Although it’s typically associated with teenage breakouts, acne is something that anyone can suffer with at any point in their lives. And if you’re trying to create a picture-perfect finish, it can pose a difficult challenge. After all, get it wrong and you run the risk of making your skin even more inflamed and irritated than it was before. Thankfully, there are ways to cover up any inconvenient breakouts with foundation – and here’s how.
The first step, according to experts, is to make sure that your skin is properly prepared. If you don’t exfoliate before applying foundation, dead skin cells can make for a flaky finish. And after a gentle scrub, you’ll want to apply a moisturising and hydrating product to ensure a smooth base to work with.
Next, remember that makeup can’t work miracles. So if you’ve got any big, bright red blemishes, you’ll want to use a colour correction product before applying your foundation. Choose a green shade and apply it over any spots or pimples with a small, stiff-bristled brush. Similarly, if you have old acne scars, lighten those up using a colour corrector in an orange or peach shade.
When it comes to actually applying your foundation, it’s all about technique. Using a stiff brush, you’ll want to stipple your chosen product over your problem areas, rather than dragging or brushing it across the skin. And once you’re done, avoid setting with powder as that can leave your problem areas looking flaky and dry. Instead, choose a hydrating setting spray to create a fresh, dewy finish.
Finally, it’s important to remember that there is no 100% effective coverup for acne and problem skin. And no matter what products you use, there will always be a degree of texture over any bumpy, flaky or dry areas. Once you understand that even the most expensive products have their limits, you won’t be disappointed or waste time trying to perfect an impossible technique.
As a side note, it’s also worth ensuring that your foundation isn’t making your acne worse. Is it recommended as suitable for sensitive skin? These days, you can even buy makeup that works to actively treat spots and blemishes, so experiment to find the product that works for you.