Makeup Tips: Conceal The Redness of Rosacea

For women who want to conceal rosacea, makeup can be a great option; however, choosing the right product is essential. The wrong cosmetics can worsen rosacea, making skin dry and irritated. On the other hand, finding a well-made, hypoallergenic makeup designed for people with this skin condition can be the answer to effectively concealing rosacea’s trademark redness.

Choosing the Right Cosmetics for Rosacea

“The makeup we generally like to recommend to patients is a brand called Dermablend. It does an amazing job blending away the redness and irritation caused by rosacea,” says dermatologist Jonith Breadon, MD, of Aesthetic Dermatology and Laser Surgery in Chicago.

Many over-the-counter products claim to control redness, but people with rosacea should steer clear of these unless they specifically state that they have been tested for rosacea. Even then, take the time to do a skin test behind your ear before applying a product to your face (see the testing guidelines below).

Rosacea is different for each person, so even this product may not be right for everyone. Here are some other makeup products that can also help conceal different levels of rosacea:

  • Severe rosacea. Dr. Breadon says patients with severe rosacea may have better results with a product called Cover FX cream foundation.
  • Mild rosacea. Smooth Indulgence foundation and concealer may be more suitable for people with minor rosacea, because it’s lighter. It’s made by the manufacturer of Dermablend.

Many over-the-counter products claim to control redness, but people with rosacea should steer clear of these unless they specifically state that they have been tested for rosacea. Even then, take the time to do a skin test behind your ear before applying to your face (see the testing guidelines below).

Ingredients That Help or Hurt Rosacea

Keep these tips in mind when shopping for cosmetics:

  • Avoid products that have added scents. Fragrance can be irritating to rosacea- affected skin.
  • Sun exposure can make rosacea worse. Use products that contain UVA and UVB sunscreens.
  • Avoid waterproof or heavy foundations. These require makeup remover and possibly a lot of rubbing to clean off skin. The ingredients in makeup removers are usually irritating to rosacea-prone skin, so you want to use cosmetics that can be easily washed away with a mild cleanser. Gentle skin care is a must.

Applying Skin Care Products and Cosmetics

Before applying medication and makeup, wash your face with a mild, fragrance- free cleanser and lukewarm water. After you cleanse your face, wait 25 to 30 minutes before applying any topical medication and then another 5 minutes before applying your sunscreen and foundation. If any product causes a burning or stinging sensation, you may need to try another choice.

How to do a Skin Test

Even if you followed all the right recommendations and the product you’ve chosen claims to be hypoallergenic (which means it has been designed not to trigger allergic responses), you should do a skin test to make sure your complexion won’t react badly.

“As far as testing a product on the skin prior to using it all over the face, we tell patients to dab a small amount of the product behind the ear and wait 24 hours for any irritation that may occur,” says Beardon. Don’t continue with that product if there is any irritation the next day. And if your makeup passes this test but still stings or burns when applied to your face, stop using it.

With patience, a gentle skin care regimen, medication, and the right makeup, you should be able to conceal your rosacea and face the world with confidence.

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