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Some people avoid wearing makeup daily because the products that make us feel and look beautiful are often blamed for acne breakouts and oily skin.
But this can be avoided by simply choosing the right products for our skin type.
And if you’re worried about acne breakouts and oily skin, don’t fret because more and more makeup products are now formulated to work for your needs.
And this is where non-comedogenic foundations shine.
“Non-comedogenic” might sound a bit too technical and maybe a little intimidating. But the great news is brands are making it easier for us by labeling foundations and other products that fit this category.
So keep reading to know the best non-comedogenic foundations for different skin types.
- 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
What Is a Non-Comedogenic Foundation?
“Non-comedogenic” comes from the word comedo, a type of pimple caused by clogged hair follicles (a.k.a. pores).
Simply put, a non-comedogenic foundation — or any skincare and makeup product labeled non-comedogenic — is formulated without components that clog the pores.
The overproduction of oil and sebum in the skin tends to block the pores. So the common understanding is that a non-comedogenic foundation should have an oil-free formula.
While non-comedogenic foundations without oil-based ingredients are some of the best options, it’s also worth noting that some oils are less likely to clog pores.
Meanwhile, keeping our pores clear also leads to an array of benefits apart from fighting acne and blemishes. Without pore blockages, the skin can absorb the helpful ingredients in the skincare products we use.
We can all agree that having clear pores is essential to skin care.
So even if your skin isn’t exactly prone to acne breakouts, you’ll still benefit from using non-comedogenic foundations formulated for dry skin and other concerns.
How to Shop for a Non-Comedogenic Foundation
The best non-comedogenic foundations are often clearly labeled. But there has yet to be a strict regulation regarding advertising makeup as non-comedogenic.
So if you’re set on using a non-comedogenic foundation, you’ll have to check the label and see if it doesn’t contain pore-clogging ingredients.
Sometimes, even common natural ingredients aren’t considered non-comedogenic.
If your skin is prone to acne breakouts and is naturally oily, you may want to avoid ingredients that have relatively higher comedogenic ratings.
The most popular ingredients that fall under this list are algae extract, coconut oil, coconut butter, avocado oil, and soybean oil.
Should You Avoid Foundations With Silicones?
Dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, and cyclomethicone are some of the most common silicones you’ll find in beauty product labels.
An easy way to identify silicones is to find ingredients with names ending in “-cone,” “-conol,” “-silane” or “-siloxane.”
Silicones are popular ingredients mainly due to their occlusive properties. They act as a barrier that can seal in moisture, create a smooth finish, and block out environmental pollutants.
The occlusive properties of silicones are also the reason why many try to avoid silicone-based products. There’s a common perception that its occlusive properties tend to clog pores, hence, cause breakouts.
You might think that non-comedogenic foundations shouldn’t contain silicones.
However, you’ll also find many silicone-based foundations labeled as non-comedogenic, including those we listed below. Here’s the likely explanation.
Experts say that silicones alone are not the culprit for clogged pores and acne breakouts.
Dermatologists have said that these adverse reactions are due to not properly cleansing your face or washing off makeup and skincare products with silicones.
When you apply silicone-based products on an uncleansed face, the occlusive properties of silicone will create a seal or barrier over the dirt, excess oils, and product buildup that were already there.
These trapped impurities are what cause acne.
Similarly, if you don’t thoroughly wash silicone-based products off, you will only add to the buildup.
So unless you’re allergic to silicones, experts don’t necessarily advise against using silicone-based products. But you’ll have to be attentive to your skincare routine and properly cleanse your face to avoid breakouts.
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 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 safe for common allergies and sensitive skin. It also passed dermatologist standards, so it’s proven suitable for all skin types.
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’s easy to blend and will give you a healthy glow.
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation can provide full coverage, but it’s also buildable to give you more options for the look you want.
It’s vegan, provides SPF 25 protection, is sweatproof, and is waterproof. 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.
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.
With prebiotics, this foundation 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.
It also has aloe vera that’s proven to soothe inflamed skin from flare-ups and acne breakouts while keeping it hydrated.
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 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.
Best Non-Comedogenic Foundations for Dry Skin
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
If dry skin is a constant concern, invest in this foundation for immensely moisturizing ingredients.
Glycerin is one of the best ingredients you’d want to see in skincare and makeup products if your goal is to keep your skin moisturized.
And that happens to be one of the key ingredients in the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation.
Keeping your skin hydrated all day is its biggest promise. But this non-comedogenic foundation is also packed with antioxidants to keep cell-damaging free radicals at bay.
And if you’re also worried about discoloration and uneven skin tone, this product has turmeric extract and vitamin C to address those issues too!
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 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.
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.
Hyaluronic acid is known to help the skin stay hydrated even after use. And sometimes the bigger issue with dry skin is that it doesn’t retain moisture well.
So if you can relate to this, you’ll benefit from products that have hyaluronic acid like this makeup tint.
The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint is easy to blend so you can build coverage and achieve an even complexion.
If you’re aiming for a natural look, 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 matte finish, works great on oily skin, and stays on for hours. It’s a reliable product that won’t ruin your budget!
And 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 mineral-based ingredients but doesn’t have fillers, talc, and harmful chemicals!
bareMinerals Original Foundation’s formula is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested. Translation: it works for all skin types!
It’s formulated to easily build from sheer to full coverage and there are up to 30 shades to find the best one that matches your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Non-Comedogenic Mean?
A makeup or skincare product is labeled non-comedogenic if it is formulated to prevent clogging the pores.
Due to this characteristic, non-comedogenic foundations and other products are often the best options for people with oily or acne-prone skin.
But people with dry skin can also benefit from using non-comedogenic foundations because they help avoid blocking the pores, allowing the skin to fully absorb the hydrating and nourishing ingredients from the products we use.
How Do I Know if a Foundation Is Non-Comedogenic?
The easiest way to identify a non-comedogenic foundation is 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.
Are Non-Comedogenic Foundations Good for Oily Skin?
Yes! The primary benefit of non-comedogenic foundations is they won’t clog your pores, reducing the chances of comedones and acne.
Many of them have oil-free formulas designed to control shine too, which helps regulate your skin’s oil production.
Should Normal, Dry, and Combination Skin Types Use Non-Comedogenic Foundations?
Yes. While non-comedogenic formulas commonly target acne-prone and oily skin types, many non-comedogenic foundations are also formulated with ingredients that target other skin concerns.
Some of the best non-comedogenic foundations are packed with hydrating ingredients, have SPF, reduce blemishes, and even the skin tone. And without components that tend to clog the pores, your skin can better absorb these amazing nourishing ingredients.
Why Choose Non-Comedogenic Foundations
We’re fortunate that the development of cosmetic products has evolved to a point where even the makeup we use is formulated to work on various skin types.
And many cosmetic products now feature ingredients that make them function as an extension of our skincare regimen.
So if you’re constantly bothered by blackheads, whiteheads, and acne breakouts, you no longer have to limit yourself when it comes to using makeup.
With the right product, like non-comedogenic foundations, even oily and acne-prone skin types can enjoy wearing makeup every day.
And thanks to non-comedogenic foundations formulated for different skin types, you’ll undoubtedly find something that matches your needs!
