Keeping your acne-prone skin in its happiest and healthiest state can be a Herculean task. Beyond battling skincare concerns such as enlarged pores, an oily complexion and pesky pimples, you should also opt for acne-safe makeup products that will expertly conceal your blemishes without aggravating your skin even further.
Beauty ingredients that are great for acne-prone skin
Look for concealers with ingredients such as AHAs, BHAs and hyaluronic acid as they are beneficial for acne-prone skin. (Left photo from: esteelauder.com. Right photo from: narscosmetics.com)
Makeup products such as concealers, foundations and eyeshadows do more than just makeup these days — they are often infused with a medley of skin-caring ingredients as well to help their wearers achieve better skin over time. When choosing a concealer for your acne-prone skin, keep your eyes peeled for these ingredients: alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.
AHAs, BHAs and salicylic acid do a great job of exfoliating the skin and preventing your pores from becoming clogged. Hyaluronic acid can help to improve your skin’s barrier function, tone down redness and reduce irritation. Meanwhile, vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties that also help to reduce swelling in acne-prone skin.
Finally, strive to use non-comedogenic makeup products as these will not block the pores of your skin and are less likely to cause your skin to produce more acne. Read on to discover 15 concealers — from wallet-friendly drugstore favourites to prestige picks — that are suited for acne-prone skin.
1. Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser
Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser. (Photo from: sephora.sg)
A concealer that helps to improve the appearance of your dark circles and dark spots over time? Sign us up. This makeup-skincare hybrid product contains vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine to hydrate, plump up and energise the skin. It is also designed to feel lightweight on the skin while delivering crease-free, full coverage for up to 12 hours. This product — as with all Clinique makeup — is dermatologist-tested, non-acnegenic and fragrance-free.
What we love about this: It also has AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate dead skin cells — two important ingredients that you need in your acne-prone skincare routine. It also comes with a dual-ended applicator — use the flocked tip doe-foot wand for precise application or opt for the built-in sponge blurring blender, which is infused with anti-bacterial technology.
The Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser is priced at SGD56 for 6ML on Metro.
2. Estée Lauder Double Wear Radiant Concealer
Estée Lauder Double Wear Radiant Concealer. (Photo from: sephora.com)
This flawless, feather-light concealer promises to last for up to 15 hours. It has a natural matte finish and medium buildable coverage which won’t slip, slide, or melt away during the day.
What we love about this: It’s oil-free so it will suit oily and combination skin. It’s also water-, perspiration-, and humidity-resistant.
The Estée Lauder Double Wear Radiant Concealer is priced at SGD53 per 7ML on Sephora.
3. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’R Instant Retouch Concealer
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’R Instant Retouch Concealer (sephora.sg).
One of RiRi’s star products from her Fenty Beauty brand, this liquid concealer delivers medium to full coverage and boasts a soft matte finish. It is sweat-resistant, creaseproof and doesn’t settle into fine lines or pores. This acne-safe product is also formulated without pore-clogging or skin-irritating ingredients.
What we love about this: It comes in 50 shades(!) so that beauty lovers of different skin tones are able to find one that meets their needs. We’re here for the brand’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’R Instant Retouch Concealer is priced from SGD46 on Sephora.
4. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer. (Photo from: guardian.com)
Promising full-face wear for up to 24 hours, this concealer features the brand’s “highest coverage formula” and gives the skin a “flawless” matte finish. This multi-use product can also be used as a highlighter or a contour — simply opt for one to two shades lighter or deeper to let it work its magic on your skin. It also non-comedogenic, so it won't clog your pores and cause more acne.
What we love about this: This product is waterproof — a major plus point especially if you’re residing where there’s hot and humid climate. It is also non-comedogenic, meaning that it doesn’t clog your pores.
The L’Oreal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer is priced at SGD25.60 on Watsons.
5. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer. (Photo from: shopee.sg)
Described as “your good night’s sleep in a tube”, this concealer not only covers up dark spots and blemishes but also has anti-ageing properties. It’s waterproof, has a creamy texture, and is suited for a variety of skin types ranging from combination and dry to sensitive and oily. This product also boasts a non-comedogenic formula.
What we love about this: This product also contains retinoid, an ingredient derived from vitamin A that helps to get rid of dead skin cells and deal with signs of ageing and dullness.
The IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer is priced at SGD49 on Sephora.
6. M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Fix Smooth Wear Concealer
M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Fix Smooth Wear Concealer. (Photo from: sephora.sg)
Hoping to achieve “selfie-ready” skin? This liquid concealer is designed to provide “seamless” coverage and blur imperfections. Its medium-to-full buildable coverage lasts up to 24 hours. It comes with a small sponge-tip applicator, which makes it easier for you to target specific areas on your skin.
What we love about this: This product boasts a mask-friendly formula, hence it’s transfer-, sweat- and humidity-resistant — a must-have (or should we say, mask-have?) during this new normal.
The M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Fix Smooth Wear Concealer is priced at SGD49 on Sephora.
7. NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer. (Photo from: tangs.com)
Looking to create a more natural-looking, “my skin but better” effect through your makeup? If so, this one’s your top pick. The brand shares that this concealer offers the “highest coverage”, and hence, is great for correcting uneven textured skin with blemishes and large pores.
It is also packed with skin-caring ingredients such as collagen-boosting peptides, hyaluronic acid and a blend of antioxidants to protect the skin.
What we love about this: This product also features the brand’s Soft-Focus Smoothing Complex, which contains Optimal Diffusion Powder to blur imperfections with light-diffusing spheres. If you prefer a more radiant finish, try the brand’s Radiant Creamy Concealer instead.
The NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer is priced at SGD49 on Sephora.
8. Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer. (Photo from: sephora.sg)
A truly multi-use product, this concealer also acts as a spot corrector, a highlighter, and an eyeshadow base. It boasts a creamy whipped texture and provides its wearer with full coverage. Yet, it still feels lightweight on the skin and creates a beautiful soft-focus effect with its optically diffusing pigments. This product is also non-comedogenic.
What we love about this: This product features the brand’s proprietary Flex Form Matrix formula, which allows the concealer to “move” with the skin for a more seamless-looking skin tone.
The Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer is priced from SGD55 on Sephora.
9. Rosé All Day The Realest Lightweight Concealer
Rosé All Day The Realest Lightweight Concealer. (Photo from: beaubit.co)
This concealer-serum hybrid provides medium to full coverage but get this: it also promises to leave your skin looking “flawless” even after you’ve removed it. How so? It contains natural active ingredients such as vitamins E and C alongside hyaluronic acid to protect and nourish the skin.
What we love about this: It is designed to visibly brighten your complexion, as well as help to reveal better skin over time — the best of both worlds if we say so.
The Rosé All Day The Realest Lightweight Concealer is priced IDR139/~SGD0.012 and is available for shipping to Singapore via the brand’s official website.
10. Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer. (Photo from: sephora.sg).
Providing 24 hours of medium to full coverage, this concealer also contains ActiveForce Technology that allows it to ‘sync’ with the skin and within sweat, oil and facial movement. In short, this is a concealer that won’t budge even when it’s subject to different conditions. It is also non-comedogenic and dermatologist-tested.
What we love about this: This acne-safe product features an “intuitive” applicator that hugs the contours of the face and thus, provides an ultra-smooth and controlled application. It is also formulated with the brand’s 4-Fold Technology to help defend against air pollution.
The Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer is priced at SGD46 for 5.8ML on Sephora.
11. Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer. (Photo from: ulta.com)
Here's a product that’s definitely worth the hype. With over 1,000 5-star reviews on Sephora, this vegan concealer is “super blendable” and gives the skin a “flawless” matte finish. Its creamy formula doesn’t flake or crease, and is also non-comedogenic.
What we love about this: This product provides full coverage, hence it firmly stays put and doesn’t budge even after hours of wear. In addition, it also contains mango seed and shea butter, which help to nourish and illuminate the skin for a lifted effect.
The Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer comes in 29 shades and is priced at SGD47 on Sephora.
13. KVD Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer
KVD Beauty Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer. (sephora.sg)
KVD Beauty's concealer promises to make your skin as juicy as an apple: smooth outer appearance and deeply hydrated inside. Its formula is extremely long-wearing and crease-resistant, so your blemishes will stay covered.
What we love about this: Its unique applicator mimics the precision and softness of your fingertips, perfect for spot concealing and applying to the undereye area.
The Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer is priced at SGD46 on Sephora.
14. The Saem Cover Perfection Pot Concealer
The Saem Cover Perfection Pot Concealer. (Photo from: sg.iherb.com)
This balm concealer helps to hide blemishes, acne spots, and other skin trouble spots. It blends seamlessly into your skin, ensuring a flawless finish.
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What we love about it: Since it’s specially crafted for oily and combination skin types, this concealer expertly controls sebum — keeping your skin looking matte and fresh all day. It offers you a veil of protection against excess oil.
The Saem Cover Perfection Pot Concealer is priced at SGD9.62 on iHerb.
15. MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Concealer
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Concealer. (Photo from: sephora.sg)
This all-in-one semi-matte concealer and corrector helps smooth and blur the under-eye area. It comes in 32 inclusive shades for anyone’s skin colour needs and is made for combination, dry, oily, and normal skin types.
What we love about it: It promises to be hydrating thanks to its formula which contains hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil. It instantly fills the skin with hydration and visibly plumps the under-eye.
The MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Concealer is priced at SGD51 on Sephora.
What are some non-negotiables in your makeup routine?
This article was first published on 16 February 2023. Last updated: 16 December 2024.
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