Makeup to hide cystic acne

[PhDPepper]

I’ve always had crappy skin- been on roaccutane three times and it’s looking like I need to go on it again.

I’ve got big red horrible cysts on my face that I cannot hide! I’m usually one for not wearing a lot of makeup but these are sore and making me feel a bit self conscious.

Any ideas how to hide them? I’ve got Bobbi Brown foundation but I’m running out so I’m up for changing brand. I quite like urban decay

. Do I need to put concealer on, then foundation then touch up stick?

Not a make-up suggestion, but have you tried zinc? I'm on 30mg of whole food zinc per day and it's been a godsend for my cystic acne jawline breakouts.

@stopgap ooh no I haven’t. Will have a look thank you!

I would use a green colour corrector on the red bits, then foundation and concealer
Urban decay do a colour corrector that's like a concealer wand, and they've just brought out a new concealer pencil which is getting really good reviews for coverage
Wouldn't go for a heavy foundation, use the corrector and concealer for coverage so it doesn't look too heavy
Colour corrector http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod1070110001123932070499-1

Concealer pencil (swatches of shades on google too) https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/beauty/urban-decay-247-concealer-pencil/d327049.pd?ef_id=WKTMXAAAADw-BxBO:20171012233755:s

When my skin was really bad, I used dermablend, which was v good.
I've used mineral make-up after roaccutane worked; it's fairly decent coverage is good for me.

@Callamia thank you I will have a look at that. :)

Look up Very French Girl on you tube.

You would never guess she had it when she's made up.

Vichy make up. Boots sell it. Also clinique has a medicated oil free foundation. Bare minerals good too

And Google lisa eldridge acne

Hello op, poor you! I had terrible cystic acne and was on roaccutane for a long time.
I found that a lot of makeup wouldn't stick to it, perhaps because it's so swollen and smooth? I went into Mac and asked for help and the consultant was brilliant. She recommended their studio fix concealer, its in a little pot and has a waxy consistency, so it stays put.

Unfortunately there's not really any way to hide the 3D swelling, but a good concealer at least stops any redness drawing the eye

Not makeup but, you could try Fade Out Cream. It’s excellent and has taken the redness out of my son’s 17 yr old teen acne scars. Bit of a 😮 moment after one months use.

Vichy Dermablend foundation is excellent.

Estee Lauder Maximum Cover might work. It is very heavy coverage though, I don't know if that is what you are looking for.

Dermacol, wins hands down.

Another vote for Vichy Dermablend. I used it for years, my skin has settled down now (thanks pregnancy!) and I'm now maintaining it with bare minerals complexion rescue.

Both are non-comedogenic which is vital for acne prone skin.

It's worth looking into non comedogenic cleansers etc too.

I’m making notes of all these suggestions, I’m the same OP. I’m currently using the MAC Studio Fix concealer in the little pot but usually use a green concealer underneath. The REN Glycolic Acid face mask makes them go away much quicker but doesn’t seem to stop them appearing. Good for reducing the size, I use it before bed and in the morning they’re much smaller and less angry.

I definitely understand the struggle.

I have suffered with huge painful nodules on cheeks and chin for a few years now. The only thing I found that covered the redness and disguised the swelling was Estee lauder double wear. It IS quite a heavy foundation, but I found by using a damp cosmetic sponge/egg to apply I was able to layer it up over the areas that needed it, without my whole face looking cakey.
You will definitely need to go for a color match in store though, as if it's not quite the right colour then it's really obvious.

On a separate note, my dermatologist was just about ready to put me on roaccutane and sent me home to sort out contraceptives etc. In the meantime she suggested I try a newish topical called epiduo which is a mixture of adapalene and benzyl. I was not optimistic after trying EVERYTHING and hearing it was an 'inside' the body problem, but thought I might as well.
It has worked wonders for me. No nodules since February (touch wood) and the scars are slowly fading. If you haven't tried it, ask your dermatologist. Definitely worth a punt.

Definitely Dermacol

You’re all amazing thank you!! I hate that people think that roaccutane is a wonder drug- it is amazing! But I’m just so tired of hearing ‘oh jut go on that drug’ but it will be my fourth time on it and it comes with some hefty side effects!

I like revlon coverstay for oily/comby skin as it contains salicylic acid. As a side note, Mac foundations always causes me to break out.

Have you looked at oral contraceptives for your acne? I also took Roaccutane several times over a number of years. Finally I was prescribed Yasmin and that seems to have done the trick, it's been about 5 years now and I've had the occasional spot but nothing out of the ordinary.

Hi pepper

I feel your pain. Suffered myself from age 13 and now 39. My skin had varied from mild to moderate, and I would say lots of medium sized spots and the odd cyst rather than constellation cystic, I’ve had a couple of periods of clear skin when on Dianette. For me it has ruled my life at times. I remember a job interview sat staring at the floor unable to look the person in the eye, thinking all they can see is my acne. And so many missed Saturday nights out with friends when I didn’t want to leave the house. Anyway, you don’t need to know my life story, just making a point I understand this is a massive issue for you and I hope you find a cure. I’m on Lymecycline antibiotics at the moment, it’s worked brilliantly,

With regards to make up, this is what worked for me:-
Blot your face first to remove as much as oil as poss. Then apply a primer and let it dry. I’ve just discovered primer and it’s made a massive difference for me. I use a cheap Rimmel one but I’m sure more experienced people can suggest other options, I’ve only tried that one so far. Estée Lauder double wear is great but for severe acne I would go for camouflage make up. I use Keromask. They have a good range of colours, I mix my own depending on how tanned my skin is. It’s exactly like putting foundation on. I put a very thin layer on, blended with a sponge, and then pat extra on to problem areas with my fingers. Set with a loose powder. Then apply the rest of your make up as Normal. The coverage is great, it’s the same stuff people use to cover tattoos and birth marks.

Hope that helps and hope you find your cure soon. Xxxx

Violet bunny - I’ve heard good things about Yasmin, I was on Dianette (same group of contraceptive pills but slightly more potent I think) which was a miracle cure. However, when I came off it my skin was the worst it had ever been for about 2 years! I ended up wishing I hadn’t taken it.

I’m not trying to put a dampener on it, hope I’m not causing offence, but it’s just something to bear in mind if you’re considering taking it. My doctor won’t let me take this group of pills any more due to my age, something to do with higher risk of blood clots I think?

I feel your pain. I’ve had two courses of roaccutane and really need to go back on it but I want to have a baby so have a long wait until I can have it again...
I’ve just started Differin as my derm said I could have it as long as I stopped as soon as I had a positive test. It’s made my skin break out horribly plus I’m pre period. Im hopeful though as my friend had it and after the initial break out her skin has been amazing.
You’ve had good advice above. All I would add is that for —picked at— weeping ones a dab of liquid plaster allows you to put make up on the top. I also used bare minerals powder concealer and dab it onto weeping or raw ones which works well. Other that that my staples are Estée Lauder double wear concealer (the thick, set one) and foundation. I blend the light, normal and maximum coverage ones depending on how bad my skin is. I find the maximum too mask-like but a blob of it in the normal one goes a long way. I use a beauty blender to apply.

Strike through fail... oops.

Flamingo - that’s a really good idea about mixing different types, I never thought of that thanks! I’m using camouflage but my skin is almost clear with the antibiotics, just lots of red marks that take ages to go, as you all know! Do you think I could mix a ‘normal’ coverage foundation with a little of the camouflage make up so that i can gradually use lighter coverage as the marks fade? I’m not ready for normal make up yet.

Loads of fab advice here.

OP - I don’t blame you for being wary of taking the accutane. I’ve never taken it but the side effects sound scary. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly.

Out of interest, have you tried antibiotics, Lymecycline? It’s worked for me so far. I can’t believe my doctor only just suggested them to me 3 months ago and I’ve been suffering for 25 years.