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Non comedogenic Foundation – which are safe for acne-prone skin?

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When choosing a foundation for acne-prone skin, opting for non-comedogenic formulas is essential. These foundations are designed not to clog pores, helping to reduce the risk of breakouts.

I’ll list some of the best non-comedogenic foundations safe for acne-prone skin, ensuring you can achieve coverage without compromising your skin’s health. 

This info is true and in-date at the time of writing but might not be when you read it! Always double check the ingredients before you buy and use make up or beauty products!

Fungal acne

I’ll also look at both fungal acne triggers. A product can be non-comedogenic but contain ingredients that could flare fungal acne or irritate skin in some other way. It’s worth knowing about both, just in case. If you’re unsure about a product and want to check the ingredients yourself, copy the ingredients into these websites:

I’ve used both for years to check products before I buy them.

1. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

  • Price: £35 – £40
  • Finish: Matte
  • Coverage: Buildable, Medium-Full
  • Key Features: Long-lasting, non-comedogenic, oil-free, and fragrance-free. Ideal for oily and acne-prone skin.
  • Buy from: esteelauder.co.uk (see my 20% friends and fam link below), LookFantastic, Boots, Debenhams (usually discounted!)
At the time of writing, it says ‘Non-comedogenic’ on the EL double-wear page

Checking the ingredients of Estée Lauder Double Wear

If you’ve read any of my other makeup blogs, you’ll know I struggle with fungal acne. Therefore, I always use a few websites to check ingredients.

According to the FolliculitisScout website, EL Double Wear contains 2 known fungal-acne triggers

According to the FolliculitisScout website, EL Double Wear contains 2 known fungal-acne triggers:

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate and Tribehenin which is a fatty acid ester, used as a lubricant to help soften and smooth the skin and hair. Although Tribehenin isn’t good for those who suffer with fungal acne, it is considered non-comedogenic.

Acne Clinic NYC confirm the same as FolliculitisScout; Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate is a pore-clogging ingredient.

My review of Estée Lauder Double Wear

I love this foundation. I’ve used it for years as it’s great on my oily skin and lasts all day. However, I’ve recently flitted between it and Il Makiage’s ‘woke up like this’ foundation because Estee Lauder isn’t cruelty-free (and Il Makiage is). Although they don’t test their products on animals, they sell products in countries where animal testing is required by law.

They aren’t vegan either, as some products include animal-derived ingredients. Read their FAQs on animal testing.

I generally purchase EL items from their own website, esteelauder.co.uk, because I’ve gotten freebies. When you spend so much, you are added to tiers. A higher tier might mean you get free delivery or 15% off your next order. I’ve had a lot of samples, too, so I prefer it than buying from websites like LookFantastic or BeautyBay—although I’d always check these just in case they’re having big sales.

I also have the Stay-in-place Double Wear powder and Stay-in-place Flawless Concealer. I use the powder pretty much every day.

Use my friends/fam code to get 20% off (+£50 order) and so will I: esteelauder.co.uk.

2. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

  • Price: £25 – £34
  • Finish: Soft Matte
  • Coverage: Buildable, Medium-full
  • Key Features: Oil-free and non-comedogenic, it is designed for a wide range of skin tones and has a long-lasting formula.
  • Buy from: fentybeauty.co.uk, Boots, Sephora, LookFantastic
At the time of writing, it says ‘Noncomedogenic’ on the Fenty Beauty website

This product is vegan!

FolliculitisScout confirms Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation contains no fungal acne-promoting ingredients.

Acne Clinic NYC confirms that Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation contains Talc, a pore-clogging ingredient.

3. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup

  • Price: £34-£37
  • Finish: Natural Matte
  • Coverage: Moderate, medium
  • Key Features: Specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, containing salicylic acid to treat breakouts while covering them.
  • Buy from: clinique.co.uk, johnlewis.com, boots.com
At the time of writing, it says ‘Non-comedogenic’ on the Clinique website

FolliculitisScout confirms Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup contains one fungal acne-promoting ingredient: Sorbitan Sesquioleate.

Acne Clinic NYC confirms there are two pore-clogging ingredients: Algae Extract and Laminaria saccharina extract.

4. Charlotte Tilbury UNREAL SKIN SHEER GLOW TINT HYDRATING FOUNDATION STICK

  • Price: £35
  • Finish: Natural soft glow, sheer
  • Coverage: Buildable
  • Key Features: Non-comedogenic with hyaluronic acid & vitamin E
  • Buy from: charlottetilbury.com,
At the time of writing, it says ‘Noncomedogenic’ on the Charlotte Tilbury website

FolliculitisScout confirms Charlotte Tilbury UNREAL SKIN SHEER GLOW TINT HYDRATING FOUNDATION STICK contains 7 fungal acne-promoting ingredients. They include: Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Microcrystalline Wax, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Acne Clinic NYC confirms Charlotte Tilbury UNREAL SKIN SHEER GLOW TINT HYDRATING FOUNDATION STICK contains no pore-clogging ingredients.

5. BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15

  • Price: £29 – £37
  • Finish: Full
  • Coverage: Buildable (sheer to full)
  • Key Features: Mineral-based, non-comedogenic, and free of parabens and fragrances, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.
  • Buy from: bareminerals.co.uk, boots.com, lookfantastic.co.uk
At the time of writing, it says ‘Non-comedogenic’ on the Bare Minerals website

FolliculitisScout confirms this contains there were NO fungal acne-promoting ingredients!

Acne Clinic NYC confirms it contains bismuth, a pore-clogging ingredient that provides a shiny effect.

6. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation

At the time of writing, it says ‘Non-comedogenic’ on the Maybelline website

FolliculitisScout confirms this contains there is one fungal acne-promoting ingredient: Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate

Acne Clinic NYC confirms no pore-clogging ingredients are in Maybelline Fit Me Matte+ Poreless foundation.

7. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

  • Price: £35 – £38
  • Finish: Radiant
  • Coverage: Medium to full
  • Key Features: Non-comedogenic, providing a glowing finish without clogging pores.
  • Buy from: narscosmetics.co.uk, boots.com

Unfortunately, there are no ingredients listed on the Nars website (red flag) so the below screenshot is from Boots.com:

Boots.com confirm the Nars Sheer Glow foundation is non-comedogenic

FolliculitisScout confirms this contains there is one fungal acne-promoting ingredient: Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate

Acne Clinic NYC confirms no pore-clogging ingredients are in Nars Sheer glow foundation.

8. Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation

  • Price: £35 – £38
  • Finish: Natural
  • Coverage: Sheer to light
  • Key Features: Non-comedogenic, lightweight, and provides hydration while offering light coverage. 12hr waterproof.
  • Buy from: Lauramercier.co.uk, boots.com,
It’s confirmed on the Laura Mercier website that this foundation is non-comedogenic

This foundation is vegan!

FolliculitisScout confirms this contains there are two fungal acne-promoting ingredients: Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate and Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil

Acne Clinic NYC confirms there is one pore-clogging ingredient in Laura Mercier Real Flawless foundation: Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate

9. Huda Beauty Easy Blur Natural Airbrush Foundation

  • Price: £32
  • Finish: Natural
  • Coverage: Medium to full
  • Key Features: Non-comedogenic, long-lasting, and oil-free, suitable for oily and combination skin.
  • Buy from: boots.com,
Boots confirm Huda Beauty Easy Blur is non-comedogenic

FolliculitisScout confirms this contains there are three fungal acne-promoting ingredients: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate and Acetylated Glycol Stearate

Acne Clinic NYC confirms there are two pore-clogging ingredients in Huda Beauty Easy Blur foundation: Ethylhexyl Palmitate and Laminaria saccharina extract

10. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation

Taken from MacCosmetics.co.uk confirming Studio fix is non-comedogenic

FolliculitisScout confirms this contains there is one fungal acne-promoting ingredients: Sorbitan Sesquioleate

Acne Clinic NYC confirms there are two pore-clogging ingredients in Mac Studio Fix foundation: Algae Extract, Laminaria saccharina extract


I’ve added approximate price ranges from common UK retailers like Boots, Debenhams, or direct brand websites based on availability. Make sure to check each website for offers as you could save yourself a few £££s!

This information is correct at the time of writing. If you spot a mistake, or want to let me know about an awesome foundation you've tried, please get in touch! Rachael@ahoydesigns.co.uk. This blog is correct at the time of writing but might not be when you read it, so PLEASE ensure you check ingredients before using any product mentioned. 

Hi, welcome to my beauty blog. I am Rachael, and this is my beauty blog

Thank you for reading my blog! I wrote it in October 2024 and last updated it in October 2024. It's tagged with the category Beauty Products Make up if you'd like to read more.

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