I've Had Acne Since Middle School. These Are My Favorite Foundations. (2025)

Size: 1 oz. | Shades: 24 | Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, red algae extract, licorice, caffeine | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Matte

Who it's best for: Anyone with acne-prone and oily skin who wants a foundation that does double duty to treat and cover breakouts.

Who should avoid it: Those looking for a foundation that can go from day to night without reapplying — some shopper reviews noted that the foundation oxidized quickly (i.e. turned a darker shade shortly after application).

Why our experts love it: Clinique has been around for decades (it was the first makeup brand I ever tried!) 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 contain the holy grail acne-fighting skincare ingredient but it also feels lightweight on the skin. Wnek, who has acne-prone and oily skin, reports a matte finish and medium coverage. The foundation contains red algae extract, licorice and caffeine to target any redness, and has an oil-free formula that won't clog your pores.

What reviewers say: "I always got compliments from people saying my skin looked so good when in reality I was wearing this foundation! It's super natural looking, blends well, isn't dry or anything," wrote one five-star review.

Size: 1 oz. | Shades: 47 | Key ingredients: Glycerin, silica | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

Who is it best for: Those shopping on a budget will appreciate this drugstore foundation that offers a natural finish for everyday wear.

Who should avoid it: If you want a full coverage foundation that can withstand many hours of wear without creasing or flaking, True Match may not be your best match.

Why our experts love it: Per its name, this L'Oréal Paris foundation is designed to be super blendable, helping you achieve a flawless look without any streaks. 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.

If you have uneven skin with bumps or deep scars, you'll appreciate that this drugstore find is formulated to adapt to your skin's texture. Meanwhile, glycerin works to improve skin's hydration while silica helps control oil. Choose from 47 shades and dispense the product from an easy-to-use pump. Some reviewers found the pump makes it hard to get all of the foundation out from the bottom, thus leaving behind some unused product.

Although satisfied Ulta shoppers agreed with Wnek and also reported the True Match foundation to not feel heavy on their skin, there were mixed reviews on how well it lasted throughout the day. One customer reported that the foundation lasted more than 13 hours, while another experienced creasing and dry patches a few hours in. While it may not be the best foundation for minimizing pores, according to the aforementioned shopper, another five-star reviewer said it helped with redness.

What reviewers are saying: "I stopped wearing makeup because foundation always felt too heavy and settled on my face. This did not. Makeup looked great all night," shared one five-star reviewer.

Size: 1 oz. | Shades: 9 | Key ingredients: SPF | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

Who is it best for: If you (like me) are running out the door in the morning, this long-lasting foundation combines three makeup steps into one product — and has SPF 20.

Who should avoid it: Those who want a more buildable foundation may opt for our picks that offer medium coverage instead.

Why our experts love it: This GH Beauty Award-winning foundation has wowed GH beauty pros over the years and we continue to stand by its performance. It's also a great value because it includes a primer, foundation and concealer all wrapped into one product. Plus, it is formulated with SPF 20 to protect your skin from the sun's rays.

Our evaluations showed the blendable full-coverage foundation didn't look heavy or cakey. One Amazon shopper who works 12-hour shifts and lives in the South reported that the Outlast foundation didn't wear off, run or appear oily even after 16 hours. They did note that they still use a primer before applying the foundation.

Some Amazon shoppers, however, found that the product was on the thinner side and too runny so that it would sit on the surface of the skin. When I tried the foundation for myself, I experienced the same thing and struggled to blend it onto my combination, oily skin.

What reviewers are saying: "I find that it wears only a little bit by the end of the day, and that's fine with me — it just looks even more natural by then," wrote one satisfied shopper, adding that "I've had problems with breaking out in the past [due] to a lot of different products — I've been wearing this for over a month now without any problems."

Size: 1 oz. | Shades: 28 | Key ingredients: Resveratrol, vitamin B3 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

Who it's best for: Shoppers with mature skin who are looking for a foundation that targets both blemishes and fine lines or wrinkles.

Who should avoid it: Younger individuals don't need an anti-aging foundation and since it's formulated for oily skin, it isn't the best choice for those with normal to dry skin types.

Why our experts love it: Holder of the Good Housekeeping Seal, the TimeWise Matte 3D Foundation is specifically formulated for oily skin. It provides a matte finish that feels lightweight and comfortable but can last for up to 12 hours of wear. After reviewing data from external Lab studies, we confirmed that the product is non-comedogenic.

It's proven to reduce shine, smooth the appearance of wrinkles, and help skin look firmer and younger. It contains innovative microspheres that help absorb oil, as well as anti-aging ingredients including resveratrol and vitamin B3 that improve the look of fine lines and uneven skin, respectively.

Size: 1 oz. | Shades: 57 | Coverage: Medium to full | Finish: Natural

Who it's best for: Shoppers with acne-prone skin who want a blendable and natural-looking foundation that feels lightweight.

Who should avoid it: If your skin is on the drier side, the foundation may not wear as well as some shoppers noticed dry patches in select areas.

Why our experts love: "If I could only use one foundation for the rest of my life, it would be this one," says Wnek. Online customers agree — the foundation has over 5,000 five-star reviews and is mentioned all over this Reddit thread. It's available in a wide range of light, medium and deep shades and features an easy-to-use pump.

The foundation is also formulated to be oil-free and combat sweat, heat and humidity, as well as resist creasing or transferring throughout the day. Reviews analyst Amanda Constantine needed three to four pumps to cover her face and found the foundation blended well and created a beautiful blurring effect. "My darker red marks and bumps were still somewhat visible," she noted, adding that the foundation also clung to drier areas throughout the day and separated around her nose and chin areas.

"Usually if I wear a makeup product that my skin doesn't agree with even just once, I wake up the next day with new acne bumps, but so far, I haven't had any new breakouts pop up with this foundation," shared Constantine.

What reviewers are saying: "It blends perfectly with my skin and stays in place all day. I will never switch," wrote one five-star reviewer who calls the Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation their go-to.

Size: 1 oz. | Shades: 32 | Key ingredients: White tea extract, vitamin E | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

Who it's best for: Shoppers looking to cover dark spots and maintain a glowy complexion without worrying about the foundation sliding off.

Who should avoid it: Those hoping to stick to a budget on their next foundation purchase.

Why our experts love it: When it comes to covering acne scars, former GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn recommends Hourglass' Ambient Soft Glow Foundation. It "blurs every imperfection and pore on my face, including dark spots on my cheeks from acne scarring," she says. The transfer-resistant formula means you won't have to worry about your foundation staining your white scarf or cream turtleneck, and we appreciate that the brand claims the foundation can resist sweat and humidity.

Malzahn loves its natural air-brushed look and hundreds of online customer reviews report that the foundation blurs imperfections and lasts all day. The foundation contains blurring spheres meant to minimize any imperfections, as well as antioxidants white tea extract and vitamin E to help combat acne.

It is, however, one of the more expensive foundations on this list. The brand recommends spreading a pea-sized amount of product onto your skin, so a little may go a long way. Online shoppers think the splurge is worth it because it doesn't look cakey or settle in pores, all the while enhancing your skin's natural glow.

What reviewers are saying: "This hourglass foundation is the best I’ve ever tried. I am in my 40s, have dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles. This foundation makes my skin look flawless," raved one satisfied shopper.

RELATED: The Best Dark Spot Correctors, Recommended by Dermatologists

Size: 0.31 oz. | Shades: 16 | Key ingredients: Silica | Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Matte

Who it's best for: Those with redness or breakouts who also experience shine throughout the day.

Who should avoid it: If liquid is your preferred formulation, skip to our other recommendations that also offer the same coverage and finish.

Why our experts love it: 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 online reviews rave about its performance. There are only 16 shades to choose from, which is a solid amount, but not as many compared to other foundations included here.

Per its name, the foundation is meant to last all day as well as control shine thanks to silica, limit transfer and combat sweat. One satisfied shopper used it as a finishing powder to help her makeup last longer. "I also used it for touch-ups for a wedding day (12-hour wear!)," they added.

Our tester tried the liquid version of this foundation (before and after photos pictured below) and reported that it felt soft and lightweight. "You can barely feel it on your face," she raved. One caveat though: its warmer, orange undertones clashed with her neutral undertones. "It's a common issue with darker shades of foundation but overall not too bad" in the case of this formulation, she explained.

What reviewers are saying: "This is definitely one of the better pressed powder foundations out there. It applies smoothly and looks natural, and shockingly I found a great color match," said one five-star reviewer.

Size: 1 oz. | Shades: 40 | Key ingredients: Glycerin | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

Who it's best for: If you have tried a gamut of foundations without much satisfaction, splurge on this silk-like foundation that provides a natural glow.

Who should avoid it: Anyone who is looking for a more budget-friendly foundation that offers a matte finish.

Why our experts love it: 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. I found application worked best when using a makeup brush (as opposed to my fingers).

Malzahn cites it as a favorite for dealing with acne and numerous online customers call it a "must-have" for its long-lasting formula and lightweight feel. I can confirm that the foundation felt comfortable on my skin, even at the end of the day after 12+ hours. Two small pumps covered my entire face and I appreciated the natural finish that didn't tarnish as the day went on. While I was not experiencing cystic acne at the time I took the photo below, I think the smoothing effect would help even hormonal breakouts along my cheek and chin. I can see myself going in with concealer for my worst breakouts and scars.

This is the most expensive foundation on our list and while I believe its performance deems it a worthy investment, you can also opt for the mini size that costs $24 less. But if you are looking to be persuaded, this is the best foundation I have tried to date.

What reviewers are saying: "This is my holy grail of foundations. I’ve tried so many from all price ranges, but nothing beats this. I go in light-handed for a more natural look. It truly is like 'my skin, but better,'" raved one five-star reviewer.

Size: 1 oz. | Shades: 21 | Key ingredients: Niacinamide | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

Who it's best for: Anyone looking for a top-performing CC cream that is affordable and only requires a little product to obtain full coverage.

Who should avoid: Beginner makeup users may prefer a foundation that is easier to blend into the skin.

Why our experts love it: The word "cream" may make you skeptical of this pick, but let us explain. This CC cream is specially formulated with acne-prone skin in mind and contains niacinamide to help reduce inflammation and acne. It holds the Amazon's Choice badge with an overall 4.2-star rating.

The oil-free formula is designed to even skin tone and offers full coverage with a matte finish. "It blurs my imperfections and doesn’t cause breakouts,” shared one GH editor. We also appreciate that it is fragrance-free, a pro for those with sensitive skin. Amazon shoppers reported the CC Cream didn't look cakey and found they didn't need a lot to get full coverage. Some reviewers noted that it didn't blend as well into their skin.

What reviewers say: "To my surprise, it felt great on my skin and had exactly the consistency I was looking for: good coverage without feeling heavy. It looks very natural and doesn’t cake up. Stays on my face pretty much all day. It also does not break me out," found one five-star review.

RELATED: How to Reduce Facial Redness

Size: 0.38 oz. | Shades: 5 | Key ingredients: Salicylic acid | Coverage: Not listed | Finish: Not listed

Who it's best for: Those with oily and acne-prone skin who want to treat and cover breakouts without clogging their pores.

Who should avoid: Anyone who consistently opts for a liquid foundation and wants to keep it that way.

Why our experts love it: This powder foundation 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).

Multiple Amazon reviews reported the compact didn't arrive with the included applicator (and some only received one Mineral Powder instead of two). Another shopper who otherwise was satisfied with the product found that it transferred onto clothes when they hugged someone.

What reviewers are saying: "This is my go-to finishing powder as it covers so well, doesn't have a smell, and leaves my face feeling flawless and fresh every time," raved one five-star reviewer.

Size: 1 oz. | Shades: 18 | Key ingredients: Silica | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

Who it's best for: Those who want to cover up larger pores and breakouts for a full-coverage, matte look.

Who should avoid it: The full-coverage, matte look may not be a go-to option if you are looking for a more natural everyday foundation.

Why our experts love it: 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.

"It makes my pores look non-existent, even without a base coat," shared Wnek, adding that it successfully concealed acne and discoloration. One tester who isn't typically a fan of matte foundations was wowed by this product. She experienced "no cakiness or flaking after 8 hours of wear," and added, "Definitely found my favorite matte foundation!"

Wnek did observe, however, that it can appear somewhat yellow upon application even though Wnek selected a neutral shade.

What reviewers are saying: "I didn’t realize how much I loved this foundation until I tried something else. The coverage is flawless and lasts all day," wrote one satisfied Sephora shopper.

Size: 1 oz. | Shades: 30 | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalane | Coverage: Light | Finish: Dewy

Who it's best for: Those with dry skin will benefit from the hydrating ingredients while anyone looking for a dewy finish will love the no-makeup makeup skin tint.

Who should avoid it: Individuals with oily skin and those who want more full coverage.

Why our experts love it: Former 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," shared Saguin. It has a lightweight formula and contains hyaluronic acid which will keep your skin nice and hydrated. Meanwhile, niacinamide and squalane help plump skin and seal in moisture without clogging pores, respectively.

Although advertised as a skin tint, Saguin said it has buildable and blendable coverage; "it’s super pigmented, so I like it for more medium coverage looks." Plus, the brand claims it helps improve the appearance of redness and blemishes. Saguin appreciated the dropper which makes it easy to apply the foundation. It has mineral SPF 40 so your skin will be protected against the sun as you go about your day, too.

What reviewers are saying: "I have dry, eczema-prone skin, and I’ve been on the hunt for a clean foundation that doesn’t make me break out and keeps me moisturized- enter this little beauty. It checks all the boxes, performs beautifully and I am sold 100%," said one five-star reviewer.

RELATED: The Best Hydrating Foundations for Dry Skin

In the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Beauty Lab is constantly evaluating new foundations for all skin types. In the Lab's most recent categorical test, our chemists evaluated 30 foundations, including options formulated for acne-prone skin. For each product, we considered the brand's claims as well as price, availability, active ingredients and more.

Additionally, I scoured through online reviews from shoppers who have acne-prone, combination or oily skin to gather even more feedback on which foundations are best at concealing blemishes and scarring.

✔️ Formula: "Avoid heavy formulas, as they tend to cause buildup and congestion in pores," says Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. Instead, opt for oil-free and water-based formulas, adds Dhivya Srinivasa, M.D., F.A.C.S., a double-certified plastic surgeon. You may want to consider silicone-free foundations because silicone's occlusive properties can clog pores and cause build-up, explains Dr. Shirazi. On the flip side, silicones "can soften skin and give a silky smooth finish," adds Wnek.

Non-comedogenic formulas are best because they do not clog pores, but it's important to seek out foundations that have been tested for comedogenicity (or pore-clogging potential) in a clinical setting under a dermatologist’s supervision, explains the Beauty Lab.

Note: A lot of products are labeled "non-comedogenic" but the term is not regulated by the FDA. When selecting products for the GH Seal, we confirm that such claims by brands are backed up with data. If you are considering a foundation that claims it is non-comedogenic, contact the manufacturer's Customer Service to ask for the validity of the claim. Large beauty companies and drugstore brands will typically have the data to confirm your inquiry, but the numbers may not always be there on the site.

✔️ Ingredients: There are only three active ingredients proven to fight acne, but experts recommend additional ingredients to keep in mind while searching for the best foundation for acne-prone skin.

Active acne-fighting ingredients: Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and sulfur are the only approved acne-fighting 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.

Rosehip oil: A non-comedogenic, rosehip oil "can help reduce inflammation and treat acne scares," explains Srinivasa.

Hyaluronic acid: A superstar when it comes to helping your skin retain moisture, hyaluronic acid is beneficial to dry or damaged skin prone to breakouts, says Srinivasa.

SPF: When it comes to foundations with SPF, Srinivasa advises shoppers to "avoid foundations that include chemical SPF as the SPF inclusion can also cause skin breakouts." Wear SPF underneath your foundation and try opting for a foundation that contains mineral SPF, which is less likely to irritate skin.

✔️ Coverage: Foundations can offer a range of coverage from light to full, with some offering a buildable coverage that you can customize. Rivero recommends aiming for a light to medium coverage foundation that is buildable.

✔️ 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.