Tips & Tricks For Covering Up Acne & Acne Scars

darkintragedy · 23-08-2005

Since this doesn't have to deal with the treatment or prevention of acne, id thought id make a new thread.

So ever since I've been on retin-a over the summer, the pimples are reduced dramatically, but im left with acne scars. A LOT!

And it makes me reallly self-councious. So my question is, what are good brands of makeup that can "cover-up" acne scars or at least minimize the appearance of them, without looking too cake-y or fake that can be found at target and such?

And if it makes any difference, I'm a guy.

thanks to all.

Sephora_Socialite · 23-08-2005

This should be moved to Paint that face....

Lately I've had the same problem with acne and what I do is make sure the basics are done-moisturize my face and lightly exfoliate peeling skin away since this makes the foundation obvious and cake. Then I use some green concealer on red blemishes and then on dark scars is a yellow based concealer....and I've been using a liquid to powder medium coverage formula called Mac Select Spf 15 (has something it it to even out skintone redness as well) and I apply with a foundation brush instead of a sponge... I never really liked their foundations, but I went in there was was pleasantly surprised by the makeup artist. I don't know any drugstore makeup that does the trick but the Mac one is fairly reasonable in price considering the other foundations I've used in the past.

It looks so natural that some people thought that my scars were gone.

darkintragedy · 23-08-2005

yeah, I just realized this was in the wrong section after it was posted.
Thanks for that tip. I'll check out the mac store this weekend.
cheers.

johnnykenton · 24-08-2005

darkintragedy, i feel your pain, right down to the self deprecation of it all. its no fun, and dreadful.

i grew up with cystic acne and had to be put on accutane.

its been 4 years or so and my scars have somewhat diminished, but it is something that would make anyone, male or female, extremely self-conscious.

i'm a guy as well, this is what i use [sometimes and not all at once]:

1. covergirl's cg smoothers tinted spf 15 tinted moisturizer

2. neutrogena's healthy skin enhancer -its virtually the same as above, but with retinol treatment and spf 20

hope that helps.

just know this, your skin will regenerate and your scars will diminish.

"The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw."-Havelock Ellis, Impressions and Comments (1914)
English sexual psychologist (1859 - 1939)

LucindaMay · 24-08-2005

Rosehip oil!

darkintragedy · 24-08-2005

johnnykenton: thanks for the suggestions on those 2. I will check em' out first thing tomorrow.

Lucindamay: thanks for that suggestion. I assume that is an oil that will work to help reduce acne scars?

Hanne · 24-08-2005

Secret Camouflage by Laura Mercier

angela xx · 24-08-2005

im pretty sure youre talking about hyperpigmentation(where the spot where your pimple was is darker than the rest of your skin) and not the scars that sort of look like "ditches"

but if you dont want to spend a lot of time on make up like me, i would suggest mixing in 3/4 self tanning lotion with 1/4 of your reg moisturizor. this doesnt really "cover up" the spots, but it just makes the skin around it darker, so it will "blend in" more. i hope im making sense

and for me, i use things that can be bought at target as well. i use cetaphil moistorizor and neutrogena build-a-tan for face

darkintragedy · 24-08-2005

thats what it is. hyperpigmentation. yuck.
thanks for that tip.

Hipkitten · 25-08-2005

Right now I'm loving DiorSkin Ultra-Matte - gives good coverage, wears well, and it even looks great under florescent lighting

angela xx · 25-08-2005

oh yea, i would definately suggest giving this place a try: acne.org

they even have a full section devoted to hyperpigmentation here: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php?showforum=34

darkintragedy · 25-08-2005

^ thanks for that. Knew about the site, but wasn't aware of the scarring forum.

Hipkitten: Thanks for that recommendation. I'll look for that at sephora tomorrow.
cheers all!

darkintragedy · 28-08-2005

Another quickie question

What's the best type for good coverage?
Liquid, cream, or powder foundation?
Thanks again.

Posh Princess · 29-08-2005

You also need to be careful that any new products you try don't start another break out.

After years of searching for the same thing my favourits are:-

Jane Iredale mineral makeup topped off with Bare Escentuals Mineral translucent powder.

or

Armani Luminous foundation which is gorgeous on again topped over with BE powder.

Kanebo foundation/powder all in one gives excellent coverage too and a lovely natural look - I use this when my skin is really yuck !

Another good one which is a US small foundation company called Illuminaire (do a google search and you should find it) her foundations are simply lovely. I think its called Flawness Finish adn they are designed to cover acne scars and have no troublesome ingredients.

Just remember that your skin never ever looks as bad as you think it does to other people.

HTH

vix123 · 29-08-2005

I've suffered acne since I was 15 so I have a lot of scarring, and i feel your pain, it made me so self conscious, its just depressing when you have to wear makeup when you're swimming!

i've played around with so many brands, cheap and expensive and I just recently started using Shiseido concealer and highly recommend it!!!

this is from their website
Corrective Concealers
4g/ .14 oz. $ 30.00
A unique makeup artist palette - 2 shades mix perfectly to match skin tone and a translucent setting powder prevents creasing and smudging for a flawless look that lasts all day.

To Use: Using a smaller brush, mix two colors to create a personalized shade. Apply directly onto the area you want to cover and blend well. Then using a wider brush, dust with translucent powder to set.

http://www.sca.shiseido.com/

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Hipkitten Diamond Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: An inspired mind Gender: femme Posts: 4,297	Right now I'm loving DiorSkin Ultra-Matte - gives good coverage, wears well, and it even looks great under florescent lighting __________________ There is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women. ~Madeleine Albright

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23-08-2005	1
darkintragedy front row Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles Gender: homme Posts: 277	Tips & Tricks For Covering Up Acne & Acne Scars Since this doesn't have to deal with the treatment or prevention of acne, id thought id make a new thread. So ever since I've been on retin-a over the summer, the pimples are reduced dramatically, but im left with acne scars. A LOT! And it makes me reallly self-councious. So my question is, what are good brands of makeup that can "cover-up" acne scars or at least minimize the appearance of them, without looking too cake-y or fake that can be found at target and such? And if it makes any difference, I'm a guy. thanks to all.

23-08-2005	2
Sephora_Socialite Fierce Flava Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Begas Gender: femme Posts: 4,768	This should be moved to Paint that face.... Lately I've had the same problem with acne and what I do is make sure the basics are done-moisturize my face and lightly exfoliate peeling skin away since this makes the foundation obvious and cake. Then I use some green concealer on red blemishes and then on dark scars is a yellow based concealer....and I've been using a liquid to powder medium coverage formula called Mac Select Spf 15 (has something it it to even out skintone redness as well) and I apply with a foundation brush instead of a sponge... I never really liked their foundations, but I went in there was was pleasantly surprised by the makeup artist. I don't know any drugstore makeup that does the trick but the Mac one is fairly reasonable in price considering the other foundations I've used in the past. It looks so natural that some people thought that my scars were gone. __________________ TFS 6th SECRET SANTA- Join Now!!! Last edited by Sephora_Socialite; 23-08-2005 at 08:08 PM.

24-08-2005	4
johnnykenton backstage pass Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Gender: homme Posts: 987	darkintragedy, i feel your pain, right down to the self deprecation of it all. its no fun, and dreadful. i grew up with cystic acne and had to be put on accutane. its been 4 years or so and my scars have somewhat diminished, but it is something that would make anyone, male or female, extremely self-conscious. i'm a guy as well, this is what i use [sometimes and not all at once]: 1. covergirl's cg smoothers tinted spf 15 tinted moisturizer 2. neutrogena's healthy skin enhancer -its virtually the same as above, but with retinol treatment and spf 20 hope that helps. just know this, your skin will regenerate and your scars will diminish. "The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw."-Havelock Ellis, Impressions and Comments (1914) English sexual psychologist (1859 - 1939) __________________ The world was a mess, but his hair was perfect.

24-08-2005	5
LucindaMay front row Join Date: May 2005 Gender: femme Posts: 419	Rosehip oil!

24-08-2005	7
Hanne Storm &amp;amp; Sommer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cph Gender: femme Posts: 15,918	Secret Camouflage by Laura Mercier __________________ .

24-08-2005	8
angela xx front row Join Date: Jul 2005 Gender: femme Posts: 502	im pretty sure youre talking about hyperpigmentation(where the spot where your pimple was is darker than the rest of your skin) and not the scars that sort of look like "ditches" but if you dont want to spend a lot of time on make up like me, i would suggest mixing in 3/4 self tanning lotion with 1/4 of your reg moisturizor. this doesnt really "cover up" the spots, but it just makes the skin around it darker, so it will "blend in" more. i hope im making sense and for me, i use things that can be bought at target as well. i use cetaphil moistorizor and neutrogena build-a-tan for face

28-08-2005	13
darkintragedy front row Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles Gender: homme Posts: 277	Another quickie question What's the best type for good coverage? Liquid, cream, or powder foundation? Thanks again.

29-08-2005	14
Posh Princess scenester Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Gender: femme Posts: 52	You also need to be careful that any new products you try don't start another break out. After years of searching for the same thing my favourits are:- Jane Iredale mineral makeup topped off with Bare Escentuals Mineral translucent powder. or Armani Luminous foundation which is gorgeous on again topped over with BE powder. Kanebo foundation/powder all in one gives excellent coverage too and a lovely natural look - I use this when my skin is really yuck ! Another good one which is a US small foundation company called Illuminaire (do a google search and you should find it) her foundations are simply lovely. I think its called Flawness Finish adn they are designed to cover acne scars and have no troublesome ingredients. Just remember that your skin never ever looks as bad as you think it does to other people. HTH __________________ I am neither Posh nor a Princess

29-08-2005	15
vix123 fashion icon Join Date: May 2005 Location: Australia Gender: femme Posts: 3,002	I've suffered acne since I was 15 so I have a lot of scarring, and i feel your pain, it made me so self conscious, its just depressing when you have to wear makeup when you're swimming! i've played around with so many brands, cheap and expensive and I just recently started using Shiseido concealer and highly recommend it!!! this is from their website Corrective Concealers 4g/ .14 oz. $ 30.00 A unique makeup artist palette - 2 shades mix perfectly to match skin tone and a translucent setting powder prevents creasing and smudging for a flawless look that lasts all day. To Use: Using a smaller brush, mix two colors to create a personalized shade. Apply directly onto the area you want to cover and blend well. Then using a wider brush, dust with translucent powder to set. http://www.sca.shiseido.com/ __________________ There is no such thing as a selfless good deed...