Acne Aftermath: How to Cover Up The Scars That Are Left Behind

Unless you’ve been blessed with completely immaculate skin, you’ve may have experienced face or body acne at least once in your life, as well as the unsightly scarring that can be left in its wake. Some scars can look cool and even add character, but most people find them to be an annoying reminder of their skin struggles. They can come in different sizes, shapes, and shades, depending on the type of acne and how the person’s skin reacts. Different things can lead to obvious scarring such as picking at pimples and even exposure to sunlight. Luckily with the proper makeup application, scars can, for the most part, be covered. We asked Annie Tevelin of Skin Owl and Annie Mayo of Advanced Mineral Makeup for their expertise on how to cover those irritating scars.

Prepping the skin for coverage

Skin should be nourished and moisturized before attempting coverage. Annie Tevelin says that salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can dry out the skin causing it to flake. She counts Lactic Acid and Kojic Acid as two products that can strip away dead skin and leave the area exfoliated but without the drying effects. “Stick with products that have brightening ingredients, such as Licorice, Gingko Biloba, and Vitamin C,” says Annie Tevelin. Try Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial. Make sure you always wear sunscreen -- it’s the best way to protect the skin from more distinct scarring.

Choosing the right shade

It’s important to always choose the right shade of concealer, foundation, and BB creams that match your overall skin tone, and not just the area you are trying to conceal. “Testing out shades on your jawline gives you the most tone-accurate area to test. It also prevents you from picking a color much lighter than your neck,” explains Annie Tevelin. “If you match the color of the scar, you’re usually left with an area of demarcation or darkness that makes the scarring look more obvious.”

Have the right tools

Before application, make sure you have the proper tools. “Pick up a concealer brush or a super-cute Beauty Blender for even, intentional coverage that never looks cakey,” advises Annie Tevelin.

Apply carefully

Annie Mayo describes a stippling method, or light, repetitive dabs, as the best way to apply your makeup for the optimal coverage. “Begin with a concealer and use the stippling method on the area you want to cover. Next apply powder in a press and roll method. If needed, apply concealer again,” says Annie Mayo. Afterwards, add in your foundation using the same method, then finish it off again with the powder. Try Charlotte Tilbury’s The Retoucher Concealer and Charlotte Tilbury’s Light Wonder Foundation. For more complete coverage, try Kevyn Aucoin’s Sensual Skin Enhancer.

Though you’ll be able to hide your scarring and discoloration rather well, the blemishes may still not be 100% gone. Annie Mayo reminds us,”You can cover redness and smooth out skin, but you can not cover the raise of the scar away from the skin.”