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Everyone gets acne—or at least, the 90% of us who are ordinary mortals do. Until we can track down the lucky 10% and get them to share their magic powers, we've got to learn how to live with pimples. Don't worry—we've put together some pro tricks you can use to hide pimples so your skin looks clear and radiant even when you're breaking out.

Things You Should Know

  • Apply tinted moisturizer, concealer, or color-correcting makeup over the pimple. Follow up with your foundation like you normally would.
  • Then, dust the area with setting powder or apply setting spray so the makeup stays in place all day.
  • To reduce swelling, wash your face and apply an ice cube to the affected area for 5 minutes.
2

Try concealer.

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  1. Concealer has a heavier consistency than foundation, so it does a better job hiding blemishes.[1] Using a pointy concealer brush, place the concealer over your zit, then twist it to rub the concealer into every part of the zit.[2] Once your zits are completely covered, apply foundation to the rest of your face as usual, blending it into the edge of the concealer.[3] If the two products don't match perfectly, try mixing a little foundation into the concealer and giving the pimple cover-up another go.
    • Alternatively, you can apply the foundation first, leaving the zits uncovered. Then apply concealer gradually in thin layers until the color matches the rest of your face.[4]
    • Whichever approach you choose, a little powder will help keep the makeup in place. On hot days, apply a setting spray as well.[5]
3

Use color-correcting makeup.

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  1. Dab just a little bit over the pimple with a concealer brush or cotton swab, then smooth it out with your finger.[6] Next, dab the pimple with a concealer close to your skin tone.[7] Blend the edges into the surrounding skin gently with your finger.[8] To set the makeup to last all day, lightly press powder over it with a puff.
    • Work in bright light so you can see the acne from every angle and make sure the final result looks good.
    • When purchasing a concealer, test it on the back of your hand or the back of your jawbone to make sure the tone matches. An emollient-based concealer will help moisturize your skin while hiding the pimple.
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5

Try over-the-counter treatments.

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  1. Gels and face washes are intended to help your acne recover over a few days or weeks. That said, they sometimes make angry pimples a little less swollen and obvious in a shorter time span. Here are a few treatments available at just about any pharmacy:
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6

Visit the dermatologist.

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  1. A dermatologist can safely cut into your pimples and drain them in a way that promotes healing without scarring. Nodules of acne, the hard and sometimes painful bumps that last longer than standard pimples, can be treated with a quick cortisone injection that gets rid of them within a few days.[16] [17] Needless to say, neither of these are treatments to try at home.
    • Cortisone injections are intended for one or two spots, not for large outbreaks. They also have some side effects, such as temporarily lightening the skin at the injection site.
7

Minimize future pimples.

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  1. We all wish we could make pimples go away immediately, but most of the time we aren't that lucky. There are some changes to your routine that can help prevent the next breakout:
    • Wash your face only with lukewarm water and mild soap without alcohol or astringents. Hot water, harsh ingredients, and facial scrubs can irritate your skin and make matters worse.[18] Set aside time to wash your face twice a day.[19]
    • Wash off makeup with soap and water, instead of makeup remover cloths. The cloths can leave your skin raw and vulnerable to infection.
    • Wash your sheets and pillowcases regularly.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you shrink a pimple in minutes?
    Paul Friedman, MD
    Paul Friedman, MD
    Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
    Paul Friedman, MD, is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and the Director and Founder of the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience and specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Friedman is the current President of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery and was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the Best Dermatologists in America for Laser Treatments. His awards include the Husk Prize for his research in dermatologic surgery and the Young Investigator's Writing Competition Award of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Friedman completed his dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine and received his medical degree with the highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine.
    Paul Friedman, MD
    Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
    Expert Answer
    If you have an isolated acne lesion, you have the option of going into a dermatologist's office for an injection of an intralesional steroid. The process must be done by an experienced dermatologist, but that would be the main mechanism in terms of quickness of response
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Tips

  • "Non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic" makeup is supposed to avoid causing or worsening breakouts, but unfortunately, no one regulates how these terms are used.[20] You may have to rely on trial and error to see which products are easy on your skin.
  • Overdoing it with the powder can accentuate the texture of the pimple and make it more visible. Use a light touch.[21]
  • Some people cover pimples with a liquid bandage to help the makeup stick to it for longer. These products are designed to prevent infection, so it should be safe to use on a pimple. Just keep it away from your eyes and mouth.[22]
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

  • Don't touch your face too much throughout the day. It will cause even more dirt and oil to come into your skin, causing it to be even more oily and even more dirty. This will eventually make the blemish worsen.
  • Always sanitizer your hands before preparing your skin for the day. If you do not keep your hands clean, then you are adding lots of bacteria to your face which will clog your pores even more.
  • Do not use expensive name-brand concealers. Cheap ones at the drug store work just fine!
  • Never squeeze or pop a pimple as you will cause it to scar or possibly get infected.
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About This Article

Paul Friedman, MD
Co-authored by:
Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
This article was co-authored by Paul Friedman, MD. Paul Friedman, MD, is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and the Director and Founder of the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience and specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Friedman is the current President of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery and was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the Best Dermatologists in America for Laser Treatments. His awards include the Husk Prize for his research in dermatologic surgery and the Young Investigator's Writing Competition Award of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Friedman completed his dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine and received his medical degree with the highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine. This article has been viewed 785,976 times.
18 votes - 67%
Co-authors: 61
Updated: October 5, 2024
Views: 785,976
Categories: Acne
Article SummaryX

To hide pimples, use a concealer brush to dab a yellow or green primer on the blemish to counteract the redness. Once the primer is on, put just enough concealer over the primer to help it blend in to your natural skin tone. In order to help set the makeup so it stays on all day, press some powder on top. If you’d rather use concealer and foundation to hide your pimple, rub a small amount of concealer into every part of the zit. After you work the concealer into the edges of the blemish, cover your entire face with foundation except for the pimple. Instead, press some powder over the concealed area to help set it. To learn how to minimize pimples with ice, keep reading!

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    Jan 13, 2017

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