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Best Drugstore Concealer for Acne, Oily Skin, Blemishes, Scars

by Dr. Joe Morales

Acne, blemishes and scars are somewhat frustrating when it comes to skin-care. Concealers are best designed to help you cover up these to achieve a flawless skin. For most people though, it is a bit challenging to find a concealer that best suits them. In this article, find out about  the best drugstore concealer for acne, blemishes and scars.

What Is the Best Drugstore Concealer for Acne?

Acne can really take a toll on your self esteem. It is not just a teenage problem. It is even worse when the product you are using is the cause of your skin breakouts. If dealing with acne and you are way past the teenage years, try to figure out the cause based on the following; genetics, hormonal, hygiene, diet or an underlying condition. It is important to always remember that when dealing with acne, hygiene is key.

best drugstore concealer for acne scars and blemishes

For women with acne scars, a cheap concealer from the drugstore can help conceal those scars.

Come up with a makeup routine to prevent further breakouts.  When shopping for the best drugstore concealer for acne, always consider the following pointers.

  • Check the ingredients of every product you use, to eliminate acne causing ingredients like, paraben and oils like lanolin.
  • Concealers with salicylic acid as an ingredient are best but should not be used in place of acne treatment.
  • Use mattifying products.
  • Use clean make up brushes and sponges to apply your products.
  • Wash your brushes often.
  • Use light strokes when applying makeup. Pressing on the skin can cause even more breakouts.
  • If you need more concealer, apply in small amounts to avoid drawing attention to the acne.

Here is a list of five best drugstore concealers for acne that I came across during my reviews.

  • Clinique Acne solution Clearing at $17
  • Neutrogena Skin Clearing blemish at $10.99
  • Covex FX Cream at$28
  • Almay Clear Complexion
  • Murad Acne Treatment at $21

Check out this two great inexpensive concealers complete with user rating/ reviews to help you make an informed decision on what is the best drugstore concealer for acne to go for.

Hard Candy Glamoflauge

This product is rated best drugstore concealer for acne and other blemishes. has  It is a heavy duty and blends well with your skin tone to effectively hide acne ,spots and blemishes. It comes with a concealer pencil for accurate touch ups during the day.It is highly pigmented so that a tiny drop goes a long way. Provides an ultimate coverage on dark spots and acne scars to give you a flawless look.

User rating

Walmart.com 4.3 out of 5 stars

Makeupalley.com 4 out of 5 stars

Cost

Prices range between $6.99 and $14 at various stores.

Hard candy glamoflage is a good concelaer for blemishes

Hard candy glamoflage is a good concelaer for blemishes

Reviews “A little bit goes a very long way, the size of a dime is even too much. It is that thick and pigmented,but not in a bad way. I squeeze a tiny dot on my finger, and use it under my eye circles, and my acne spots…..” [ amazon.com]

“Pretty good, especially with the price. My skin breaks out easily and it’s hard finding one that also doesn’t dry it out! But this worked well for me…” [makeupalley.com]

Maybelline Superstay Concealer

This concealer provides a 24hour natural looking skin. It is oil free, fragrance free and dermatologically tested which makes it safe for acne prone skin. It goes on smoothly and does not wear off. Best in covering up dark spots and scars. It also comes in different shades( ivory, deep beige, cream) and colors to suit different skin tones.

Rating: Boots.com 4.3 out of 5 stars; Ulta.com 3.8 out of 5 stars

Maybelline Superstay Concealer

Maybelline Superstay Concealer

Cost: Prices range from $8 to $ 14 for 5.5ml at different stores.

User reviews

“The best dark spots cover I’ve found. Easy to apply and blends well. Stays on all day just as advertised and  doesn’t feel heavy”[ ulta.com]

Also check out, Maybelline fit me concealer at $6.99 and loreal true match blendable concealer at $8.99

Best Drugstore Concealer for Acne Scars and Dark Spots

Acne scars can be very annoying. Covering up these scars and other blemishes can be quite challenging especially if you do not use the right products. While you are trying to figure out how to deal with the breakouts, you do not have to suffer the embarrassing nodules.

All you need to do is get the right concealer and know how to apply makeup on acne scars and dark spots. When buying a good concealer for acne scars and dark spots, choose one that is lighter than your skin. Always remember that beauty comes from within. Try to get enough sleep, keep off alcohol and eat plenty of skin clearing foods to reduce appearance of acne.

I sampled two top reviewed best drugstore concealers for acne scars and dark blemishes.

Mac Studio Finish SPF35 Concealer

This is the best product for acne scars and dark spots in the market. It is light weight creamy concealer that is invisible and covers all dark spots effectively. It is long wearing and opaque. At just $19, a small amount goes a long way. Can be used by people with different skin types. It contains silica to help absorb excess oils from the skin. This concealer is enriched with antioxidants. It has SPF35 and comes in a wide range of colors. Most importantly Mac Studio Finish SPF35 Concealer is non comedogenic and fragrance free, so you do not have to worry about aggravating breakouts.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

This is the best concealer for deep acne scars and blemishes. It comes in a compact with two shades giving you room to customize a shade that’s suitable for you. It is available in a variety of colors to cater for all skin tones from fair to deep. It is oil free and suitable for all skin types. It is however a little costly at $34 but sure gives you value for your money.

Other highly reviewed drugstore concealers for acne scars include;

  • Make Up Forever Full Cover
  • Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing
  • Neutrogena Skin Clearing
  • Mac Select cover up
  • Body shop Tea Tree

Best Drugstore Concealer for Acne and Blemishes

Concealing blemishes is achievable. All one needs is patience and ways to buy time as these scars take their time to fade off. According to scarsandspots.com, most scars do improve and become less noticeable over time. If using your fingers to dab concealer to the blemishes, wash your hands before and after. This ensures that you do not spread bacteria to other areas of your face.

When using concealer to hide blemishes, the best make up trick is color correcting. Here is a chart to help you choose the right color of a concealer for your type of scar.

Color of the scar Color of concealer
Red/ pink Green
Brown/purple Yellow

 

You should always apply concealer that is a shade lighter than your skin on top of the colored concealer to make it even with the entire face. It is best to understand what different kinds of concealers can do for you.

  • Highlighting pen is the type of concealer with light reflecting particles that make your blemishes appear lighter
  • Powder concealers are best for light blemishes. Of all types, they offer the lightest coverage
  • Tube concealers are creamy and cover larger areas
  • Liquid evenly spread out on your skin and less likely to cake
  • Stick concealers are thick and creamy in texture. They offer medium to full coverage

To get the best drugstore concealer to cover acne and blemishes, go for a heavy full coverage. One that won’t run off during the day. Just dab a little on the blemishes. Too much of it will draw attention to it.  To reduce appearance of blemishes;

  • Do not pop pimples out
  • Use facial scrub with minerals twice a week
  • Wash your face 2-3 times a day
  • Get a dermatologist
  • Get make up advice on how to cover up acne scars with concealer
  • Remember, you are not the only one dealing with acne

Best Drugstore Concealer for Acne Prone Skin, Oily Skin with Large Pores

Large pores are associated with oily skin that is acne prone so you would want to avoid products with oils as they tend to clog pores making them more noticeable. This creates an ideal ground for bacteria and also blocks skin pores which might cause more breakouts. Instead, go for oil free/ non-comedogenic products. This applies to dry acne prone skin and sensitive skin with acne. Beware though, of products that claim to be noncomedogenic.

Beofre and after photo, concealer for large pores

Beofre and after photo, concealer for large pores

Large pores can be on the entire face or concentrated on certain areas such as the nose, cheeks, forehead or the chin. Some products provide coverage to reduce the appearance of pores.

Concealapore is the best drugstore concealer for acne prone skin with large pores. It is translucent, smoothes over the pores to make them invisible to the eye. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used alone or with makeup. Goes for $18 at drugstores. Other concealers that you can check out are; Laura Mercier and M.A.C studio finish.

Note; Combination skin type can be dry, normal or oily in some areas such as the nose and chin. Many people have this skin type thus can benefit from different skin care products.

If you have sensitive skin type, try to find out factors that trigger reactions so you can avoid them. Sensitivity appears as redness, burning and tightness.

If you have dry acne prone skin, then most probably you are using the wrong skin care routine. Using products with ingredients such as alcohol and peppermint can make your normally oily skin feel dry. Be sparing with those over the counter anti acne treatments. Some of them could result in dry acne prone skin.

Best Drugstore Cream Concealer for Pimples

Many people struggle with covering up pimples. All it needs is a little patience and the right products. when looking for best drugstore cream concealer for pimples, color countering always works. Red pimples are the most common.

Here is how to cover red pimples with green concealer.

  • Using a small brush, gently apply the green concealer on the pimple and blend lightly.
  • Wait for the colored concealer and apply the regular concealer on top being careful not to smudge the first layer.
  • Set with powder to prevent it from running off during the day

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1 comment

Althea Jul 31, 2015 - 12:36 pm

Since when is MAC, L Mercier, Clinique drugstore?

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