5 things you should be doing before you apply makeup over acne

Acne happens to the best of us, and it can make even the most self-confident woman despair. However, the topic of severe acne and effective ways to cover it with makeup is a conversation that is being had in the open now. Some of the most well-known beauty bloggers are bravely posting before and after pictures and videos all in the name of educating those ladies with severe acne on how to look and feel beautiful with full coverage makeup applications.
We've scoured the web and listened in on these oh-so important conversations, and are happy to bring you 5 must-know tips to do before you put makeup over acne.
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1. Wash your face thoroughly
Cleansing your face before any makeup application is important, but is even more important when you have acne. A thorough cleansing removes dirt and debris from the skin that may get trapped under layers of makeup and clog your pores. Make sure you only wash with your hands and some warm water, as washcloths may over-exfoliate and cause your acne breakouts to become even more inflamed.
2. Moisturize like a pro
Pick out your best oil-free lightweight moisturizer for this step, and apply it all over your face and neck to soften your skin and prime for makeup application. Since acne treatments can cause drying and peeling, look closely at your face for any flaking. If you come across a flaky trouble spot, apply a little more moisturizer in this spot and leave on for five minutes before rubbing in and moving on.
3. Remove excess flakes with Scotch Tape (h/t Alexandra Beth)
Resist the urge to pick flakes off of trouble areas with your fingers. Instead, lightly dab at the area with Scotch Tape, which will pick up the dead skin without leaving redness or irritation.
4. Invest in a primer geared towards acne (h/t Sephora)
Priming is going to be the next step of your makeup application, but we suggest you skip heavy traditional primers in favor of a primer geared towards acne and sensitive skin. There are a ton of great options on the market, including some made with tea tree which reduces redness and inflammation. Apply your primer evenly all over your face, as this will fill in lines and help prevent your makeup looking overly bumpy over your acne-prone areas.
5. Plan out your coverage with foundation, concealer and color-corrector that are acne-friendly. (h/t HeyThereImShannon) Just because it takes a few more steps to cover acne scars doesn't mean you need to cake on heavy foundations and risk clogging your skin even more. Instead, pick a foundation that is geared towards your skin type. If you have oily skin, go for a matifying powder foundation, and if you have dry skin, invest in a hydrating foundation instead. When choosing a concealer, do a shade darker than your usual shade that will still blend with your foundation, as lighter colored concealers tend to highlight blemishes and not hide them. Lastly, use a color-corrector to cancel out any redness that still shows through, and you will be all ready to finish your makeup and show the world a fresh face.
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