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InStyle / Kristin Kempa
Whether you have acne-prone skin or experience the occasional breakout, anyone who has ever tried to cover up a pimple knows it’s not always as simple as it sounds. Concealer is a great tool for camouflaging unwanted spots, but not all formulas are created equal.
What you use under your eyes or as a brightener may not be the right shade or texture for covering up acne marks. In fact, an illuminating concealer may even draw more attention to a fiery red blemish. Fortunately, there are concealers that are designed with acne in mind that offer good coverage without caking, flaking, or making your breakouts worse.
Best Overall
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer + Serum
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Ulta
What We Love: This multitasker treats common acne concerns while also covering them up.
What We Don't Love: The natural finish may be a little too radiant for those with very oily skin.
Part makeup, part skincare, this multitasking formula is great for concealing both active acne and acne scars thanks to its buildable medium coverage and cocktail of skin-soothing and smoothing active ingredients. Anti-inflammatory niacinamide helps to calm redness, while hydrating hyaluronic acid targets the dryness and flakiness that often accompany pimples. If you are experiencing residual acne scarring or discoloration, those same ingredients brighten and plump the skin to improve tone and texture.
The dual-sided applicator allows for hands-free application at home or on the go. Tap a bit of the formula directly onto problem spots with the doe-foot applicator and then flip over to the kabuki brush for easy blending.
Type: Liquid | Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Natural | Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, caffeine | Shades: 18 | Size: 0.22 oz
Best Budget
e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer
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Ulta
What We Love: Full coverage and a long wear time mean you don’t have to worry about touch ups.
What We Don't Love: The matte finish and oil-absorbing kaolin clay might be too drying for some skin types.
There is a lot to like about this budget-friendly tube. Available in 25 shades across three undertones (cool, neutral, warm), the creamy formula dries down to a velvety matte finish and stays in place for up to 16 hours of crease-free wear. Kaolin clay helps control excess oil and shine, making it a great choice for combination and oily skin types.
Just be careful when you are shade matching. The formula dries darker than it appears in the tube, so base your choice off of the swatch on the box instead.
Type: Liquid | Coverage Level: Full coverage | Finish: Matte | Active Ingredients: Avocado oil, kaolin clay | Shades: 26 | Size: 0.21 oz
Best Splurge
Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer SPF 25
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Clé de Peau Beauté
What We Love: The SPF-infused formula melts into skin without creasing.
What We Don't Love: It may be too thick for dry skin.
There is a reason this full-coverage stick is an icon. “It’s a splurge, but it truly does offer some of the greatest coverage around,” says celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli. He likes the stick format for normal to oily skin types and says the formula – which includes zingiber aromaticus extract to brighten dark spots and chestnut rosa fruit extract to prevent oxidation – is great for camouflaging active breakouts and post-acne marks alike. “The SPF in it is also great protection especially if you've been using any acne treatments, which can make the skin more sun sensitive,” he adds.
The long-wear concealer has a smooth texture that blends seamlessly into the skin. “For covering acne, you want something thicker and drier that provides more coverage and will stay in place," explains celebrity makeup artist Olivia Barad. "Clé de Peau's concealer is one of my go-tos because it hides dryness better than other cream formulas, and it really sticks to the blemish for a full-coverage finish that doesn't need to be layered over and over again."
Type: Cream | Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, chestnut rosa fruit extract | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.17 oz
Best for Acne Scars
Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
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Neiman Marcus
What We Love: This 5-in-1 can be a concealer, color corrector, contourer, foundation, or highlighter.
What We Don't Love: The pot packaging makes application a bit trickier than the others.
You might hear this highly pigmented cream described as spackle-like, and that is true in so far as its ability to cover and smooth just about any current or former imperfection. But that description fails to capture how lightweight and natural it looks on the skin, which is why it is ideal for masking the tone and texture concerns associated with acne scars.
To use, dot a very tiny amount of the enhancer on your area of concern and blend it with your fingers or go-to application tool. Jojoba oil, vitamin E, and honey work to smooth, soothe, and brighten the complexion.
Type: Cream | Coverage Level: Full coverage | Finish: Natural | Active Ingredients: Jojoba oil, vitamin E, honey | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.3 oz
Best for Oily Acne-Prone Skin
NARS Soft Matte Concealer
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Sephora
What We Love: The oil-free formula has a blurring, soft focus filter-like effect.
What We Don't Love: The matte finish may result in creasing on drier skin types.
It sure feels like this pigmented pot was designed with oily skin in mind. The oil-free formula offers buildable full coverage that stays in place all day and a soft matte finish that keeps shine at bay without drawing attention to acne bumps or scars. Hydrating hyaluronic acid and an antioxidant-rich blend of vitamins A, C, and E work to soften and smooth skin over time, while an advanced powder technology helps to absorb and diffuse light to create a soft-focus effect that blurs the look of imperfections.
Type: Cream | Coverage Level: Full coverage | Finish: Matte | Active Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamins A, C, E | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.21 oz
Best Full Coverage
MAC Studio Finish Concealer
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Ulta
What We Love: The opaque coverage somehow manages to blend imperceptibly into the skin.
What We Don't Love: It can be a little slippery on very oily skin, so be sure to set with powder.
It’s all about the coverage with this ultra-pigmented pot that is ideal for covering pimples, redness, and acne scars. The highly concentrated concealer has a lightweight creamy texture (be advised that it sometimes takes a few seconds to warm up on the skin) that dries down into a natural opaque finish. The water-resistant formula stands up well to sweat, and SPF 35 means you are protecting your skin from the sun sensitization caused by many acne treatments and the dark spots that can come later.
Apply a small amount (trust us, a little goes a long way) directly to the spots or areas you want to cover and blend with a sponge or your fingers.
Type: Cream | Coverage Level: Full coverage | Finish: Natural | Active Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, beeswax | Shades: 22 | Size: 0.64 oz
Best for Sensitive Skin
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
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Ulta
What We Love: This waterproof and crease-proof concealer also comes in an ultra-portable travel size.
What We Don't Love: The formula can feel a little heavy for those with drier skin types.
You likely know someone who swears by this cult-favorite concealer, and Scibelli considers it a great option for sensitive skin types because of the clean, gentle formula that features mango and shea butters for conditioning and licorice root for brightening and color correcting. When it comes to covering up acne and post-acne marks, the full coverage matte formula looks natural because of the way it blends into the complexion. “The formula uses crease-proof technology so it will be flexible on the skin, while also being sweat and waterproof,” Scibelli says.
Type: Liquid | Coverage Level: Full Coverage | Finish: Matte | Active Ingredients: Shea butter, mango butter, licorice root | Shades: 35 | Size: 0.33 oz
Best Long-Wear
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Concealer
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Sephora
What We Love: There are 50 shades ranging from very fair to very deep — need we say more?
What We Don't Love: This formula dries down fast, so be prepared to blend quickly.
Rihanna’s complexion products get a lot of love for their seemingly infinite shade range (which we love!), but there is a lot more to say about this cover up. With buildable medium to full coverage and a soft matte finish, the creamy concealer camouflages blemishes, redness, and acne scars without feeling heavy. The sweat-resistant and crease-proof formula dries down fast and stays in place all day, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying.
Type: Liquid | Coverage Level: Full coverage | Finish: Matte | Active Ingredients: Tiger grass, green tea extract | Shades: 50 | Size: 0.27 oz
Best for Dry Skin
Milk Makeup Future Fluid Concealer
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Sephora
What We Love: Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera help to soothe and smooth dry skin.
What We Don't Love: The applicator holds a lot of product, so it can be a little messy to apply.
Whether you have naturally dry skin or are dealing with dryness as a result of acne treatments, this concealer will help soothe the skin without sacrificing coverage. The lightweight medium-to-full coverage formula covers up blemishes, redness, and acne scars with a crease-proof, natural finish, while hyaluronic acid plumps the complexion and a combination of caffeine, aloe vera, and arnica visibly brightens dark spots and smooths uneven texture.
Type: Liquid | Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Natural | Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, aloe vera | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.28 oz
Best Dermatologist-Recommended
Mineral Fusion Concealer Duo
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Amazon
What We Love: You can create a totally custom finish by mixing the two complementary shades.
What We Don't Love: The shade range is not as robust as some of the other options on the list.
The unique dual-shade system allows you to mix your own custom color like a makeup artist, while the creamy formula blends seamlessly into the skin to disguise imperfections. But dermatologists like the product for the complexion-perfecting ingredients inside. “This concealer contains pycnogenol and sea kelp to deliver antioxidants while also hydrating the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick. “It also has licorice root, which helps to improve the appearance of acne-related blemishes.”
Type: Powder | Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Natural | Active Ingredients: Sea kelp, licorice root | Shades: 4 duos | Size: 0.11 oz
Best for Redness
Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer Stick
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Amazon
What We Love: A little goes a long way with this full-coverage stick.
What We Don't Love: The formula might need a little time on your skin to warm up before blending.
Dermablend’s highly pigmented complexion products have long been the go-to for full coverage wear (think: covering up tattoos), and this smudge- and transfer-proof concealer stick is cut from the same cloth and ideal for concealing the redness that arises from active acne and during the healing process. “Dermablend is known for their high coverage products, and this one is right up there,” Scibelli says. “The creamy consistency is easy to blend in and is ideal for both breakouts as well as post-acne scars.”
To apply, glide the stick over the affected area, blend with a sponge or your fingers, and set for two minutes with a translucent powder for up to 16 hours of cake-free wear.
Type: Cream | Coverage Level: Full coverage | Finish: Matte | Active Ingredients: Allantoin, beeswax | Shades: 10 | Size: 0.18 oz
Best for Severe Acne
Neutrogena Blemish Concealer
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Amazon
What We Love: The presence of salicylic acid means you are treating breakouts while concealing them.
What We Don't Love: The shade range is lacking, particularly for melanin-rich complexions.
This oil-free, non-comedogenic formula pulls double duty as a skincare-makeup hybrid that can help treat more severe acne and breakouts. “It contains salicylic acid to help fight acne while covering spots,” says Dr. Rebecca Marcus, a board-certified dermatologist in Dallas. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates by going deep into the pores to remove the dead skin cells and sebum that can cause acne. “This concealer provides natural-looking coverage while also using salicylic acid to help reduce breakouts and blemishes,” Dr. Garshick says.
The pen-like applicator can take some getting used to, but it works well for spot treating and reapplication. To use, twist the bottom until the formula dispenses (this might take several turns at first) and then apply via the sponge tip.
Type: Liquid | Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Natural | Active Ingredients: 0.5% salicylic acid | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.05 oz
Best Drugstore
Maybelline New York Fit Me Concealer
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Amazon
What We Love: This medium-coverage concealer is oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic.
What We Don't Love: For maximum coverage, you may need to apply a few layers.
If you are looking for a lightweight concealer with a natural finish that will still cover up your problem spots, this drugstore staple is it. The chamomile-infused formula calms inflammation and can be built up to provide more coverage of redness and blemishes.
Type: Liquid | Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Natural | Active Ingredients: Chamomile | Shades: 18 | Size: 0.23 oz
What to Keep in Mind
Non-Comedogenic Formulas
If you have acne-prone and/or oily skin, you’ve likely heard the term ‘non-comedogenic’ thrown around or seen it on packaging. It refers to products and formulas that contain ingredients that won't clog or block the pores. “Clogged pores are one of the main contributors to acne,” says Dr. Marcus. “A non-comedogenic formula will at least ensure that the product does not make acne worse.”
This extends to all areas of your beauty and skincare routine. “Any time you’re dealing with breakouts it is always important to look for products that are non-comedogenic and this includes makeup,” says Dr. Garshick.
With that said, there are ingredients, like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sulfur, that have been proven to treat acne and keep pores clear. Some appear in complexion products that are designed for acne-prone skin. “Concealers that have an active acne-fighting ingredient can be helpful in treating acne,” says Dr. Marcus. “Adding an acne fighting ingredient to concealer can help to simultaneously conceal and treat an acne lesion.”
Shade
You may have a concealer that you use under your eyes or to contour, but that is not necessarily the same formula you want to use to cover up your breakouts. One reason is the shade. The idea is to make the spot blend into your skin as much as possible. “To cover up blemishes, you want a shade that closely matches your skin tone,” says Puckey, adding that it's likely different from the one you're using to brighten dark under-eye circles. “The shade you use under your eyes is usually a shade or two lighter than your foundation, but a concealer to cover your acne should match your foundation shade."
Both Puckey and Scibelli say the best way to find your perfect shade is by testing the concealers you are considering along the jawline and/or on the side of the face. If you plan to use the concealer with foundation, apply them together to see how well they match. If you will be using the concealer on bare skin, test it on a clean face. Either way, make sure that you try them out in both natural and artificial light to ensure a true match.
Texture
Whether you have active acne lesions or are dealing with post-acne marks, the goal of applying concealer is to cover up any discoloration and create the illusion of smoother skin. Puckey says formulas that are buildable, blendable, and highly pigmented are most suitable for acne coverage. From there, Scibelli likes to choose a formula based on skin type.
- For Acne-Prone Skin: “I like to consider clean and even oil-free formulas if you can,” says Scibelli. Additionally, he likes fragrance-free options as they are generally less irritating. If you want to be proactive, try an SPF-infused concealer. The sun protection will help prevent future discoloration.
- For Oily Skin: Scibelli recommends shopping for concealers with a matte finish to cut shine if you have skin on the combination or oily side. An added benefit? “It creates more of a flat appearance to your breakout,” he notes.
- For Redness: “If you're dealing with red breakouts or even red post-acne marks, I always like to color correct those areas first with a green concealer,” says Scibelli. The color correcting hue will neutralize the redness before you apply your regular concealer shade on top.
The best way to keep your concealer in place is to set it with a powder. “To increase the longevity of your concealer and prevent it from sliding or creasing, set it with a thin layer of translucent powder using a fluffy brush,” says Puckey.
Your Questions, Answered
Is it good to put concealer on acne?
Whether or not you want to cover up your acne marks is entirely up to you. But if you would like to camouflage pimples or acne scars with concealer, it is safe to do so. “It is okay to apply concealer to acne lesions to help provide coverage to the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. Depending on your skin type (think: dry, oily, acne-prone) and the type of acne (i.e. comedonal, papules, pustules, nodulocystic), certain makeup and skincare products may cause additional inflammation or irritation. For that reason, Dr. Marcus recommends looking for non-comedogenic formulas.
Concealer is a quick fix that can help even out your skin tone in the short term, but even formulas with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid won’t stop breakouts. Visiting a board certified dermatologist for a skin evaluation can help you determine the root cause of your acne and the best way to treat it.
Is liquid or stick concealer better for acne?
The concealer aisle does not lack options. One of the biggest choices you’ll make when buying a concealer for acne is the format. Do you want a liquid or a stick formula? Our experts agree that both have their benefits, and it really depends on your needs.
If you are using acne treatments as part of your skincare routine, liquid concealers might help offset some of the side effects. “Sometimes when we're treating our acne with ingredients that can be drying, a liquid formula will actually help to smooth out the texture of the area while covering and also prevent any flaking or drying,” Scibelli says.
For normal to oily skin types, Scibelli likes stick formulas because they tend to be buildable. Puckey adds that: “Stick concealers have a thicker consistency and provide higher coverage, making them ideal for camouflaging acne. They also tend to be more long-lasting, ensuring that your coverage stays in place throughout the day.”
How do you cover up acne with concealer?
When you are dealing with a breakout, your first thought might be to glob on as much foundation and concealer as you can find. But this does not yield the most natural-looking result and can lead to caking and sliding. To prevent this, our expert makeup artists say it’s important to first prep the skin. “Apply a primer that helps create a smooth canvas for application and prevents dryness or flakiness,” says Puckey.
If redness is a concern, Scibelli suggests using a green concealer or color corrector before moving on to concealer. “Whether you use a color corrector or not, I would use a liquid formula if your acne area is still on the normal to dry side,” he says. “If your skin is on the oily side, feel free to use a stick form of concealer.”
Once it’s time for the concealer, use a small synthetic brush or your fingers to apply the formula directly on the acne spots. “Gently blend the edges of the concealer using a tapping or patting motion, ensuring it seamlessly integrates with the surrounding skin,” says Puckey. This is important to ensure maximum coverage. “Sometimes when we use a sweeping motion with concealer or even foundation, it makes the formula more transparent,” cautions Scibelli. “So tapping or patting it in will keep its pigment.”
Need more coverage? Grab more product and repeat the tapping. “If necessary, apply an additional layer of concealer to areas that need more coverage,” says Puckey. “Make sure to blend each layer well to avoid a cakey appearance.” And don’t be afraid to get a little messy. “You can always use the top of your hand as a palette to pick up the desired amount of concealer and then continue to build up to it,” says Scibelli.
Last but not least, Puckey recommends setting the concealer by applying a translucent powder with a fluffy brush. He says this will “increase the longevity of your concealer and prevent it from sliding or creasing."
Why Shop With Us
Meg Storm is a freelance writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience covering the beauty industry. As someone with acne-prone skin, she is always on the lookout for new ways to treat the root causes of breakouts and camouflage the pimples that pop up along the way. For this piece, she interviewed board-certified dermatologists Dr. Marisa Garshick and Dr. Rebecca Marcus, and celebrity makeup artists Neil Scibelli, who has worked with Elle Macpherson and Melissa Etheridge, Olivia Barad, and Benjamin Puckey, global color director at Clé de Peau Beauté.
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