The Mistakes You're Making When Concealing Breakouts

As flawless as your skin routine may be, there's always going to be that one zit that decides to occupy a prominent part of your face. The first port of call is to cover that sucker up with some concealer and go about your day, but oftentimes that pimple will show through regardless of what product and tools you attack it with.

That's because there are actually a few things to consider before attempting to cover a spot or a breakout. One of the most common mistakes according to Jules Beauty is using the wrong concealer shade. You've probably seen those color-correcting tutorials that magic away pimples with a dash of green and peach to neutralize redness and discoloration, per Byrdie. That's because you're using the opposite of the color you're trying to conceal (red), which in turn neutralizes the color. So, if you've been at your wit's end trying to cover angry breakouts, color correction is your first port of call.

The same goes for the actual shade of your concealer, too. You need something as close to your skin tone as possible as to camouflage the spot so that if it has a raised texture, it blends seamlessly with the rest of your skin (via Self).

Another mistake your probably making is not treating your skin properly before applying concealer. As much as you'll want to cover that unwanted zit or breakout, you need to let your skin deal with the problem first. As Moda Brush executive artist Dominique Lerma told Self, you need to let your skin heal before concealing it. "I never recommend putting makeup on an open breakout/freshly popped pimple," she explained, adding that "it's as unsanitary as it sounds and the breakout will not heal properly when makeup is packed on top."

Not moisturising your skin enough can make the appearance of a breakout or spot appear worse, especially when you attempt to put concealer on top of dry skin. Celebrity makeup artist Allan Avendaño recommends that people with acne-prone skin should prioritise ensuring that the dry areas of the skin are "fully hydrated, ensuring concealer and foundation don't cling to dry spots around the breakouts."