When you’re shopping for makeup, there’s one skin concern that pops up frequently in makeup product descriptions—redness. It’s easy to see why—we’re all bound to experience some form of redness during our lifetimes, and there are a wide range of reasons why we might do so. It could be redness caused by breakouts, by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, by rosacea, sunburn, or even just by a generally rosy complexion.
There’s absolutely no hard rule that you have to conceal redness, whatever has caused it. But as someone who has lived with acne for most of their adult life, I know first-hand that when you have something to cover (and you want to do so), finding the right makeup can be really tricky.
"To cover redness, I always recommend using concealers or foundations that have a slightly more yellow tone," says Laura Mercier makeup artist, Karl Hodson. The reason for this is that yellow tones help to neutralise redness. "It is important to use light layers to build coverage, rather than using a heavy dosage of product which may make the makeup more detectable, and ultimately make the skin look less like skin," he adds.
"For larger patches of redness, I recommend using a small but fluffy brush to apply buildable light layers – making sure the edges of the product are diffused and blend into the skin." And if you want to cover breakouts or blemishes, Hodson recommends using a small dense brush to apply a full coverage, oil free concealer.
Scroll down to discover the best redness reducing makeup I’ve tried so far.
The best makeup products for redness:
1. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment
Part skincare and part makeup, this iconic creamy formula isn’t nearly as intimidating as you might first think. Simply treat it like the first step of your makeup routine (it functions as both primer and foundation) and blend a small amount lightly from the centre of your face. It helps not only to immediately mask redness, but to reduce it in the long-term, too.
2. Erborian CC Red Correct
The ‘CC’ in CC creams stands for colour correction, so you already know this one is going to be a winner. Thanks to green pigments and soothing cica, this lightweight formula helps to fade and blur unwanted redness while also soothing any irritation.
3. Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Concealer
"Secret Camouflage concealer is a fantastic product to cover all types of redness," says Hodson. "It is oil free so it applies beautifully over blemishes, and mimics the appearance of real skin and the two-shade compact allows you to customize exactly to your shade and undertone."
4. Bare Minerals Redness Reducing Prime Time Primer
A redness-reducing primer is an easy way to quickly tone down large areas of redness before applying concealer and foundation. This one does so quickly, while also smoothing and prepping skin for flawless makeup application.
5. Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup SPF 15
If you’re a ‘one and done’ kinda person when it comes to makeup, this cult foundation will be a welcome addition to your makeup bag. Its medium coverage and calming ingredients make it a firm favourite for those with rosacea.
6. L'Oréal Paris C'est Magic CC Cream Anti-Redness
Thanks to green mineral pigments which blend seamlessly into skin, this affordable CC cream makes light work of fading the appearance of redness.
7. Rosalique Anti-Redness Miracle Formula Colour Corrector
Since it multitasks as a primer, concealer, and tinted moisturiser and was specifically designed for rosacea-prone in mind, it’s no wonder this product has so many rave reviews. The formula contains renowned inflammation soothers like bisabolol and pro-vitamin B5 as well as SPF protection to prevent UV irritation.
8. Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Corrector
If you want to address smaller areas of skin or individual scars or blemishes, this is a true makeup bag essential. Simply dot it onto areas of redness and blend lightly before applying your foundation.
9. Beauty Pie Superluminous Redness Corrector
Proving that concealing redness doesn’t have to mean an excessive multi-step makeup routine is needed, this one-and-done balm melts into a light, silky texture which can be applied to skin after moisturising and before makeup. It helps to tone down areas of redness without feeling heavy or mask-like.
10. Laura Mercier Eye Basics
If you have sensitive eyes and tend to notice redness in your eye area, look for an eye-specific product to prevent any further irritation. This light, creamy concealer helps to cover both general redness as well as any enlarged veins or discolourations.
