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Find the Best Concealer for Acne with These Expert Recommendations

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Rebecca Moses
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Best concealer for acne
Best concealer for acne
IMAGE PRODUCT
Elf Hydrating Camo Concealer
  • Suitable for normal to dry skin
  • Full coverage with satin finish
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Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
  • Skincare-infused ingredients
  • Crease-resistant and transfer-proof
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Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
  • Dermatologist tested
  • Buildable, full coverage formula
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Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
  • Best for the undereye area
  • Provides 24 hours of wear and hydration
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Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
  • Super affordable
  • Oil-free, breathable, non-comedogenic formula
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer
  • Camouflages blemishes and dark circles
  • Magic cushion applicator for easier application
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer
  • Handy pen packaging
  • Contains salicylic acid to treat acne
VIEW LATEST PRICE →

Acne is a natural skin condition that impacts many people. In some cases, it can be frustrating and embarrassing for the person to have. Also, it can lead to a lack of confidence in appearance.

While many products on the market claim to treat acne, finding the right concealer can help cover up and hide blemishes while you work on treating the underlying issue.

The right concealer can make a big difference in how your skin looks and feels. Also, it will give you the confidence you need to face the world.

In this article, we will provide expert recommendations on how to find the best concealer for acne, so you can start feeling and looking your best. Additionally, we’ve also compiled the seven best concealers for your inspiration. Read on!

What is Acne?

What is acne
What is acne

Acne is a natural skin condition that affects many people of all ages. Usually, people with acne-prone skin are more likely to experience acne.

It’s caused by the buildup of dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria on the skin’s surface. Symptoms can include whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules.

Additionally, acne is related to hormones and genetics. So, if your parents tended to experience acne breakouts, you will most likely experience it, too.

But don’t worry; you can treat acne with topical creams or medications prescribed by a doctor. Proper skincare and hygiene habits are also important for preventing or managing acne outbreaks.

The right treatment plan and lifestyle habits allow acne to be controlled and managed effectively.

What is Concealer?

What is concealer
What is concealer

Concealer is the best answer if you want an instant result to cover acne. It’s quick, hassle-free, and works like a wonder.

Concealer is a cosmetic product that covers flaws and skin discolorations. It’s usually applied after foundation but before powder.

Concealers come in many forms, including liquid, cream, stick, and mousse, depending on the desired finish.

Its main purpose is to mask dark circles around the eyes, blemishes, and other skin imperfections. You can also use concealer to highlight or contour certain features of the face.

When selecting a concealer, it’s important to find one that matches your tone or one level lighter for a natural-looking finish.

What to Look for in the Best Concealer for Acne

What to Look for in the Best Concealers for Acne
What to Look for in the Best Concealers for Acne

Finding the right concealer for acne can be tricky since it needs to offer coverage and won’t clog pores. But we have some tips for you:

  • Choose an Oil-free and Non-comedogenic Formula

We recommend choosing an oil-free product with a light or medium coverage finish. This will help to disguise blemishes without making your skin look too cakey.

If you have oily skin, look for powder-based concealers that won’t add extra shine.

Also, ensure your concealer is not too heavy, as it can clog pores and cause comedo.

  • Find the Right Color

Make sure you choose the colors that suit your skin tone or a level lighter than your tone. Note that you’re covering skin flaws with darker colors, so a lighter-colored concealer is recommended.

You can also opt for concealers with green tones to neutralize redness and even discoloration caused by acne.

  • Long-lasting Formula

Longwear formulas are ideal for lasting coverage throughout the day. This way, you won’t experience worn-off concealer, and your skin will still be flawless.

Applying primers beforehand is also a good choice as they provide a smooth base for the concealer and help it last longer.

  • Take Care of Your Skin

Don’t forget to exfoliate regularly, keep skin hydrated, and use non-comedogenic products that won’t clog pores on your face — this will help ensure that your concealer performs its best!

The Best Way to Apply Concealer

The Best Way to Apply Concealer
The Best Way to Apply Concealer

Applying concealer correctly can help to make your skin look flawless and natural-looking. Here are the easy step-by-step to apply concealer:

  • Start by selecting a product that closely matches your skin tone or a level lighter.
  • Prep the area before applying the concealer, using moisturizer or primer if needed.
  • Apply a light layer of concealer with a brush or your finger, making sure to blend into the skin.
  • Next, use a damp makeup sponge to dab it onto the area until it’s seamlessly blended in. You can build up coverage where necessary.
  • Finally, set it with a translucent powder to lock it in place and prevent creasing throughout the day.

This process may take several attempts until you find the perfect coverage for your needs — but don’t be afraid to experiment!

7 Options for Concealer for Acne

After learning about concealers, it is time to choose the right product. Check out our recommendation list of the best concealers for acne!

Elf Hydrating Camo Concealer

Elf Hydrating Camo Concealer
Elf Hydrating Camo Concealer

On a budget? Elf Hydrating Camo Concealer is a great liquid concealer option for those looking for a drugstore gem at the best price, especially for normal to dry skin types.

Enriched with rose flower water, this creamy, crease-proof product helps to hydrate, conceal, correct, and cover your skin while providing full coverage with a satin finish. Plus, its large doe foot applicator makes the application easier.

The concealer also provides all-day wear time and comes in 25 shades, ensuring that everyone can find their perfect match.

Key Features

  • Affordable
  • Comes in 25 shades
  • Suitable for normal to dry skin
  • Full coverage with satin finish
  • Helps to hydrate, conceal, correct, and cover blemishes
  • Large doe foot applicator for easier application
  • Enriched with rose water flower
  • Cruelty-free, vegan, and 100% free from Phthalates, Parabens, Nonylphenol, Ethoxylates, Triclosan, Triclocarban, and Hydroquinone
Check Elf Hydrating Camo Concealer Price On Amazon

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Frequently recommended by beauty gurus, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is such a treasure that you won’t want to miss out.

This product is a multipurpose liquid concealer with a creamy, medium-to-buildable coverage and a natural, radiant finish that brightens, corrects, and perfects for up to 16 hours.

What makes it special is the promising skincare-infused ingredients, such as Mineral-Tone Balancing Powder, Light-Diffusing Mineral Powder, and Multi-Active Botanical Blend that ensure your skin is covered up perfectly and nourished at the same time.

Plus, its small doe foot applicator ensures you won’t apply an excessive amount of product on the first attempt.

Key Features

  • Liquid concealer with medium coverage and radiant finish
  • Brightens, corrects, and perfects skin flaws for up to 16 hours
  • Skincare-infused ingredients
  • Small doe foot applicator for easy application
  • Crease-resistant and transfer-proof
  • Available in 30 shades
  • Vegan and free from harmful ingredients
Check NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Price On Amazon

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

You might have heard of the name since it’s such an iconic product in the beauty industry. But what makes it iconic?

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer is a cult-favorite product for a reason. This buildable, full-coverage concealer helps you instantly conceal blemishes and dark circles while brightening up the under-eye area to make it appear lifted.

The formula is incredibly buttery, making it incredibly easy to blend and go undetected. With shea butter, mango butter, and licorice root, this product helps retain skin elasticity, moisturize, and color correct.

It lasts up to 16 hours and doesn’t settle into wrinkles or fine lines. Plus, it comes in an impressive range of 30 shades to match any tone of skin, including olive complexions.

Key Features

  • Buildable, full coverage formula
  • Rich in great nourishing ingredients
  • Buttery texture
  • Easy to blend
  • Covers up blemishes
  • Smooths and brightens up under the eyes
  • Blurs fine lines and wrinkles due to its tape technology
  • Dermatologist tested
  • Available in 30 shades
Check Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Price On Amazon

Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer

Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer

Looking for the best concealer for covering under eye area? Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer is the perfect answer. For those looking for a lightweight yet full-coverage formula, especially for the undereye area, say hello to your next go-to product here!

This creamy liquid concealer blends effortlessly into your complexion, hiding any blemishes or dark circles while also helping to blur out imperfections like fine lines and wrinkles.

Plus, it’s long-lasting, with up to 24-hour wear time. It comes in an impressive range of shades so you can match your skin tone exactly.

Most importantly, it contains iris, wild pansy, and nasturtium extracts to hydrate, comfort, and revitalize skin.

Key Features

  • Liquid concealer with transfer-proof, full-coverage formula
  • Best for the undereye area
  • Hydrates, comforts, and revitalizes skin with nourishing floral extracts
  • Reduces the look of undereye circles
  • Provides 24 hours of wear and hydration
Check Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer Price On Amazon

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Another amazing drugstore find is Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. It’s affordable, easy to find, and works superbly — what else to expect?

This concealer works best for dark circles. One dot, and you’ll see how it magically turns your undereye area to look brighter. You can also build it up until you get the desired coverage; it won’t result in a cakey finish since the formula is lightweight and blendable.

Besides its price and performance, what we love the most about this product is the shades’ availability. It comes in 12 shades that ensure everyone, from fair to cocoa, will find the perfect match.

Key Features

  • Super affordable
  • Easy-to-find drugstore product
  • Medium coverage
  • Enriched with chamomile
  • Works best for dark circles
  • Covers blemishes and redness
  • Oil-free, breathable, non-comedogenic formula
Check Maybelline Fit Me Concealer Price On Amazon

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer is a dream come true for those looking for full-coverage liquid concealer without the heavy feeling.

This concealer blends seamlessly into your skin, blurring out any blemishes or dark circles with a second-skin-looking result.

The formula is creamy and lightweight, making it easy to blend. Plus, it’s long-wearing, so you don’t have to worry about smudging or fading away throughout the day.

On top of that, it contains Persian Silk Tree Bark Extract, Palmitoyl Glycine, and Wild Indigo Extract to make eyes appear lifted, reduce fine lines and wrinkles appear, and enhance skin luminosity.

Plus, the magic cushion applicator makes everything go smoother than ever!

Key Features

  • Lightweight, creamy formula with full coverage
  • Camouflages blemishes and dark circles
  • Contains nourishing ingredients
  • Magic cushion applicator for easier application
  • Enhances skin luminosity
  • Makes eyes appear lifted
  • Second-skin-looking results
Check Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer Price On Amazon

Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer

Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer
Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer

In need of a concealer that comes in handy? Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer might be your next concealer buddy. Even better, this 2-in-1 blemish concealer has medicated formula with salicylic acid to treat acne simultaneously. What a promising claim, right?

The handy pen packaging makes this product easy to bring everywhere. On top of that, it has a click pen dispenser with a sponge applicator for convenient blending.

After wiping off this product at the end of the day, notice the reduction of pimples and redness — without the drying effect!

Key Features

  • Handy pen packaging
  • Helpful sponge applicator
  • Contains salicylic acid to treat acne
  • Oil-free formula
  • Hides blemishes without drying out the skin
Check Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer Price On Amazon

Most Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to use foundation or concealer for acne?

For a flawless look, you can use both products interchangeably. But usually, a foundation doesn’t contain a medicated formula for acne like concealer does. So, it’s better to use concealer for acne.

Can I apply concealer with my fingers?

Of course! However, it depends on the type of your concealer. If you have liquid or cream concealers, fingers are the best option to blend them out since a brush, or other applicators won’t mix and spread the product and your body heat. On the flip hand, powder concealers are not recommended to be applied by fingers.

Should I apply my concealer before or after foundation?

Applying your foundation before your concealer is the correct technique for using these two products. You may use concealer to repair any glaring flaws that require additional coverage after foundation to create even-looking skin.

Conclusion

No one enjoys walking around with a face full of acne, but finding the best concealers for acne can be its own unique challenge.

Trying to find the best concealers for acne can be frustrating, but with these expert recommendations, you’ll find a product that works for you.

We hope our recommendations help you find a concealer that works for you and your skin type to feel confident and beautiful, no matter what.

Be sure to test out the products in natural light before making your final purchase, and don’t forget to set your makeup with a setting powder or spray to help it last all day long. With a little bit of effort, you’ll have clear skin and confidence in no time!

Author

  • Rebecca Moses

    Depending on the day, you’ll find Rebecca in a well thought-out ensemble that she handcrafted herself, or in hiking and rock climbing gear. An avid outdoorswoman, cyclist, and cat lover, Rebecca reminds us all on the Groom+Style team just how much we need to get outdoors. She’s worked in spas and salons off and on before going full-time with the G+S team. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-moses-3158b914b/