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If you have acne, there is no doubt that you have faced this dilemma before: to wear or not to wear foundation? It’s an age old question that many of us have asked ourselves.

The truth is, it can be a bit of a vicious cycle. You put on foundation to hide your blemishes, but the foundation leads to more breakouts, which consequentially, leads you to applying more foundation in a attempt to cover them up, which, unfortunately, may lead to breakout on top of breakouts…

Sounds all too familiar to you? These are the 8 mistakes that you’re making with foundation that could be making your acne look worse – but don’t worry, Daily Vanity is here to dispense tips and tricks so you can apply foundation without fearing a flare-up.

1. Not cleansing your makeup thoroughly

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It’s common knowledge that a smooth and blank canvas is essential for artists before they start on their masterpieces, right? Well, this theory holds true when it comes to your skin as well.

Make sure that your skin is completely clean prior to applying your foundation— and by this, we mean cleansed, exfoliated, and moisturised skin with no impurities or left-over makeup on it.

Layering on more makeup over improperly cleansed skin is a sure-fire recipe for disaster. Foundation can clog up your pores if you don’t clean it off properly every day, which can then lead to more acne!

2. Being too lazy to clean your makeup brushes and tools

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Brushes, sponges, or whatever tool you use to apply your foundation should be kept squeaky clean as well! You may be diligently cleaning your face every day, but if your makeup tools have foundation remnants that are weeks, or even months, old, your skin isn’t going to thank you for it.

Make sure to thoroughly clean and wash them at least once a week to avoid buildup. A tip you can use to save time? Swiping a antibacterial cleansing wipe over them to get rid of dirt and impurities in one fell swoop can help to refresh them in between uses, although we recommend that you still wash them properly as frequently as possible.

DV Tip: Try using baby shampoo from the drugstore for a more accessible and affordable cleansing option for your brushes. When drying your brushes, try to prop up the handle so that excess water will flow down the bristles rather than into the handle, which may affect the glue holding the bristles together.

3. Deciding that primer isn’t important enough

Foundation Tips For Acne Skin 3Before you reach for that foundation, go for a primer first to set the stage. Remember we mentioned your skin requiring a smooth canvas before any foundation application? Well, that’s what a primer is for.

This one by Too Faced is one of our favourites: it boosts your skin’s natural radiance all while moisturising and hydrating it, allowing for fuss-free and easy application for the rest of your makeup. It also contains ingredients beneficial to skin, so you’re getting skincare on top of getting flawless makeup – who could ask for a better win-win situation?

The Too Faced Hangover Primer is available at all Sephora outlets and Sephora.sg, and retails at SGD49.

4. Going for dewy finish foundations

Foundation Tips For Acne Skin 4Foundations with a dewy, shimmery finish may actually emphasize your acne rather than conceal it. Yup, you heard that right: anything with a high luminosity content tends to bring out the difference between flat skin and raised skin, bringing it into focus.

Your best bet? An oil-free, matte foundation that absorbs light and softens the appearance of textured areas. Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is one to try!

The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is available at all Sephora outlets and Sephora.sg, and retails at SGD50.

5. Caking on your foundation to cover up

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Caking on your foundation is a big no-no if you’re looking for a smooth, even finish. In fact, too many layers can actually bring attention to your acne instead of obscuring it, so make sure to go at it with a light hand when patting your foundation on.

Leave the heavy duty concealing of problem areas (or problem zits!) to your concealer, instead.

6. Buffing your foundation in

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Don’t buff your foundation onto problem areas. Instead, stipple or use pressing motions instead.

According to experts, this allows the product to really melt onto your skin and fill in deeper scarring. This is achievable with whichever tool you prefer, though we recommend trying this with a makeup brush, preferably one that is dome-shaped for ease of application.

7. Not colour correcting the redness

Foundation Tips For Acne Skin 7If there are still stubborn marks peeking out from under your layer of foundation, try out a colour correcting formula that will help diffuse discoloration and minimise redness.

Colours on the opposite end of a colour wheel can cancel other colours out. For example, apply a green corrector over any redness from your acne, so your foundation will look more even on top.

Layer a thin layer of this under your foundation, and blend it out carefully for the perfect touch. This one by Urban Decay comes in five different shades that helps address specific skin issues.

The Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid is available at all Sephora outlets and Sephora.sg, and retails at SGD40.

8. Using a setting powder instead of a spray

Foundation Tips For Acne Skin 8The final step? Go for a setting spray instead of pressed powders. A powder will accentuate the texture of your acne instead of hiding it, so a setting spray is the way to go to keep your foundation locked in place.

Spritz it all over your face to make sure your makeup stays budge proof all day!

The Cover Fx Illuminating Setting Spray is available at all Sephora outlets and Sephora.sg, and retails at SGD45.