Apply Makeup when You Have Acne

Applying makeup over acne may seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Some makeup can clog your pores and cause worse outbreaks, but knowing what makeup to use and how to use it can promote healthier skin and a smoother, more natural look. Good skin care, careful product selection and proper technique can make a big difference in your daily makeup routine.

Steps

Using Makeup Expertly

1. Clean your skin before using makeup. Applying makeup over acne starts with preparing the skin properly beforehand. Clean, smooth and moisturized skin creates a healthy looking complexion. Wash your face well with warm water and a facewash to clean dirt and impurities off your skin.
   • Wash with just your hands rather than a wash cloth to avoid over exfoliating, which can cause worse skin irritation and more acne.
2. Remove flakes to create a smooth surface. It’s tough to apply foundation over flaky skin. If your wash didn’t remove all flakes, try simply patting your skin with Scotch tape to gently remove flakes.
3. Follow with a non-greasy moisturizer. Lightly apply a non-oily moisturizer to your whole face. Over flaky areas, dab a small amount onto the area with your ring finger and let sit for 5 minutes before continuing your makeup routine.
4. Create an even base. Acne scars and pimples can make a bumpy surface that draws attention to problem areas when it catches the light. Use a silicone primer to smooth and fill in fine lines.
5. Apply a very thin layer of foundation. Avoid a caked-on look by using clean, bare hands and a light touch to apply a sheer foundation.Overloading skin with too many layers will block pores, encourage breakouts, and actually emphasize your skin’s texture and acne.
   • Pick the correct shade of foundation for your skin by selecting two shades that come closest to your skin tone, applying each of them to your jawline, and comparing them in a mirror outside in natural light. Match your foundation shade to the skin on your neck so that your face and body turn out the same color.
6. Use concealer only over blemishes. Add a small dot of concealer over each blemish and lightly tap it with your ring finger until it blends with your foundation. Using concealer over your whole face will look cakey. Let your healthy skin shine through by using concealer only as needed.
   • You want to detract attention from pimples, and covering a pimple with light concealer actually highlights it. Use a concealer that is slightly darker than your foundation but will still blend with it.
7. Dust lightly with powder if you have oily skin. Otherwise carry blotting papers with you to gently remove excess oil without smearing makeup throughout the day.
8. Camouflage discoloration from acne and scars with color correctors. Paint over each scar with a color corrector then tap it with your ring finger to blend. For instance green counteracts red, so a green tinted concealer can cover redness from acne. Peach, tangerine, and deeper orange shades neutralize acne scars well.
9. Highlight your healthy skin areas with color.Embellish your makeup with gorgeous blushes and highlighters to detract attention from acne. Add glow to your complexion by applying a subtle highlighter to your cheekbones and brow bone at the end.
10. Create a distraction by accentuating other features. Use lid liner, eye shadow, mascara, blush, or lipstick to highlight and create focal points around eyes, lips or cheeks and draw attention away from the blemished areas.
    • If your pimple is on your chin or cheeks, focus on your eye makeup. Avoid glosses or bright lipstick as this will draw attention to your lips.
    • If your zit is on your forehead or upper cheek, a dramatic lip shade will direct attention to the lower part of your face.

Preventing Acne

1. Remove makeup before bedtime. Removing your makeup at the end of the day is one of the best ways to avoid further breakouts. Get into a good routine of cleansing and moisturizing before bed. Very gently wash off makeup using your bare hands with warm water and a facial cleanser for 10 seconds or less.
   • Avoid towelettes, makeup-removing wipes, washcloths, or scrubbers, as these can further irritate your skin.
2. Clean your makeup tools. Wash your brushes and makeup tools with a mild shampoo or brush cleaner, and replace sponges regularly. Acne is caused by bacteria and keeping clean tools can help minimize breakouts.
   • Wash your pillowcases and towels often. Items that touch your face should be kept clean and bacteria-free.
3. Select acne-safe products. Choosing makeup made for acne-prone or sensitive skin will help prevent breakouts caused by some makeup. Try to choose sheer or light coverage varieties that are non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and fragrance-free. Look for products with these guidelines:
   • Avoid products with thick or very creamy texture, which will clog pores more easily.
   • Gels, light serums and fluids are better for pores than thicker makeup.
   • Oils don’t clog the pores but can make your skin appear greasy.
   • Avoid products that contain irritants such as alcohol, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus, camphor, lemon, grapefruit, or lime.
4. Look for makeup containing acne treatment. Some cosmetics brands have lines of makeup containing salicylic acid, an ingredient in acne medications. These are not proven to be more effective at preventing acne, but may be worth trying out.

Treating Mild Acne at Home

1. Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser twice daily. Use your hands to wash your face with a mild soap and warm water.
   • If you often get acne around your hairline, shampoo your hair every day.
   • Guys, be gentle while shaving affected skin.
2. Avoid products that irritate skin. Stay away from oily or greasy cosmetics, sunscreens, hairstyling products and concealers. Avoid facial scrubs, astringents, and masks, which can irritate skin and worsen acne.
3. Use an oil-free moisturizer with sunscreen. For some people the sun worsens acne, and some acne medications make you more sensitive to sunlight. Your healthcare provider can warn you if your medication is one of these. If it is, stay out of the sun as much as possible. Regularly use a non-oily moisturizer that includes a sunscreen.
4. Watch what touches your skin. Keep your hair clean and off your face and avoid resting your hands, phone, or other objects on your face.
   • Don't pick or squeeze blemishes. This can cause infection or scarring.
5. Shower after you exercise. Oil and sweat on your skin can worsen breakouts.

Treating Moderate to Severe Acne

1. Purchase over-the-counter products with acne-fighting ingredients. Look for products with the following in the first seven items on their list of ingredients:
   • Benzoyl peroxide: kills the bacteria that cause acne, helps remove oil from the skin and removes dead skin cells that can clog pores.
   • Salicylic acid: helps prevent pores from becoming plugged.
   • Alpha hydroxy acids: help to remove dead skin cells and reduce inflammation, and stimulate the growth of newer smoother skin. Two types of alpha hydroxy acids that are used in nonprescription acne products are glycolic acid and lactic acid.
   • Sulfur: helps removes dead skin cells and excess oil. Some products have an unpleasant smell.
   • If you have a mild reaction to the product, switch to something new. Some products can cause dryness, redness, mild stinging or irritation, especially when you first start using them. Be aware of skin changes with new products and try a different product if you don’t react well.
2. See your healthcare provider for stronger medications. If home care remedies and over-the-counter products don't work to clear up your acne, see your family doctor. He or she can prescribe stronger medications and discuss the risks and benefits with you.
3. Visit a specialist if your acne persists or is severe. Request a referral from your family doctor to see a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in skin problems.

Warnings

• The Food and Drug Administration warns that some popular nonprescription acne-fighting skin products can cause a rare but serious reaction. Get emergency medical care if you use a nonprescription skin product and experience faintness, difficulty breathing, tightness of the throat, or swelling of the eyes, face, lips or tongue.

Related Articles

• Apply Makeup to Conceal Acne and Look Natural
• Hide Acne With Makeup
• Apply Makeup when You Have Acne
• Cover Up Acne Blemishes

Sources and Citations

See also

• Reduce Pimple Redness and Size (Aspirin Method)
• Clear Blackheads with Toothpaste
• Get Rid of a Pimple
• Get Rid of Chest Acne
• Stop or Cure Pimples
• Get Rid of Large Pores and Blemishes
• Hide Pimples
• Prevent Acne
• Get Rid of a Zit Overnight
• Get Rid of Bacne

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