Despite the fact that up to 50 million Americans struggle with acne, breakouts can seriously shake one’s self-confidence. Whether you deal with the occasional hormonal pimple or you battle chronic, cystic acne, it can sometimes feel like everyone is staring at your blemishes. (Spoiler alert: they’re not.) And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with flaunting your natural skin in whatever state it’s in — in fact, we find that pretty darn beautiful and encourage it — there are inevitably days when you might want a bit of extra coverage.
But finding the best face washes for acne can be tricky. If complexion products are too dewy, they’ll slide right off and end up not covering anything at all. If they’re too matte, they’ll cling to dry patches and make the uneven texture even more noticeable. Not to mention, the perfect level of coverage can be difficult to find without looking cracked and cakey. Oh, and of course, the fact that some products can actually clog pores, causing blackheads and future breakouts.
Happily, more and more influencers (or “skinfluencers” if you will) are opening up about their acne and sharing their favorite blemish-busting products, including the makeup they use on days when they’re looking for a little more coverage. Read on to hear from five women who are all about showing off their skin — but they also have a stash of products for covering pimples, too.
The Best Makeup For Acne, According to Influencers
Melodie Perez, @diaryoftroubledskin
Product Pick: When Life Gives You Lemons Hi-Function Foundation ($39; wlgylemons.co)
With her gorgeous, unfiltered selfies and informative skincare content, Melodie Perez encourages her followers to love themselves and their natural skin — while also sharing some of her go-to products and the best makeup for acne. “Hi-Function Foundation from When Life Gives You Lemons is one of my favorite acne coverage products,” she tells Glam, adding that she uses shade No. 220. “I love this foundation because I can achieve any desired level of coverage for my breakouts, depending on the day, and it’s formulated with niacinamide and adaptogens to help combat active blemishes and prevent the typical problem of pore clogging. I also LOVE how dewy it is — it’s perfect for achieving a healthy glow!”
Nicole Herbig, @theblemishqueen
Product pick: Laura Mercier Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Foundation ($48; nordstrom.com)
Dubbed the “blemish queen,” you better believe Nicole Herbig has plenty of product recommendations to help you feel as good in your skin as you look. “My go-to product for acne coverage is the Laura Mercier Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Foundation. The silky, dewy finish helps hide away dry patches without leaving me feeling oily or sticky,” she says. “Plus, the coverage is buildable, which is perfect whether I’m looking to add a bit of coverage or looking for that radiant, full-on flawless finish. This is a foundation that not only makes you LOOK good, but also helps you FEEL good in your skin!”
Oyintofe Oduyingbo, @oyintofe.o
Product Pick: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation ($8; ulta.com)
Influencer and self-proclaimed “Skin Realist,” Oyintofe Oduyingbo keeps her beauty routine as minimal as her gorgeous Instagram feed. Though she says she doesn’t wear makeup often, she tells Glam that Maybelline Fit Me Foundation is her go-to for days when she wants a little something. “It’s the first and only foundation I have ever used because it’s relatively cheap, easy for me to get, a little goes a long way, and it also gives me full coverage when I want that,” she says. “It’s affordable and reliable — that’s why I love it so much.”
Emily Chow, @theemfiles
Product Pick: NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer ($30; sephora.com)
In addition to being a beauty influencer, Emily Chow is a full-time nurse. With no time for touch-ups during long shifts, she’s found the best products to use when breakouts pop up. “My go-to product when I have acne and want to look and feel my best would be the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer,” she says. “It seriously covers everything in a way that still looks natural.” Even more impressive? “In this photo, I actually had a large cystic acne spot on my chin and it’s barely noticeable!” she adds, referencing the one above.
Shiny Liu, @its.shiny
Product Pick: Thrive Causemetics Buildable Blur CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 ($38; thrivecosmetics.com)
Shiny Liu’s positivity radiates from her feed. She inspires her followers to be confident in their own skin — with or without makeup. For the days when she wants some coverage, she says that Thrive Causemetics’ The Buildable Blur CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 is her top choice. “It’s medium coverage, but it definitely builds up to a pretty full coverage, even for someone who has quite a bit of hyperpigmentation like myself,” she tells Glam. “A cakey finish is always a huge concern too when it comes to layering on product, but this one leaves such a natural finish. It is a bit on the dewier side, but you can always powder it to turn it into a matte finish.”
Shiny also considers this the best makeup for acne because of the way it helps to smooth out areas of texture. “This CC cream makes my skin look super soft and gives it a blurred effect,” she says. “The color correcting aspect helps to further even out skin tone. When you have a beautiful base, it definitely takes away from the texture and appearance of those breakouts!” As an added bonus, she points out that this CC cream has skincare ingredients like vitamin C, which can help fade dark spots. “Oh, and can’t forget the SPF 35!” she says.