The Best Makeup Products for Acne-Prone Skin

Makeup serves as a powerful tool of enhancement. The right products and techniques can help enhance natural beauty while minimising the appearance of acne.

You’re likely familiar with the delicate balance of using makeup to conceal blemishes without contributing to their persistence. Finding a foundation suitable for acne-skin that doesn’t clog pores, result in a greasy appearance or, even worse, cause new breakouts is a common challenge amongst acne-sufferers.  There are lots of makeup products out there that can worsen acne or cause new breakouts as they clog pores so it is important to use products that will not clog pores and contain acne-targeted skincare ingredients.

Learn more about some tried-and-true products we recommend that have been designed specifically for acne-prone and sensitive skins that are on the quest for overall healthy skin. 

Foundation: oil-free and non-comedogenic. 

To achieve blurred texture and to conceal redness, a medium-full coverage foundation with a matte finish is ideal. Avoid foundations that contain ingredients that clog pores or can lead to breakouts, especially avoid foundations with oils. The best option is to select an acne-friendly foundation that does more than just cover bumps and redness by also treating acne and blemishes. 

This Mineral Matte Liquid Foundation has been specially formulated with acne-prone skin in mind to reduce redness and blur blemishes. Perfect Base Mineral Matte Liquid Foundation hydrates and plumps the skin with Hyaluronic Acid (oily skins need hydration too!), while offering a healthy dose of Vitamins E and C to protect, brighten and boost collagen. Titanium Dioxide also provides anti-inflammatory benefits and 15+ sun protection. 

If you prefer a powder finish, this Mineral Powder Foundation keeps skin healthy and protected while wearing it. This foundation gives natural, buildable coverage with a soft radiant semi-matte finish in a 96% natural formula.  Formulated with a cocktail of active ingredients such as magnesium and niacinamide to absorb excess oil and calm redness plus aloe vera and vitamins C and E to soothe and repair skin. This advanced pharmaceutical grade mineral powder formula contains light reflective particles that diffuse imperfections and large pores without clogging pores.  

InClinic Cosmetics' Perfect Base Mineral Matte Liquid Foundation is designed for acne-prone skins to use safely daily.

Concealer: full coverage treatment formulas.

Concealer is the easiest way to camouflage skin imperfections, including dark circles and blemishes. Concealer is naturally a heavier formula than foundation as its goal is to conceal imperfections and blemishes. The most important think to look for in a concealer is a formula that is non-comedogenic (does not clog pores) as this will not aggravate acne. If you’re looking for a concealer to cover acne spots, its best to find a concealer that was designed with the same goal in mind.

This Blemish Treatment Concealer is a double duty concealer that offers optimal levels of coverage with the benefits of acne-fighting ingredients. This concealer was formulated specifically to be long-lasting, oil-free, non-comedogenic and full-coverage for sensitive, breakout-prone skins.  The acne-targeted ingredients include salicylic acid to fight breakouts, vitamins E and C to assist in healing and protecting skin, a superior blend of plant extracts (such as tea tree leaf, clove bud, peppermint etc.) give anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties as well as hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin.  

This Blemish Treatment Concealer contains a powerhouse of active ingredients to treat, heal and conceal acne.

Primer: oil absorbing and pore minimising.

A primer is the first layer of your makeup routine above your skincare and serves as a first defence against oily skin. You want to choose a primer that will keep your makeup in place all day, soothes skin and mattifies your complexion. This Pore Refining Primer is a lightweight formula that smooths out skin texture, controls oil and blurs skin imperfections and blemishes. Formulated in two different tints, the colour correcting nude primer blurs enlarged pores and neutralises skin imperfections while the anti-redness green primer focuses on correcting and concealing the appearance redness. Infused with titanium dioxide, sunflower seed extracts and vitamin E, this primer calms, soothes and nourishes skin.

InClinic Cosmetics' Pore Refining Primer soothes and calms inflamed skin and is formulated in a green tint to conceal redness and a nude tint to neutralise skin imperfections. 

Powder: translucent and oil control.

A translucent powder is a secret weapon that sets, mattifies, blurs and brightens complexion. Using it over a full-face of makeup, or on a no-makeup day and instantly, pores will appear smaller, and skin will look smoother. A good setting powder will absorb excess oil and ensure your makeup lasts longer – exactly what oily, acne-prone skin types need!

This translucent setting powder will immediately eliminate excess oil for a shine-free finish, without looking overly dry thanks to an innovative pearlescent pigment that gives a natural luminosity to the skin. This lightweight, breathable formula will help to set makeup in place, minimise the appearance of pores for a smooth complexion and most importantly, reduces oil and shine in a non-comedogenic, talc-free formula, perfect for acne-prone skin types.

Blush and bronzer: matte and mineral formulas.

Blushes and bronzers are great makeup tools to add dimension to your complexion and helps to accentuate features. Blush and bronzer are an essential in your makeup bag, but as with other makeup products, it’s crucial to choose products that will not clog pores or cause irritation. Matte and powder blushes and bronzers are the better option for oily, acne-prone skin types as they offer a lasting finish and will help disguise the appearance of blemishes and acne on the skin. 

This Mineral Matte Blush comes in four buildable shades and offers a silky, smooth formula for a natural flush of colour. The skin smoothing matte texture deflects light away from imperfections and scarring for a smoother looking complexion. This mineral blush is perfect for oily and blemish-prone skins as it will not aggravate your complexion, instead it provides antioxidant protection through vitamins A, C and E. 

For bronzer, this Endless Summer Mineral Bronzer Duo comes with two shades so that you can customise your level of bronze all year round. This formula also has a matte finish with minerals that help to diffuse light to soften the appearance of acne and blemishes. This bronzer is non-comedogenic and is the perfect choice for acne-prone and sensitive skins that are look for a safe option. 

Makeup remover: oil based.

It’s a common misconception that acne-prone and oily skins should avoid oil-based cleansers, however, an oil-based cleanser is beneficial for these skin types. Reaching for an oil-based cleanser ensures all excess oil, sebum, makeup and sweat that has built up on the skin throughout the day is effortlessly removed. Acne-prone skins often reach for active cleansers that leave the skin feeling ‘squeaky clean’ as the skin has been stripped which causes the skin to produce more oil to compensate. Makeup needs to be removed properly at the end of the day, otherwise clogged pores and acne will arise. 

This natural and gentle Makeup Remover and Pre-Cleanser Oil is the perfect first cleanse to dissolve all traces of makeup, even waterproof mascara. Soybean oil, olive husk oil and aloe vera leaf extract has been formulated into this oil-based cleanser that leaves skin soft, nourished and hydrated. This antioxidant-rich makeup remover ensures makeup and oil build up is removed without clogging pores. After using this Makeup Remover and Pre-Cleanser Oil, follow with your favourite skincare cleanser for the ideal double-cleansing routine for perfectly clean skin. 

Removing all traces of makeup is essential for acne-prone skins. An oil based cleanser will remove oil and makeup buildup without clogging pores.