The Best Makeup For Oily/Acne Prone Skin

Like many of you I've suffered from oily/acne prone skin most of my adult life. I've tried many products over the years hoping they would minimize my oily skin, acne, redness, scars and uneven complexion. Believe me, I've spent way too much money on these products, but I kept hoping, with each purchase, that this new product would be the one. It sounds foolish, but my hope for a miracle product overshadowed rational thinking. I didn't care that I owned nine bottles of foundation, each only used once, and it made complete sense to go out and purchase a new one. My skin always went through some sort of adjustment period whenever I tried a new product, sometimes resulting in more acne and therefore more acne scars. Even so, I continued my quest to find the one miracle product that worked. Now, after countless products, I believe I found a makeup regimen that hydrates, evens skin tone, provides maximum coverage, frames the face, and provides a shine-free finish all day.

Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration (SPF 15) is the perfect moisturizer for oily skin. I've used this product for over five years, and even though I would stop to try a new product, I always came back to Boscia once the other moisturizer failed to work. I use it everywhere on my face, even my hideous t-zone area. Other products seem to exaggerate my oily skin, but Boscia actually minimizes my most worrisome areas. At around $36, it is a little pricey for 1.4 oz., you purchase a product that is formulated to control shine, refine pores, provide continual moisture, and fight the signs of aging. I love the fact this product contains SPF 15 and does not cause breakouts. Any amount of SPF is a must when you're battling age spots and an uneven skin tone. So, before you dismiss this product because of the price, consider how many "cheap" products you buy, try once, and then store in your cabinet until it expires. With Boscia you'll spend extra cash, but you'll use it until the last drop.

Pros- contains SPF 15, will not cause pimples, oil-free, refines pores and leaves a matte finish.

Cons- a little pricey and the tube is small.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for oily/combination skin is a miracle in a bottle. If you've checked out my hubs before you'll know how much I love and appreciate this product. I love, love, love this product! For so long I thought about trying this foundation, but I assumed it would cause breakouts because of the cheap price. At $9-$12, depending on where you shop, this foundation is affordable for everyone. Honestly, my skin looks better because of this product. This foundation soaks up all the oil on my skin; preventing my pores from being clogged and pimples forming below the surface. My skin never feels oily or dry; it just has this great natural matte finish. I can wear this foundation in 90 degree heat, go swimming in the pool, run around after my daughter and do chores around the house, and still this product remains on my face. Even after 16 hours, without any touch-ups, this foundation stays on. It does not slide around or transfer onto your clothing. If there is one product you should buy from this entire makeup regimen, this is the one.

Pros- inexpensive, applies easily, matte finish, will not transfer onto clothes, does not cause pimples, evens skin tone, great coverage, stays on for over 16 hrs. and creates a shine-free finish.

Cons-hard to find because some people love to test the product at the store.

Now if you really want to make sure your makeup stays in place then Revlon Colorstay pressed powder is the one product I would highly recommend. Honestly, I rarely use it because the Colorstay foundation works great, but I could see the need for certain occasions like weddings, parties, extreme sports, etc. Also, this pressed powder is a great alternative if you tend to shy away from foundations. I know many people with oily skin prefer powders over liquid foundations. Believe me, I understand, but if you really want oil-proof makeup then try Revlon's Colorstay foundation and then, for those of you who want extra oil-control, seal it in with Revlon's Colorstay pressed powder. At $9-$12, depending on where you shop, you can afford to dip into your pocket. This product is formulated to minimize shine and create a fresh, flawless finish that wears for up to 16 hours! It never looks dry or cakey, which happens a lot with pressed powders, and it is oil-free. Also, this product comes in handy when you're on the go. Liquid foundation is almost impossible to put on when you're out and about, but this pressed powder comes in a great compact equipped with a puff applicator and mirror for easy application.

Pros- inexpensive, lasts for over 16 hrs., minimizes pores, matte finish, controls oil, easy application and provides excellent coverage.

Cons- small shade selection (light, fair and medium).

During one of my visits to Ross I happened to stumble upon a shelf filled with Physicians Formula products. I love their makeup and was pleased to find such a large selection at Ross for half the price. I found a product I had never tried before, Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Peachy Glow Bronze/Brightener. For quite a while I had searched for a bronzer that is lighter and more natural looking than other bronzers on the market. This product gives your complexion a natural glow and highlights the very best features of your face. It fades any imperfections and minimizes pores. I've used it all over my face, just on my cheekbones, as an eyeshadow, as a highlighter, and as a bronzer. This hypoallergenic product contains no talc, fragrance, oil, waxes, dyes or parabens. I love that I can wear this makeup and not have to worry about my skin looking oily or becoming clogged with unnecessary makeup fillers. This makeup is good for your skin and can be purchased at a reasonable price, $9-$13.

Pros- inexpensive, hypoallergenic, looks natural, highlights, contours, creates a healthy glow and is multifunctional (bronzer, brightener, blush and eyeshadow).

Cons- hard to find in the store and the brush that comes with the product does not work well. I recommend using your own foundation brush.

I discovered Covergirl's LashBlast mascara completely by accident during one of my trips to Walmart. I happened to be checking out the clearance section when I noticed a Covergirl makeup set sitting on the shelf. The clearance price was so outrageous, only $3, I had to buy the set. Most of the makeup did not work for me, but the mascara turned out to be a winner and it happened to be my favorite mascara color, very black. Why do I love this mascara? It stays on even when I sweat. You would think a person could not possibly sweat around the eyes, but I do. I have to be very careful about the eye makeup I choose because I can easily look like a raccoon by the end of the day. Covergirl Lashblast offers instant volume and fullness without clumping and turning your lashes into spider legs. It does not smear or smudge and is suitable for contact lens wearers like me. This mascara is hypoallergenic, making it safe for sensitive skin, and washes off easily with soap and water. The regular sale price ranges from $6-$10, depending on where you shop, and will stay on your lashes. I used this mascara during a recent trip to Donner Lake and it stayed put when I went paddle boating and hiking. It even stayed on my lashes when my daughter and nephew splashed around in the lake. Plus, when I took a little snooze in the car on the way back home, this mascara did not flake off around my eyes. Love it!

Pros- inexpensive, will not smear or smudge, hypoallergenic, no clumping, looks natural, great for oily skin, creates volume and maximizes length.

Cons- none

If you suffer from oily skin then you suffer from eyebrow makeup that loves to run down your face. This always happened to me before I discovered It Cosmetics Universal Brow. What makes this eyebrow pencil so amazing is that everyone can use this makeup. From the very lightest to the very darkest eyebrows, this pencil will create natural looking brows. It Cosmetics created an eyebrow pencil that transforms and adjusts to all brow hair colors. The oval shaped tip creates the most natural looking, believable brow and is perfect for both thin and thick brows. The long-wear formula is waterproof and smudge-resistant. The company promotes active ingredients that target the look of brow hair loss to restore your brow hair follicles. Honestly, after two years of using this product, I noticed no restoration to my brow hair follicles. Believe me, I would notice, because I've plucked most of the hair out. However, it is long-wearing and will not melt off your face when a few oil glands go haywire. I used this eyebrow pencil right before I went swimming and it managed to stay put. What a relief to still have eyebrows when exiting the pool! This fabulous eyebrow pencil will make a dent in your piggy-bank, it will set you back about $29, but it will last for years. I've used the same pencil for over two years now and I love it.

Pros- universal, natural looking, smudge-resistant, waterproof and promotes healthy brow hair follicles.

Cons- a little pricey.