Is it Really Makeup for Acne?

Makeup for acne infected skin is produced by many companies. However, it’s important to know what to look for and what to avoid in products before making any purchases. Simply because a product may be labeled as “makeup for acne” does not mean it is the best choice for acne burdened consumers—nor does it mean that the manufacturer’s claims are backed up by research and in the best interest of the consumer.

There is no doubt that many products on the market claim to produce clear skin, remove scars and wrinkles, tighten lines, etc… Commercials on TV bombard us with “miracle” products that magically produce some of the results we desire: acne free skin, younger looking skin and healthy looking skin. Yet, are these products as potent and effective as they are hyped up to be or are these claims simply marketing ploys to sell their products?


If you ask some of the gurus on acne that have written books on the subject, you will get one answer, ask the CEO of a drug company and you will get another; furthermore, if you ask a few different dermatologists you are likely to get a couple different answers as well. This is why it’s so important to make sure that you know what to look for in makeup for acne. So, you can make an informed decision yourself.

What Essential Ingredients to Look For

The most important term to look for in any makeup for acne is the word “noncomedogenic”; it means that the product itself will not clog pores, thus creating more acne. “Noncomedogenic” acne make-up may simply be labeled as “oil-free” and it means the same thing: it won’t clog pores. Moisturizers used on the skin must also be “oil-free”. So, the bottom line is that water-based make-up products used on acne affected skin are the best choice.

Additionally, it’s important to note any active ingredients that may be present in the products. Some, not all, acne make-up has additional active ingredients to help combat the acne. For instance, the active ingredient of benzoyl peroxide can help remove excess skin oils whereas salicylic acid slows down skin cell shedding. Still, those ingredients may cause skin irritations to some people and yet be completely agreeable to another person’s skin.

While it seems products in the U.S., that go through the approval process with the Food and Drug Administration must adhere to specific guidelines and legalities, one has to wonder if those are enough to assure product effectiveness. The point being that just because something is legal to put on one’s face or has passed inspection to become noted as a legal “treatment” still does not insure anyone that a particular product is their best option.

Experiment with what Works

It’s very interesting to note that in an article by the Mayo Clinic, dated Aug. 16th, 2010, they state to “experiment with what works” in terms of choosing any acne products. Further, they suggest that an individual “use two products with different active ingredients to treat stubborn acne”, which asserts that each individual must find the appropriate acne regimen that works for them. When it comes to choosing make-up, those same theories apply: individuals with acne might have to experiment with various acne make-up products before finding the best products for themselves and they may have to use more than one product at a time to achieve and keep the balanced and healthy skin they desire.