Acne is one of those skin concerns that almost never leave you—there are puberty breakouts, mid-20s bumps owing to an unhealthy lifestyle and hormonal imbalances, adult acne and the spots sprouting up during menopause. While some of these are life-related factors that can cause your skin to break out, you need to take extra care in your regular beauty routine if you’re prone to acne. For example, your makeup can clog your pores and leave bumps too. No, this doesn’t mean you need to ditch makeup altogether. There’s a whole category of products made specially for sensitive and acne-prone skin, which come with medicated properties to decrease sebum production and reduce acne.
While looking out for makeup products with ingredients like tea tree extracts, salicylic acid or AHAs is beneficial for your skin, another set that is almost fail-safe for acne-prone skin is mineral makeup. These powder formulas are non-comedogenic and will safeguard your skin against makeup-related breakouts. When suffering from skin irritation and acne, be mindful of any full coverage formulas—they can be oil-based, which can further lead to bumps. And if you’re choosing makeup that is not specifically created for acne-prone skin, ensure that you pick water-based or mattifying formulas (the latter should ideally comes with some form of a hydrating ingredient as well). Scroll ahead for our edit of the best makeup products you can safely use on sensitive, acne-prone skin.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Minerals Skin-Improving Foundation
This natural finish mineral powder foundation comes with zinc and clay to keep the extra gunk from appearing on your skin, while giving it an even-toned look. It also contains sea minerals that sooth your skin and tighten pores, keeping the acne away.
Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup
A foundation that comes infused with salicylic acid, keeps redness away and stays on for eight hours? Yes, please! If you were looking for acne treatment that also gave you flawless skin with a little bit of blending, this is it.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Powder
The formula for this skin finishing powder was created with the expertise of plastic surgeons to help minimise the appearance of acne bumps, fine lines and wrinkles when used by itself or over concealer. Ingredients like peptides and collagen look after your anti-ageing requirements. These are combined with anti-acne ingredients—like kaolin clay, zinc oxide, witch hazel, colloidal oatmeal, sulphur, tea tree and colloidal oatmeal—to leave you with a potent makeup and skincare hybrid.
Natio Mineral Loose Foundation
Acne can often make your skin feel tight and dry as well, and this medium to full coverage powder foundation looks after that. It’s infused with clarifying green tea and soothing Vitamin E and jojoba to nourish your skin while providing it with a semi-matte, radiant look.
Etude House Dear Darling Water Gel Tint
Worried your powder blush could be harbouring bacteria and aggravate your cheeks? Try this water-based tint instead for a flush on your apples and on your lips for a soft, monochrome look.
Tarte Shape Tape Matte Foundation
Got an important event coming up and need to put your best face forward? We hear you. Invest in this lightweight, full coverage foundation that gives you an airbrushed, matte look while keeping excess oil at bay and refining the look of your pores. The Vitamin E will ensure your skin doesn’t feel suffocated either.
Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment
It’s always better to safeguard your skin instead of covering up blemishes later. This salicylic acid and fruit AHA-based primer treats existing blemishes, prevents new ones, chemically exfoliates for a fresh glow, and prepares your skin for makeup—doing much more than you would expect from a regular primer.
BareMinerals Rose Radiance Loose Highlighting Powder
A gold standard in makeup for sensitive and acne-prone skin, you know pore clogging will not be a concern when you’re using mineral makeup. This universal rose-hued shimmer works as a blush and highlighter for days when your skin needs a little bit extra, without the stress of aggravating any breakouts on your face.
Also read:
These 5 common skincare mistakes are making your acne worse
All the skincare products and treatments you can use to treat acne scars
This is when you’re most likely to get a pimple according to your cycle
