Rosacea Makeup Must-Haves: The Best Redness-Concealing Primer, Powder, and More (2024)

Post-spin class, a cringe-worthy moment, one too many martinis—all of the above can leave you alittle red in the face. But there’s a significant difference between the occasional blush and perma-flushing. If your cheeks and nose are chronically red, you may have rosacea.

Rosacea is a common conditionthat can affectall skin tones; according to the National Rosacea Society, 415 million people worldwide deal with it. “Rosaceais triggeredby episodes of blushing and flushing caused by over circulation of the blood,” celebrity estheticianRenée Rouleausays. Unfortunately, the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, though genetics and sensitivity to mites and bacteria that live on our skin (file under gross but true) can play a role. The good news is that we know what trigger types—like alcohol, spicy foods, and hot temps—can exacerbate the flushing.

The goal is to avoidrosacea-causing ingredientsand stick to products with some built-in skin-calming effects, suggests celebrity makeup artistBryan Cantor. We spoke with skin and makeup experts andtestedand reviewed makeup products for natural ingredients, shade ranges, and coverageto determine which formulas are best for rosacea-prone skin.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing CC Cream at Amazon
• Best Full-Coverage: Dermablend Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation at Amazon
• Best Sheer Coverage: Chantecaille Future Skin Oil-Free Gel Foundation at Amazon
• Best Primer: Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Redness Corrector at Sephora
• Best with SPF: It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Foundation with SPF 50+ at Amazon
• Best Tinted Moisturizer: Macrene Actives High-Performance Tinted Moisturizer at Nordstrom
• Best Concealer: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer Duo Stick at Amazon
• Best Powder: bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 at Amazon
• Best Color-Correcting: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Camo Drops SPF 35 at Sephora
• Best for Cheeks: Ilia Multi-Stick Cheek & Lip Tint at Amazon

What We Like: Reduces UV and free radical damage, hydrating, improves skin's elasticity.

What We Don't Like: Can be a bit cakey.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: Light Beige, Neutral Beige, Porcelain Beige | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.37 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This color corrector by IT Cosmetics is repeatedly recommended by derms and makeup artists, thanks to its top-notch ability to camouflage redness. (It’s no surprise, given that the formula was developed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons.) It’s a concealer (not a foundation!) and works to cover redness. When Ashley Rebecca tested the product, she noticed "no trace of any redness, and it fully covered dark under-eye circles."

What We Like: Contains concentrated high-performance pigments, buildable, SPF 25 broad spectrum sun protection, and smudge- and transfer-resistant.

What We Don't Like: A bit greasy.

Coverage: Medium to Full | Shade Range: Fair to Deep | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

“Full coverage” and “lightweight texture” are often an oxymoronic pairing in the makeup world, but this formula somehow manages to achieve both. This formula is super pigmented, making it a choice for those looking to completely even their skin tone. Still, it’s nice and hydrating, won’t clog pores, and offers a dose of important sun protection to boot.

What We Like: Featherweight, adjustable coverage, loaded with natural botanicals.

What We Don't Like: Few shade section.

Coverage: Medium-to-Full | Shade Range: Light to Deep | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

“This is one of the most natural-looking foundations I have ever tried, and its sheer, buildable, oil-free formula is perfect for rosacea-prone skin,” Cantor says, who adds that the French brand is well-known for creating sensitive, skin-friendly products. (In fact, there are lots of skin-soothers already in this foundation, including aloe, chamomile, and arnica.) The unique, gel-based texture is made with 60% water, contributing to the featherweight feel and sheer pigment.

What We Like: Corrects redness for up to 24 hours, hydrates all day, adds radiance and balances the skin.

What We Don't Like: Very strong scent to some, and blends poorly on dry and acne spots.

Coverage: Lightweight | Shade Range: Fair to Light | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Cantor is a fan of this formula: “The green tone makes it perfect for erasing all-over redness,” he says. Keyword being ‘all-over.’ He points out that applying green-tinted concealer on areas that aren’t red or flushed can make you look sick, so reserve these formulas for more diffuse and widespread redness. But, when used correctly, this product boasts 24-hour coverage.

What We Like: SPF 50+ high UV protection, anti-aging, and full of botanicals.

What We Don't Like: Feels too heavy to some.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: Fair to Deep | Finish: Natural | Size: 1.08 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Wearing sunscreen daily is a non-negotiable for everyone, but diligent sun protection becomes even more imperative when dealing with rosacea. Sun exposure can trigger a flushing flare, and sun damage also exacerbates the redness (it weakens and can even break down blood vessels). That’s why we appreciate that this overachiever, a go-to for former Byrdie Senior Editor Karli Bendlin, packs an impressive punch of broad-spectrum SPF 50+.

And the benefits don’t stop there. It’s also highly hydrating, contains youth-boosting collagen and peptides, and offers coverage that works equally well on its own, under foundation, or dabbed on as a spot treatment.

What We Like: Made from active organic plant-derived ingredients, buildable, and firms the skin.

What We Don't Like: Thick texture.

Coverage: N/A | Shade Range: Light to Extra Deep | Finish: N/A | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Cantor says this is a choice for those who prefer lighter, tinted moisturizers over classic foundations. He lauds the derm-developed formula for containing ingredients that help tamp down redness, shrink pores, protect against environmental damage, and act as an anti-aging product by minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Another bonus? The formula is so light that it’s buildable with other products without making your skin feel weighed down.

What We Like: Large shade range, easy-to-maneuver stick form, optically blurs imperfections, glides on smoothly.

What We Don't Like: Could blend more evenly.

Coverage Level: Full | Shade Range: 16; Very Fair to Rich | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.03 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Cantor says a good concealer is a must if your rosacea appears in smaller patches. This dual-ended stick, a new take on the OG creamy variant, is his pick. “Formulated with calming ingredients, this two-in-one has a blurring concealer on one end to hide redness and imperfections and a brightening concealer that you can use for the under-eye area on the other.” Bonus points for the lightweight texture that never looks or feels cakey.

What We Like: Mineral-based SPF protection, silky, soft-skin feel, gives a natural-looking color to skin, and pure and minimal ingredients.

What We Don't Like: May settle in pores.

Coverage: Sheer-to-Full | Shade Range: Very Fair to Very Deep | Finish: Natural, Luminous | Size: 0.28 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

“With foundations, it’s a trial-and-error thing,” Rouleau warns. “But mineral powders like Bare Minerals generally work better than liquids, as they’re far less irritating.” Less irritation is very good if you have rosacea; after all, the last thing you want is more redness to deal with. Credit a minimal ingredient list of only five minerals, which also never look chalky. Bonus points for the fact that there’s an impressive array of 30 shades to choose from. After Khera Alexander tested the product, she noted it can be used to achieve the no-makeup, makeup look, and "you can use it as a foundation or setting powder."

What We Like: Weightless, long-lasting, works instantly, and travel-friendly.

What We Don't Like: Product dries up and thickens in months.

Coverage Level: Light | Shade Range: N/A | Finish: Radiant | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

The K-beauty favorite of the no-makeup, makeup crowd, this green-to-beige color corrector provides a dewy finish and soothes and calms rosacea flare-ups. With the star ingredient of centella asiatica aka tiger grass and SPF 35, the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair serum is lightweight, offers minimal coverage and sun protection, and doesn't exacerbate acne-prone skin. In addition to targeting major rosacea triggers, the blend of moisture-retaining ingredients such as glycerin and anti-inflammatory antioxidants like niacinamide could become a staple of your skincare and makeup routine.

Customization is the name of the game here. You can either use these green-tinted, redness-neutralizing drops solo or add a few to either your foundation or moisturizer to instantly transform it into a rosacea-hiding superstar. (Decide on how many to add based on how much redness you have.) We’re here for it.

What We Like: Easy-to-use stick form, buildable, blendable, and breathable, creamy formula, and travel-friendly.

What We Don't Like: Doesn't provide long-lasting color.

Coverage Level: Medium | Shade Range: 11; Nudes, Reds, Pinks | Finish: Radiant, Natural | Size: 0.18 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Blush may be the last thing you want to put on already-flushed cheeks, but you can still add some color to your face—so long as it’s the right color (and there are nine shades to pick from!). “Red-toned blushes and lip colors can make you look even redder, but this peachy hue is perfect for adding a pop of color on cheeks or lips if you have rosacea-prone skin,” says Cantor. As an added benefit, it’s filled with hydrating and nourishing ingredients, like avocado oil and shea butter.

What We Like: Breathable coverage, non-acnegenic formula, and satin finish.

What We Don't Like: May feel sticky for some skin types.

Coverage Level: N/A | Shade Range: N/A | Finish: Satin | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This Los Angeles-born product includes hyaluronic acid, algae, rose and mushroom to calm stressed-out skin and minimize redness. While hyaluronic acid keeps the skin supple throughout the day, the active ingredients of algae, rose, and mushroom soothe stressed skin and reduce irritation. For a natural glow, wear it alone or add it before foundation. But before committing to any product, Cantor recommends dabbing a little on your face and waiting at least 72 hours to see if it causes irritation or redness.

What We Like: Filled with anti-inflammatory ingredients, allergy-tested, and contains a mix of physical sunscreens.

What We Don't Like: Difficult to apply.

Coverage Level: N/A | Shade Range: N/A | Finish: Sheer | Size: 1.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Bendlin also likes this color-correcting primer, another oil-free, green-tinted pick with built-in SPF 15. With Clinique’s heritage of making products tailored for the sensitive crowd, this formula is also allergy-tested and touts soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients. The formula doesn’t include parabens, sulfates, oils, or fragrances.

What We Like: 100% plant-based, remove all makeup, and nourishing formula.

What We Don't Like: May run out faster than excepted.

Scent:None | Size:25 wipes |Cruelty-Free:Yes

Despite the unfair reputation makeup wipes get, we believe it all comes down to their formulation. When our nightly skincare routine seems impossible, cleansing towelettes save the day. These Aveeno pre-moistened disposable face wipes are infused with oat extract, an exfoliant that removes dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. Besides being gentle, they’re alcohol-free and non-comedogenic (bye, breakouts), and are even ready to combat stubborn waterproof mascara and eyeliner. Did we mention they don’t strip the skin? They’re a win-win.

What to Look for in Makeup Products for Rosacea

• Fewer Ingredients: Generally speaking, the simpler and shorter the ingredient list, the better, as there’s less likely to be something in the mix that will irritate your already stressed-out skin. Rosacea is likely to be aggravated by more ingredients and products applied to your skin, according to the National Rosacea Society.
• Alcohol and Fragrance-Free: Similar to rosacea skincare, steer clear of these two common irritants when choosing makeup, says Cantor.
• Calming Ingredients: More and more makeup formulas today include the addition of skincare ingredients that can help calm and soothe the skin, think aloe, chamomile, and allantoin, just to name a few.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. While she doesn’t have rosacea, she does have extremely sensitive skin and chooses her makeup accordingly.

Cullen Ormond is a freelance Byrdie writer and a long-time editor whose work can be found on Apartment Therapy. She helped to ensure the information about makeup products for rosacea was up to date for easy shopping. She’s battled with sensitive skin (eczema, ugh) for as long as she can remember and appreciated learning more about these soothing products.

For this story, Team Byrdie worked with skin experts and makeup artists to gather more insights about what to keep in mind when shopping for makeup products for rosacea:

• Reneé Rouleau, a celebrity esthetician and founder of Renée Rouleau Skin Care, known for catering her products especially towards those with sensitive skin.
• Bryan Cantor, a global celebrity makeup artist based in New York City. He brings his impressive knowledge of skincare, makeup products, application techniques, and professional tips and secrets to clients and companies in New York City and across the globe.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any makeup for rosacea from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.