11 Best Non

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Dermatologists and celebrity makeup artists share their top picks.

We’ve heard the saying time and time again: A makeup look is only as good as the skin prep underneath. However, sometimes when breakouts emerge, all signs can point to the products in our makeup routine, specifically our foundations. Many of these foundation formulas contain pore-clogging ingredients that can wreak more havoc on our skin than any good. Look closely at your foundation’s labels and you'll see a term you might not be immediately familiar with: non-comedogenic.

“Non-comedogenic means not pore-clogging. Comedogenic products are more likely to lead to pore congestion and acne breakouts,” says Dr. Blair Murphy Rose, MD, FAAD, NYC-based board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surg Center of NY. When you’re using comedogenic foundations, especially when wearing them for hours at a time, the skin is more prone to “problems like acne, blackheads, whiteheads, bumpiness, and other unwanted skin texture,” J Guerra, NYC- and LA-based celebrity makeup artist adds. “Comedones are pores or hair follicles that have gotten blocked with bacteria, oil, dead skin cells, or even components from your makeup, to form a bump on your skin. These comedones can eventually turn into acne.”

The hunt for the best non-comedogenic foundations begins now. Luckily, we did all the work to make your search quicker than popping a pimple (don't do it!). We polled experts and reviewed customer feedback to find the 10 best non-comedogenic foundations for better-looking skin with and without makeup.

Instead of making your breakouts worst by packing on formulas that do more damage than good, consider switching to Neutrogena’s SkinClearing foundation, which fuses skincare properties with makeup. Salicylic acid is the star ingredient in this makeup, a tried-and-true solution for keeping breakouts at bay. Your skin will look good, and breakouts even better.

Size: 1 fl oz

Key ingredient: Salicylic acid

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “Great for sensitive skin! Matches skin tone perfectly, and does not clog pores.”

Even the most acne-prone skin needs hydration. Catrice Cosmetics’ fan-favorite foundation is built around hyaluronic acid to impart a healthy dose of moisture while keeping your makeup in place for hours.

Size: 1 fl oz

Key ingredient: Hyaluronic acid

Catrice Cosmetics rating: 4.4/5 stars

Our expert says: “Yes, even acne-prone and oily skin needs hydration throughout the day. It’s a fallacy that only drier skin types need that kind of ingredient. I find when oily skin isn’t hydrated properly, the skin will try to overcompensate and produces even more oil. For this reason, I love Catrice’s True Skin Foundation. It’s non-comedogenic and is formulated without gluten, parabens, acetone, preservatives, and lactose, making it great for acne-prone and sensitive skin types. This foundation will not clog your pores and will keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.” — Emily Gray, celebrity makeup artist

There’s so much good packed inside Haus Labs' cult-favorite foundation that you'll be hard-pressed to find someone who is’ 't a die-hard fan of its formula. Created with over 20 skin-loving ingredients, including fermented arnica, this foundation soothes skin, reduces redness, and improves skin elasticity all while giving you a photo-ready finish.

Size: 1 fl oz

Key ingredients: Fermented arnica, antioxidants

Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “I never apply foundation with my hands and fingers, but it’s the only way I apply Haus Labs. This feels like serum and is so lightweight on your face and blends effortlessly, while giving you the perfect amount of coverage. I arrived at an event to get my makeup done wearing this and the makeup artist didn’t want to take off my makeup to put on the foundation from a different brand because that’s how good this looks! I’m a big foundation girlie and this formula is undoubtedly the best on the market.” — Danielle James, Beauty Director ELLE.com

If you’re looking to expand your sun protection collection, add the Kosas Revealer foundation to your lineup. Formulated with SPF 25, this foundation makes your skin look refreshed and smooth on the surface, as niacinamide, arnica, hyaluronic acid, and more offer treatment underneath.

Size: 1 fl oz

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, caffeine

Sephora rating: 4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “Best foundation ever. Colors are great. A little goes a long way and looks just as good in the evening as it does when I put it on first thing in the morning. Worth every penny.”

As the name suggests, Charlotte Tilbury’s magical hands created a foundation that delivers a your-skin-but-better finish that looks just as good IRL as it does online. Thanks to hyaluronic acid, the foundation leaves your skin looking plump and brighter.

Size: 1 fl oz

Key ingredient: Hyaluronic acid

Nordstrom rating: 4.4/5 stars

Our expert says: “This foundation incorporates hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin and boost moisture as well as a rose complex to help brighten the skin. It provides long-lasting coverage in addition to ingredients that also help to decrease the appearance of oiliness and reduce the look of pores, strengthen the skin barrier, improve overall dryness and dullness as well as using Defence helps to protect against pollutants.” — Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, NYC-based board-certified dermatologist

A skin tint with SPF and a lightweight finish is a tall order but Ilia delivers that and then some. Not only does the tint come in 30 shades, but it’s also chock-full of ingredients your skin will love, from hyaluronic acid to squalane.

Size: 1 fl oz

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalane

Nordstrom rating: 3.8/5 stars

Our expert says: This lightweight serum provides broad-spectrum SPF 40 coverage using zinc oxide, as well as a blend of hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide to help hydrate and soothe the skin. It also comes in so many shades, making it easy to find a shade that matches your skin tone. This product is gluten-free and free of silicones, fragrance, chemical sunscreen filters and is oil-free so won’t clog pores, making it a good option for all skin types.” — Dr. Garshick

With a high dose of SPF 50, this CC cream by IT Cosmetics coats your skin with nourishing niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and smooth any harsh lines or blemishes.

Size: 1.08 fl oz

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

Our expert says: “This foundation incorporates a blend of hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, vitamin E and B5 making it good for all skin types, but especially those with dry skin. It helps to deliver long-lasting hydrating while providing buildable coverage, improving the overall complexion without clogging the pores.”— Dr. Garshick

Clinique’s Acne Solutions foundation stops breakouts from worsening with the help of salicylic acid. In this oil-free formula, the acne-fighting ingredient unclogs pores to prevent future blemishes.

Size: 1 fl oz

Key ingredient: Salicylic acid

Our expert says: “For someone who is particularly oily, it can help to incorporate makeup with a small amount of salicylic acid to help reduce oil and unclog the pores, such as this one from Clinique. It also provides coverage for blemishes and helps to reduce redness, which is particularly helpful for those with acne or acne marks.” — Dr. Garshick

You don’t have to skimp on the dew to protect your skin from breakouts, especially when Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation exists. The lightweight formula imparts a natural, non-greasy radiance that can be built up to your liking without weight you down.

Size: 1 fl oz

Key ingredients: Micro–fil technology

Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars

Our expert says: ““I love Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk it is oil-free and seems to behave well on acne-prone skin while providing nice natural coverage in many skin tones. But be aware it does contain dimethicone.” — Dr. Blair Murphy Rose, MD, FAAD, NY-based board-certified dermatologist

Control shine and excess oil by opting for a powder foundation. This version from Wander Beauty smooths and blurs while simultaneously conditioning the skin with nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf, and plant extracts.

Size: 0.31 fl oz

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf, safflower and hibiscus extracts

Wander Beauty rating: 4.6/5 stars

Our expert says: “The Wanderlust Powder Foundation is particularly useful for someone with sensitive skin as it delivers a natural matte-finish without drying out the skin as it starts as a liquid that gets transformed into a powder. It is free of mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance while also being gluten-free and vegan-friendly. It helps to absorb excess oil, while also improving the appearance of redness, discoloration, and melasma. It is lightweight and contains hyaluronic acid and aloe so it is both hydrating and soothing. Additionally, it is free of synthetic fragrance, phthalates, parabens, and mineral oil and won’t clog the pores.”— Dr. Garshick

Founded by former Wilhelmina model and commercial makeup artist, Kim Baker, Glamazon Beauty’s foundation stick has a creamy, hydrating formula that was created for the girl on the go. The stick makes it easy for you to throw it in your bag. Suffering from sensitive skin, Baker created a vegan formula with sodium hyaluronate and botanical extracts to leave your skin feeling hydrated and smoother.

Shop HQ rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “I’ve used this foundation for a few years and it’s my go-to foundation when I travel as the stick makes it so easy to drop into my makeup bag or purse. Unlike other stick foundations, this is a buildable, creamy formula that can be lightweight, medium, or heavy coverage. Start by applying lightly for the best results.” — Danielle James

When it comes to pore-clogging ingredients, heavy formulas tend to be the main culprit for causing acne. “In general, non-comedogenic foundations tend to be lightweight formulations that won’t clog the pores. Heavy oils, such as coconut oil, and emollients may be more likely to clog pores,” Dr. Garshick notes.

J Guerra adds that scanning the ingredient list on all your products can help you determine which elements could be heavier than the others. “Ingredients in makeup products are listed in descending order, starting with the highest concentration down to the least. The first ingredient is the most used, while the last is only present in the smallest amount. Keep this in mind when looking at foundations with ingredients that may be comedogenic. The higher on the ingredients list, the more of it is in the formulation, and the more likely it will be to cause skin issues,” he explains.

“A foundation is non-comedogenic if the ingredients included won’t clog the pores. Some ingredients that are not pore-clogging and may be found in foundations include hyaluronic acid, and squalane. Often mineral foundations, especially powdered formulas, won’t clog the pores and are good for those with oily skin. For those concerned about breakouts or oily skin, some foundations may also contain ingredients like salicylic acid, which help to unclog pores and reduce potential breakouts,” Dr. Garshick says.

Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Since joining ELLE.com in 2017, she has interviewed countless skincare professionals and has personally tested the latest and greatest products across makeup, skincare, and hair care.

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, an ELLE.com editor poured over dozen of reviews and consulted experts to find the best-rated non-comedogenic foundations.

Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.

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