Makeup for acne prone skin

I’ll begin by addressing a few myths about acne and makeup. Firstly, acne isn’t caused by makeup as many people will claim. However certain makeup products can worsen an already active breakout. Secondly, the term “non-comedogenic” which supposedly means it won’t clog your pores or contribute to acne, actually doesn’t mean much, since using products with this claim won’t make you exempt from all the other external factors that can lead to clogged pores, and there is no way to universally measure what causes it.

Similarly, “hypoallergenic” means very little, as there are no regulations or guidelines in determining what makes a product unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. We are all different and have different sensitivities, so what may be unlikely in some can affect others adversely.

That being said, there are certain products you can avoid to lessen your chances of aggravating existing acne. For example, heavy or waxy products can put too much strain on the skin. It will just sit on top of the skin, clinging to rough patches and will look very unnatural. It can also make you produce more oil, causing your makeup to slide into enlarged pores, which is never a flattering look. You’d be far better off using a light to medium coverage foundation and spot concealing any blemishes with a full coverage concealer, so you can at least see your real skin peeking through instead of a solid blanket of makeup. You will also want to avoid products with irritants such as alcohol or fragrance. These can cause inflammation especially to those with sensitive skin, leading to higher levels of oil production, redness and worsened breakouts.

I think the best thing you can do is to apply a primer to shield and treat your breakouts and opt for oil controlling makeup. Since acne can occur when a pore becomes blocked with a mixture of oil, dead skin and bacteria, it can be beneficial to keep the skin clean (but not squeaky clean, as this can be too harsh and irritating), exfoliated and as oil-free as possible.

Additionally, never use dirty tools to apply your makeup. Wash your brushes regularly with antibacterial soap or spot clean them with at least 90% isopropyl alcohol to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Certain acne treatment products can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so begin with an oil-free sunscreen. Then use a small amount of primer on blemishes alone, to seal them and aid in healing. The primer I recommend for this step is Cover FX Blemish Treatment Primer. It treats blemishes with a low dose of salicylic acid, and creates a protective barrier between your blemish and makeup, enabling a smoother application and longer wear of concealer. My favourite foundation for acne prone skin is Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation. It offers an oil-free, medium coverage, velvet matte finish, and because it goes from liquid to a soft powder as you blend, you won’t need to apply any additional powder on top. Less product means a more natural overall appearance. The clay in the foundation is supposed to absorb 75% of its weight in sebum without drying out the skin.

If you need additional coverage, a concealer such as Kat Von D’s Lock-It Tattoo concealer will do the trick with its smooth, matte coverage. It claims to last 24 hours as well, so you shouldn’t have to touch up! So the bottom line is, wearing makeup is not the problem. However it is imperative that you take it off at the end of the day. Never sleep with your makeup on or you’ll stifle your skin and prevent it from repairing itself, possibly worsening your acne. Always wash two times; once to remove your makeup and a second time to remove dirt and excess oil.

My last word of advice is to never pick at your skin and don’t even think of putting makeup on top of a weeping blemish. Your skin will thank you later!