
Acne affects up to 50 million people in the USA alone, so if you suffer from this skin condition, you’re not alone. That said, regardless of how many other people might understand how difficult it can be, even long after the acne has cleared up, your main thought will be with how you can successfully cover your scars, without looking as though you’ve just dipped your face in a bucket of cement! Let’s look at the best makeup for pitted acne scars.
The good news is that modern makeup manufacturers are targeting every section of the market. Where as little as 10-15 years ago, you may have struggled to find an easily accessible makeup for pitted acne scars, today, there are many amazing options.












What Is The Best Makeup For Pitted Acne Scars?
When it comes to choosing a suitable makeup for texture issues like pitted acne scars, everyone will be different. Later on, we will look at some excellent tips for choosing a foundation to cover acne scars, but for now, let’s take a look at our top products. We love them, and we know you will too!
Uriage Hyseac 3-REGUL Skincare Mattifying Moisturizer and Pore Minimizer
Designed to refine the texture of the skin, this lightweight moisturizer is ideal for anyone looking to even out their scarred skin. The cream formula is designed to be applied twice daily on freshly cleaned and toned skin. It is perfect for popping on underneath your makeup as it will limit imperfections giving you a much smoother base.
If you struggle with oily skin then the Uriage matifying moisturizer and pore minimizer is ideal since it will leave you with a matte finish to the skin without dehydrating it. Not only this but it contains an astringent which keeps the skin looking tight and youthful.
Made with water from the French alps and packed with minerals, this beautiful formula will reinforce the natural barrier of the skin, aiding in the prevention of further outbreaks. According to their trials, as many as 61% of users saw visible reductions in spots after just two months of use.
Mario Badescu Anti-Acne Serum
When it comes to using products that will soothe and clear acne, it is essential that they are never too heavy on the skin. This anti-acne serum from Mario Badesco is so incredibly lightweight and gentle on the skin but contains ingredients designed to keep it calm.
Salicylic acid encourages a more natural, smooth looking complexion as well as fighting future breakouts. It does this with its exfoliating properties which will then remove congestion deep within the pores. On top of this, thyme gives the skin a natural antioxidant boost.
This formula should be used once a day, preferably in the evening in areas that are particularly prone to breakouts in order to keep acne at bay.
Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser
Keeping the skin cleansed and free from oil, dirt, and other impurities is essential in the fight against acne. Made specifically for oily skin, this gentle cleanser will remove makeup and oil without causing irritation. In turn, this helps to prevent pore congestion, leaving you with healthier-looking skin.
Thanks to its exfoliating properties, this facial cleanser from Mario Badescu is ideal for those with an existing outbreak; the salicylic acid will work gently yet effectively. Moreover, this beautiful formula also contains a range of natural ingredients such as chamomile and aloe vera which are known for their ability to reduce inflammation and soothe the skin.
Above all else, this cleanser boasts a vegan and cruelty free formula making it suitable for everyone.
Kate Somerville EradiKATE Acne Treatment
While many people with acne tend to suffer with oily skin, this isn’t always the case and a lot of others find that their skin can become dry. The EradiKATE treatment is ideal for all skin types which is what sets it apart from its competitors.
One of the most incredible things about this cream formula is that it is so potent. A little really does go a long way and you need only dab a Q-tip into the cream applying it on affected areas. Once applied, the cream gets to work with ingredients like salicylic acid sulfur that reduce pimples, leaving the skin looking clear and fresh. While other creams may use minimal amounts of sulfur, the Kate Somerville treatment is designed to hit hard and so is perfect for those suffering with very severe outbreaks.
Aside from drying out existing spots, this treatment contains BHAs which are known to reduce the size of pores, giving the skin a tiger appearance. Moreover, zinc oxide soaks up oil, preventing clogging.
Murad Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment
This is a maximum strength formula that is designed for people who are struggling with intense acne. Containing as much as 2% salicylic acid, the Murad Rapid Relief treatment will reduce spot size within as little as four hours! If you’ve got a party or special event to attend, this is a must-have product in your bathroom cabinet!
While this may be a relatively aggressive treatment, you can feel confident that it won’t irritate the skin or spoil its natural texture. The formula is designed to be gentle on the skin, retaining a healthy balance. Best of all, it is free from parabens, phthalates, and other nasty ingredients but contains a lot of natural components such as pine and thyme which are incredibly clarifying.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Ultra Light Fluid
With an spf of 50, you can feel confident that this product will protect your skin from sun damage as well as providing your skin with that all-important mineral boost. This facial sunscreen is packed with antioxidants to refresh and detoxify the skin and protect from free radicals.
What’s great about this product is that not only does it combine UVA and UVB protection but it also offers a light tint to give the skin delicate coverage. If you find that some makeup products look cakey over your scars, then this is a great alternative. The cream is water-resistant and non-greasy so if you’re already suffering with oily skin, that’s excellent news.
We also love the fact that the Roche-Posay facial sunscreen is only made with skin-friendly ingredients and contains no parabens. It is also suitable for sensitive skin.
Choosing Products For Acne Scars
All of the products we have looked at have been designed to combat the triggers and signs of acne. However, when it comes to choosing the right product for you, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
- Choose products that contain natural ingredients as these will be less likely to further irritate the skin.
- While natural ingredients are essential, treating acne can require a more aggressive approach. However, when choosing products that contain chemicals, be sure that they adhere to beauty industry standards. The Kate Somerville treatment we looked at boasts the highest level of sulfur allowed in this type of product, but you would never want to opt for something more than this.
- Always go for products from reputable brands that have a vast experience in the anti-acne business. The products we have chosen have all gone through rigorous testing and are as a result of years of experience.
- Lightweight formulas are an absolute must when looking at acne products. The last thing you want is to further congest the skin by applying heavy creams and serums.

How To Choose Makeup For Pitted Acne Scars
We’d like to make one thing clear; no matter what scars, blemishes, or uneven tones you may have on your skin, finding that ability to accept yourself as you are is so important.
However, we also know that, even when you do love the skin you’re in, there are times that you will want to cover up and experiment with makeup. And that’s OK. But if you’re going to do that, there are a few things you need to look for in a product to ensure that it successfully and evenly covers up those pesky scars.

Consider Your Skin Type
For many acne sufferers, oily skin is a frequent problem. But this isn’t the case all the time. If you are one of the many people whose skin gets oily very quickly, then choosing a mineral foundation is likely to be your best bet.
This type of makeup is very lightweight and won’t clog the pores, but is excellent at managing excess oil and will stay put for much longer. Moreover, mineral makeup doesn’t tend to irritate the skin as much as some other types and since people with acne are more likely to have sensitive skin, this is a must.
Skin Texture
Everyone’s skin has texture. There are so many photos in the media of beautifully airbrushed models with absolutely zero texture on the skin. There are a lot of beauty influencers tackling this problem by talking about how natural it is to have texture on the skin. However, you must pay attention to your own texture if you want to successfully choose a foundation.
You see, where pitted acne scars are concerned, there is a lot of room for makeup to settle and appear uneven. For this reason, it is essential to look for makeup that is lightweight. This doesn’t mean that you won’t get good coverage because we would also advise going for something buildable. This way, you’ll get the coverage you need without the makeup looking cakey.
Creams tend to be preferable over powders as these have a habit of settling where you don’t want them to.
Ingredients
There are many possible causes for acne and it is important to speak to your doctor to find out what triggers your flare ups. According to the NHS, using certain cosmetic problems could cause an outbreak, although this is not as common as other factors.
Regardless of your triggers, it has never been more important to look at what you are putting on your skin and make sure that the ingredients are skin friendly. This is even more true if you have sensitive skin.

The best products contain natural ingredients that won’t irritate the skin and cause further breakouts. If your skin regularly flares up, using products that contain soothing ingredients such as oats or aloe vera is a good idea.
While one of the main causes of acne is a build up of excess sebum which can clog the pores, it remains important to keep the skin hydrated. People believe that those with oily skin don’t need to moisturize but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The key is to find products that offer sufficient moisture for your skin type.
Finally, where ingredients are concerned, there is a huge focus on vegan friendly makeup products and the good news is that beauty companies are getting on board with this. If you’re serious about using products that aren’t harmful to animals, you’ll now find that there are many more of these lining the shelves of your favorite beauty stores.
Conclusion
It can be difficult when you are struggling with a skin complaint such as acne, especially since it is known to leave deep scars. While loving yourself is essential, there’s no denying that from time to time we all want to cover up our ‘imperfections’ and finding the right makeup is imperative.

There are more and more beauty brands that are launching products suitable for covering deep set pitted acne scars but the ones we have discussed in this guide are, in our opinion, some of the very best. Regardless of what you choose, you should always think about your skin type and what ingredients will benefit your skin when making a decision.
Last update on 2023-04-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API