How can I get rid of redness & dark marks caused by acne with at home products? (Ask the Beauty Expert Blog)

There are a couple of things you can do to get rid of redness and spots from acne. You want to treat the acne and also cover up the redness. There are about a zillion acne treatments on the market, but the one that seems to work really well without causing irritation is tea tree oil. You can buy the pure oil in health food stores, drugstores or online. Some companies are putting it out in little dab-on acne applicators, but you'll pay more for it that way. You can put tea tree oil directly on blemishes, and you can also put a few drops of oil into warm water and use the water to splash your face clean. Use tea tree oil at night because it's smelly stuff and you probably won't want to wear it to school or work, but if you're at home one weekends or something, use it morning and night to clear blemishes. Tea tree oil is anti-bacterial, but it's also easy on the skin.

Covering acne can be difficult, because the skin is rougher around blemishes and you don't want to use cosmetics that will increase irritation. Mineral makeup is good because it's hypoallergenic. Try a concealer with the powdered foundation minerals. Brush on the foundation, then apply the concealer on top, then apply another layer of foundation. If you can't find a decent concealer, or if they all seem to turn too dark, you might try a little zinc oxide ointment, which is commonly used as diaper rash ointment. It's white, and dotted on over foundation and then covered with another layer, may make for a smoother look.

If you have real problems with acne, keep in mind that doctors are now using lasers to treat acne. The laser shrinks the pores, kills the bacteria under and the skin and even reduces scars from past breakouts. Most people see significant improvement after the first treatment. Yes, it costs. But it's worth it.