Acne-Safe & Acne-Scary Makeup Spotlight: Neutrogena
Neutrogena is a true OG. Created in the 1930s, it’s been a staple for teens, SPF, and straightforward over-the-counter products. Some of their makeup products are even marketed to be geared toward acne-prone skin. But can you trust it? Let’s find out!
How we judge our acne-safe makeup guides
Our acne-safe ratings are based on a combination of ingredient research, published comedogenicity data, and real-world clinical experience. We carefully review each formulation and weigh the potential risks and benefits – so you don’t have to.
Comedogenicity is science-based, but it isn’t an exact science. Everyone’s skin behaves differently. Some ingredients that clog pores for one person may be perfectly fine for another, and occasionally a formula that looks “safe on paper” can still cause congestion in real life.
Makeup is inherently a higher risk category for acne-prone skin – but that doesn’t mean it has to be off-limits. Our goal is to make navigating makeup simpler, smarter, and a lot less stressful.
What our ratings mean
“Acne-safe!”
These are products we’d feel comfortable trying ourselves on acne-prone skin. They typically contain zero to one low-risk red flags and are the options we’d encourage you to start with if you’re shopping for something new.
“Proceed with caution!”
These products aren’t automatic no’s – but they deserve a slower approach. They may contain a few low-risk red flags or one moderate concern. If you already own them, you don’t necessarily need to toss them – just pay attention to how your skin responds.
“No way!”
These are best avoided if you’re acne-prone. The formulation contains multiple or higher-risk pore-clogging ingredients, making breakouts much more likely.
A quick (but important) disclaimer
These ratings are about acne – not “clean beauty,” not brand endorsement, and not a guarantee. They’re simply our best professional assessment of how likely a product is to contribute to clogged pores. From there, we rely heavily on client feedback and lived experience to help guide personalized recommendations – because your skin always gets the final vote.
Primer:
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Grip Primer – Acne-safe!
Foundation:
Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 20 – No way!
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Sensitive Skin Serum Foundation – Acne-safe!
Neutrogena Clear Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream – Acne-safe!
Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector – No way!
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint for Dry Skin – Acne-safe!
Concealer:
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Perfector Pen – Acne-safe!
Healthy Skin Radiant Cream Concealer – No way!
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer – Acne-safe!
Powder:
SkinClearing Mineral Powder – Proceed with caution!
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Translucent Loose Setting Powder – No way!
Neutrogena® Shine Control Powder – No way!
Mineral Sheers Compact Powder Foundation – Proceed with caution!
Healthy Skin Pressed Powder – No way!
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder Foundation – Acne-safe!
Blush:
Neutrogena Healthy Glow Blush Stick – No way!
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Multi-Use Stick – No way!
Setting Mist:
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Setting Spray – No way!
Healthy Skin Radiant Setting Spray – No way!