How to Hide Skin Blemishes Without Makeup

Closeup of female with red acne spots on chin and cheek looking at mirror

Discovering that a monstrous zit set up on camp on your face can be a major mood killer

You've got places to go and people to see. The last thing you wanna do is spend hours trying to conceal skin blemishes with layers of makeup. Not to mention that some common ingredients found in concealers and foundation can further irritate your delicate skin and cause even more breakouts.

Yeah, no thanks 👋🏼.

But you're not necessarily keen on putting any blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, dark spots, acne scars, or whatever fun types of skin blemishes you've been #blessed with on display. It’s a dilemma, and I’ve been there.

So, how do you cover up blemished skin—without reaching for the nearest beauty blender?

I'm about to spill all the tea 🍵😘.

How to Hide Skin Blemishes Without Makeup

Skin blemishes are a pain, both figuratively and literally.

But you don't have to contour your zits into oblivion to feel confident in your skin. I mean let's get real—who has time for that? 

So save the highlighter and concealer stick for another day and experiment with some of these makeup-free solutions for hiding skin blemishes on your face.

Cover it Up With Hair or Accessories

It's time to break out all your favorite hats, scarves, and big celebrity-hiding-from-the-paparazzi sunglasses 🕶. 

The simplest yet most overlooked technique for effectively hiding unsightly skin blemishes? Covering them up with your hair or a cute accessory is an easy way to put the focus onto your killer sense of style.

Here are a few easy ideas:

  • Wear your hair down to mask any skin situations on your temples or cheeks
  • Style your bangs to cover up any forehead issues (or play with pretend bangs like these! Who doesn't love a game of dress-up?)
  • Hate bangs? Grab your favorite beanie instead
  • Release your inner Audrey Hepburn and don a headscarf tied around your chin
  • Put in your biggest, best sunglass to shield blemishes around your eyebrows or upper cheeks

You probably have more skin-hiding tools in your closet than you realize. So before you start layering on concealer, check to see if there's something you can use to your advantage.

Wear a Face Mask

Turns out masks have a nice secondary benefit other than just stopping the spread of a viral disease. They're excellent tools for concealing skin blemishes without makeup.

While there are now (thankfully) an endless variety of colors, patterns, and looks to choose from—you could literally find a mask to go with every outfit—make sure you pick one that's less likely to give you maskne.

Maskne = acne from wearing a mask all the time. Just another fun thing we got to collectively experience in 2020.

The best masks for acne offer the most breathability. So reach for a cotton mask over a nylon or polyester one.

And make sure you wash it regularly to avoid any bacteria buildup. 

Employ Some Cute Pimple Patches

You know those tiny stickers that come in sheet form and are oh-so-satisfying to peel off? Yup, strategically placed pimple patches are your new best friend.

These nifty little adhesive circles are the closest thing to magic when it comes to hiding blemishes without makeup, thanks to their acne-fighting ingredients like hydrocolloid, tea tree oil, or salicylic acid.

Not to mention that they'll absorb any sebum (oil) or pus that's hanging out in your pores—making them look smaller and less inflamed. Making it a skin blemish concealer and a skin blemish treatment all in one. 

You can pop on some sheer ones—like a little invisibility cloak for blemishes—or dress up your face with some fun ones like these cute little clouds

There are patches for all types of skin blemishes, so pick and choose what'll work best for you, bestie.

Shrink it With An Ice Cube

Sometimes hiding a blemish isn't entirely possible—especially when it's all red and angry-looking.

Does your skin need to take a tip from Taylor Swift and “calm down”? Then it's time to take it through the following at-home treatment:

1️⃣ Head to your freezer and grab an ice cube.

2️⃣ Wrap it in a thin cloth or paper towel

3️⃣ Apply the wrapped ice cube to the pimple

4️⃣ Rub it around the area for 30 seconds

5️⃣ Remove and wait 10 minutes

6️⃣ Repeat as necessary until the redness and inflammation are visibly reduced

The ice will help to soothe and shrink the blemish so it's less noticeable. Not to mention, the ice-cold cube on your face will feel ohhh-so-good.

Tinted Moisturizer or SPF

When all else fails, and you really need to leave the house, a little tinted moisturizer or SPF can go a long way in hiding skin blemishes.

It evens out your skin tone, provides a nice dewy glow, and offers some light coverage without feeling too heavy. 

Tinted moisturizers with SPF are ideal because they offer broad-spectrum sun protection (which is always a good idea). But if you don't need the extra SPF, feel free to go for a tinted moisturizer.

There are different types that cater to your skin's specific needs, so find one that works for you, boo 💁🏻‍♀️. Just make sure not to apply it too heavily. 

Yes, your dots and spots will still be somewhat visible, but do you know what a real baddie would do?

EMBRACE IT.

Zits happen, and so do dark spots, scars, and other types of skin blemishes. No one has perfect, flawless skin 100% of the time.

So own whatever skin you're in that day, slay the game, and don't let a little thing like a pimple ruin your mood.

You're beautiful just the way you are—blemishes and all.

The Bottom Line on Blemishes

There are ways to hide your skin woes without makeup. But at the end of the day, it's important to remember that blemishes are temporary.

No one has perfect, glowy skin every single day. Just like you, your skin has good days, bad days, and days that fall somewhere in between.  

And that's perfectly okay.

So don't be too hard on yourself, and always remember to show your skin some love—regardless of what it looks like. After all, it's the only skin you've got 💕.

Our Secret Weapon for Skin Blemishes?

Preventing skin blemishes with a consistent skincare routine is the ideal scenario. But who has the time or energy to go through a 12-step routine every single freakin' day?

Yeah, me either. That's why I'm so stoked about embody's new One & Done Oil Cleanser.

It's a unique blend of plant-based oils that balance out your skin while simultaneously breaking down dirt, makeup, and all the other drama our skin has picked up throughout the day.

This stuff is amazing—it even removes waterproof makeup.

If you're ready to kiss that 12-step skin routine goodbye and say hello to hydrated, silky, clean skin with minimal effort, check out embody's One & Done Cleanser today!

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