The 11 Best Foundations For Acne-Prone Skin And How To Use Them This Summer

Those experiencing acne will understand just how red and inflamed the complexion can be. This clever formula is powered by fermented arnica, which helps to soothe reactive skin and calm down redness. Formulated especially for sensitive types, it's also fragrance-free and contains hydrators such as squalane and sweet almond oil.

If your skin feels a little dry from your acne medication or skincare, or if you simply have blemish-prone but combination to dry skin type, this will keep the complexion feeling comfortably plush. The extensive shade range is impressive, and the buildable coverage wears beautifully through long hours without caking.

BareMinerals became the go-to make-up brand for acne-prone skin back in 1995 when it debuted the five-ingredient, Original Loose Powder foundation. Now, its latest Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation is set to be a modern classic. It has all the hallmarks of the original (which is still available, don't worry): ingredients that are kind on sensitive skin, buildable-to-full coverage, and a natural finish.

The key differences? This compact is much easier to apply on-the-go, doubles as a setting powder, has five extra shades, and contains built-in hydrators such as squalane and cocoa butter to keep the skin feeling soft and comfortable all day long. If you're someone with painful active spots, the patting motion of the powder application also feels a lot less abrasive on the skin.

In a Venn diagram of matte finishes and a radiant glow, this elegant formula sits comfortably in the middle. It offers a soft, diffused glow to enliven the complexion rather than a greasy shine so skin appears well-rested and healthy. The shade range is also excellent, especially for those with golden undertones and more mature complexions.

Guerlain's creative director of make-up Violette Serrat is the poster child for Parisian cool, so its no surprise that this foundation, despite it's buildable coverage, imparts the most natural-looking, clean-skin finish. The clever, self-setting formula negates any need for additional concealing or powder too. It is rather scented, so do bear that in mind if you're sensitive to fragrance.

Luminous Silk is a mainstay in many a make-up artist's arsenal for good reason: it truly delivers a naturally radiant, second skin effect that lasts for hours without suffocating the skin or settling into fine lines. The silky, fluid texture blends in easily with fingers or a brush, taking down redness and blurring out blemishes like a dream. The elegant formula is buildable, which makes this a great option for both weddings, special occasions and for everyday wear.

The clue is in the name. This ultra breathable foundation imparts a lit-from-within finish without leaving oily complexions looking greasy after hours of wear. It evens out discolouration and acne-scarring, stays put where you want it and refuses to accentuate uneven texture. For added skincare benefits, it also contains raspberry, apple and watermelon extracts to help smooth the skin over time.

Eagle-eyed Lisa Eldridge stans will know that the make-up artist often uses models of all skin tones and conditions on her YouTube channel. It comes as no surprise that her namesake foundation not only comes in 40 considered shades, it also has a natural finish that blurs out blemishes and blends seamlessly into skin. The buildable coverage leaves skin looking plush and healthy without sliding off throughout the day.

For a quick and easy, your-skin-on-a-great-day finish, add this stick to cart. Just scribble onto the area that needs most coverage and blend with fingertips or a buffing brush (Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush plays well with almost any foundation). In place of heavy oils and acne-triggering ingredients, the formula is packed with lightweight emollients to keep skin feeling comfortable throughout the day. Just make sure to open the cap in an upright position as the product has a habit of falling out otherwise.

The creamy consistency of Charlotte Tilbury's latest foundation blends in as seamlessly as a moisturiser. It delivers more than enough coverage to even out the complexion and sits comfortably on skin throughout the day. There are skincare benefits here too; the formula is loaded with apple fruit water to to keep skin feeling fresh and plump, without appearing greasy.

There's always space in our make-up stash for a foundation that offers buildable coverage along with skincare benefits. This serum-foundation hybrid contains salicylic acid to soothe raging spots, hyaluronic acid for extra hydration and brightening vitamin C. It's also completely oil-free, and withstands heat, rain and humidity exceptionally well.

If your acne-prone skin manifests as inflamed and dehydrated, this is the answer. The formula has colour-correcting qualities that help to minimise redness while blurring away blemishes. A little goes a long way, so start with the tiniest amount and build up as you go to avoid a heavy finish. While we'll always recommend a separate SPF under your make-up, the factor 50 here is a nice bonus, especially for when you're travelling in the summer.