8 Your-Skin-But-Better Foundations That Won’t Clog Your Pores

Tailoring a suitable routine of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, sunscreens, and even in-office treatments for radiant, healthy skin can be a long process, especially when you’re dealing with acne. Other than skin-care products, there are so many things to consider: environmental stressors, diet, and hormones, all of which can have a huge impact on the look and feel of your complexion. You know those days when you wake up to a huge cyst along your jaw, despite drinking a ton of water, eating healthy, *and* using the correct skin-care products? If it feels like you’ve adjusted everything else in your routine, it might be time to look at the type of makeup you’re using and whether or not it's comedogenic, especially in your foundation.

Acne cosmetica is a type of acne that is caused by cosmetics and is mainly characterized by comedones, or blackheads and whiteheads that have a slight bump to them, creating unwanted texture on the chin, cheeks, nose, and forehead. According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, “Acne flare‐up triggers in cosmetics include comedogenic ingredients, essential oils, [and] too-greasy or oily foundations.” Since the word comedogenic is more of a blanket term for many different types of pore-clogging ingredients, here are a few to consider avoiding when shopping for makeup (or any other beauty product, really): ascorbyl palmitate, acetylated lanolin alcohol, beeswax, coconut oil, almond oil, and cocoa butter. In more severe cases, these types of ingredients can even lead to cystic acne.

To choose the right type of makeup, specifically foundations and tinted moisturizers, make sure to look for formulations that are oil-free, wax-free, and fragrance-free (all of which can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin). Another thing to consider when buying these sorts of complexion products is the viscosity of the formulas: try to opt for thinner liquid foundations and loose powders. Thicker formulations, like cream foundations, tend to have more oils that can ultimately clog pores. Plus, the oils in thick foundations act as a seal while sitting on top of the skin, making it more difficult for the skin to breathe. Thinner foundations and some loose powders tend to have water-based formulas, which will sit on top of the skin without clogging the pores and feel overall more lightweight. Yes, this can all be quite confusing, but with our guidance and a bit of trial and error, you’re sure to find that holy-grail complexion product for fall.