How I Found the Perfect Makeup for Acne-Prone Skin
When youβre an acne-prone person, it can be difficult to find makeup that not only wonβt cause breakouts but will also make you look your best and feel confident and beautiful. When I was younger, I suffered from terrible acne that left my skin so scarred that I never wanted to wear makeup in public at all, no matter how much my mother begged me to. So when I finally decided to start wearing makeup again and made it my mission to find the perfect products for my sensitive skin, hereβs what I learned!
Choosing a Foundation
When it comes to foundation, you have a lot of options: liquid, powder, mousse, creΜme, and stick. If you’re shopping in person at a makeup counter or beauty boutique, feel free to ask an expert for helpβor make an appointment with one. Most places offer complimentary consultations in which a professional will guide you through different types of products and tips for applying them. You’ll also want to make sure your foundation matches your skin tone (light-skinned people should avoid dark shades and vice versa) as well as your skin type (dry skin tends to fare better with liquid foundations). Foundation can also be drugstore brands or designer brands depending on your price range.
Concealer
Many women with acne-prone skin have tried concealer, but often with disappointment. Conventional advice will tell you to use a lightweight liquid foundation on top of a regular concealer to make it stay put all day. Unfortunately, using a heavy layer of liquid foundation will only clog your pores and make matters worse. Using an oil-free BB cream or CC cream is another common suggestion that helps stop breakouts, but again causes issues because many contain ingredients that exacerbate acne. For those with severe acne, non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) formulas may be best but just add more time and expense to a beauty routine that’s already full enough as it is. Skip out on conventional makeup suggestions; they’re probably doing more harm than good if you have acne-prone skin.
Powder
For a fresh, dewy look that keeps acne-prone skin looking clear, try using a pressed powder. Because most powders are oil-free and contain anti-acne agents like tea tree oil or salicylic acid, they can help prevent pimples from getting out of control. When picking a powder, opt for one with an SPF to shield your skin from sun damage as well. Find some recommendations here.
Bronzer, Blush & Highlighter
After doing your makeup, you’re going to want to apply bronzer, blush, and highlighter. These three products are definitely a staple in my daily routine because they instantly make my skin look better. Bronzer helps give you some color on your face while contouring it. Blush makes your cheeks pop by giving them a nice rosy color that isn’t too dark or overdone. Highlighter is best used on top of bronzer or foundation since it helps add brightness and highlight areas of your face where light naturally hits; such as underneath cheekbones and near your nose. The key with these 3 products is to use very little so that you don’t look like an overdone clown! Learn how to pick out each one correctly and apply it correctly using YouTube tutorials!
Eye Shadow
Letβs face itβacne-prone skin isnβt exactly easy to work with. One way to even out your complexion and give yourself a healthy glow is by using eye shadow. Avoid shimmery colors, as they can accentuate acne scarring, and focus on matte or satin shades instead. I like browns, golds, and taupes that are applied in a cat-eye winged look; use an eye shadow brush to keep it fresh-looking all day. Start with a neutral color on the upper lid and then build up darker tones along your lash line. Add some mascara and you’re ready to go! If you have trouble getting close enough to apply your makeup, try buying a mini mirror that attaches onto any flat surface (like your smartphone) so you can easily put makeup wherever you please. And if you need more help knowing how makeup works best for different complexions, just ask someone at Sephora! They’re always more than happy to help!
Mascara
If youβre looking to up your makeup game, a good mascara can make all of your other efforts go down easier. Our eyes are one of our most striking features and mascara really allows us to maximize that fact with bold and eye-catching lashes. Check out what makes these four mascaras different: Benefit Cosmetics Bad Gal Lash ($24): Big, beautiful lashes is what youβll get with Bad Gal Lash from Benefit Cosmetics. With big brushes and volumizing formulas, it wonβt flake or smudge under intense conditionsβjust swipe on when you want your lashes to look their best!
Lipstick & Lip Balm
Whether you suffer from acne or not, lipstick and lip balm will serve you well. Lipstick can conceal blemishes, balance out lips if theyβre too light or dark, and it helps to hide any discoloration from age spots. Lipstick is also a great choice if you have dry skin as it adds moisture while covering any issues your face may have. Many lipsticks come with SPF protection so they help to fight against sun damage and skin cancer as well. Additionally, consider adding an SPF lip balm to your beauty routine. It protects against sun damage and keeps lips hydrated during cold winter months when you spend most of your time indoors. Youβll be protecting yourself from painfully chapped lips while keeping yourself looking younger than ever!
