Finding the right makeup foundation can be a particularly challenging task for someone suffering from PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). That’s because this complex endocrine condition is closely associated with problematic skin, excessive sebum production and severe hormonal acne.
While foundations can be an extremely valuable tool to help cover up blemishes, even out skin tone and boost self-esteem, many of them can actually make your acne worse. As someone who used to struggle with severe PCOS acne for a long time (you can read my full story here: ‘How I Cured My PCOS Acne Naturally‘) I am very conscious of what I put onto my skin.
Even though using appropriate skincare and makeup products is absolutely essential for your skin health, it should be noted that PCOS-induced acne is a hormone-related condition that should be primarily treated from the inside out. You can learn more about it in my complete guide to healing PCOS acne here: ‘PCOS Acne Explained & How To Treat It Naturally‘.
In this article, however, I’ll share with you my 5 favorite foundations for PCOS acne suitable for different needs and acne stages. You can also find a list of my other favorite makeup products for PCOS here ‘The Best Makeup Products For PCOS & Hormonal Acne‘.
Here’s a quick summary of things you want to consider when choosing a foundation for PCOS acne:
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs-free)
- Ingredients (active/non-comedogenic)
- Sensitivity (minimum irritants/allergens)
- Purpose (suitable for your skin type/skin condition)
- Consistency (liquid/cream/powder)
- Coverage (light/medium/full)
- Finish (matte/dewy/natural)
And here’s a list of my favorite foundations for PCOS.
Best foundations for PCOS acne:
- Oxygenatix Oxygenating Foundation
- Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation
- BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Gel Cream
- Rimmel Kind & Free Skin Tint Moisturising Foundation
- Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation
1. Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation
Best for: active acne – full coverage
One of my absolute favorite foundations for acne-prone and sensitive skin is the Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation. It is specifically formulated to reduce inflammation and redness without clogging the pores. Not only does it contain some powerful active ingredients (2% of salicylic acid, vitamin E, aloe vera) but it’s also completely free from oils, fragrances, toxins and harsh chemicals.
I personally used it most when my acne was at its worst as it has a nice buildable coverage that lasts all day. More importantly, it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin and you don’t get the ‘cakey’ look from it (it makes a dewy finish). It’s also enriched with SPF 30 to protect your skin from sun damage.
If you’re currently dealing with hormonal acne, active breakouts and irritated skin then I highly recommend giving this foundation a try as it’s one of the best-quality ones I’ve ever used. However, it is quite expensive and the shade section is also relatively limited (which might hopefully change in the future).
You can check out the price on Amazon HERE.
| EDC-free | ✓ |
| 100% non-comedogenic | ✓ |
| SPF | ✓ |
| consistency | liquid |
| coverage | full |
| finish | dewy |
| skin type | acne-prone/oily |
2. Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation
Best for: acne scars – medium coverage
Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation is another high-quality breathable liquid foundation that makes a particularly great finish look (dewy/natural). It’s especially great for someone with dry/irritated skin as it has a mild hydrating effect (without making you look oily) and good buildable coverage (perfect for acne scars).
Ingredient-wise, it is free from fragrances, parabens, alcohols and other irritating substances that might trigger skin reactions or disrupt your hormones. However, while the formula is generally suitable for acne-prone skin, it is not 100% non-comedogenic as it contains some fatty acids (such as stearic acid).
That being said, it never broke me out personally and I Iove to use it as my everyday foundation due to its light formula and natural finish. There’s also a wide selection of shades you can choose from to find a perfect match. Additionally, it has SPF 30 sun protection which is always convenient in a makeup foundation.
Check out the price on Amazon HERE.
| EDC-free | ✓ |
| 100% non-comedogenic | ✕ |
| SPF | ✓ |
| consistency | liquid |
| coverage | medium |
| finish | dewy |
| skin type | dry/sensitive |
3. BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Gel Cream
Best for: natural look – light coverage
If you’re not looking for a full-coverage foundation but rather a light tinted moisturizer that is perfect for hot summer days and the ‘no make-up’ look, then my best tip for you is getting the Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Gel Cream. Bareminerals, overall, is one of my favorite beauty brands as their products are really high-quality (but still affordable), made from natural non-toxic ingredients.
This tinted moisturizer is actually one of their best sellers and for a good reason. The formula is hypoallergenic (no irritants, fragrances, parabens, alcohols) and EDC-free which is perfect for someone with PCOS acne and sensitive skin. I personally love it because it creates a very natural finish look and makes your skin look healthy and glowy without clogging your pores (although it does contain some fatty acids and esters).
That being said, it is not as effective at covering acne spots but it works great in combination with a good-quality concealer. I mostly use it in summer (it has SPF 30) or on my ‘no-makeup’ days to even out my skin tone and give it a healthy look. You can also get the Bareminerals Rescue Complex Foundation Stick which has a bit more coverage and also works great as a contouring stick (when you get a darker shade).
Check out the price on Amazon HERE.
| EDC-free | ✓ |
| 100% non-comedogenic | ✕ |
| SPF | ✓ |
| consistency | liquid |
| coverage | light |
| finish | natural |
| skin type | dry/sensitive |
4. Rimmel Kind & Free Skin Tint Moisturising Foundation
Best for: natural look – light coverage
Another great lightweight foundation that’s perfect for evening out skin tone and creating a natural dewy finish look is the Rimmel Kind & Free Skin Tint Moisturising Foundation. This is a very budget-friendly option for those looking for a simple non-irritating formula that contains no pore-clogging and bacteria-promoting ingredients.
It is suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin as it’s 100% non-comedogenic (no oils, waxes, esters) and free from fragrances, alcohols, toxins and EDCs. However, it doesn’t provide full coverage (it’s more of a tinted moisturizer) which may not be ideal for covering up active breakouts. But again, you can easily combine it with a good concealer to create a natural look.
I personally love this foundation for its light formula (perfect for summer days) and hydrating properties (it contains vitamin E, vitamin B5, aloe vera) which works great for my dry and sensitive skin left with post-acne scars. It’s also extremely affordable so it’s definitely worth the try.
Check out the price on Amazon HERE.
| EDC-free | ✓ |
| 100% non-comedogenic | ✓ |
| SPF | ✕ |
| consistency | liquid |
| coverage | light |
| finish | dewy |
| skin type | dry/sensitive |
5. Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation
Best for: oily skin – matte finish
Mineral Fusion is another great clean beauty brand that I love as they offer a wide range of high-quality, non-toxic makeup products. They’re particularly known for their Pressed Powder Foundation which is one of my favorite foundations in a powdered form (I generally prefer liquid foundations) that makes a nice matte finish look without drying out my skin.
It is formulated with non-irritating ingredients and no EDCs (free from fragrance, parabens, phthalates, alcohols) which is perfect for women with PCOS and sensitive acne-prone skin. However, this powdered foundation is also not 100% non-comedogenic due to the presence of certain lipids (such as safflower seed oil) that may contribute to Malassezia in some individuals.
Nonetheless, it works great for oily skin and active acne as it has buildable coverage with a mattifying effect that lasts all day. You can also use it only in places when your skin tends to get most oily (such as your t-zone) or when your skin is more prone to sweating (such as in summer). Moreover, you get to choose from a wide variety of shades to best fit to your skin tone.
Check out the price on Amazon HERE.
| EDC-free | ✓ |
| 100% non-comedogenic | ✕ |
| SPF | ✕ |
| consistency | powder |
| coverage | medium |
| finish | matte |
| skin type | oily/acne-prone |
Foundations comparison:
| Oxygenatix | Shiseido | BareMinerals | Rimmel | Mineral Fusion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDC-free | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 100% non-comedogenic | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| SPF | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| consistency | liquid | liquid | liquid | liquid | powder |
| coverage | full | medium | light | light | medium |
| finish | dewy | dewy | natural | dewy | matte |
| skin type | acne-prone/oily | dry/sensitive | dry/sensitive | dry/sensitive | oily/acne-prone |
Read more: ‘The Best Skincare Products For PCOS & Hormonal Acne‘
Pro tips:
- Use ingredient checkers – you can check the content of almost any skincare product online to find any potential endocrine disruptors, allergens or other irritating ingredients, I like using INCIDecoder and Sezia for skincare
- Prioritize skincare – make sure you have a solid skincare routine, especially when it comes to removing your makeup and cleansing your skin
Read more: ‘5 Best Face Washes For PCOS Acne‘ - Wash your brushes – keep your make-up brushes clean and make sure you wash them frequently since it’s something you put directly on your face every day
- Keep a skin diary – a skin diary is a great tool that can help you identify potential triggers in your skincare so you can better understand your individual needs and choose accordingly
- Have makeup-free days – it is important to allow your skin to fully breathe and recover, try having at least a few makeup-free days a week
- Store appropriately – keep all your makeup in a cool dark place to extend its freshness (especially clean beauty products as they don’t contain as many preservatives)
- Prioritize lifestyle – make sure you focus on developing healthy habits in other important areas that can affect your skin health (diet, sleep, stress, exercise, hydration)
Read more: ’How To Treat PCOS Naturally (Science-Based Guidelines)’
Resources:
- Barrett, E. S., & Sobolewski, M. (2014). Polycystic ovary syndrome: do endocrine-disrupting chemicals play a role?. Seminars in reproductive medicine, 32(3), 166–176. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1371088
- Diamanti-Kandarakis, E., Papalou, O., & Kandaraki, E. (2022). Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and PCOS: A novel contributor in the etiology of the syndrome. In Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (pp. 227-244). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-823045-9.00015-8
- Gainder, S., & Sharma, B. (2019). Update on Management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome for Dermatologists. Indian dermatology online journal, 10(2), 97–105. https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_249_17
- Halla, N., Fernandes, I. P., Heleno, S. A., Costa, P., Boucherit-Otmani, Z., Boucherit, K., Rodrigues, A. E., Ferreira, I., & Barreiro, M. F. (2018). Cosmetics Preservation: A Review on Present Strategies. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 23(7), 1571. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23071571
- Housman, E., & Reynolds, R. V. (2014). Polycystic ovary syndrome: a review for dermatologists: Part I. Diagnosis and manifestations. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 71(5), 847.e1–858. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2014.05.007
- Ramezani Tehrani, F., Behboudi-Gandevani, S., Bidhendi Yarandi, R., Saei Ghare Naz, M., & Carmina, E. (2021). Prevalence of acne vulgaris among women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, 37(5), 392–405. https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2020.1859474
- Zaenglein, A. L., Pathy, A. L., Schlosser, B. J., Alikhan, A., Baldwin, H. E., Berson, D. S., Bowe, W. P., Graber, E. M., Harper, J. C., Kang, S., Keri, J. E., Leyden, J. J., Reynolds, R. V., Silverberg, N. B., Stein Gold, L. F., Tollefson, M. M., Weiss, J. S., Dolan, N. C., Sagan, A. A., Stern, M., … Bhushan, R. (2016). Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 74(5), 945–73.e33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037