:e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide
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:Shiseido Synchro Skin Primer
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:L’Oreal True Match Tinted Serum
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:ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint
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:L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
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:Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
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:MERIT The Minimalist Complexion Stick
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:Rare Beauty Positive Light Under Eye Brightener
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:Maybelline SuperStay Active Wear Concealer
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:Kosas Revealer Concealer
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:ILIA NightLite Bronzing Powder
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:Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Bronzer
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:Almay Healthy Hue Blush
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:Tower 28 BeachPlease Lip + Cheek
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:Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder
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:Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder
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What Is Non Comedogenic Makeup?
In simplest of terms, non comedogenic makeup means a product is formulated without pore clogging ingredients. These products are safer for acne prone skin to use without the worry of a breakout or congested pores. There’s over 100 potentially comedogenic ingredients. Some of the more widely used ones are cetyl alcohol, coconut oil (often labeled coconut alkanes and cocos nucifera), lanolin, mineral oil, soy/soybean oil (also labeled under soja/soya), sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, wheat germ oil, and various PEGS.
Non comedogenic VS other buzzwords.
Buzzwords like acne safe makeup, sensitive skin, non acnegenic, oil free, nontoxic makeup, and clean makeup are often tossed around alongside non comedogenic. These terms can coexist, but, all of these do not mean the same thing. Just because a product is labeled one of these buzzwords doesn’t mean it’s non comedogenic – and vice versa. Nontoxic or clean makeup isn’t always non comedogenic. A lot of times, clean brands use things like coconut alkanes, soybean oil, and grapeseed oil in their formulas.
Another thing to note is just because something is or isn’t labeled ‘non comedogenic’ doesn’t meant it will or will not break you out. Everyone’s skin reacts to ingredients differently, so what might give someone a break out, might not give you break you out. Generally, more sensitive skin types should follow a non comedogenic makeup routine, especially if you are acne prone. Sometimes brands don’t claim their products as non comedogenic, but others do. At Milabu Co., we follow the brand’s claims as to whether they’re non comedogenic or not.
Non comedogenic brands.
Some brands have committed to formulating all of their products to be non comedogenic. One of our favorites is Tower 28, who takes pride in their sensitive skin friendly formulas with being allergy and dermatologist tested, plus fragrance free, gluten free, and, of course, non comedogenic.
Now, let’s build a non comedogenic makeup routine. In each category below you’ll find both a cheap and pro/grade option. We’ve tried to include at least one clean option in each category as well.
Face Primer
DRUGSTORE OPTION
HIGHLIGHTS
elf Power Grip Primer + Niacinamide is a gel formula with a sticky texture to even skin tone and brighten the complexion while gripping makeup. Its formula contains 4% niacinamide, which works to even skin tone and brighten the look of dullness. When using this Power Grip primer, your skin will have a dewy and glowing finish that keeps makeup in place all day long.
Extra Benefits: Vegan; Cruelty Free; Non comedogenic; Free of phthalates, parabens, nonylphenol ethoxylates, triclosan, triclocarban, and hydroquinone.
PROGRADE/LUXURY OPTION
HIGHLIGHTS
Shiseido Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer has a lot to offer. It conceals visible pores, controls oil, and blurs imperfections with its unique liquid to powder, water based formula. Boasting 8 hours of hydration, it also absorbs oil instantly and throughout the day with the help of mattifying powders and sebum catch powder.
Extra Benefits: Non comedogenic; Safe for sensitive skin; Dermatologist tested
Skin Tint
DRUGSTORE OPTION
HIGHLIGHTS
A Milabu 2022 favorite, the L’Oreal True Match Serum blends the benefits of skincare and makeup in one bottle. It contains 1% hyaluronic ever to hydrate and smooth skin over time. The coverage claims sheer, lightweight, but we find it provides a solid medium coverage while still feeling lightweight. And it has a stunning radiant, never oily, finish.
Extra Benefits: Non comedogenic; Safe for sensitive skin; Dermatologist tested; Vegan
PROGRADE/LUXURY OPTION
HIGHLIGHTS
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint is a unique complexion product with big benefits. Featuring SPF 40 along with niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic acid, it helps visibly improve skin with every wear – plus more! The skin tint provides light, dewy coverage that blurs the look of pores, lines, and redness.
Extra Benefits: Clean formula; Cruelty free; Vegan; Non comedogenic; Free of gluten, silicone, fragrance, chemical sunscreen, and oil
Liquid Foundation
DRUGSTORE OPTION
HIGHLIGHTS
L’Oreal True Match Foundation has been revamped to a vegan, non comedogenic formula. If you previously loved this foundation, it still has the same hydrating formula and natural looking results. The medium coverage hides most imperfections with exaggerating texture and bumps, or becoming excessively oily.
Extra Benefits: Vegan; Suitable for sensitive skin; Non comedogenic; Free of alcohol, oil, and fragrance
PROGRADE/LUXURY OPTION
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If you’re looking for a more full coverage foundation, both formulas of Too Faced Born This Way are non comedogenic. Whether you want matte or natural, Too Faced Born This Way Foundation offers an undetectable long wear. Its features skincare benefits of coconut water to replenish moisture, alpine rose to empower skin’s health, and hyaluronic acid for smoother skin.
Extra Benefits: Cruelty free; Vegan; Non comedogenic; Free of oil
Cream Foundation
PROGRADE/LUXURY OPTION
HIGHLIGHTS
MERIT Beauty is a brand that really takes ‘clean beauty’ to the next level. Their products are formulated to EU standards and alongside an aesthetician to ensure any potentially acne-triggering ingredients are left out. MERIT Minimalist Complexion Stick is a flexible product, able to be used as a spot concealer or all-over foundation. It provides light to medium coverage with minimal settling and creasing, while not exaggerating any texture + imperfections.
Extra Benefits: Clean formula; Cruelty free; Vegan; Non comedogenic; Recyclable packaging; Formulated to EU standards; Free of parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrance, soy, and 1300+ other ingredients
Eye Brightener
PROGRADE/LUXURY OPTION
HIGHLIGHTS
Want instantly brighter under eyes? Look no further than the Rare Beauty Under Eye Brightener. This lightweight formula wears well alone or under concealer for a more radiant, awake look. It self sets for no creasing, caking, or settling into fine lines. Plus, it’s infused with white peony and vitamin E to hydrate skin.
Extra Benefits: Cool-tip metal applicator; Cruelty free; Vegan; Non comedogenic; Dermatologist & ophthalmologist tested; Suitable for sensitive skin; Free of parabens, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitatae, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarbon, triclosan, synthetic frraagrance
Concealer
DRUGSTORE OPTION
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Maybelline Super Stay Active Wear Concealer boasts a 30 hour wear time with a lightweight feel and breathable coverage. It claims a full coverage, but we find it’s more of a buildable light to medium coverage. Still, it’s soft matte finish aids in concealing imperfections & dark circles.
Extra Benefits: Cruelty free; Vegan; Non comedogenic; Free of parabens
PROGRADE/LUXURY OPTION
HIGHLIGHTS
A lightweight, brightening concealer, Kosas Revealer Concealer, easily covers unwanted blemishes, redness, and dark circles with its medium to full coverage formula. It works as a concealer, eye cream, and spot treatment all in one with ingredients like caffeine, arnica, and peptides. It has an average of wear time of 6-8 hours with minimal settling, creasing, or exaggerating tetxture/imperfections.
Extra Benefits: Clean formula; Cruelty free; Vegan; Non comedogenic; Free of parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, PPG, phenoxyethanol, aluminum, dimethicone, phthalates, talc, BHA/BHT, PEGs, and petrolatum
Bronzer
POWDER OPTION
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ILIA NightLite Bronzing Powder is the best powder bronzer in clean beauty. Not only are the ingredients great for skin, but its performance is unmatched. It subtly sculpts while warming up the complexion. The formula is easy to apply, long wearing, and doesn’t accentuate any texture/settle into any lines or pores.
Extra Benefits: Cruelty free; Vegan; Non comedogenic; Hypoallergenic; Dermatologists tested; Free of talc, parabens, gluten, and fragrance
CREAM OPTION
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Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Bronzer gives a sun kissed bronze without the glow and shimmer. This cream-to-powder formula that is easy to blend with a brush, sponge, or fingers. Warm Wishes won’t give you that chiseled, sculpted look, as this is definitely your true bronzer, hence its name!
Extra Benefits: Cruelty free; Vegan; Non comedogenic; Free of parabens
Blush
DRUGSTORE OPTION
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It may look bright and bold in the packaging, but Almay Healthy Hue Blush is actually one of the most user friendly drugstore powder blush formulas. It’s buildable with a seamless application, giving a lit-from-within healthy cheek glow.
Extra Benefits: Cruelty free; Cleanly formulated; Non comedogenic; Recyclable packaging; Free of talc, parabens, phthalates, SLS, mineral oil, DMDM hydantoin, formaldehyde, and triclosan
CREAM OPTION
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While the entire Tower 28 brand is non comedogenic, one of our favorite products is the BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Balm. The emollient formula is easy to apply, buildable, and has a decent wear time. Safe for cheeks and lips, you can easily create a monochromatic look.
Extra Benefits: Non comedogenic; Dermatologically tested; Safe for sensitive skin; Free of silicones, fragrance, talc, gluten, and parabens
Setting Powder
DRUGSTORE OPTION
HIGHLIGHTS
Coty Airspun an industry veteran. It’s been around since 1935, but recently got a formula revamp to make it talc free. The fan favorite setting powder has a lightweight formula, smoothing finish, and long lasting wear. You can use it to set, bake, or touch-up throughout the day.
Extra Benefits: Vegan; Dermatologically tested; Non comedogenic; Free of talc
PROGRADE/LUXURY OPTION
HIGHLIGHTS
It’s all in the name – Huda Beauty Easy Bake is the best baking powder. Easy Bake Powder is inspired by Huda’s belief that baking is the key to flawless, long-lasting, melt-proof makeup. It has a luminous finish that controls shine throughout the day without making you look too matte or too shiny. Plus, its 8 shades make it suitable for all skin tones (and there’s even a pink shade for brightening!).
Extra Benefits: Non comedogenic; Free of parabens
What Are Milabu Picks?
Milabu Picks are makeup products that lead the industry in their price categories (i.e. value, pro-grade, luxury) and product type. These products are reviewed and chosen by the Milabu team on a yearly basis. Many of these makeup products exceed the industry standard favorites, and some of them are, to this day, the industry standard leading the makeup industry.
Edited by Maddie