This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase (at no cost to you!)
If you have acne-prone skin you know all too well that not all makeup products are created for people that have problematic skin. Some products contain ingredients that block up your pores and encourage more breakouts.
In this article, I’m going to be sharing some of my favorite blushes for acne-prone skin that will prevent breakouts. These products are all fantastic, most of them from brands you already know, but contain non-comedogenic ingredients that won’t block your pores or cause acne.
How to Choose Makeup Products For Acne-Prone Skin?
If you have acne-prone skin you have to be a little more careful with the products you’re choosing to put on your skin, especially your base products. A lot of products are formulated with oils and comedogenic ingredients that will just block your pores and cause more acne.
When you’re shopping around for beauty products, try to look for products that are specifically targeted towards people with acne-prone skin. Normally it will say something like ‘suitable for oily skin/acne-prone skin/sensitive skin). Not every product is going to have this labeling, but it’s something to look out for as it will take the work out of trying to figure out if a product will work for you or not.
If you’re worried about breaking out, you can always do a patch test beforehand where you test out the product on a small section of your skin and see whether it causes irritation or acne. Just remember to wash it off with a gentle cleanser afterward.
Which Ingredients Aren’t Safe For Acne-Prone Skin?
When you’re trying to choose what products are suitable for acne-prone skin, one of the most important things to do is to get comfortable with reading ingredient labels. If you look at the ingredients label of a product, you’ll probably be met with a bunch of words that you’ve never seen in your life but, once you start to understand what each ingredient is, you’ll be able to read it like a book in no time.
Some of the skincare ingredients that you’ll want to avoid if you have acne-prone skin, problematic skin, or cystic breakouts are things like alcohol, silicone, oils (coconut oil, mineral oil etc.), and fragrances.
These ingredients aren’t always a bad thing and may not cause acne for everyone, but they are things to stay away from if you have super bad skin and want to improve your self-care routine.
If you have acne-prone skin, look for oil-free gels and products that contain ingredients like salicylic acid to lightly exfoliate the skin as well as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for hydration for safe acne treatments.
Is Powder or Cream Blush Better for Acne-Prone Skin?
If you are deciding between powder blushes and cream formulas to find the right blush for your acne-prone skin, you don’t need to think too much about it. Like any other makeup product, this decision is completely down to personal preferences.
The texture of cream blush isn’t going to make much of a difference, so you just need to focus on what products are the best formulas. Some people like powder for soaking up excess oil, but then for drier skin types the powder could accentuate the texture of your complexion, so it’s all about finding what works for you.
The Best Non-Comedogenic Blush Products That Are Perfect for Acne-Prone Skin
We’ve rounded up some of the best non-comedogenic products that you can use to give your cheeks a natural flush — that will also last all day long!
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes
The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes are one of the best cream blushes out there in my opinion. They have a shade range that would be perfect for any skin tone, they have a nice dewy finish for a natural glow that looks just perfect.
You only need a very small amount of product because we all know that this stuff is pigmented. I just apply a small amount to the apples of my cheeks and then blend it out with a brush (but you could also use a damp sponge).
Nudestix Nudies Blush Stick
Another product for the blush girlies who want a more natural look is the Nudestix Nudies Blush Stick. This is the best option if you’re looking for a nice stick blush that comes in a good range of shades for your makeup routine.
They have plenty of neutral shades that will give you a flushed glow, but also some brighter shades for a bolder look. You can apply these straight to bare skin for a more natural look, or alongside a full makeup look – the overall effect will always be beauty. Depending on the shade you have, you can also add some to your lips for a lip tint look.
NARS The Multiple
For so long, I used to think that NARS were the best blushes out there as they came in a variety of formulas and were a good option in terms of the more luxury products, but I stopped using the for a while.
I recently rediscovered NARS The Multiple and I am so glad that I found it again. This is a bit stiffer than other cream formulations but the color payoff and lasting powder are great. After all, you can’t go wrong with a peachy pink nars blush!
Glossier Cloud Paint
Next, we have the beloved Glossier Cloud Paint, this has been one of my favorite blushes for so long as it’s super easy to apply, the finish is beautiful for a naturally rosy look, looks great on dry skin, and lasts for a really long time.
The best way to apply this is to dot a small amount on your cheeks and blend it out with a brush or your fingers. The shade ‘Dusk’ is my favorite as it is perfect for a no makeup makeup look.
I feel like I hear nothing but good things about these blushes, and it’s for good reason – I couldn’t recommend them enough.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Powder
When it comes to the prettiest acne safe blush, The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush has to be up there. This powder formula not only looks beautiful in the pan, but the colors are also just as pretty.
The finely milled powders don’t cling to texture the way powders usually do but have a blurring effect that really helps to mask the appearance of acne and make your complexion look flawless.
Benefit Powder Blushes
It seems like it’s been a while that anyone has talked about the Benefit Powder Blushes, but I’m here to make the case that they are still worth your time and money.
All the shades are very pretty, with some peach coral summer blushes that will look great on fair skin, to deeper tones that are an ideal choice if you have a darker complexion. All the shades have a nice glow to them (even though they mostly have a matte finish) that makes your complexion look super fresh and healthy.
BARE MINERALS Gen Nude Blonzer
If you’re looking for a range of products that are the perfect mix of blush and bronzer, the BARE MINERALS Gen Nude Blonzer is the best choice. There are lot of blushes that come in bright shades, but I usually steer more towards the neutral shades so these products work perfect for me.
These are a great option for acne safe blushes as they contain non-comedogenic ingredients that shouldn’t irritate the skin at all. My favorite shade is Kiss of Copper, a beautiful warm-toned natural shade that looks best when applied with a blush brush all over the cheeks and up to the temples.
Too Faced Cloud Crush Blush
The Too Faced Cloud Crush is a long-lasting formula that comes in a powder for a natural flush of color. They currently have six different shades that mainly focus on pinks and corals, but are all super pretty.
I just take a big fluffy brush and apply it all over my cheeks. The shade Candy Clouds is super pretty and a great dupe for the famous Dior blush.
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
The Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder is this amazing blush formula that feels almost creamy to the touch but goes on with a flawless matte finish. The brand, which is made by leading makeup artist, Danessa Myricks, has a whole range of fantastic products (including their eyeshadows, another personal favorite of mine), but these blushes really do stand out too.
With a lightweight formula, this product is great for people with acne as it really doesn’t exaggerate any texture at all so will give you the appearance poreless skin and enhance your natural beauty, unlike other beauty products that just try to cover everything up.
What are your favorite acne-safe blushes?
