Okay, so you've got acne-prone skin? Naturally, the first step in addressing breakouts is to establish an acne-friendly skincare routine—removing products containing pore-clogging ingredients, and replacing them with lightweight moisturisers, hardworking cleansers, and serums powered by ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide.
It can take up to three months for skincare to have an effect (especially when dealing with a stubborn concern like acne), but if you're still getting breakouts, it's important to keep in mind that there are a whole host of other factors that can affect our skin and contribute to acne.
From hormones and stress through to diet, lifestyle and hygiene habits, and of course, the other products that we apply to our skin, clearing acne can often take a full 360 approach. As an esthetician and someone who has lived with acne for the past 16 years, I know first-hand the impact that makeup can have upon skin—and how to deal with it.
Depending on their formulas, makeup products can contribute to breakouts, especially if they contain ingredients that might clog pores or cause irritation to acne-prone skin. Hygienic application techniques, like avoiding using your fingers and using clean brushes and sponges can make a massive difference. As will thorough makeup removal—I always recommend using a makeup remover first and then double cleansing skin with a flannel. No face wipes, and no sleeping in makeup are my golden rules.
To be even more on the safe side, it's a good idea to buy acne-friendly makeup products in the first place. These days, everything from primers and foundations to concealers and powders can be formulated to be non-comedogenic (not pore-clogging) and can even include active ingredients to help treat breakouts throughout the day.
Need to give the contents of your makeup bag an acne-friendly overhaul? Scroll down for my favourite tried-and-tested acne-friendly makeup products.
The Best Acne-Friendly Makeup Products:
- The Best Acne-Friendly Primer: Dr. Jart+ Pore Remedy Soothing Primer
- The Best Acne-Friendly Concealer: Erborian Super BB Concealer
- The Best Acne-Friendly Foundation: Merit The Minimalist
- The Best Acne-Friendly Powder: Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder
- The Best Acne-Friendly Setting Spray: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Makeup Setting Spray
The Best Acne-Friendly Primers:
Since makeup primer is applied to bare skin, it's important to find a formula that works well for acne-prone complexions. Many primers rely upon silicones to create a smooth base for makeup to apply to, but silicones can trap dirt and oil in pores, which can make acne worse. The best primers for acne-prone skin have lightweight textures, non-comedogenic formulas, and many contain active ingredients to help with breakouts.
This light gel formula is free from silicones and comedogenic ingredients, and instead draws upon an ingredient called panthenol to smooth and hydrate skin. Once applied, it blurs the appearnace of pores.
Thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and mushroom extract, this primer helps to hydrate and soothe acne prone skin, while also creating a perfect canvas for makeup application.
E.lf. is well known for its long-lasting but affordable makeup primers. This particular formula is boosted with tea tree oil and salicylic acid to help reduce existing breakouts.
The Best Acne-Friendly Concealers:
If you have acne-prone skin then a concealer is probably already a staple in your makeup bag. It's important to avoid brightening and lightening formulas which are usually designed for under-eyes, but can draw attention to spots. Look for light, hydrating formulas which can be layered up for coverage but won't cling to spots and dry patches.
This concealer is basically a serum which just so happens to have great coverage. 5% niacinamide, pigmentation-reducing ginseng extract, and SPF25 to protect from UV damage makes it an excellent choice for acne-prone skin types.
This formula melts from a balm into a light, silky solution, which is perfect for layering up to stealth conceal even the most obvious spots.
With a medium coverage and blendable formula, this option is ideal for concealing both active breakouts and scarring from previous ones.
The Best Acne-Friendly Foundations:
Finding a foundation that works for acne-prone skin can be a tough task. You'll want a formula with good enough coverage to conceal your breakouts and reduce redness, but at the same time, don't want anything that feels heavy or looks cakey on your skin. The trick is in opting for medium coverage formulas, which can be layered if needed, but won't appear too heavy in one application.
For a light, skin-like finish, I love this option. It won't completely conceal breakouts (even when layered), but it feels totally weightless, and helps to give skin a calm, even appearance. The crayon applicator also means it can double up as a concealer.
As well as offering brilliant coverage in a single application, this foundation is ideal for acne-prone skin as it contains redness-reducing fermented arnica extract.
Formulated for skin types prone to inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema, this foundation has great coverage, but still feels really lightweight on skin. It also contains ceravitae, an advanced complex which delivers oxygen to skin cells and encourages skin healing.
The Best Acne-Friendly Powders:
If you're acne-prone then chances are your skin is also prone to oiliness too, and may need powder to help mattify shiny patches throughout the day. Heavy powders can cling to breakouts and make them look more obvious, so light, silky formulas are best for acne-prone skin.
This has a buttery texture which blends easily even on textured skin, and feels truly weightless.
If you prefer a loose powder, opt for this one. It works hard to reduce excess oil and shine, but contains squalane to keep skin looking and feeling hydrated.
Perfect for on-the-go application, this invisible setting powder works for all skin tones and types.
The Best Acne-Friendly Setting Sprays:
An alternative to setting powders, setting sprays can offer a lighter, more hydrating approach to ensuring makeup longevity. If you like your makeup to appear fresh and glowy, these are my favourite picks.
Free from irritating and pore-clogging ingredients, this refreshing spray is instead boosted with soothers and hydrators like hyaluronic acid, cannabis seed extract, aloe, and niacinamide.
The addition of polyglutamic acid in this formula helps to prevent makeup from looking dry and cakey throughout the day.
This is a great option for those who prefer a matte finish—and again, the formula is free from irritating or pore-clogging ingredients.
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