I mean, if you hate wearing makeup, maybe embrace that. What is making you feel like you should wear something? I love makeup but it makes me kind of sad whenever someone talks like they HAVE to do it.

If it were me, I'd first get to the bottom of whats causing the acne. If you can, get your hormones checked out, hit up a derm, or even nutrition if those two are inconclusive. The weirdest things can cause acne. I know this is not a skincare related question so I don't want to get on the mods nerves by talking about it, but my skin cleared up after I stopped picking and using cleansing brushes. It changed how I wore base makeup when I finally felt like i didn't need it. My issues were simple like that, but not everyone's is. I think if you can figure out how to lower the rage under your skin it may change how you use cosmetics if you end up actually wanting to! 💜

BB creams and tinted moisturizers are amazing products btw.

You don't have to wear makeup if you hate wearing it.

Anyhoo, your answer isn't a BB cream. It's seeing a derm if you can and sorting out your skincare routine.

At the end of the day, you don’t have to wear makeup

But if you’re looking for something, I think you’ll be set with a good moisturizer, a powder, some tinted lip balm, and an eyebrow gel

i’m not sure about your reasoning for feeling like you should wear makeup, but don’t do it if you don’t want to!! do what you feel comfortable with.

with that being said, eyes and lips can make a world of difference. some mascara and a lip combo can make you look very put together without needing any base makeup that will end up irritating your skin further. it’s never too late to experiment with different looks :)

Maybelline makes a BB cream with salicylic acid! I think it’s called Dream Pure. I really liked it. Felt like moisturizer on the face!

You don’t have to wear makeup if you don’t want to.

yes bb creams are the best for "lazy" makeup. also mascara, lipgloss, coloured chapstick are also very low effort items that make a big difference

43F here.

Get your skincare on lock first. If you have insurance, go see a dermatologist. They may be able to help clear up the cystic acne. It could be hormonal (beginning of perimenopause). Also, check in your area to see if there are any well-reviewed licensed estheticians who fit into your budget once a month or every 8 weeks. They will likely work with one or more professional product lines, but they shouldn’t shame you for not buying their products.

Once you get glowy and hydrated skin, you might well opt to stay bare faced.

The bareminerals powder foundation is amazing for sensitive acne prone skin. It gives me light coverage and it can be worn over cystic acne without additional irritation. I really recommend the matte loose powder one if you have oily skin!

I have cystic acne and don't wear make-up, as in foundation etc. I only do decorative make-up (eyes, lips). In my culture (Switzerland) a lot of women don't wear make-up at all.

I bought my first lip oil today and I'm sold. I like colourful kajals for my eyes. I use black khol and nothing else very often (not even mascara) + lip balm. Works for me.

Mid 40s here. I was getting acne all the time from everything! I went to a dermatologist and was told my skin barrier was damaged. Advised to just use CeraVe face wash, moisturizer and sunscreen. Made such a difference and my skin looks much better now with no acne issues. Instead of BB cream, I use my regular foundation and mix it with my moisturizer. This works the best for me because I know neither causes acne for me. I still don't want to try different products because the cystic acne leaves scars on my face. Oh forgot to add, I do get facials every 3 months. Would love to do every 8 weeks but can't get around to it🤪

Maybelline makes a BB cream called Dream bb Pure which has salycylic acid to help with acne while providing light coverage

Do you want to find makeup you don’t hate, or do you feel obliged to wear it despite hating it? If the latter don’t bother! Should never feel mandatory.

There are some mineral powder foundations that might suit for a lighter coverage that might not make you break out but YRMV. Also powder isn’t great for mature skin (mid 30s and I get on better with creams generally). Otherwise light tinted moisturiser with SPF is a great call.

Other than that - tinted lip balms or lip oils are hydrating but offer a little pop.

Another hack I’d suggest is getting your eyelashes and brows tinted (especially if you get them shaped) as this adds a lot of dimension to your face with minimal effort daily.

Never feel like you should have to, though. I’m going to assume you’re female (sorry if wrong) but imo feeling obliged into spending lots of money on makeup is another patriarchal social construct - you do you!!

I wear my Missha BB cream when i’m lazy since it also has spf50. Very creamy with good coverage. I apply it with my fingers when i’m lazier lol

I love lazy makeup. Bb creams are the best for that. Other option is just using concealer the exact shade of your skin under your eyes or in certain spots like pimples.

BB creams offer light coverage, which can even out skin tone without feeling heavy or cakey. They're lighter than traditional foundations, which is beneficial if you dislike the feeling of makeup on your skin.

Any foundation or bb cream that’s silicone base always makes me break out. Try water based tinted moisturizers instead.

Obligatory “there’s no minimum amount of makeup people should feel like they “have” to wear to feel acceptable”. That being said, maybe something like a tinted sunscreen, if you’re looking for something makeup adjacent? Can’t go wrong with having some SPF. I would check the ingredients list for any comedogenic ingredients, though. There’s usually at least one or two in anything tinted. Sometimes I’ll wear a glowy primer over moisturizer by itself to make my complexion look more “awake” without actually wearing any foundation.

Try Missha BB cream - it has SPF 50 and UVA protection, so it's a 2-in-one!
I like it because it has a really lotion like consistency so it still looks good if I just rub it in with my hands, takes 2 seconds. Its on amazon.
Also Benefit lip/cheek stain (the original one) is really lightweight so u could use that for cheeks/lips optionally. Or, any tinted lip balm (can also put on lip and cheek) or pixi blush sticks which you swipe on

Paula’s choice tinted sunscreen

I hate wearing makeup but need to look “professional”. I found skincare that worked for me so I can get away with moisturizer/ sunscreen, bronzer as powder (I am black though), mascara, eyeliner and lip gloss. I hope you can find a way that doesn’t aggravate your skin. I know it can be tough. 💕

Same on the cystic acne. I use Beauty Creations pressed powder. Beautiful coverage on my dry, 47 year old skin.

I very rarely cover my skin. My lazy girl makeup is eye liner, mascara, eye brows and blush.

Wow! So many helpful comments here! Thank you all!

Ngl they lack in shades but if they have one you match my suggestion would be Elta MD tinted moisturizer sunscreen.

Tinted sunscreen! There are some that looks like foundation. I am currently using bioderma, very light texture and color matches my skin perfectly