Skin-clearing makeup? It. Exists.
It's the age-old conundrum for those of us that do suffer from breakouts: how to hide the blemishes we have without making them worse? Oil-based make-up can aggravate the problem by providing the ideal breeding conditions for spot-causing bacteria and blocking pores. BUT. There are formulas specifically designed to clear as they cover and promote a healthy, spot-free complexion.
Here is our tried and tested round-up of the best skin-clearing primers, foundations and concealers for adult, teenage and mature acne sufferers. Just remember, great skin comes from within too, so pack your diet full of these skin-clearing foods, get plenty of sleep (preferably on clean pillows), keep hair tied back and avoid alcohol.
Go RunwayPrime
Controlling blemish-prone skin and preventing breakouts starts with a great base. A primer that directly targets the causes of blemishes, soaks up excess oil and improves the texture of the epidermis will clear as it covers and extend the wear of your foundation. Just make sure you apply to cleansed, moisturised skin with uber-clean hands. Among the best we’ve tested are…
Prime
Murad Skin Perfecting Primer, £29.00, available from www.murad.co.uk
What it does: Clears and prevents breakouts while refining pores and skin texture. Glides on easily and leaves the skin feeling smooth, matte and clean.Spot fighters: Salicylic acid and a probiotic complex to promote resistance to spot-causing bacteria.
USP: Can be used under foundation or alone, thanks to its unique adaptive shade technology, which changes to match individual skin tone.
Best for: Super-oily skin that gets shiny quickly.
Prime
CoverFX Matifying Primer, £28, available from House Of Fraser
What it does: This lightweight gel treats and heals blemishes and soaks up unwanted surface oil while it instantly improves the texture of the skin.Spot fighters: Willowbark extract, which naturally contains salicylic acid, Ancient African Tree Bark Extract reduces pore size, shine, sebum and inflammatory acne, and Vitamin F, Squalene and Hyaluronic Acid for moisture.
USP: It’s water-resistant and extends the wear of foundation. Plus, it’s free from parabens, fragrance, gluten, mineral oils and talc and is great for sensitive skin.
Best for: Super-sensitive skin, and those looking for a lightweight solution.
Prime
Smashbox Photofinish, £28, available from Smashbox.co.uk
What it does: Treats breakouts, provides oil-free hydration and creates a smooth canvas for makeup application.Spot fighters: 2% salicylic acid to slough dead skin cells and prevent breakouts
USP: Boasts that wearers will have “clearer skin in just two weeks”.
Best for: Young acne-prone skin in need of an extra clearing boost.
Go RunwayPerfect
Finding a foundation that provides great coverage to blemish-prone skin, doesn’t slide off or aggravate the problem is tough. But there are fantastic formulas out there that can actually help to heal as they cover. For example…
Perfect
Lancôme Teint Visionnaire, £36, available from www.lancome.co.uk
What it does: A high-tech make-up duo that corrects uneven skin tone, refines pores, targets imperfections and minimises wrinkles as it covers.Spot fighters:
The LR 2412 skin molecule was cooked up in the Lancôme labs to refine pores, reduce wrinkles and even out skin tone. Although it doesn’t directly treat the problem, it’s great at promoting healing.
USP: Claims to transform the complexion within just four weeks thanks to the aforementioned super-molecule, which is protected by a mammoth 20 patents.
Best for: Those looking to improve scarred skin with a natural, flawless and lightweight foundation, or sufferers with mature skin.
Perfect
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Make-Up, £24, available from www.clinique.co.uk
What it does: Powerful special formula effectively balances and camouflages blemish-prone skin and minimises sebum without stripping it of moisture.
Spot fighters: Salicylic acid, laminaria sacharrina extract (a sea algae that regulates sebum production), hydroxydecanoic acid to control the spread of blemishes, and caffeine to minimise irritation.USP: Long-lasting, eight-hour coverage treatment makes it one of the best for everyday use.
Best for: Young, acne-prone and combination skin.
Perfect
CoverFX Pressed Mineral Foundation, £31, available from House Of Fraser
What it does: Mineral-based powder foundation that airbrushes imperfections, matifies and calms inflammed skin.Spot fighters: Green tea extract to calm and Vitamins C and E to heal and prevent premature aging.
USP: As with all CoverFX products, it’s free from parabens, fragrance, gluten, mineral oils and talc and is great for sensitive skin. Also comes in 24 shades, so getting the perfect match is simple.
Best for: Combination skin that can get overly dry. Great for everyday use and touch-ups on the go.
Perfect
Avon Ideal Flawless Skin Loving Beauty Balm, £12, available from www.avonshop.co.uk
What it does: Easy to blend mineral BB cream provides great coverage, moisturises and minimises redness without clogging the pores.Spot fighters: A secret formula of skin-nourishing minerals and healing Vitamin E.
USP: Boasts a 10-in-1 formula that calms inflammation, evens skin tone, conceals blemishes and continues to improve the skin, even after you take it off.
Best for: Dry and sensitive blemish-prone skin in need of TLC.
Perfect
bareMinerals Ready SPF20 Foundation, £25, available from www.bareminerals.co.uk
What it does: Encourages cell turnover, improves skintone and moisture with a super-gentle, super-natural mineral complex. Also helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Spot fighters: Algae, seaweed, rose hip seed oil, cold-pressed seed oil, and spot-fighting Vitamin A.USP: Formulated without preservatives, talc, waxes, binders, filler and fragrances, it’s natural enough to wear at any time.
Best for: Super oily skin. It lasts for 12 hours, and blends seamlessly for super-natural, flawless coverage.
Perfect
Korres Pomegranate Foundation SPF15, £19, available from www.korres.com
What it does: A full-coverage cream foundation that hides blemishes, evens skintone, matifies and refines pores.Spot fighters: Pomegranate extract is full of antioxidant tannins (Vitamins A, B and C) to combat free radicals on the skin. It is also has astringent properties, which tightens pores and strengthens the skin epidermis.
USP: The elastic formula makes it durable and easy to blend without clogging pores.
Best for: Oily or mature skin.
Perfect
Oxygenating Foundation - Acne Control in Ivory, £59.50, Oxygenetix
Spot fighters: Salicylic acid and oxygen complex reduces bacteria and encourages renewal.
USP: Water resistant and including an SPF of 25, it’s the perfect pool-side coverage.
Best for: The lightweight coverage is enough to camouflage blemishes while maintaining a breathable base, important in the skin renewal process.
Perfect
Blemish Remedy Foundation in Clearly Pearl, £26.50, Bareminerals
Spot fighters: Aspen bark, salicylic acid and tea tree oil to reduce inflammation and break down bacteria.
USP: Powders sit on the surface of the skin and thus don’t create congestion by seeping into pores.
Best for: Oily skin or those with facial redness.
Perfect
The Soft Fulid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20, £80, La Mer
Spot fighters: Marine plant-based stem cells infuse the foundation with regenerating ferments, hydrating aged or dry skin.
USP: Infused with La Mer’s legendary Miracle Broth, the foundation provides elements of the iconic Creme De La Mer.
Best for: Dehydrated skin and a fuller, more natural coverage.
Go RunwayConceal
Big, inflamed breakouts need a little extra coverage that foundation doesn’t always provide. Thankfully, concealers that heal as they cover without caking do exist. Best blended over liquid foundation with a clean brush, under powder foundation or directly onto primed blemishes, here is our pick of the best…
Conceal
CoverFX Cream Concealer, £21, available from House Of Fraser
What it does: Completely camouflages EVERYTHING thanks to its water-based, “healthy” cream formula.Spot fighters: Anti-inflammatory Bisabolol, anti-aging Ceramide 2 and Palitoyl Oligopeptide and Vitamin F for natural hydration.
USP: Super-long wear and free of mineral oil, fragrance, gluten,
parabens and talc, so it’s safe for use on even the most sensitive of skin.
Best for: Those in need of serious coverage without the dreaded caking effect.
Conceal
Murad Blemish Treatment Concealer, £19, available from www.murad.co.uk
What it does: Hides and tackles unwanted outbreaks head-on with a dual formula that fights acne and provides long-lasting coverage.Spot fighters: Salicylic acid, vitamin A and green tea extract to combat spot-causing free radicals on the skin.
USP: 86% of users experienced overall better skin within two weeks.
Best for: Super oily skin. The thick formula has great staying power, but can cling to dryness.
Conceal
bareMinerals SPF20 Correcting Concealer, £21, available from www.bareminerals.co.uk
What it does: Brightens and protects the skin to conceal imperfections without clogging the pores.Spot fighters: Lemon peel extract helps to brighten discoloration and improve the appearance of dark spots and scarring and skin-nourishing copper.
USP: It’s natural enough to wear at any time, and although won’t directly treat acne, is super-gentle to use on sensitive skin.
Best for: Covering up super-dry former blemishes that aren’t quite ready to be fully out on display, but don’t need to be treated.
Conceal
Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment, £30.70, available from www.dermalogica.co.uk
What it does: Intensely treats and covers unwanted surprise breakouts as they emerge.Spot fighters: Sulfur and Zinc Oxide quickly target and clear acne.
USP: Great alternative for those who need a strong treatment without using a product that contains Benzoyl Peroxide. Also fragrance and colour free.
Best for: Camouflaging the odd big whopper during the day, rather than using over larger problem areas.
