Posted on 25th Mar 2011 @ 1:11 PM

Concealing acne blemishes is a tricky business. Not many concealers are able to stay put on top of the inflamed skin. But what to do if you must face the world with the freshly erupted acne blemish (or five)?

If at all possible, avoid ready-made acne concealers. They may contain unwanted chemicals and fillers such as silicones, talk, mineral oil, paraffin, preservatives, or other potential pore-cloggers and irritants. Instead, prepare your own acne concealer very simply, using mineral powder foundation of your choice and a drop or two of a toner, hydrosol, or even acne treatment such as Acne Elixir. Do not use essential oils undiluted on your skin.

To cover acne blemishes, choose mineral powder foundation. You can apply it dry, using a traditional method of “shake-swirl-tap” or you can use it wet, mixed with your favorite toner or a hydrosol. Witch hazel or tea tree are most suitable for acne-prone complexions.

Ideally, for acne camouflage mineral foundation should contain no irritants and pore-clogging ingredients such as bismuth oxychloride, silicones, talc, or preservatives. Some of the brands I like include Alima Pure and The Body Shop. But please do make sure to check the label. Sometimes, unfortunately, too often, makeup brands change their formulations for worse. Do not solely rely on my recommendations and please always read ingredients lists especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Here is the step-by-step routine to acne cover-up with makeup:

1. If you have time, apply an ice cube to shrink the blemish and fade the redness. Then apply a salt poultice or some saline nasal spray to the blemish. Allow the salt to penetrate the acne blemish and gently pad the excess water.

2. Apply the foundation to acne-affected areas using a gentle tapping motion. The tapping motion will blend the foundation evenly without rubbing your skin and irritating the acne even more.

3. Prepare your own acne concealer by blending a mineral powder foundation with a drop of tea tree oil potion, witch hazel, Clarifying Skin Tonic by Petite Marie Organics, or Acne Elixir by Petite Marie Organics. This way, it will stay put all day long while healing acne with natural antibacterial phytochemicals. Using a fingertip or a Q-tip apply the acne concealer using a tapping motion directly on the blemishes. Set with a dusting of a mineral foundation using a small clean eye shadow brush. Dust the foundation using a tapping motion only onto the area treated with your acne concealer.

When using mineral foundation for acne coverage, avoid inhaling the mineral dust which may settle in your lungs and potentially cause irritation.

If you need to cover up a freshly erupted acne zit, apply a dot of acne treatment such as Acne Elixir directly to the blemish before applying the mineral foundation to your entire face. Allow the acne treatment to soak in and then follow with the foundation and the premixed acne concealer. This way, your pimple will heal under a protective cover of mineral foundation which usually contains zinc oxide for extra anti-inflammatory action.

Whichever strategy for acne cover up you choose, remember to be gentle. Acne lesion is basically a wound, albeit very small. But it needs all your gentle care and soft touch to allow it to recuperate without scars or marks.