In the summertime, bug bites from mosquitos and other gross insects can be a big buzzkill. The constant scratching and itching make it hard to wear those new strappy sandals—but it's an even bigger pain in the neck if the bite is located on your face. Luckily, you can take care of—and camouflage—a bite without wrecking your complexion. Here's how.
There’s nothing worse than waking up to find a humongous bite on your face, but like fresh pimples, you definitely want to treat your bites with care. That’s because itching and scratching them with unwashed hands can make them vulnerable to infection, says Jennifer Reichel, M.D., a Seattle-based dermatologist and RealSelf contributor.
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“If the reaction is brisk—blister formation or large, red, juicy bumps—then it is important to keep them clean [and] possibly bandaged to avoid an infection from skin bacteria such as Staph Aureus,” she says.
Insect bites usually go away within a week, but to help speed up that process, Reichel recommends applying a topical steroid cream like hydrocortisone, which is available over the counter (you can also ask your derm for a prescription-strength version). Taking an oral antihistamine like Allegra is another option to fight the irritation. “These will reduce the itching and the redness,” she says.
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First things first: While it might be tempting to pile on the makeup to cover up a bite, you really need to let your skin breathe for a while to avoid any infection, says Reichel. Once the bite has dried out and is no longer super swollen, though, you’re good to go, says Lauren Cosenza, a makeup artist in New York City.
Still, to avoid any chance of infection, apply your makeup with clean fingers and brushes. “If the bite is still itchy or if your makeup irritates the skin, remove the makeup right away,” says Cosenza. "If the bug bite is flesh-toned but just raised, use an exact skin shade match. If it is red, you can use a green color corrector to cancel the red first," then top with a shade that matches your skin. And always blend the edges. "Otherwise you will draw attention to something you wanted to hide," says Cosenza. We like Dermablend Redness Concealer ($20, lordandtaylor.com).
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It is possible to see brown patches left behind (especially if you picked at it) from a bite. Luckily, this can be treated easily by using a topical silicone gel, says Reichel. She's a fan of Biocorneum+, which is available with a prescription from your derm. Laser treatment is also an option if the scar is persistent.
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