Acne sufferers know just how hard it can be to locate makeup for acne prone skin that won’t give them yet more pimples.  Makeup that is supposedly safe for those with acne can still result in irritation of your skin or additional pimples.  Everyone’s skin reacts differently to each product and, no matter what the package says, there is no way to really know if a particular makeup is good for you until you try it.

As a starting point, it is helpful to know which products are most likely to be safe for your particular skin type.  You need to adhere to some tips as you examine in makeup product to determine which is safe and which to avoid.  Be prepared for some trial and error on your part before you find your best makeup match.

Read labels first to know what will definitely not be good for your skin.  Be careful of products that contain the following:

  • oily or greasy textures
  • products with a strong perfume or fragrance
  • anything with sodium lauryl sulfate or isopropyl isostearate on the ingredient list
  • makeup with bismuth oxychloride

Look for this wording on any product label:

  • non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging)
  • fragrance-free (as opposed to unscented, which may still contain fragrances)
  • hypoallergenic (for sensitive skin)
  • non-acnegenic (does not cause acne)

You will see many types of makeup for acne prone skin on store shelves.  A large number of people prefer mineral makeup.  You will see Bare Escentuals sold in many places on the internet since their bare minerals line is probably the most well-known mineral makeup line out there.  Dermatologists often recommend mineral makeup for acne prone skin, since the few ingredients it contains do not tend to irritate acne.  The coverage and natural finish of mineral makeup is achieved by the swirl, tap, buff method which Bare Minerals demonstrates in a video they supply with their Getting Started Kit.  Use a mineral veil or finishing powder after applying the rest of your makeup and it will last all day and control any excess oil.

You will find a number of makeup brands that contain salicylic acid to help get rid of acne.  Acne makeup is often refereed to as skin-clearing or oil-absorbing.  The salicylic acid ingredient helps fight the buildup of extra skin cells that form blockages in your pores.  You will also find a few acne makeup products that contain sulfur and tea tree oil, which can help avoid the formation of pimples by fighting the bacteria that cause them.  Makeup for acne prone skin that contains skin clearing ingredients will probably not help those with severe acne, though it can help some mild breakouts.  In fact, if you are already using another acne treatment, acne makeup with additional treatment ingredients can be too drying.

The flawless effect achieved by professional makeup artists is often a result of the use of airbrush makeup.  The makeup is sprayed on the skin in a fine mist using a special airbrush makeup machine.  The reason that airbrush makeup is safe for acne prone skin is that it lightly coats the whole skin, rather than being smoothed over and into the pores.  The downside is that airbrush makeup can be expensive initially, for the machine.  The makeup itself costs about the same as any good department store brand.

Your choices are almost limitless when it comes to looking at other makeup, so long as it is oil-free and non-comedogenic.  Most foundation and concealer is available in stick, cream to powder, powder compact, or the traditional liquid.  Select the formula of makeup you feel most comfortable with based on your skin type and how much acne you need to conceal.  A hydrating makeup is a possibility for dry skin so long as it will not clog your pores.  If you have oily skin, you should look at makeup that is described as oil-absorbing and you can finish it with an oil-absorbing powder.

Think about how important the quality of the makeup is compared to the price, how much you are willing to spend, and the color selection..  However, don’t choose the cheapest makeup just because you want to save money.  Foundation and concealer are the toughest makeup to find in the right color for your skin and with enough coverage, so spend a little extra on these.  Some items available in discount stores and pharmacies are good enough quality that you don’t need to spend extra, such as eye shadow, eye liner and lipstick.  Rather than worrying about the form or price of makeup you use, focus on buying a safe makeup for acne prone skin, does not make your skin break out, conceals what need to be concealed, and looks great.