Namrata Soni's makeup tips for acne-prone skin are popping

Acne flare-ups can feel like hosting a group of distant, annoying relatives you’d much rather keep at arm’s length. But there they are, impossible to ignore or hide, just like your breakouts. You start to see your own flaws magnified tenfold—what’s a tiny pimple to the world feels like a full-blown Gili island erupting on your face. And when it comes to applying makeup on acne-prone skin? The challenge doubles. Anyone who’s dealt with acne knows that every day can feel like a cosmic punishment—your skin looks more textured and flaky under makeup, your foundation refuses to stay put, and by the time you take it all off, your acne seems even angrier.

Eshika Gupta, video producer at Tweak India, has had acne since she was 17, and struggles with getting her makeup to look the way she wants it. While she loves going bare-faced, her biggest conundrum is how she can conceal her acne before special events without looking like she’s wearing too many layers of foundation. So, we turned to celebrity makeup artist Namrata Soni who is behind the stunning looks of actresses such as Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and Rani Mukerji to demystify how to do makeup for acne-prone skin, which is both flawless and gentle on the skin.

Soni’s first rule of thumb: The right skin prep lays the foundation for smooth application and makeup that won’t irritate. Gupta, who has dry skin, had been using a water or gel-based moisturiser to avoid aggravating pimples—something Soni flagged as a major misstep. “That’s the biggest mistake,” says Soni. For dry, acne-prone skin, she recommends switching to a rich, creamy moisturiser. Gel formulas are better suited for oily and sensitive skin types. A nourishing base helps avoid the dreaded flaky finish after makeup.

She also stresses the importance of active ingredients—specifically hyaluronic acid and niacinamide—in your skincare routine. “They don’t have to be in your makeup, but they absolutely should be in your skincare,” she explains. “If you have large pores, mix a 10% niacinamide serum with your moisturiser before makeup. And for acne-prone skin, make sure your skincare includes salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid.”

Like many of us, Gupta was skipping the colour corrector step, treating it like the kakdi salad at a lavish buffet. She would go straight to concealer, but Soni says that’s a common rookie mistake. To neutralise redness, Soni used a green colour corrector. This allows for minimal concealer and foundation use, which keeps makeup looking fresh instead of cakey.

Soni’s secret to the no-makeup look? Her underpainting technique. “I start with bronzer or a contour bronzer, and go under the jawline with a brush to sculpt the face,” she explains. Then comes a generous layer of cream blush in a peachy tone. “Don’t worry if it looks like too much. The concealer and foundation [you apply over] will tone it down later.”

For pigmentation, she applies a peach or orange colour corrector on specific spots before layering on concealer and foundation using a brush. To blend it all in, she switches to a damp beauty blender. “I’m not dragging it, just patting and pushing the product into the skin,” she adds.

Once the base is set with powder, Soni brings back a bit of life and dewiness using cream blush, a highlighter, and a touch of lip oil (take your pick from this list from homegrown brands).

Her final takeaway? “If you have acne-prone skin, the most important thing is to understand your skin type—whether it’s dry, oily, or combination, and use products accordingly. That’s the real game changer.”