Acne-Safe and Acne-Scary Makeup Spotlight: NARS Cosmetics

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation has been our “OG” acne-safe foundation since 2010. But does that mean all NARS makeup is safe for acne-prone skin? Definitely not; hopefully, we’ve taught you better than that! ;) So, below, we’ve broken all their products (minus lip and eye products) into three categories: acne-safe (meaning full green light status), slightly scary (meaning to proceed with caution generally, but shelf it if breaking out), and finally a straight up no way (meaning it’s a “no” all the time for acne-prone skin). Remember, manufacturers often change formulas without notice, so we try to update our list regularly. If you see something we previously recommended now on the slightly scary or no list, it’s because the formula most likely changed.

Foundation / Tinted Moisturizer

Sheer Glow Foundation – Acne safe! 

Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation – Proceed with caution!

Diisostearyl Malate, Ascophyllum nodosum extract (seaweed derivative) 

Soft Matte Complete Foundation – Proceed with caution!

Plankton Extract 

Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation – Proceed with caution!

Stearic Acid 

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 – Proceed with caution!

Talc, Limonene, Citral 

Concealer 

Soft Matte Complete Concealer – No way! 

Palmitic acid 

Radiant Creamy Concealer – Proceed with caution!

Isostearic acid 

Radiant Creamy Color Corrector – Proceed with caution! (unless no breakouts near under eyes)

Isostearic acid 

Light Reflecting Eye Brightener – No way! (unless no breakouts near under eyes)

Ethhexyl Palmitate, Cotton seed oil, Mango seed butter 

Bronzer 

Laguna Bronzer Powder – No way! 

Ethylhexyl Palmitate 

Laguna Bronzer Cream – No way! 

Coconut oil 

Blush

Powder Blush (Orgasm) –  No way! 

Magnesium Myristate  

The Multiple – Acne safe!

Liquid Blush – No way!

Isostearic acid, Coconut Oil

Afterglow Liquid Blush – Acne safe! 

Primer / Setting Powder / Setting Mist

Light Reflection Hydrating Primer – No way! 

Mango Seed Butter, Chrondus Crispus

Soft Matte Primer – No way! 

Talc, Kappaphycus extract 

Radiance Primer SPF 35 – Acne safe! 

Lunar New Year Light Reflecting Setting Powder – Proceed with caution!

Ascophyllum nodosum extract (seaweed)

After Party Light Reflecting Powder – Proceed with caution!

Ascophyllum nodosum extract (seaweed)

Light Reflecting Setting Pressed Powder – Proceed with caution!

Ascophyllum nodosum extract (seaweed)

Light Reflecting Setting Loose Powder – Acne safe!

Soft Matte Advanced Perfecting Powder – Proceed with caution! (and always keep sponge clean)

Cocoa seed butter, shea butter 

Light Reflecting Makeup Setting Mist – Proceed with caution!

Ascophyllum nodosum extract (seaweed), limonene