How to quickly cover up a pimple

We all know the terrible feeling when a pimple appears soon. Once the pesky thing finally resurfaces, all hell breaks loose as you frantically figure out how to get rid of the stain without causing unwanted scarring. If you are in a quandary, your best effort in dealing with a pimple is to simply hide it from prying eyes. This way you can still go about your daily activities while waiting for the pimple to heal properly (which will unfortunately take some time). To find the best ways to cover up a pesky pimple in a pinch, we turned to board certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant, Dr. Dandy Engelman. Read her recommendations and take detailed notes! 

FIRST POINT TREATMENT, THEN MAKE-UP

Never pop a pimple, no matter how tempting it may be. Why? Because pimple popping or pimple popping can lead to infections and long-term scarring. However, pimples sometimes "pop up" on their own when we clean our face or towel dry, leaving the area sensitive and vulnerable to the elements. If this happens to you, Dr. Engelman suggests spotting the blemish first, followed by makeup. Before applying concealer, it is important to first protect the freshly popped pimple with a layer of a spot treatment containing acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. 

CAMO AREA

When it comes to makeup, Dr. Engelman suggests using concealer packaged in a squeezable tube or dropper rather than a jar to avoid spreading germs. Since our fingers are carriers of germs and bacteria, it's best to choose a concealer that completely eliminates the use of fingers. “Apply the concealer in a thin layer, gently tapping the concealer on the pimple to cover it,” she says.

It is important to be careful when applying concealer to avoid further irritation. If you plan to use a concealer brush, it must be clean. Dr. Engelman explains that as long as your brushes are clean before you use them, brushing your pimple won't hurt it any more. However, using dirty brushes can allow bacteria and germs to enter the pimple, causing further irritation, or worse, infection.

LEAVE IT TO BE

Once your pimple is properly hidden, it's best to keep your hands away from the area. Just because you've covered up a pimple doesn't mean it's no longer vulnerable to bacteria. So, hands off!

Need some advice on how to stop picking your skin? Read our tips on how to get your hands off your face once and for all here!

MOISTURIZE REGULARLY

Products formulated for acne-prone skin can dry out the skin, so it's important to moisturize your skin regularly while using these products. At the end of the day, be sure to wash your face thoroughly and remove any leftover concealer applied on or around your pimples. Then apply a moisturizing lotion or gel and apply a little spot on the pimple before bed if recommended in the instructions for use.