Hold up! These 6 concealers can cover up your zits and heal them at the same time, whaaat?!

There is certainly no denying the temptation to cover angry pimples with the strongest concealer you own on the days when you just have to look your best.

You have probably been cautioned by your mom against piling on makeup on zits because there is a common belief that doing so aggravates the pimple, or could lead to even more acne breaking out. While it may have been true in the past, there are specific types of makeup today that are formulated especially for acne-prone skin.

What concealers to get for acne-prone skin

Non-comedogenic products are specially formulated with ingredients that will not clog pores. Such products tend to be less oily too so that the formula doesn’t settle into the pore and cause blockages. They may also be labelled as “oil-free”.

Thick oils and emollients are the worst for pimples, so you want to check the ingredient list to make sure the concealer does not contain ingredients such as cocoa butter, coconut oil, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl isostearate, acetylated lanolin, and myristyl myristate.

What are non-comedogenic concealers?

Other than not clogging up your pores, such non-comedogenic concealers usually contain acne-healing and soothing ingredients such as tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and camphor. These ingredients work to help those angry pimples dry up and heal.

Think of these concealers as a super-smart pimple cream with the added ability to disguise your zits!

DV Tip: With these concealers, as with any other makeup you use on zits, you will want to apply with a light hand as the ingredients tend to be drying to the skin due to their medicinal properties.

Here are 6 acne-busting concealers that do a mean double duty in healing your zits and covering them up so you’re ready to face whatever the day throws at you!

1. Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer

Formulated to provide targeted treatment for blemishes, this concealer surely packs a punch. It is powered by Neutrogena’s unique MicroClear technology that delivers a potent blend of salicylic acid with sebum dissolvers deep into the pores, treating acne at its root.

Its main ingredient is salicylic acid, a common and effective ingredient for treating acne, but take note that salicylic acid is quite drying too so you may want to avoid re-applying this concealer too often within a day.

This concealer comes with a turn-pen sponge-tip applicator, which means you only dispense the amount of product you need. It provides natural-looking coverage and comes in two shades: light and fair.

Available at Amazon.sg for S$14.56.

2. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Concealer

This product has received great reviews for its efficacy at zapping those zits. It is a medicated concealer that contains 1% salicylic acid, targeted at drying acne out and healing them as you try to conceal them.

What people like about this concealer is its non-oily finish that doesn’t exaggerate the texture of your acne spots. It applies a little chalky and has to be gently patted on with a light touch, but it does its job at healing those pimples while covering them up.

It is recommended that you wear this concealer under foundation, and not over, for the best finish. This comes in 3 shades, including a green colour-correcting shade to help reduce the appearance of redness on the skin.

Available at Clinique counters islandwide for S$34.

3. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Full-Coverage Concealer

This revolutionary concealer was specially formulated in collaboration with aesthetic doctors, so it really packs a punch. Besides the regular acne-drying abilities, IT Cosmetic’s formula also contains a host of other impressive ingredients which work together to also help the skin to appear healthier overall. These ingredients are anti-ageing peptides, hydrolysed collagen, oil-absorbing zinc oxide, kaolin clay, witch hazel, anti-bacterial tea tree, acne-clearing sulfur, and a gentle AHA/BHA complex.

The formula is also lightweight, blendable, and does not crease or crack after drying – which is nice for an acne concealer as they tend to go on patchy due to the drying ingredients. The concealer comes with a doe-foot wand applicator and is available in seven shades.

Available from Sephora USA at USD28 (approximately SGD39) with shipping to Singapore via AirFrov.

4. Medicube Red Concealer

K-beauty brand Medicube is known for its highly targeted treatments that are rely on scientific research and carefully selected ingredients to target the root of specific skin issues. The Red line is Medicube’s range of skincare specially formulated for acne-prone skin, and the concealer in this line promises high coverage with a smooth finish.

Unlike other acne concealers, Medicube’s offering does not seek to dry the pimple out – rather, the concealer contains squalane to hydrate the skin, and Centella asiatica leaf extract to prevent dehydration.

It is non-comedogenic and provides protection from UV rays (SPF 30/PA ++). Best of all in our books? Both the shades available are formulated for Asian skin tones, and it goes on so naturally on the skin! Another bonus is the really cute syringe packaging that the concealer comes in, with a turn-lock at the base to prevent accidental spillage.

Available at selected Guardian stores and online for S$24.

5. Eucerin DermoPurifyer Cover-Stick

This stick concealer contains salicylic acid as its active ingredient to dry acne spots out. Formulated for daily use and intended to be used as a spot treatment for those pesky zits, this amazing little stick helps to soothe angry skin while providing natural-looking coverage.

The creamy formula blends quite easily but is not oily at all, so you can rest assured you will not be clogging up your pores as you use this. It comes in twist-stick packaging and is available in one shade.

Available at Guardian and Watsons stores islandwide at S$26.

6. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

As its name suggests, this is a creamy concealer that goes on with an initial satin finish. Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, alcohol-free and paraben-free, this concealer is great for acne-prone skin as it conceals angry zits without clogging pores.

Its formula is said to contain multi-active botanicals (we see from the ingredient list that this includes Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract and Grape Seed Extract) that help to hydrate, reduce redness, strengthen and firm the skin while providing buildable and natural-looking coverage. This is available in nine shades in Singapore.

Available at Sephora.sg for S$46.