When you have acne-prone skin and spot a new breakout, you certainly depend on a complex, multi-step skincare routine to keep it at bay. The best non-comedogenic foundations grab the top spot on the list and always come in handy when it's about preventing breakouts and pore-clogging. While foundations are designed to cover skin imperfections, most of them aggravate the problem due to comedogenic or pore-clogging ingredients. Thankfully we're backed by the latest scientific formulas and research-based non-comedogenic products to tackle most skin issues from managing breakouts to hiding blemishes and reducing pore size. 

The new-age drugstore non-comedogenic foundations not only provide long-lasting coverage but also reduce the chances of causing acne or pimples. However, there's a myth that all these formulas are oil-free. But that's always true. Non-comedogenic foundations possess ingredients that limit breakouts and are typically beneficial for sensitive, oily, acne-prone, or combination skin types. Most of them have essential oils, organic acids like salicylic, and other active ingredients that fight spots, soothe your dermis, and give you the perfect look you've ever desired. 
Based on our observations after trying out the products ourselves, we bring to you some of the best foundations with zero comedogens that would accentuate your beauty.

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  Best Overall

  Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup

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Unlike thick liquids, medium-coverage liquid foundations like Maybelline's Fit Me foundation are your ally when you need a quick touch-up without a mess. The pick is best suited for normal to oily skin types and gives a natural-looking matte finish. With 40+ shades, every woman can find the best fit based on her skin tone. Use it as a full-face foundation and get an even buildable coverage to fill your large pores and blur spots for an ultra-clean look.  

Shade

Classic Ivory

Coverage 

Medium

2

Vanishes Dryness

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint with Hyaluronic Acid

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Available in a gel format, this Neutrogena foundation is a must-have makeup base for dry skin. It features hyaluronic acid that helps hydrate skin and boost complexion (1). It's a cult fav product as it plumps skin and reduces scaly skin texture like magic. With a 24-hour moisture lock feature, the foundation refreshes your dehydrated skin and lets it breathe. Our analysis of the product revealed that the water gel formula feels light on the skin and avoids greasiness. 

Shade

Buff 

Coverage 

Light to Full 

3

Hypoallergenic

bareMinerals Original Matte Loose Mineral Foundation

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The bareMinerals Original Foundation is a non-comedogenic hypoallergenic formula that gets the job done with minimal or no irritation. It's an ultra-weight formula available in a powder format that sits well on the skin layer and provides very light to very deep coverage. The 0.28oz mineral foundation tub features SPF 15 to protect your skin against sun damage and tanning. Interestingly, it's a non-chemical powder that promotes clearer, healthy-looking skin over time with consistent use. It's one of the most efficient non-comedogenic foundation powders for all skin types. 

Shade

Medium Beige

Coverage 

Extra light to Extra Deep

4

Silky Formula

bareMinerals Barepro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation

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Picked from the bareMinerals classic foundation collection, this liquid formula will amaze you. With a silky matte finish, the product runs smoothly over your face and slides like melted cheese. It's a high-performance wear that offers you a long-lasting, clean, and conscious look all day. Unlike your regular foundations, this liquid spreads evenly and maintains uniformity while covering your skin's imperfections. Formulated with sun protection factors (SPF20), it acts as a barrier and blocks the UV rays into the skin. 

Shade

Cool Beige

Coverage 

Light to Medium 

5

Waterproof

L'Oréal Paris Cosmetics Infallible Foundation

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Nothing is better than a weightless and waterproof foundation that promises an even-toned and smooth finish for up to 24 hours. This L'Oréal Paris liquid foundation has a creamy texture and delivers medium to full buildable coverage. It goes on seamlessly on all skin types and stashes your beauty for longer hours. The formula's three essential oils resist sweat, water, and transfer and provide a hydrated and non-smudge look. In addition, the color stays true due to the blend's anti-oxidizing properties and blends perfectly. 

Shades

True Beige 

Coverage 

Medium to Full

Quick Tip

Prime your face well using a silicone-based primer before applying the foundation. Remember to stipple and not rub while painting your face. Set your base with a loose powder to ensure flawless coverage.

6

Anti-aging

ILIA - Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

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Infused with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalene, the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint is your complete skincare staple. It's a multipurpose formula that fights acne, blemishes, dullness, and all your skin problems. The serum foundation exhibits anti-aging properties and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Thanks to the ingredients!! Niacinamide refines uneven skin tone and smoothens texture. Hyaluronic acid restores moisture and adds plumpness (1). Plant-based squalene boosts collagen production and improves skin elasticity without pore-clogging (2). It's a proportionate blend of scientific components maintaining the overall health of the skin. 

Shade

Bom Bom

Coverage 

Light 

7

Dermatologically Tested

Dermablend Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation

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When it comes to the best non-comedogenic foundation acne-prone skin, Dermablend liquids and powders stand at par. These products are dermatologically tested and have been known for reducing scars and skin discoloration without provoking acne flare-ups. The high performance and sturdy pigments provide full medium coverage and feel weightless. It's a simple-to-use formula. Take a dollop at the back of your hand. Dip your fingertips and tap them on your face and neck. Use a brush to spread it all over the area. That's all you have now created a flawless makeup base like a pro. 

Shades 

Neutral 

Coverage 

Medium 

8

For Celebrity-like Skin

Almay Skin Perfecting Comfort Matte Foundation

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Getting a spotless glow like Jennifer Lopez or Katy Perry is no big deal with Alma Skin Foundation. You spend hundreds of dollars in a salon to have celebrity-like skin. Unfortunately, you don't get satisfactory results. But the good news is this matte foundation offers you natural shiny skin at more than half the price of a salon appointment. It's an oil-free liquid formula that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, balances your skin tone, and transforms your imperfect skin into a perfect one.

Shade

Cool Bare 

Coverage 

Light to Medium 

9

Scientific Blend

PÜR 4-in-1 Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation & Concealer

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This adorable elegant bottle is a blessing to acne-prone skin that helps deal with various skin woes. It's a foundation and concealer that effectively conceals redness, discoloration, and blemishes. The trio of complexes-ceretin, energy, and ceramides will cheer up your dead skin and give it a new life. Ceretin complex is a blend of lactic acid, retinol, and shea butter that boosts skin renewal, diminishes aging signs, and smoothens skin texture. Energy complex and ceramides further improve hydration and skin elasticity (3). 

Shade

Medium Neutral 

Coverage 

Medium to Full 

10

Stays Morning to Night

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation

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The best full-coverage non-comedogenic foundations are those that are ideal for everyday use and stay from AM to PM. So, we bring you the Oxygenetix Foundation that you can use on a daily basis, and yes, it won't fade away easily. Just apply a pea-size quantity while getting ready for the office, and it will last even after working hours, no matter how tough your day was. So, if you've got plans for a chill pill after work, add your touch-up partner to your makeup kit. 

Shade

Ivory 

Coverage 

Full/Complete

Quick Tip

Conceal uneven-toned skin areas using a stick concealer before applying the foundation. This will help provide a flawless base that stays for longer.

11

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Foundation Stick

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Neutrogena products are revolutionary and never disappoint skincare fanatics. Chosen from its finest collection, this foundation stick will blow your mind. Unlike the foundations above, this one comes in a stick form and is specially designed for oily skin. It's a 3-in-1 piece that can work as a concealer and contour besides foundation. The clinically tested stick is enriched with pure hyaluronic acid and adds a punch of hydration boost (1). It leaves your skin feel moisturized and maintains water balance in the cells with zero clogging. Based on our observations, the stick glides gently on the surface and ensures an even and proportionate look. Since it's available in a honey tone, it would be an appropriate pick for ladies with a medium complexion.

Shade 

Honey 

Coverage 

Medium to Full 

12

True+Luscious Camera Stick Foundation

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This stick by True+Luscious is inspired by cutting-edge color technology that gives you long-lasting color stay all day. It's a creamy and dermatologically tested formula appropriate for normal, dry, oily, and combination skin types. It blends effortlessly within a few seconds and provides full coverage for flawless airbrushed results. It features photo-filter pigments that cover your blemishes, uneven skin tones, and other imperfections in a single swipe.Our contributor, Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist states that photo-filter pigments are ingredients in makeup products that reflect and diffuse light, helping to blur imperfections and give the skin a soft-focus effect. She further states, “While not necessary, photo-filter pigments can enhance the appearance of the skin when used in a non-comedogenic foundation. They can help the foundation to provide a more flawless finish.” If you're tired of putting multiple layers of regular foundations and concealers that make your skin heavy, it's better to switch on sustainable options like Camera Stick.

Shade

Ivory

Coverage 

Full 

13

Botana Luxe Clean Ingredients Clear Skin Foundation

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Don't let acne scars, blemishes, and uneven skin tone ruin your beauty. Say goodbye to them with the Botana Luxe face powder foundation. The exclusive mineral foundation protects your skin against free radicals that damage collagen and initiate aging effects. It covers your skin imperfections without filling into skin folds and maintains a natural, clean look. With a non-powdery finish and silky effect, it's a great alternative to your conventional face powders that feel porous and dusty on the skin. It's available in 18 shades so you can choose one accordingly. 

Shade 

Pale Almond

Coverage 

Light to Full  

Now we are done with our picks for the best non-comedogenic foundations. Let's hop into our user guide and see how to choose one.  

Here are a few points to look at before purchasing a non-comedogenic foundation.

Ingredients 

Make sure you check the ingredient list thoroughly. It is suggested to avoid foundations with parabens, SLS, lanolin, sulfates, chemical UV filters octinoxate and oxybenzone, mineral oils, ester oils, etc. A non-comedogenic foundation typically has contents that prevent pore clogging. So you can choose options containing organic acids, vitamins, botanicals, etc.

Skin conditions 

Most women directly purchase a foundation out of excitement without knowing what suits their skin. It's crucial to identify your skin type first. Also, analyze your current skin conditions so you can know whether you've benefitted after using a product or not. Check what ingredients might have triggered your blemishes, pimples, acne, or scars. Depending on the condition, choose the most suitable option. Also, you may prefer trying a hypoallergenic or dermatologically tested foundation to avoid complications. 

Skin type 

Generally, it's recommended to use a foundation based on your skin type. Here are a few general notions linking skin types and foundations. 

1. Non-drying foundations for acne-prone  

Women with acne-prone are typically suggested to use non-dry foundations offering good coverage to cover blemishes, hyperpigmentations, etc. They avoid caking, flakes and patchiness throughout the day. Such foundations are infused with hydrating ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid (1) (3) (4), etc. 

2. Oil-free formulas for sensitive skin 

Sensitive skin is hyperreactive and more vulnerable to damage compared to other skin types. So opting for a lightweight, oil-free foundation might help. Also, women with sensitive skin must focus on some factors like the season, skin tone, wearing time, and coverage as fluctuations in these can irritate their skin. An ideal foundation should be gentle and soothing and may not cause any allergic reactions.

3. Combination skin types 

Hunting for a foundation becomes challenging when you have a combination skin type that is oily and dehydrated. In this case, you are likely to have acne, scars, and breakouts with flakes and scaly skin texture. So, here you can look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid (1), salicylic acid, emollients and essential oils like squalene that lock moisture and nourish your skin without pore clogging (2). 

Healing treatments

The non-comedogenic foundation you are planning to invest in must be infused with skin-healing ingredients like salicylic acid, retinol, vitamin E, and squalane. It must also contain SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Finish 

You can't miss the finish type while purchasing the best non-comedogenic foundation. Based on your preferences, you can choose different finishes from natural to matte. However, you may choose a cream, liquid or powder foundation for a natural-like finish. 

Coverage 

You can use foundations with medium to full coverage for blemishes, dark spots and acne as they are prominent. Ensure that the coverage is buildable. Our contributor, Dr. Anna Chacon explains about the importance of different levels of coverage when choosing a non-comedogenic foundation. She says, “ A light coverage foundation is ideal for those with clear skin who just want to even out their skin tone, while a full coverage foundation is better for those who want to cover up blemishes or discoloration.”

Consult a dermatologist 

In case of confusion, you can seek your dermatologist's help. If you are experiencing irritation or some allergy after-effects, don't hesitate to consult a doctor. 

Customer reviews 

Reading customer testimonials can allow you to collect more details about different types of foundations. With this, you can make inference-based decisions.  

Conclusion 

The best non-comedogenic foundations can help you get desired makeup looks depending on your skin type. Suitable foundations will blur your skin imperfections and offer you a spotless look. So investing in them would be worth your time, energy and money. Since we have so many options available, finding a perfect one could be tedious. But here we have listed some great foundations for all skin types. So without wasting time, grab one and add it to your skincare routine and get ready to be the show's topper.  

Contributor: Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D. Dermatologist, MyPsoriasisTeam