons: Contains fragrance, pricey

Shades: 30

Finish: Natural

Key ingredients: Micro hyaluronic acid, yuzu extract

Customer review: “I love this foundation. It’s very lightweight and sits beautifully on the skin. It has a glowy and dewy finish that looks like my skin but better. Coverage is sheer to medium. Doesn’t sit in my fine lines.”

Ask any beauty editor, and they’ll tell you that a foundation with SPF gets brownie points in their book. This Dermablend formula contains SPF 50, providing ample protection from the sun while evening skin tone. “This lightweight, non-comedogenic formula offers buildable coverage without feeling or looking heavy,” says celebrity makeup artist Robin Schoen. “It’s especially helpful when you want to neutralize redness and uneven skin tone while maintaining a natural finish.”

Pros: Full coverage, SPF 50+, fragrance-free

Cons: Not as many shades available

Shades: 13

Finish: Satin

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, vitamin E, baicalin

Customer review: “Great foundation. I was fed up with my acne and needed to switch all my products, but the dermablend one did not let me down! This is my new staple.”

If you’ve seen any of our previous foundation guides, you’ve probably seen this Armani foundation make a few appearances. Turns out, Schoen loves this one for acne-prone skin, too. “Its lightweight texture blends effortlessly into the skin, creating a soft-focus effect that helps minimize the appearance of uneven texture and imperfections without looking overly made up,” she says. “Rather than masking the complexion, the luminous finish leaves skin looking naturally radiant, smooth, and beautifully refined.” Pro tip: Start with a blurring primer and apply a sheer layer first before slowly building it up.

Pros: Buildable coverage, long-wearing, transfer-resistant

Cons: Contains some fragrance

Shades: 44

Finish: Natural

Key ingredients: Niacinamide

Customer review: “As someone who hates the feeling of foundation, this is the first foundation I have absolutely LOVED. I have combo dry skin with some acne and marks, and this looks flawless on my skin. The shade match is perfect for me.”

This foundation serum from Tower 28 blurs without clinging to dry spots or blemishes. “Tower 28’s launch of their Swipe Serum Foundation is such a great addition for normal-to-dry skin types but also acne-prone,” says celebrity makeup artist Michaeline Becker. “Specifically credited as “Non-Acnegenic,” (meaning it helps prevent breakouts), this formula includes portulaca oleracea extract, which is an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredient.”

Pros: Lightweight, fragrance-free, good for sensitive skin

Cons: May need powder for shine

Shades: 36

Finish: Natural, radiant

Key ingredients: Purslane extract, fermented oat, lactobacillus ferment

Customer review: “Great, hydrating product. Doesn’t cling on to dry spots and leaves an almost blurred effect. Light, but still leaves great coverage and evens out my skin tone.”

Yes, you can use powdered foundation on acne-prone skin. In fact, Becker loves this option from Bare Minerals. “One thing about loose powder foundation is that is has significantly less ingredients than liquid foundation,” she says. “The powder ingredients will also absorb some oil and reduce shine, which is great for oily, acne-prone skin types. I personally used this when my skin was acne-prone and I had great results!”

Pros: Buildable coverage, talc free, mineral SPF

Cons: Can get messy

Shades: 29

Finish: Natural

Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica, iron oxides

Customer review: “I love trying new products and always come back to this. Especially when I had hormonal acne and could not use much products because I was scared of a breakout. I could always use this and never got a negative reaction. Blendable and great coverage.”