It's Friday night and you have a big date. You should be eagerly looking forward to the night's festivities but instead you want to crawl under the covers and hide. Why? You've got acne. Don't panic! You certainly can't cure your acne before your date arrives but you can use make-up to safely disguise your pimples if you know how.



To hide the acne you will need three basic tools: concealer, foundation and finishing powder. You only want to hide the acne, not make it worse. Since part of the reason you have the acne in the first place is excess oil, make sure you choose make-up that is oil free and, if possible, non-comedogenic. If your skin is particularly sensitive, a hypoallergenic make-up would be a good additional feature. Carefully match the make-up to your own skin tone.

It is always important to test any new make-up product before fully using it. This is especially true for acne sufferers. Apply a small amount of the make-up behind your ear or under your jaw and let it sit for an hour or so. If your skin begins to register a reaction, don't use the make-up.

Before using make-up to hide acne, gently clean your face with a cleansing cream. Do not scrub your face. This will only irritate the acne making it harder to hide and more likely to spread or even scar. Pat your face dry. Apply any acne medication that you may be using according to the instructions on the product or from your dermatologist. Let the medication dry completely.

Using a fresh, disposable make-up sponge, apply the concealer in a light dabbing fashion directly on the areas affected by acne. It is imperative that you use a new sponge and dispose of it afterward. This will help prevent the acne from spreading. Never allow your make-up source such as a concealer stick to actually touch your skin. The concealer should be applied sparingly, not slathered on like plaster.

Foundation is next and it should also be applied sparingly. Use another cosmetic sponge and spread the foundation evenly gently blending the foundation and the concealer. Once that thin layer dries you can reapply the foundation for further coverage as needed.

Now for the final touches! Using a large make-up brush, apply an oil free powder over your face. This will ensure a light, even layer of make-up and hide any unevenness left by the concealer or foundation.

Congratulations! You have a natural, acne-free look without waiting for your face to clear up. Forget about the acne and have a wonderful time. One last thing to remember, before you go to sleep gently cleanse your face of all make-up and reapply your acne medication if instructions permit.