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Red, splotchy skin doesn’t go with any outfit. At the same time, you don’t want to overload your face with a heavy foundation filled with chemicals and irritants that could cause even worse reddening. Creams tend to be heavier than liquid foundation, but sometimes you need that heavier layer to cover up a really bad breakout. A lot depends on how you apply it and what ingredients each foundation contains.
Pick One
The more products you goop on your face, the greater chance you risk of applying a product that’s going to irritate your sensitive skin. The key, according to the folks at the National Rosacea Society who deal with facial redness on a regular basis, is to find one product that does it all. They recommend a liquid foundation with a green-tinted base to mask the redness. Make sure it has sunscreen protection, too, so that you won’t need another product to avoid those nasty UV rays.
Application
You want to do everything in your power to keep germs and dirt off your face while applying makeup. Use an antibacterial brush that’s both germ-free and easy on your skin, unlike a sponge that roughs up the epidermis or your fingers, which can be caked with germs, oil and rough edges. A brush works particularly well with cream foundation that dries with a powdery base. The cream-to-powder foundations are best for a one-product application. Look for one that’s made with mineral powder to eliminate pesky irritants.
Skin Type
Whether you have a skin disorder such as rosacea, you’re recovering from a chemical peel or other cosmetic procedure or you’re just breaking out from nerves and tension, you need to use the foundation that best suits your skin type. If you have really sensitive skin that breaks out at the slightest provocation, make sure your foundation is oil-free, allergy-tested, fragrance free and as natural as you can get it. A naturally red, splotchy complexion responds well to a sheer liquid foundation that blends well with the varying shades of pigment. For dry skin, go with the heavier cream foundations and steer clear of the powder finish that could look cracked by the end of the day. And if you are plagued with oily, red skin, your best bet is an oil-free liquid foundation, or you might even benefit from an even lighter mousse foundation.
Tips
No matter which type of foundation you end up using, make sure its palette is clean and moisturized. Check with your doctor if you have persistent breakouts that you can’t figure out where they came from. You might be allergic to your cat or have an easily curable infection. You also can get recommendations from a dermatologist about cleansers and moisturizers that won’t irritate your condition. Cream foundation goes on much easier with a good moisturizing base while liquids often contain a tad of moisturizer, making the need for an extra layer of lotion unnecessary. And after you’ve decided on the type of foundation, pay attention to the shade so you don’t end up looking like you’re wearing a mask and trying really, really hard to cover up the redness. Keep it as close to natural as you can without wearing those red blotches in public.
