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Do you avoid wearing makeup daily because the products that make you feel and look beautiful cause acne breakouts?
Don’t fret. There are now makeup products formulated to help you achieve a glamorous look without clogging up your pores and leading to pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.
These include non-comedogenic foundations!
To help you select the right products, check out our list of the nine best non-comedogenic foundations on the market. All these can give you a smooth, flawless base while keeping your skin clear and healthy!
- Creamy formula without a cakey finish
- Active ingredients to fight acne breakouts
- Soothes skin inflammation
- Can stay on for up to 24 hours
- Provides buildable medium-to-full coverage
- Has SPF 25
- Has powerful, moisturizing ingredients
- Protects the skin from free radicals
- Treats discoloration and uneven skin tone
Table of Contents
- 1 9 Best Non-Comedogenic Foundations for All Skin Types
- 2 Best Full Coverage Non-Comedogenic Foundations
- 3 Best Non-Comedogenic Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin
- 4 Best Oil-Free Non-Comedogenic Foundation
- 5 Best Non-Comedogenic Foundation for Dry Skin
- 6 Best Non-Comedogenic Foundation for Oily Skin
- 7 Best Non-Comedogenic Powder Foundation
- 8 What Is a Non-Comedogenic Foundation?
- 9 How To Shop for the Best Non-Comedogenic Foundation
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions
- 11 Make the Switch to Non-Comedogenic Foundations Now!
9 Best Non-Comedogenic Foundations for All Skin Types
Now you can start using products without pore-clogging formulas!
We’ve gathered a list of the best non-comedogenic foundations suitable for various skin types and skincare needs.
Best Full Coverage Non-Comedogenic Foundations
If it’s full coverage you want without pore-clogging ingredients, this is the foundation for you!
Key benefits: Instant full coverage without a cakey finish; oil-free formula; up to 16-hour transfer-resistant wear
Features:
- Silica helps control oil
- Lightweight formula
- Squeeze dropper to avoid wasting any product
Thanks to this foundation, creating a natural look with full coverage is made easier than ever.
Sometimes less is more. And with only 10 ingredients, this straightforward and non-comedogenic foundation will give you peace of mind that you’re applying only what your face needs to achieve a natural finish.
Dermablend also included “high-performance pigments” in this foundation to easily achieve full coverage.
It’s been tested and proven safe for common allergies and sensitive skin, so it’s suitable for all skin types. It also passed the standards of board-certified dermatologists.
A foundation that lasts up to 24 hours but won’t clog your pores? Yes, please!
Key benefits: Long-wear formula; has sunscreen properties; delivers a natural matte finish
Features:
- SPF 25 for added protection from sun damage
- Available in 40 shades
- Isododecane moisturizes the skin without feeling greasy
It’s dermatologically tested and formulated to work for all skin types.
You can wear this foundation for up to 24 hours with minimal to no touch-ups, but it’s also formulated to be lightweight and breathable. That means it gives you long-lasting but comfortable wear.
It’s also easy to blend, and it will give you a healthy glow.
In addition, the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation can provide full coverage, but its buildable formula also gives you more options for the look you want.
Plus, it’s vegan and waterproof with SPF 25 protection. So it’s easily one of the best foundations with a non-comedogenic formula!
Best Non-Comedogenic Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin
It's the ultimate foundation for acne-prone skin that fights breakouts and keeps the skin healthy.
Key benefits: Fights acne breakouts to keep the skin healthy; creamy and non-cakey long-wear formula; fragrance-free and hypoallergenic
Features:
- Prebiotics for added skin-protecting barrier
- Salicylic acid as a powerhouse acne-fighting ingredient
- Aloe vera to calm and soothe the skin
With this foundation, you avoid comedogenic ingredients and harsh components like parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde.
The Almay Clear Complexion Foundation’s power ingredient is its 1% salicylic acid content, and that’s just what you want from your foundation if your skin is acne-prone.
Its lightweight, non-comedogenic formula conceals blemishes without clogging your pores or triggering flare-ups and acne. And with a soft matte finish, it keeps you looking flawless and shine-free all day!
Additionally, it’s packed with prebiotics, so it provides another layer of protection from environmental pollutants and other makeup products. So you’re increasing your chances of maintaining healthy skin at the same time.
Best Oil-Free Non-Comedogenic Foundation
Reinforce your acne treatment with this oil-free, non-comedogenic foundation.
Key benefits: Fast-acting formula to aid acne treatment; reduces blemishes
Features:
- Salicylic acid as active ingredient to remove dead cells and treat acne
- Neutrogena’s MicroClear Technology dissolves oil and sebum
- Hypoallergenic for sensitive skin
Thanks to this foundation, you don’t have to worry about your makeup messing with your skincare routine!
This non-comedogenic Neutrogena foundation will complement your skincare regimen to treat acne problems.
Its formulation is crafted with the brand’s proprietary MicroClear Technology. Along with salicylic acid as an active ingredient, it’s meant to reduce blemishes and prevent further breakouts.
You’re getting all that while wearing a foundation that provides breathable, natural coverage that controls shine to avoid oily patches throughout the day.
Bring back moisture and radiance to your skin with this gem of a product from NARS!
Key benefits: Keeps skin hydrated all day, makes the skin softer and smoother; oil-free formula
Features:
- Glycerin with humectant properties to help retain moisture
- Vitamin C brightens the skin and reduces discoloration
- Turmeric extract evens the skin tone
Invest in this foundation for a skin-loving formula!
Oil-free is one of the labels you’d want to see in skincare and makeup products if your goal is to keep your skin healthy and acne-free.
And that happens to be one of the labels of the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, which is also non-comedogenic. This means it’s completely free of any ingredients that can cause pore clogging.
Its mattifying formula also absorbs oil and keeps excess shine under control.
And if you’re worried about discoloration, this product has you covered. Its sheer coverage gives you a clearer, more even complexion with a smooth, natural-looking finish.
What’s more, it works to brighten your skin with regular use, thanks to the turmeric extract and vitamin C derivative in its formula!
Off to a special occasion where you expect to be photographed? Here’s the perfect foundation for you!
Key benefits: Oil-free formula; has a hydrating effect; no-flashback finish
Features:
- Coconut water naturally replenishes lost moisture
- Alpine rose has rejuvenating and anti-aging properties
- Hyaluronic acid minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
One of the best non-comedogenic foundations with full coverage, thanks to its buildable formula!
Many makeup products claim to provide up to full coverage, but not all can deliver like this oil-free and non-comedogenic foundation from Too Faced.
It’s buildable and proven not to have any flashback, so you’ll only get a flawless natural finish, as if the foundation became one with your skin!
Thanks to its high-quality ingredients, you’ll also reap healthy skin benefits to keep your skin nourished, smooth, and hydrated.
And, yes, it’s labeled non-comedogenic, so you won’t have to worry about clogging your pores even with frequent full-coverage use.
Best Non-Comedogenic Foundation for Dry Skin
Not only does this foundation rehydrate the skin, it also prevents dryness throughout the day.
Key benefits: Hydrates skin, prevents skin dryness for up to 24 hours; available in 10 easy-to-blend shades
Features:
- Hyaluronic acid promotes moisture retention
- Oil-free ingredients
- Lightweight water gel formula
Now you can wear foundation every day without worrying about dry skin!
Looking for a makeup tint that provides enough coverage to be used as a foundation while addressing dry skin concerns? Then you’ll likely fall in love with this one from Neutrogena.
It contains hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture and stay hydrated all day.
The product is also easy to blend, so you can build coverage effortlessly and achieve an even complexion. It also conceals dry patches and lends a dewy glow to your skin.
And if you’re aiming for a natural look, good news: this foundation is formulated to be lightweight on the skin and perfect for everyday use.
Best Non-Comedogenic Foundation for Oily Skin
This foundation is truly an excellent bang for your buck with a flawless matte finish to hide oily skin patches!
Key benefits: Medium coverage that stays for up to 12 hours; buildable formula; delivers all-day smooth and natural finish
Features:
- Cyclohexasiloxane enhances the skin barrier
- Oil-free formula
- Pore-minimizing effect
With a long-wear and shine-control formula, this foundation got you covered for the most part of the day.
There are several reasons why this is one of the best-selling foundations from Maybelline: it delivers a flawless finish for a poreless look, mattifies oily skin, and stays on for hours.
And it’s a reliable, affordable product that won’t hurt your budget!
Plus, you’ll quickly find something that matches your skin tone because it comes in as many as 40 shades.
Best Non-Comedogenic Powder Foundation
A staple makeup product and the go-to powder foundation for many beauty enthusiasts!
Key benefits: Longer wear and natural finish; doesn’t contain talc; blurs imperfections
Features:
- Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for protection from UVA and UVB rays
- Bismuth oxychloride for a luminous, hydrated finish
- Iron oxides provide mineral-based pigment for natural-looking coverage
It’s been a crowd favorite for so long, thanks to its skincare benefits and flawless, natural finish.
Searching for a non-comedogenic foundation in powder form can be quite tedious.
So we have BareMinerals to thank for its original loose powder foundation. It has no fillers or talc that can clog up your pores!
Also, it’s formulated to easily build from sheer to full coverage, and there are up to 30 shades to help you find the best one that matches your skin.
The BareMinerals Original Foundation is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested. Translation: it works for all skin types!
What Is a Non-Comedogenic Foundation?
Simply put, a non-comedogenic foundation — or any skincare and makeup product labeled non-comedogenic — is formulated without ingredients or components that clog the pores.
So it prevents pore congestion that can lead to different types of acne, such as pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. This is why it’s primarily beneficial for those with oily and acne-prone skin.
However, those with dry skin can also benefit from using a non-comedogenic foundation.
Because it keeps the pores clear, it allows the moisturizing ingredients in your makeup and skincare products to be better absorbed by the skin.
How To Shop for the Best Non-Comedogenic Foundation
Confirm If It’s Non-Comedogenic
You can tell if a foundation is non-comedogenic by checking the label. With the benefits of non-comedogenic formulas becoming more popular, more brands are adding the “non-comedogenic” tag to labels of products that fit the category.
However, take note that the FDA has no strict regulations about advertising makeup as non-comedogenic.
So you may also have to check the ingredient list of your foundation to verify if it has no pore-clogging ingredients. If it does have a few comedogenic ingredients, make sure they’re not among the first seven on the list, which are the most dominant ingredients in the formula.
Some common comedogenic ingredients in a foundation include the following:
- Beeswax
- Laureth-4
- Stearic acid
- Avocado oil
- Coconut oil
- Lanolin
- Cocoa butter
Quick Tip
Run the ingredients of your foundation through a free online checker like the Pore Clogger Checker to see if any are comedogenic.
Select Formulas Based on Your Skin Type
Aside from checking whether the product you choose is non-comedogenic, look for features and ingredients that suit your skin type.
Here’s a quick guide to the recommendations for different skin types to help you make the right choice:
| Skin Type | Foundation Type | Formula | Coverage | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Skin | Liquid foundation | Hydrating formula with ingredients like hyaluronic acid | Light to medium | Dewy or dewy |
| Oily Skin | Powder or oil-free liquid foundation | Mattifying formula with ingredients like salicylic acid | Medium to full | Matte |
| Combination Skin | Lightweight and oil-free liquid foundation | Mattifying and non-drying formula with ingredients like glycerin | Light to medium | Matte |
| Sensitive Skin | Hypoallergic and/or fragrance-free foundation | Gentle formula with soothing ingredients like aloe | Light to medium | Natural |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Non-Comedogenic and Oil-Free the Same?
No, not all non-comedogenic foundations are oil-free. Some contain oils that are less likely to clog pores, such as jojoba, argan, and sunflower seed oils.
Should You Avoid Foundations With Silicones To Avoid Clogged Pores?
No. In fact, many non-comedogenic foundations are silicone-based.
Contrary to popular belief, silicones (such as dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, or cyclomethicone) themselves don’t clog the pores, so they’re not the culprit behind acne breakouts.
However, silicones have occlusive properties that can trap excess dirt, oil, and product residue already on the skin and seal them into the pores, which can cause acne.
So the best way to avoid this is by making sure you apply your silicone-based and non-comedogenic foundation to a properly cleansed face, preventing the silicones in the product from trapping pore-clogging substances.
Quick Tip
Remember to wash off your silicone-based foundation properly at the end of the day with micellar water or any powerful cleanser. This will help prevent silicones from building up on your skin.
Make the Switch to Non-Comedogenic Foundations Now!
Thanks to non-comedogenic foundations, makeup lovers with oily and acne-prone skin types can finally enjoy wearing makeup every day.
Just pick the best non-comedogenic foundation for your needs and preferences, and you can flaunt a smooth, even, and radiant complexion anytime, anywhere!
