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Are you tired of using makeup that worsens your acne? Finding the right makeup that doesn’t look like an oily mess can be a challenge. In this guide, I will provide you with a list of foundations, concealers, and other safe makeup products for oily and acne-prone skin.

Ingredients to Avoid for Oily Acne-Prone Skin

When buying makeup for oily skin, you should avoid ingredients that can make your skin even more oily or lead to breakouts.

  1. Heavy oils and oil-based ingredients, such as mineral oil, petrolatum, and coconut oil
  2. Alcohol
  3. Fragrances
  4. Synthetic dyes
  5. Lanolin
  6. Synthetic emollients like isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, and butyl stearate.

These ingredients can clog your pores, stimulate excess oil production, or irritate your skin, leading to more acne and breakouts. Instead, look for products that are labeled as “oil-free,” “non-comedogenic,” or “matte finish” to help control shine and reduce the likelihood of breakouts.

What to Look For if you have Oily Acne-Prone Skin

  1. Salicylic acid: This ingredient can help unclog pores and exfoliate the skin, reducing the appearance of acne and controlling oil production.
  2. Kaolin clay: This type of clay can help absorb excess oil and control shine.
  3. Niacinamide: This ingredient can help regulate oil production and reduce inflammation, making it a good choice for oily and acne-prone skin.
  4. Tea tree oil: This natural ingredient has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good choice for controlling acne breakouts.
  5. Zinc oxide: This mineral ingredient can help control oil production and reduce inflammation, making it a good choice for oily and acne-prone skin.

Products labeled as “oil-free,” “non-comedogenic,” or “matte finish” may also be good choices for oily skin, as they are specifically formulated to control shine and reduce the likelihood of breakouts.


The Best Makeup Products for Oily Acne-Prone Skin
Photo by Jhong Pascua on Pexels.com

Primer:

  1. Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Foundation Primer: This oil-free primer helps to control shine and minimize the appearance of pores. It provides a smooth base for makeup and helps to keep it in place all day.
  2. Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer: This lightweight, oil-free primer helps to minimize the appearance of pores and control shine. It provides a silky-smooth base for makeup and helps it to last all day.
  3. Cover FX Stress Remedy Primer: This primer is formulated with salicylic acid to help treat and prevent acne while controlling oil and shine. It provides a smooth, matte base for makeup and helps it to stay in place all day.
  4. NYX Professional Makeup Shine Killer Primer: This oil-free primer helps to control oil and shine while providing a smooth base for makeup. It helps makeup to stay in place all day and provides a matte finish.
  5. e.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer: This lightweight, non-greasy primer helps to minimize the appearance of pores and control shine. It provides a smooth, matte base for makeup and helps it to last all day.

Foundation:

  1. Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation: This long-wearing foundation is oil-free and provides a matte finish. It helps to control oil and shine, while also providing full coverage for acne-prone skin.
  2. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation: This affordable foundation provides a matte finish and helps to control oil and shine. It’s oil-free and provides buildable coverage for acne-prone skin.
  3. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation: This foundation is oil-free and provides a matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours. It helps to control oil and shine, while also providing full coverage for acne-prone skin.
  4. Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Makeup: This foundation is formulated with salicylic acid to help treat and prevent acne, while also providing a natural matte finish. It’s oil-free and provides buildable coverage for acne-prone skin.
  5. bareMinerals Matte Foundation: This mineral-based foundation provides a matte finish and helps to control oil and shine. It’s oil-free and provides buildable coverage for acne-prone skin.

Concealer:

  1. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer: This full-coverage concealer is oil-free and provides a matte finish. It’s formulated with shea butter and mango seed butter to help moisturize the skin while also providing coverage for acne-prone skin.
  2. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer: This affordable concealer is oil-free and provides a natural matte finish. It’s lightweight and provides buildable coverage for acne-prone skin.
  3. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer: This cult-favorite concealer provides medium to full coverage and is oil-free. It’s formulated with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and light-diffusing technology to help brighten and smooth the skin.
  4. L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer: This affordable concealer is oil-free and provides buildable coverage for acne-prone skin. It’s lightweight and provides a natural matte finish.
  5. Urban Decay Stay Naked Correcting Concealer: This long-wearing concealer is oil-free and provides full coverage for acne-prone skin. It’s formulated with peptides and a blend of litchi extract, green tea, and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and smooth the skin.

Setting Spray:

  1. Urban Decay All-Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray: This cult-favorite setting spray is known for its oil-absorbing properties and ability to keep makeup in place for up to 16 hours. It’s perfect for those with oily skin who want their makeup to last all day.
  2. NYX Professional Makeup Matte Finish Setting Spray: This lightweight, oil-free setting spray helps to mattify the skin and control oil while keeping makeup in place. It provides a matte finish that lasts all day.
  3. Milani Make It Last Matte Charcoal Setting Spray: This setting spray is infused with detoxifying charcoal to help absorb excess oil and impurities from the skin. It helps to keep makeup in place for up to 16 hours and provides a matte finish.
  4. e.l.f., Matte Magic Mist & Set Spray: This setting spray is formulated with aloe, green tea, cucumber, and vitamins A, C, and E to soothe and hydrate the skin while keeping makeup in place all day with a matte finish.
  5. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray: This setting spray helps to lock in makeup and control oil for up to 24 hours. It provides a natural-looking finish and is perfect for those with oily skin who want their makeup to last all day.

If you’ve been struggling with your makeup routine and find that your skin never looks quite right no matter what you do, it may be time to take a closer look at your skincare regimen. Incorporating hydrating products into your routine can help nourish your skin and improve the look of your makeup by reducing dryness and patchiness. To learn more about how to develop a skincare routine that works for your unique skin type, be sure to check out our article about creating a skincare routine.

Finding the right makeup for acne-prone skin can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. By using this guide, you can find affordable makeup products that are safe for your skin type and concerns. So, go ahead and get dolled up, even if you’re just staying at home. Remember, doing makeup can be therapeutic and calming and a great boost for self-confidence

Robyn Stha

Robyn is a software engineer with over 3 years of experience as a developer. Engineer by day, and blogger by night, she enjoys the little things in life like her morning coffee, trying out new recipes, and reading.

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