No-breakout makeup: Is Fenty foundation non-comedogenic?

Love makeup but want to take the best possible care of your skin? Good news, you can do both! At Curology, as skincare-obsessed, as we are, we’re always on the lookout for the best, breakout-free makeup brands, especially when they take the cosmetic industry by storm. Enter Fenty Beauty, launched by singer, actress, and fashion icon Rihanna in September 2017. Winner of the 2019 Allure Reader’s Choice Award, the Pro Filt’r Foundation lineup includes 50 different shades of foundation, making it one of the most diverse options out there right now. But how does Fenty Beauty’s foundation hold up in terms of skincare? We’re here with all the details.

What to look for in a Fenty foundation

Everyone’s skin is unique—different tones (fair, olive, dark) and skin types (dry, oily, combination)—and has different needs. There are so many foundation formulas and finishes available to cater to all of these preferences. No need to feel overwhelmed by the options when you have the skin experts at Curology ready to share some advice! Here’s what you should keep in mind before you chose a foundation formula for your skin:

Ingredients

Since we’re all about skincare, the first thing we look at when sizing up any new product is its list of ingredients. If you have acne-prone skin, products made of non-comedogenic ingredients (aka ingredients that won’t clog up your pores) are the way to go. Comedogenic ingredients like these are notorious for clogging pores, and clogged pores increase your skin’s chances of breaking out.

Coverage

Since there are so many different types of foundations out there, you want to know what kind of coverage you're looking for. There’s full coverage, which is more likely to have a thicker consistency compared to other foundations. Or some foundations are lighter and more buildable with less coverage. That’s one of the great things about makeup; it all depends on what you like personally. You could use a light coverage foundation along with a concealer, a full coverage foundation with no concealer, or any other combination that works best for your skin. 

Type

Messy, powdery, and patchy foundation products are a thing of the past—there's a texture and type that'll work for your skin type and need. Here are seven of the main types of foundations on the market right now: 

1. Liquid foundation

2. Serum foundation

3. Tinted oil foundation

4. Cream foundation

5. Whipped mousse foundation

6. Stick foundation

7. Powder foundation

Fenty offers two types of foundation, liquid, and powder. If you have oily skin, you might like the way the powder foundation feels. That’s not to say the liquid foundation isn’t for you—it's all about your personal preference!

Coverage

Since there are so many different types of foundations out there, you want to know what kind of coverage you're looking for.

• Full coverage. Foundations marketed as full coverage help make your skin look completely even-toned. These foundations are more likely to have a thicker consistency compared to other foundations. 

• Medium coverage. Think of a medium coverage foundation as creating an even canvas while maintaining a natural skin finish. Medium coverage foundations are buildable, which means that you can slather on the product to decide how light or full coverage you want the final finish to appear. One thin layer may still show a breakout, but with another, you'll start to cover them.  

• Light coverage. Less likely to hide blemishes or freckles, these foundations are light and sheer and meant to subtly even skin tone. Light coverage foundations are more buildable with less coverage.

Choosing a light, medium, or full-coverage option will depend on the skin concern that you may want to cover up (like acne or rosacea) and your personal preference of finish. You could use a light coverage foundation along with a concealer, a full coverage foundation with no concealer, or any other combination that works best for your skin. It’s totally up to you!

Tone

Finding the right foundation can be difficult, especially if you often feel like you have a hard time finding one that matches your skin tone. As a brand, Fenty is all about diversity and inclusivity (one of the reasons why we love it!). They offer foundations in 50 different shades, and many of the darker tones are some of the most popular. With a lineup like that, you’re more likely to find a foundation that’s just the right shade for your skin tone, right down to your undertones

4 foundations by Fenty we recommend

Pro Filt’r 

One foundation we’ve found to be safe for acne-prone skin isFenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation. A quick analysis of the ingredients reveals that this formula does not contain any of the ingredients determined to be most comedogenic.¹ Remember, if you often experience breakouts, our advice is to keep an eye out for hair, makeup, and skincare products that contain these comedogenic ingredients and avoid them. These ingredients are known to clog pores and can contribute to breakouts. 

Fenty is oil-free with a soft matte finish and has a texture that works well for different skin types. And the consistency isn’t too thick, which allows you to layer it for more coverage. It’s not every day that a makeup brand takes the diversity and individuality of different skin tones and types into consideration, but this foundation checks those two essential boxes.

If you want something other than a liquid foundation, Fenty also offers the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation. Also available in 50 different shades, it’s meant to have a blurring effect with a matte finish. Again, if your skin tends to run on the oilier side and liquid foundation only intensifies it, this foundation feels lightweight and can reduce shine.

If you want a medium coverage foundation, the Fenty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear foundation is another option. This formula is meant to be hydrating, so if you feel like your skin is always dried out after wearing foundation, the Hydrating Longwear Foundation might be right for you. If you want your foundation to last all day, the good news is this formulation is long-lasting and here to stay.

Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

For a hydrating and buildable foundation, the Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint is a great option. The foundation is made to be layered as much as you like, so you can wear as little or as much as you want to. This foundation is intended to hydrate your skin as well as give a smooth appearance, which can be a big plus if your skin falls on the drier side. This foundation comes in 25 shades, which is less than the Pro Filt’r line, but it still features many different unique options to choose from.

Simple skincare with Curology

We want to give you researched information to help you make decisions when it comes to taking care of your skin. We’re also here to make skincare simple and accessible. With Curology, you get dermatologist-designed skincare customized for your skin. Members get paired with one of our licensed dermatology providers to answer all your questions and help guide your skincare journey.

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Subject to consultation. 30-day trial. Just cover $4.95 in S&H.

We also have a full line of skincare products to complete your routine, each designed by dermatologists to be non-comedogenic, dye-free, and paraben-free. Interested? You can get a free month of Curology*—just pay $4.95 (plus tax) to cover shipping and handling on your first box. After that, you can cancel at any time or choose the subscription plan that works for you.

P. S. We did the research so you don’t have to:

1. Fulton J. E. Comedogenicity of current therapeutic products, cosmetics, and ingredients in the rabbit ear. Clinical Review. (January 1984)

This article was originally published on March 13, 2018, and updated on August 5, 2022.

*Cancel anytime. Subject to consultation. Trial is 30 days.

Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Kristen Jokela, NP-C