Foundation For Oily & Acne Prone Skin

If you're a woman with acne, you may be looking for ways to eliminate those pimples and also for ways to cover them up while you're treating them. Cosmetics manufacturers have stepped up to the plate with foundations that not only conceal blemishes, but also contain active ingredients that fight new breakouts and help to clear old ones.

Causes

Most people with acne also suffer from skin that's too oily, since excess oil contributes to pimples by clogging your pores. So it's common to have oily skin that's also quite acne-prone. But many commonly sold foundations tend to be based in different types of oil, such as mineral oil, and putting this extra oil on your skin can aggravate your acne.

Function

Acne fighting foundation most often contains the active ingredient salicylic acid, which the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) considers a proven over-the-counter acne treatment. Salicylic acid causes the top layer of your skin to peel off, revealing new skin underneath. In doing so, it clears away some of the pore blockages that drive creation of your pimples. Some people experience skin irritation when using salicylic acid-containing foundations and other products.

Products

A variety of manufacturers have developed foundation makeup products specifically formulated to fight acne. Consumers can purchase liquid makeup with salicylic acid in many different shades to match their particular skin tone. In addition, it's possible to find foundation powders as well as concealer sticks that feature salicylic acid. Concealer sticks can help you treat specific blemishes while making them less noticeable.

Options

If you don't have active acne but do have acne-prone skin, you may not need a foundation with salicylic acid that's designed to treat existing pimples and skin blockages. Instead, you might consider looking for an oil-free foundation that doesn't promote acne formation. The AAD recommends looking for foundation and other cosmetics labeled non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic; both of these labels mean the product won't promote acne formation.

Considerations

Regardless of which foundation you choose for your oily and acne-prone skin, you need to avoid irritating your skin in order to avoid future breakouts, according to the AAD. When you remove your foundation, use a gentle cleanser, possibly one designed for breakout-prone skin. Avoid scrubbing your skin too hard while getting rid of that last bit of makeup residue. And practice caution in combining acne medications with an acne fighting foundation, since using two or more products at once can irritate your skin.