A medium-buildable foundation with a smooth, soft-matte finish.
31N
Deep with Neutral Undertone
30W
Deep with Warm Red Undertone
29N
Deep with Neutral Red Undertone
28W
Deep with Warm Golden Undertone
27C
Deep with Cool Red Undertone
26N
Deep with Cool Red Undertone
25W
Deep with Warm Golden Undertone
24W
Medium-Deep with Warm Olive Undertone
23C
Medium-Deep with Cool Pink Undertone
22N
Medium-Deep with Neutral Undertone
21W
Medium-Deep with Neutral Undertone
20N
Medium-Deep with Neutral Golden Undertone
19N
Medium-Deep with Neutral Undertone
18W
Medium-Deep with Warm Golden Undertone
17C
Medium with Cool Pink Undertone
16W
Medium with Warm Olive Undertone
15N
Medium with Neutral Golden Undertone
14W
Medium with Warm Peach Undertone
13N
Medium with Neutral Undertone
12C
Medium with Cool Neutral Undertone
11W
Medium with Warm Golden Undertone
10N
Light-Medium with Neutral Olive Undertone
9W
Light-Medium with Warm Peach Undertone
8N
Light with Neutral Undertone
7C
Light with Cool Pink Undertone
6W
Light with Warm Golden Undertone
5N
Light with Neutral Undertone
4W
Light with Warm Golden Undertone
3N
Fair with Neutral Undertone
2N
Fair with Neutral Olive Undertone
1C
Fair with Cool Pink Undertone
31N
Deep with Neutral Undertone
Medium Coverage, brightening, balancing
A hydrating cream that brightens and blurs with a radiant...
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
Wisteria
Coral pink
Anemone
Coral
Heliotrope
Apricot
Delphine
Muted peach
Daylily
Rich taupe
Foxglove
Warm terracotta
Ophelia
True pink
Camellia
Mauve
Hibiscus
Bright plum
Azalea
Berry
Dahlia
Deep berry
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
Brightening, blurring and longwearing
A does-it-all concealer that brightens, blurs and contours while nourishing...
LX 200
Very Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 190
Very Deep Skin Tone, Cool Red Undertone
LX 180
Deep Skin Tone, Warm Neutral Undertone
LX 170
Deep Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 160
Deep Skin Tone, Red Undertone
LX 150
Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 140
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 130
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Warm Golden Undertone
LX 120
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 110
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 100
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 090
Medium Skin Tone, Olive Undertone
LX 080
Medium Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 070
Medium Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 060
Medium Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 050
Light/Medium Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 040
Light/Medium Skin Tone, Golden Neutral Undertone
LX 030
Light Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 020
Light Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 010
Fair Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 200
Very Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
Medium coverage, brightening, blurring
A hydrating skin tint that delivers powerful skincare and sheer,...
140
Very Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
130
Deep Skin Tone/Neutral Undertone
120
Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
110
Deep Skin Tone/Golden Undertone
100
Medium Deep Skin Tone/Golden Undertone
090
Medium Deep Skin Tone/Olive Undertone
080
Medium Tan Skin Tone/ Peach Undertone
070
Medium Skin Tone/Peach Undertone
060
Medium Skin Tone/ Neutral Undertone
050
Medium Skin Tone/ Pink Undertone
040
Light to Medium Skin Tone/ Neutral Undertone
030
Light Skin Tone/ Warm Golden Undertone
020
Light Skin Tone/Warm Peach Undertone
010
Fair Skin Tone/ Cool Pink Undertone
140
Very Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
Sheer Coverage, illuminating, hydrating
Acne is among the most discouraging skin battles to face. Its unpredictability can be frustrating and, at its worst, can even take a jab at our confidence. According to Lily Njoroge, New York–based aesthetician and founder of Brooklyn acne clinic Skin Wins, “Acne-prone skin is often sensitized.” This can be exacerbated by product application, so prepping the skin correctly beforehand is pivotal if you chose to wear makeup.
“Any excessive friction, such as brushes or sponges, rubbing on the skin can further irritate already inflamed skin and also spread bacteria, causing new inflammation elsewhere,” Njoroge says. “The biggest key to preparing acne-prone skin for makeup is ensuring that the barrier is healthy and hydrated so that the friction caused by makeup application doesn't result in significant irritation, as well as ensuring that the skin and all tools being used are properly disinfected.”
To help you establish a more protected barrier ahead of makeup application, we asked the pros to share their best advice. Keep scrolling for eight can’t-skip tips for prepping acne-prone skin for makeup application.
Cleansing with the right formula is a crucial step for those with acne-prone skin says Rose Inc product development manager Jessica Kizovski. She recommends using products with ingredients that help to clarify skin without being overly dry or irritating in order to remove any excess oil or residual makeup.
Njoroge agrees, and recommends gentle, non-stripping cleansers that double as makeup removers to help create a perfect pre-makeup canvas.
If your skin tolerates gentle exfoliation, then the Rose Inc Skin Clarity Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser is a solid option to reach for. It gently unclogs pores with pomegranate fruit enzymes that dissolve any debris, and jojoba beads that polish the skin.
Njoroge recommends using a calming, hydrating or clarifying toner that purifies, brightens and gently exfoliates skin to cleanse skin of all residue, oil, and makeup.
“Makeup applies best on well-moisturized skin,” says Njoroge, who likes to apply a thin layer of a soothing and hydrating cream during breakouts. “I like using products with anti-inflammatory ingredients.”
When preparing acne-prone skin, celebrity makeup artist Marcelo Gutierrez (known for his work with stars like Tracee Ellis Ross, Rosalia and more) prioritizes skincare even above actual makeup application itself. “I really focus on relaxing the skin and adding a lot of moisture so that when we apply the makeup or powder, we don't get any dry patches that can tend to happen with picked skin.” He usually starts with a super hydrating serum, followed by a calming oil. He seals the skin with a rich moisturizer.
Heavy hydrators can be intimidating, but not moisturizing, according to our pros, simply isn’t an option if you’re after healthy-looking skin. Kizovski recommends seeking out a moisturizer that is non-comedogenic to avoid further clogging pores, which can result in congestion and breakouts. Need a refresher on this complex term? This non-comedogenic beauty explainer will help.
“UV rays are inflammatory, so protecting against them can help make inflamed pimples less angry over time,” Njoroge says. She opts for invisible lightweight ones with an SPF 35, so that it layers flawlessly with makeup and other skincare products without pilling, she says. Njoroge also shares that sunscreen helps protect acne from scaring, another reason why it shouldn’t be skipped.
When it comes to choosing foundation and other complexion products for acne-prone skin, using lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas typically yields the best results. The brand-new Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum is an ideal pick thanks to micro-encapsulated pigment spheres suspended in moisturizers like hyaluronic acid and squalane. "Avoid heavy oils in foundations like mineral oil and coconut oil, as those can clog pores,” Kizovski instructs.
As far as the technique? “I try to avoid caking up makeup on areas of clear skin,” Gutierrez says. “I’d rather really pinpoint conceal the trouble areas. This way the final product will look much more natural, with a blend of natural and touched-up skin. Use a full coverage concealer and small brush to cover up blemishes.
Gutierrez points out that while highlighter is a key product in creating a fresh, glowy face, it needs to be placed with care — especially if you’re experiencing breakouts. “Don’t put any kind of glow or highlight where you have a breakout or texture,” he explains. Doing so can draw unnecessary attention to the blemishes.
Finally, Kizovski adds that using your fingers for makeup application on acne-prone skin should also be kept to a minimum and wash brushes often to avoid introducing bacteria onto the skin.
A daily hydrating formula that unclogs pores without the tight,...
Clarifying, hydrating and polishing
An alcohol-free daily toner that purifies, exfoliates and brightens to...
Purifying, brightening and exfoliating
A next-generation moisturizer that delivers a burst of intense hydration.
Brightening, firming and balancing
An intensely hydrating treatment that restores pillowy bounce to lips.
An intensely hydrating treatment that restores pillowy bounce to lips.
A hydrating cream that brightens and blurs with a radiant...
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
Wisteria
Coral pink
Anemone
Coral
Heliotrope
Apricot
Delphine
Muted peach
Daylily
Rich taupe
Foxglove
Warm terracotta
Ophelia
True pink
Camellia
Mauve
Hibiscus
Bright plum
Azalea
Berry
Dahlia
Deep berry
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
A hydrating cream that brightens and blurs with a radiant...
Creamy lipstick that plumps the lips while drenching delicate skin...
Besotted
Beige pink
Hypnotic
Sandy beige
Poetic
Muted coral
Enigmatic
Terracotta pink
Persuasive
Warm rose
Graceful
Golden brown
Poised
Deep brick
Demure
Cool blush
Intuitive
Deep mauve
Eloquent
Soft plum
Besotted
Beige pink
Creamy lipstick that plumps the lips while drenching delicate skin...
A powerful hydrating serum that instantly brightens the complexion with...
A powerful hydrating serum that instantly brightens the complexion with...
Two mini versions of our bestselling shades and one limited...
Two mini versions of our bestselling shades and one limited...
A conditioning pomade-serum hybrid that volumizes and grooms for expertly shaped brows.
A conditioning pomade-serum hybrid that volumizes and grooms for expertly shaped brows.
An angled brush designed for control and seamless blending along...
An angled brush designed for control and seamless blending along...
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