It’s hard enough dealing with acne, but finding a foundation that covers your pimples AND won’t break you out further can feel impossible. Choose the wrong formula and a few spots can quickly turn into a cluster of painful pimples. But how do you choose a formula that won’t make acne-prone skin worse?
Well, we’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up three of the best drugstore foundations for acne-prone skin. And the best part? They’re all under $35!
Flower Light Illusion Liquid Foundation
We say:
This medium coverage foundation from Drew Barrymore’s makeup line, Flower Beauty, leaves the skin looking soft and airbrushed without triggering flareups or breakouts.
$13.99, Chemist Warehouse
Nude by Nature Luminous Sheer Liquid Foundation
We say:
Built with skin-loving natural Australian ingredients like Kakadu plum paired with vitamins and antioxidants, this sheer formula will keep acne-prone skin glowing, dewy and clear.
You say:
“The foundation is in a stylish tinted glass bottle with a rose gold top and using a pump. The foundation is liquid and is a good consistency when i pumped it out onto the back of my hand for application. Using my finger, i dabbed the foundation around my face after using primer and used the nude by nature buffing brush to blend it in.” – Ashmaree93
Read Nude by Nature Luminous Sheer Liquid Foundation reviews here…
$36.39, Chemist Warehouse
Maybelline New York FITme Matte + Poreless Foundation
We say: A mattifying foundation that reduces the appearance of pores and controls excess shine. It’s formulated with micro-powders to absorb oil and blur technology for an airbrushed finish.
You say: “This foundation is so easy to apply. It is a medium coverage foundation that is able to be built to fuller coverage. The formula is great and my face does not break out or becomes irritated. I find that it lasts all day. I personally find that it applies best with a damp beauty blender. It does not streak or end up blotchy. For what you pay this I a great everyday foundation.” – Jamz
Read more Maybelline New York FIT me! Matte + Poreless Foundation reviews here…
$14.99, Chemist Warehouse
Revlon ColorStay™ Makeup with Time Release – Combination/Oily
We say: This long-wear foundation is designed with time release technology to help minimise touch-ups for 24-hours. It contains SPF 15 and comes with a pump dispense for easy application.
You say: “I can not believe how much I enjoy this foundation. It lasts so well and has a beautiful coverage. I would describe it as medium to full, rather than full, but I’m sure you could build it up to full coverage if that was your preference. I have been choosing this foundation over all of my high end foundations and I plan on buying this is more shades, to match when I’m tanned.” – AJ00001
Read more Revlon ColorStay 24 Hour Longwear Makeup reviews here…
$28, Chemist Warehouse
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Foundation
We say: A sweat-proof, water-proof and steam-proof foundation that delivers full, matte coverage for up to 24 hours. The formula contains Amphiphobic Star-shaped polymers to product skin from oil and sweat while maintaining coverage.
You say: “This is one of the best foundations I have ever used, I use it over a pore filling primer and it does NOT budge all day and all night. At first when recommended to me by a friend I was hesitant as I usually love using my M.A.C Studio Fix foundation and I wasn’t convinced something at the drugstore could rival that, but I was wrong for sure. This foundation costs half the price and has better coverage, doesn’t crease and eliminates the need for me to blot oil and do touch ups throughout the day.” – em_k
Read more L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Foundation reviews here…
$29.95, Adore Beauty
Main image credit: @summerfridays
Have you tried any of these drugstore foundations? What’s your favourite foundation?
Not a crazy fan of any of them tbh. Maybelline is okay not too bad for my skin
Maybellin is always a good price too.
I think I've tried Infallible but I don't use it very much.
I've marked Benjamin1123 2 posts below as spam.
Love the fit me foundations
Yeah they are good!! 🙂
Yeah I’ve tried a few of these. Not my faves tbh.
I want the NBN one. Need it in my collection.
some great products for oily skin! Great for what I used to be more like
I’ve tried most of the foundations on this list
which did you like ?
My daughter has success with Nude by Nature.
Did try NBN. But not really suitable for my skin.
I really want to try the Light Illusion one as I love both Drew Barrymore and her Flower Beauty line!
The prices are really good and some nice products. I like Revlon but also like the sound of L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte
Drug Store? Why not use the word Pharmacy or Chemist, we are Australian.
I hate the term drug store, too!
Totally agree!
It’s always been called that. I don’t see how it matters.
I think powders are better than liquid foundations.
I don’t have a drugstore favourite. I’d need one for dry skin
I’ve tried Flower Illusion. While the coverage is great the transfer is horrendous!
Never tried them, I’m not really into foundation though.
Drugstore?! Chemist, pharmacy!
I used Nude by Nature foundation, its coverage is really low.
Thank you for recommending affordable options!
I’m not a big fan of most foundations but this is a good article for those times that I splash out and buy some
I love Nude by Nature!!
I find BB creams are really good and if a bit heavy i mix with a little moisturizer to thin out
Received the NBN one a while ago as part of a BH trial but it was too dark for my skin tone.
Using a maybelline one at the moment.
I love the Maybelline Fit Me foundation from drugstore makeup, but I like the dewy version as I have dry skin. I recently tried the Milani Conceal and Perfect and its quite good as well.
I have used some of these and not really a fan. I like the Revlon Photoready Candid Glow and still use it some days.
Some great chemist options!
Good to have options. It’s hard to find a great foundation.
I’ve been content not wearing foundation lately
If you’re an adult and you’ve suffered from “adult acne” you know how annoying it is. I’ve struggled with acne most of my adult life and the best way to treat and maintain a “acne free” face is by following a consistent regimen with great products! I’ve been using DermalMD Acne Serum in my PM routine and the results are amazing! After each use my skin feels so smooth and clean and the best part is that my acne is under control!
I love NbN mineral powder, but I haven’t tried their liquid version.
I like the Flower foundation.
All too orange or yellow on me.