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Makeup and acne can feel like a tricky mix. Most advice says to skip makeup during flare-ups to let your skin breathe, but does that mean you have to go bare-faced, especially if breakouts are frequent? Not at all! With a few smart tips and the right products, you can still enjoy a full-glam look—even if a breakout appears before a big day.
We asked celebrity and bridal makeup artist Tanvi Chemburkar for her best tips on applying makeup over acne. From creating a smooth base and concealing scars (only if you want to!) to ensuring your makeup won’t worsen acne, she’s shared everything you need to know.
PS: Keep reading to find the makeup products Chemburkar swears by for acne-prone skin!
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Choosing the right products is crucial when it comes to wearing makeup over acne. The first thing to keep in mind is to pick only non-comedogenic formulas—that is, products that won’t clog your pores.
With acne, one tends to opt for a heavier base, which often ends up looking cakey. Chemburkar recommends doing your makeup in layers to avoid this. “Pick lightweight products that are buildable. This way, you can do your makeup in layers and build it up to your desired coverage,” she suggests.
Avoid heavy formulas, as they tend to draw even more attention to the acne and prevent your skin from breathing. She also advises steering clear of heavier ingredients like coconut or mineral oils, as these are likely to clog your pores. Chemburkar further adds, “I’d advise avoiding products with alcohol in them, as it can dry out your skin and irritate it further.”
The same rule of thumb applies to spot correction. “Spot correct wherever you have active acne or scarring—this is better than using a heavy foundation all over your face.” For this, you’ll need a green corrector to calm redness and a peach one to conceal any scars. The next thing you’ll want to stock up on is a matte concealer and a translucent loose powder to set the concealer in place inconspicuously. Once you’ve followed all these steps, you can seal your look with a light, hydrating spray to keep your makeup looking fresh and natural.
Another important factor to keep in mind when choosing base products like foundation or concealer is the finish. “Matte foundations work best for covering acne, as they control shine while providing better coverage. Powder foundations can also help set your makeup in place and lend it a more natural look. I would not recommend using dewy foundations, as they tend to emphasise the appearance of texture and acne on your skin,” advises Chemburkar.
It’s important to start with a clean slate before applying your makeup. “Wash your face with a non-comedogenic face wash—something that will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean without irritating it,” recommends Chemburkar. You can also use micellar water if you’re in a pinch.
When it comes to moisturisers, opt for a soothing formulation that calms redness and irritation. “Pick an oil-free, lightweight moisturiser that will hydrate your skin without clogging your pores—anything water- or gel-based works best.” She adds, “If you have active acne or irritated skin, you’re most likely also dealing with a lot of redness and sensitivity. So, make sure you pick products that are soothing and non-irritating. You can also choose to apply a pore-filling primer to reduce the appearance of acne and scars.” A pore-filling primer is particularly helpful if you have uneven texture, as it helps create a more even, smoother base.
Once your skin feels hydrated and smooth, the next step is to colour-correct and conceal. A green colour corrector works effectively to neutralise redness, as these colours are complementary to each other on the colour wheel.
“To combat redness, take a green corrector and apply it only to the affected areas. Usually, these areas are on your cheeks and chin. Use a blender, brush, or your finger to pat it gently. Once completely blended, you’ll already see the red tint being neutralised. Cover this with a non-comedogenic concealer or foundation of your choice, and set it with loose powder,” instructs Chemburkar.
The key to making your makeup last longer lies in adequate preparation. “Use a mattifying primer to ensure your makeup lasts longer. This will also help control shine. Also, make sure your face is moisturised with an oil-free, gel-based hydrator before you begin applying makeup,” says Chemburkar.
For foundation and concealer, high-coverage, matte formulas can help keep your makeup fresh throughout the day. “You definitely want to set your makeup with a lightweight, translucent powder to lock everything in place. For on-the-go refreshes, you can carry blotting paper to absorb excess oil without disturbing your makeup.”
Choosing the right products is crucial when it comes to wearing makeup over acne. The first thing to keep in mind is to pick only non-comedogenic formulas—that is, products that won’t clog your pores.
With acne, one tends to opt for a heavier base, which often ends up looking cakey. Chemburkar recommends doing your makeup in layers to avoid this. “Pick lightweight products that are buildable. This way, you can do your makeup in layers and build it up to your desired coverage,” she suggests.
Avoid heavy formulas, as they tend to draw even more attention to the acne and prevent your skin from breathing. She also advises steering clear of heavier ingredients like coconut or mineral oils, as these are likely to clog your pores. Chemburkar further adds, “I’d advise avoiding products with alcohol in them, as it can dry out your skin and irritate it further.”
The same rule of thumb applies to spot correction. “Spot correct wherever you have active acne or scarring—this is better than using a heavy foundation all over your face.” For this, you’ll need a green corrector to calm redness and a peach one to conceal any scars. The next thing you’ll want to stock up on is a matte concealer and a translucent loose powder to set the concealer in place inconspicuously. Once you’ve followed all these steps, you can seal your look with a light, hydrating spray to keep your makeup looking fresh and natural.
Another important factor to keep in mind when choosing base products like foundation or concealer is the finish. “Matte foundations work best for covering acne, as they control shine while providing better coverage. Powder foundations can also help set your makeup in place and lend it a more natural look. I would not recommend using dewy foundations, as they tend to emphasise the appearance of texture and acne on your skin,” advises Chemburkar.
It’s important to start with a clean slate before applying your makeup. “Wash your face with a non-comedogenic face wash—something that will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean without irritating it,” recommends Chemburkar. You can also use micellar water if you’re in a pinch.
When it comes to moisturisers, opt for a soothing formulation that calms redness and irritation. “Pick an oil-free, lightweight moisturiser that will hydrate your skin without clogging your pores—anything water- or gel-based works best.” She adds, “If you have active acne or irritated skin, you’re most likely also dealing with a lot of redness and sensitivity. So, make sure you pick products that are soothing and non-irritating. You can also choose to apply a pore-filling primer to reduce the appearance of acne and scars.” A pore-filling primer is particularly helpful if you have uneven texture, as it helps create a more even, smoother base.
Once your skin feels hydrated and smooth, the next step is to colour-correct and conceal. A green colour corrector works effectively to neutralise redness, as these colours are complementary to each other on the colour wheel.
“To combat redness, take a green corrector and apply it only to the affected areas. Usually, these areas are on your cheeks and chin. Use a blender, brush, or your finger to pat it gently. Once completely blended, you’ll already see the red tint being neutralised. Cover this with a non-comedogenic concealer or foundation of your choice, and set it with loose powder,” instructs Chemburkar.
The key to making your makeup last longer lies in adequate preparation. “Use a mattifying primer to ensure your makeup lasts longer. This will also help control shine. Also, make sure your face is moisturised with an oil-free, gel-based hydrator before you begin applying makeup,” says Chemburkar.
For foundation and concealer, high-coverage, matte formulas can help keep your makeup fresh throughout the day. “You definitely want to set your makeup with a lightweight, translucent powder to lock everything in place. For on-the-go refreshes, you can carry blotting paper to absorb excess oil without disturbing your makeup.”
Choosing the right products is crucial when it comes to wearing makeup over acne. The first thing to keep in mind is to pick only non-comedogenic formulas—that is, products that won’t clog your pores.
With acne, one tends to opt for a heavier base, which often ends up looking cakey. Chemburkar recommends doing your makeup in layers to avoid this. “Pick lightweight products that are buildable. This way, you can do your makeup in layers and build it up to your desired coverage,” she suggests.
Avoid heavy formulas, as they tend to draw even more attention to the acne and prevent your skin from breathing. She also advises steering clear of heavier ingredients like coconut or mineral oils, as these are likely to clog your pores. Chemburkar further adds, “I’d advise avoiding products with alcohol in them, as it can dry out your skin and irritate it further.”
The same rule of thumb applies to spot correction. “Spot correct wherever you have active acne or scarring—this is better than using a heavy foundation all over your face.” For this, you’ll need a green corrector to calm redness and a peach one to conceal any scars. The next thing you’ll want to stock up on is a matte concealer and a translucent loose powder to set the concealer in place inconspicuously. Once you’ve followed all these steps, you can seal your look with a light, hydrating spray to keep your makeup looking fresh and natural.
Another important factor to keep in mind when choosing base products like foundation or concealer is the finish. “Matte foundations work best for covering acne, as they control shine while providing better coverage. Powder foundations can also help set your makeup in place and lend it a more natural look. I would not recommend using dewy foundations, as they tend to emphasise the appearance of texture and acne on your skin,” advises Chemburkar.
It’s important to start with a clean slate before applying your makeup. “Wash your face with a non-comedogenic face wash—something that will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean without irritating it,” recommends Chemburkar. You can also use micellar water if you’re in a pinch.
When it comes to moisturisers, opt for a soothing formulation that calms redness and irritation. “Pick an oil-free, lightweight moisturiser that will hydrate your skin without clogging your pores—anything water- or gel-based works best.” She adds, “If you have active acne or irritated skin, you’re most likely also dealing with a lot of redness and sensitivity. So, make sure you pick products that are soothing and non-irritating. You can also choose to apply a pore-filling primer to reduce the appearance of acne and scars.” A pore-filling primer is particularly helpful if you have uneven texture, as it helps create a more even, smoother base.
Once your skin feels hydrated and smooth, the next step is to colour-correct and conceal. A green colour corrector works effectively to neutralise redness, as these colours are complementary to each other on the colour wheel.
“To combat redness, take a green corrector and apply it only to the affected areas. Usually, these areas are on your cheeks and chin. Use a blender, brush, or your finger to pat it gently. Once completely blended, you’ll already see the red tint being neutralised. Cover this with a non-comedogenic concealer or foundation of your choice, and set it with loose powder,” instructs Chemburkar.
The key to making your makeup last longer lies in adequate preparation. “Use a mattifying primer to ensure your makeup lasts longer. This will also help control shine. Also, make sure your face is moisturised with an oil-free, gel-based hydrator before you begin applying makeup,” says Chemburkar.
For foundation and concealer, high-coverage, matte formulas can help keep your makeup fresh throughout the day. “You definitely want to set your makeup with a lightweight, translucent powder to lock everything in place. For on-the-go refreshes, you can carry blotting paper to absorb excess oil without disturbing your makeup.”
