4 tips for reducing the appearance of acne

There’s no denying Kendall Jenner looked stunning at the 2018 Golden Globes – from her perfectly tousled locks and glossy nude lips to the dramatic black gown she wore.

However, social media trolls were quick to shame her for her acne – something that is completely normal and nothing to be embarrassed about…and definitely not a valid excuse for missing an iconic event like the Golden Globes.

In true superstar style, Kendall was quick to stand up for herself and her response to her attackers was golden.

Kendall retweeted a supportive fan who wrote, “Ok but @KendallJenner showing up and strutting her acne while looking like a gorgeous star is what every girl needs to understand.”

Along with the retweet the 22-year-old model wrote, “never let that sh*t stop you!”

Acne happens to the best of us, at the worst of times. But we couldn’t agree more that it’s no reason to hide away at home – especially when makeup can do a pretty amazing job at concealing any blemishes.

So if you’ve got a big event of your own coming up and your skin decides to break out, don’t stress! We’ve enlisted the help of makeup artist Nicola Burford for her expert advice on camouflaging acne-afflicted skin. These are her four top tips for faking a flawless-looking complexion.

#1 / Prep is everything

“When prepping acne-prone skin for makeup application, ensure skin [is] cleansed, toned and hydrated,” says Burford. “If you have an old pimple that has some dry, flaky skin over it, gently exfoliate to remove the unwanted texture prior to toning and moisturising. As acne-prone skin tends to be oily, use an oil-free moisturiser or mattifying primer to aid makeup adhesion and longevity. Some primers also have cool undertones such as a subtle green, which can help to reduce redness associated with acne.”

#2 / Find the right concealer

“The best full coverage concealer tends to come in either cream or liquid textures,” explains Burford. “Always match your concealer to your skin tone or foundation shade when you are attempting to cover pimples. Avoid using a concealer that is much lighter than your skin or foundation colour as this will only highlight the affected area!”

#3 / Application is key

“First apply your foundation to create the first layer of coverage. Gently pat your matching concealer over the affected area. building up and blending the edges as you cover,” explains Burford. “Use a clean finger or flat concealer brush to achieve the best results. Set with a colourless, translucent loose powder and then spritz with a finishing mist.”

#4 / Stay away from illuminating makeup

"Avoid any shiny or illuminating makeup over areas that are affected as this will only add to the unwanted texture.” Matte formulas combat shine (a common side-effect of acne-prone skin) and are easier to build to a desired coverage.

Looking for advice on reducing the appearance of acne scarring? Check out our top five solutions.

Do you suffer from acne? Share your go-to treatment in the comments below.