I love a good TikTok find. Whether that’s a viral skincare product or even a few fashion pieces, there’s always something to be discovered on the platform. This week, I happened to be perusing the app for a different kind of item—foundation. Although I’m normally pretty picky about my foundation formulas because I have super sensitive, acne-prone skin, I knew there had to be a gold mine of users out there who struggle with the same issues. I also knew they’d fill me in on the best drugstore formulas for this so I don’t have to spend an arm and a leg. If you absolutely relate, keep scrolling for the best drugstore foundations for acne-prone skin that TikTok creators are using and loving.
Maybelline’s Fit Me Matte + Poreless is a TikTok and personal favorite of mine. This formula was my go-to as a teenager (when I had quite a bit of acne), and it never broke me out. The formula is also smooth and blurs out imperfections—all for just $9.
I’ll admit I haven’t tried this viral TikTok foundation myself, but videos of makeup artists using it on the platform are definitely convincing me. It’s a powder formula, but make no mistake—it’s still incredibly airy and creamy with no acne-causing ingredients. This makes it perfect if you’re battling a few breakouts ATM.
Covergirl’s Clean Fresh Skin Milk has been a bit of a dark horse on TikTok, but makeup lovers on the platform are low-key singing its praises. It provides a dewy, glowy finish that blurs out blemishes and creates a more even tone.
Makeup artist Mikayla Nogueira used this silky formula on TikTok, and that was enough to convince me I should try it. It truly gives your skin such a healthy, radiant glow with antioxidants and vitamin E.
It’s so hard for me to believe this foundation is only $5. So many folks swear by this full-coverage formula with salicylic acid, witch hazel, tea tree oil, and soothing aloe to help calm and clear acne.
I discovered this foundation on a deep dive into makeup TikTok. The formula contains a higher dose of salicylic acid to help fight blemishes, control shine, and minimize pores without being irritating. It can even help stop future breakouts and creates a gorgeous soft-matte finish.
This is another drugstore classic that contains a hefty dose of salicylic acid to help clear up your skin. It’s also oil-free to minimize the risk of clogged pores.
This cult-favorite foundation from Revlon offers serious shine control, according to one TikTok user. Eight hours later, her skin looked fresh, matte, and ultra-glowy. I’ll definitely be giving this formula a go for myself.
No7 is one of those drugstore brands that tends to fly under the radar, but its formulas still provide some stiff competition. The Stay Perfect Foundation is a great option for acne-prone skin, as it’s designed to be transfer-proof, weather-proof, shine-proof, hypoallergenic, and breathable.
This is an oldie but a goodie. I love how light and cushiony the formula is and how you never actually feel like you’re wearing foundation when you use it. It blurs out imperfections the most when you dab it into the skin with a brush rather than rubbing it in.
For flawless, camera-ready coverage, try Wet n Wild’s Photofocus Liquid Foundation. It’s a matte, noncomedogenic formula that contains a light-diffusing complex to give your skin a filtered look without the actual filter.
This Catrice formula provides HD coverage but still looks natural and like a second skin. There are also zero pore-clogging ingredients in the formula, so your risk of a breakout is super minimal. It even creates a smooth, matte, even-looking complexion that lasts for up to 24 hours.
