How to Color Correct: Best Drugstore Makeup to Cover Acne

Affiliate Links PR Sample

Just when I was getting a handle on my acne, a new product I tested earlier this month completely broke me out. It had actually been a while since I had experienced so many red and angry looking zits. With a ton of projects on my plate, I still needed to create a camera-ready canvas. Luckily, I have a handful of tried and true drugstore makeup to cover acne!

Keep reading to learn how to cover acne with makeup with my favorite techniques.

Step 1

The trick to throughly concealing acne: color correcting. Color correcting is the practice of using color theory to balance or “cancel out” discolorations in the skin. The opposite of red is green, and so green concealer helps diminish the redness of acne and keep it from showing under your foundation.

When color correcting first went mainstream, many of us thought the best way was to layer green concealer under our skin match concealer. Recently, though, I’ve discovered a much better way to do it: mix the green in with your normal concealer.

I find this to create a more even layer of product on the face, helping it blend in with the rest of your makeup more seamlessly, and doesn’t discernible create spots under your foundation with a weird undertone.

I’m actually using the L.A. Colors Conceal It! Concealer which pops up now and again at my local dollar store, though it’s nearly identical to the L.A. Girls HD Pro Conceal in Green (these two brands are actually made by the same company). For my skin match concealer, I use the e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer in Medium Peach.

Step 2

Keeping the mix about 75% skin match and 25% green is the perfect ratio, though feel free to play around depending on how much redness you’re trying to cover. I dot the concealer on with a blending brush and blend out softly in circular motions to soften the border of the concealer.

Step 3

I follow up with what I consider to be the best drugstore foundation: the L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Liquid Foundation. This is a full coverage, long wear foundation that looks incredibly natural on the skin. The finish looks like radiant, fresh skin though it’s not outright dewy or matte. This is the most flattering finish for active acne as your spots won’t look highlighted from shine or crusty as they can when mattified.

When I really want to maintain the foundation’s full coverage, I use a brush to apply. The Real Techniques Expert Face Brush is a classic for creating a smooth base with liquid foundation.

Step 4

While the L’Oreal foundation lasts all day in ideal conditions, a soft dusting of setting powder does help smooth over skin texture and make acne look less raised. While not technically drugstore, the AOA Studio Perfect Setting Powder is my absolute favorite. It’s only $1 but performs as well— if not better— than high end powders I own. It’s very fine and soft so applies and blends evenly, doesn’t cause flashback in photos, and helps your makeup stay in place.

Final Results

With this routine, you can see that my acne is much less prominent, and in some places even invisible! While I do prefer to let acne breathe as much as possible while treating it to clear, when I need to be on camera this is the best drugstore makeup to cover acne that looks natural and lasts.

– Miranda

2 Comments

Linda Markham says:

October 31, 2021 at 12:20 pm

How do I conceal dark circles under my eyes

1. Miranda says:
  
  November 1, 2021 at 10:14 am
  
  You can use this same method with a peach or orange concealer (peach for fair skin tones, orange for deeper)