Make-Up for Acne-Prone Skin: Tips for Hiding Blemishes & Pimples on Oily Skin

Acne is something that everyone has experienced at some point in their lives and it can be super annoying. The key is to first understand what causes it and how to prevent it. Treating acne can take time, along with dedication and perseverance. However, we still want to look and feel good about ourselves, with or without acne. Acne-prone skin and make-up don’t always work together, but if applied correctly using the right products, it will make your skin look polished.

The trick is to find the right ingredients in the make-up products for acne-prone skin. Some women make the mistake of applying too much make-up to cover the blemishes. It ever so happens that make-up will end up highlighting the blemishes and breakouts. Remember, less is more. Applying make-up and concealing without causing your acne to aggravate is very important.

Make-up Tips for Acne-Prone Skin

Clean & Moisturise: Rinse you face thoroughly, a clean and fresh face is important. The first step is to moisturise your face well. Prep skin with a natural, lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser. The powder layers will make your skin dry, especially for people who have an inherent dry skin, hence, moisturising is essential. In fact, moisturiser may assist in keeping your make-up to last longer and your skin will look fresh and untouchable. They will also protect your skin from the irritations caused by make-up. Apply moisturiser five to 10 minutes before applying foundation. Choose a SPF-based moisturiser that can help block the sun without using harmful chemicals.

Foundation: Apply foundation that matches your skin exactly. Choose an oil-free foundation and make-up products that will not prevent the underlying acne medication, if you are on any, from doing its job. Use a lighter shade of foundation for your eyelids, forehead, areas around your lips and above the jaw line and darker shade for the cheeks, nose and chin. You can use powder, cream or liquid foundation unless they do not contain oil, paraffin or other comedogenic ingredients. Avoid the temptation to apply a thick layer to cover blemishes or breakouts.

Concealer: Do not go overboard with applying a layer of concealer. You just need to apply a little concealer and then spread evenly on your acne spots. You need to opt for a concealer cream that is appropriate colour for your skin. It is recommended to choose a concealer that is slightly lighter than your natural skin tone. If you have red splotches, use a green colour corrector underneath your colour concealer first. For dark spots, choose a peach colour corrector. Using a nylon concealer brush works best for application.

Powder: Applying powder will help the foundation cream and concealer to stay longer on your face and will continue to hide your unpleasant blemishes. Choose a sheer powder to help set the foundation. This will also prevent the make-up from looking dry and cakey. Powder your face with a cotton and then lightly tap it on your face to ensure that the powder layer will be even and not too thick. Only apply powder if you have areas that shine heavily. If you don’t need it, skip it entirely.

Brushes: The best make-up brushes are clean brushes. Wash your tools once a week with a gentle cleanser and rinse them well. Excess make-up and oil on your brushes will only cause more breakouts, which you want to avoid at all costs. This is the most effective and best make-up trick for acne-prone skin and scars, which you shouldn’t look down and ignore. Do not use sponge cotton pieces as they may be detrimental to the skin as it is more likely to spread bacteria and make your acne condition severe.

Natural products: Always check the ingredients. Avoid using alcohol-based products as they will only agitate the problem skin and cause more breakouts. Use products that are non-comedogenic, paraben-free, sulphate-free and oil-free. These ingredients are likely to clog pores and irritate skin.

Applying make-up on oily skin can be really challenging. Finding the right products for oily skin and the techniques is half the battle won. Always keep your skin clean, healthy and well-moisturised. Hunt for products that work well with oilier skin types like oil-absorbing, mattifying, oil-free and long-wear. Also ensure that your skin is properly prepped, eye shadow and face make-up will last longer and will avoid unwanted shine. Follow these tips and tricks and your make-up woes will disappear in no time.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 26, 2018 05:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).