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Best Treatment Concealers for Acne

Updated December 2021
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Full-Coverage Concealer
IT Cosmetics
Bye Bye Breakout Full-Coverage Concealer
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Ideal for Full Coverage
Bottom Line

This full-pigment liquid concealer contains a drying lotion to combat acne and an alpha hydroxy acid/beta hydroxy acid complex for improving skin.

Pros

This concealer was developed with plastic surgeons and contains healing ingredients like oil-absorbing zinc oxide, witch hazel, tea tree, and sulfur. Creamy liquid concealer is lightweight yet offers full coverage without creasing or cracking. Some find that it even eliminates the need for foundation.

Cons

There’s not much product for the money. Deep and fair skin tones may have trouble finding a shade match.

Best Bang for the Buck
Physicians Formula Conceal Rx Physicians Strength Concealer
Physicians Formula
Conceal Rx Physicians Strength Concealer
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Multi-purpose Concealing
Bottom Line

As recommended by the American Acne Foundation, this concealer applies smoothly and hides dark circles and redness as well as acne.

Pros

A highly pigmented liquid concealer, it can cover blemishes, under-eye circles, and age spots. Green shade is ideal for rosacea. The oil-free formula contains retinol (vitamin A) to improve the look of skin. Easy to blend with a finish that's semi-matte. From an affordable and well-respected drugstore brand.

Cons

This concealer can be too drying for skin that's not oily. Just three shades, one of which is green for concealing redness.

Dr. Hauschka Coverstick Stick Corrector
Dr. Hauschka
Coverstick Stick Corrector
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Natural Finish
Bottom Line

Treats blemishes with tea tree oil, while botanical extracts soothe and encourage healthy skin regeneration.

Pros

A light, natural-looking stick concealer. The mineral pigments give a no-makeup look while still covering up blemishes. Comes in a convenient twist-up stick for travel or keeping on hand for touchups. Gentle on skin, long-lasting, and allows skin to breathe throughout the day.

Cons

Shades tend to run lighter than expected, so you may need to order a darker shade. Only three shades to choose from.

bareMinerals Blemish Rescue Spot Concealer
bareMinerals
Blemish Rescue Spot Concealer
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Hides & Treats Acne
Bottom Line

Pimple cover-up that contains phytosphingosine to help the skin fight bacteria as it covers up the breakouts.

Pros

This creamy concealer is best used under foundation to allow the acne-fighting ingredients to work. Reduces redness and swelling, as well as providing good coverage. Comes in 10 shades.

Cons

It can be drying on the skin. Some found it difficult to blend.

Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer
Clinique
Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer
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Tackles Redness
Bottom Line

A soothing, oil-free concealer with a slight green tint that helps cover up redness from breakouts.

Pros

This liquid concealer has a natural matte finish that goes on smoothly and blends evenly for a flawless look. It does a great job of covering up red blemishes because of its subtle green tint. Users report that it helps put the brakes on breakouts if applied at the first sign of a pimple.

Cons

A wider variety of colors would be nice, since it only comes in three shades.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
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When it comes to a concealer for acne, the rule is: first do no harm. Acne is caused by hormonal changes as well as clogged pores from oil, makeup, or dead skin cells, so choose a concealer that is non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) so that it doesn’t add to the problem. Concealers that have ingredients to aid in the treatment of acne do double-duty as treatment and makeup. Look for salicylic acid, which can clear clogged pores, and sulfur or tea tree oil that can calm inflammation. When it comes to concealing blemishes, beauty experts recommend choosing a shade that’s an exact match to your skin tone and applying after your foundation on just the problem areas. Blend well, and finish by setting with powder so the concealer lasts all day.