The 13 Best Foundations For Rosacea (2023) + A Complete Guide
Mask rosacea flare-ups without any irritation with the best skin-friendly foundations.
Cha Cha WoskaCertified Makeup Artist
Expertise: Makeup
Experience: 20 years
Cha Cha is a certified professional makeup artist, airbrush makeup artist, and beauty educator with over 20 years in the beauty industry. She is also the owner of Cha Cha Beauty Bar and has done extensive work in the bridal and special even... more
Krati Darak Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years o... more
Shiboli ChakrabortiCertified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 4 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce edito... more
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We know how much trouble it can be to cover your skin with layers of makeup to hide your rosacea. That’s why we have got you the best foundations for rosacea right here.
Locally bought foundations can often be irritant and unsafe for rosacea-prone skin. But, using foundations specially formulated for such skin types can be gentle and non-irritating, and may even help with this skin condition management. It will mask up the pesky bumps of your skin and won’t cause further breakouts or flare-ups. Dealing with this skin type can be tricky, but we have some foundations that can do it just right. Apart from covering your bumps, these skin-friendly products also contain SPF to protect sensitive skin during every use.
The foundations for rosacea will feel comforting on your skin while making your skin look flawless. And thus, it will make you feel confident at all times. Moreover, you won’t need touch-ups or to confront the fear of a bump popping out here or there. Sounds too good to be true? Check out the list of the 13 best rosacea-friendly foundations below and get ready to glam up.
In This Article
13 Best Foundations For Rosacea That Won’t Trigger Flare-Ups (With Reviews)
1. Best Non-Creasing:IT Cosmetics CC+ Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream – Medium
Image: It Cosmetics With anti-aging, sunscreen, and full-coverage benefits, this CC+ cream is a godsent formula for those with sensitive and rosacea-affected skin. If you are looking for the best drugstore foundation for rosacea, this could be it! The clinically tested and gentle blend contains hydrolyzed collagen, niacin, antioxidants, vitamins, hyaluronic acid, natural oils, plant extracts, and peptides to comfort and hydrate your skin, as well as conceal your skin concerns or imperfections. So, if you are dealing with redness or flushing, wrinkles, dark circles, acne scars, large pores, etc., the IT Cosmetics rosacea skin foundation could be the one for you. This video offers a deeper insight into the functions and effects of the product discussed.
Pros
- Moisturizing formula
- Reduces dark spots
- Ensures flawless complexion
- Protects from harmful UV exposure
- Corrects uneven texture and skin tone
- Doubles up as a primer to conceal pores
- Non-cracking, non-creasing, and ultra-hydrating
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- Some may find it slightly greasy
Quick Tip2. Best Cruelty-Free:NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation – Warm Carmel
Image: Nyx Professional For women on the go, touch-ups are never an option, which is why we bring to you this long-lasting foundation for you. Delivering flawless matte coverage for up to 24 hours, this foundation for rosacea ensures full coverage with its flattering tones. Also, it is transfer-resistant! Busy bees, travelers, and don’t who despise touch-ups, NYX could be the effortless foundation you are looking for. Click here to check out this YouTuber’s unbiased review for the foundation.
Pros
- Cruelty-free product
- Creamy and highly-pigmented
- Glides smoothly on skin and controls shine
- Non-comedogenic, lightweight, and waterproof
- Suitable for normal, combination, oily, and sensitive skin
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- May dry quickly
3. Best Hypoallergenic:Dermacol Make-Up Cover – 212
Image: Dermacol A cover-up that won’t disappoint! Infused with 50% pigments to conceal stubborn dark spots, blemishes, redness, and other imperfections, this full-coverage makeup for rosacea will have you whipped for its legendary cover-up. Ideal to use for uneven skin tone, scars, and something as vivid as tattoos, you can use it to conceal flare-ups on your face and body as well. Yep, and you thought your foundation days are over, do not skip Dermacol this season!
Pros
- Waterproof formula
- Hypoallergenic and preservative-free
- Provides sun protection with SPF 30
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- May feel slightly heavy after a few hours
Quick Tip4. Best Buildable Formula:Dermablend Smooth Liquid Camo Medium Coverage Foundation – 30N Camel
Image: Dermablend Dry skin and rosacea can be a stubborn combination to deal with unless you have this dermatologist-tested, 24-hour hydrating and sunscreen foundation. Apply it generously, and it will keep your skin hydrated, protected from the sun, and moisturized with its medium coverage formula. A must-try for those looking for the best drugstore makeup for rosacea dry skin, it’s an ideal option for early rosacea, mild flare-ups, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and other skin imperfections. Check out this video to view a reviewer’s experience with this product.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Buildable texture
- Powered with SPF 25
- Non-cakey and non-masky
- Non-transfer and non-smudge
- Suitable for sensitive and dry skin
- Ensures a natural and seamless finish
- Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and allergy-tested
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- May not be best suited to conceal extreme cases of rosacea
5. Best Vegan:e.l.f, Acne Fighting Foundation – Buff
Image: E.l.f. Acne-fighting Foundation This foundation is so light, you’ll be left wondering if you’ve applied anything to your face at all! Here’s another drugstore brand that’ll help you conceal and curb flare-ups effortlessly. Packed with ingredients to comfort your skin while delivering a flawless glow, the blend contains witch hazel, tea tree, camphor, salicylic acid, and aloe vera. A fantastic option to explore during humid and warm weather conditions, this rosacea foundation delivers full coverage, conceals redness, and fights acne.
Pros
- Prevents breakouts
- Powered with SPF 25
- Corrects uneven skin tone
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Suitable for acne-prone and normal skin
- Free from phthalates, sulfates, parabens, and more
Cons
- Not available in many shades
6. Best Lightweight:BaeBlu Organic LUX Liquid Foundation – Nutmeg
Image: Baeblu A botanical blend to conceal rosacea, blemishes, freckles, and other aging signs! Yep, how about an organic indulgence for a younger-looking, believable glow this season? Infused with natural ingredients such as aloe leaf juice, non-GMO soybeans, thyme extract, and olive leaf extract, the product contains zero harsh chemicals, making it a fantastic option for sensitive and rosacea skin. If you are dealing with sun spots, blemishes, pigmented pimple marks, acne scars, uneven skin tone, dark circles, and other stubborn aging signs, you must let this foundation be your ultimate bae!
Pros
- Non-greasy and smooth finish
- Lightweight, non-comedogenic, and buildable coverage
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and imperfections
- Gluten-free, vegan, and paraben-free
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- May not be suitable for all skin types
Quick Tip7. Best Water-Resistant:Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream
Image: Jane Iredale This mineral-infused BB cream with skin-loving ingredients promises the power of 4 benefits! It can conceal blemishes, shrink pores, brighten skin, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines too. And that’s not all; this mineral makeup for rosacea provides broad-spectrum sun protection with SPF 25. Infused with ingredients like aloe leaf juice, apple fruit extract, white tea extract, bitter orange fruit extract, and sunflower seed oil, this one-solution foundation conceals and cares with every application. It’ll always be glow-time if you have this product in your makeup kit.
Pros
- Creamy texture
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Water-resistant for up to 40 minutes
- Dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested, and non-comedogenic
- Free from synthetic fragrances, phthalates, parabens, mineral oils, and talc
Cons
- Expensive
8. Best Sun Protection: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup
Image: Neutrogena The Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup will give your skin a smooth, natural finish. It is suitable to be used on all skin types. The silky textured liquid is easy to apply and lightweight, thus preventing a cakey look. The titanium dioxide and SPF 20 formulation protects the skin from harmful sun rays, prevents sunburns, and blocks premature aging. The antioxidant blend and moisturizing properties improve the skin tone and texture, making it luminous. The vitamin E in the formula nourishes the skin, the feverfew extract soothes the skin, and soy extract fights aging signs and evens skin texture.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Dermatologist-recommended
- Easy foundation application
- Hydrating formula
- Anti-aging benefits
- Antioxidant properties
- Improves skin texture
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
None
9. Best For All Skin Types:Frankie Rose Cosmetics Matte Perfection Foundation
Image: Frankie Rose Do you like your foundation matte and smooth? Frankie Rose Cosmetics can make it happen for rosacea and sensitive skin effortlessly. It ensures instant and long-lasting coverage, so you can go about your day confidently without worrying about touch-ups. It offers buildable coverage to conceal blemishes, breakouts, dark spots, and other skin imperfections seamlessly to deliver a flawless and clear complexion. Matte lovers, all eyes on this lightweight formula!
Pros
- Breathable texture
- Hydrates the skin
- Ensures full coverage
- Corrects uneven skin tone
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- Contains paraben
10. Best Dermatologist Tested:Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation – SPF 25
Image: Oxygenetix Don’t let rosacea dull your confidence anymore. This oxygenating foundation with acne-control and a breathable formula will conceal redness and restore the glow you desire instantly. Infused with skin-friendly ingredients like aloe vera juice, vitamin E, grape seed extract, and cerevisiae, the texture is light and goes on like a second skin while delivering a medium coverage. And the best part is, it is backed by the experts of dermatology, and is water and sweat-resistant for up to 90 minutes! You can wear it for workouts, quick swims, and it will even survive through sudden showers with your flawless foundation intact.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Soothing and cooling formula
- Non-heavy and transfer-resistant
- Long-lasting, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic
- Free from fragrances, oils, water, and fragrances
- Suitable for sensitive, acne, and compromised skin types
Cons
- Expensive
11. Best Coverage:Physician’s Formula The Healthy Foundation
Image: Physicians Formula The Physician’s Formula The Healthy Foundation is a hydrating solution that brightens and evens the skin tone. It hides imperfections with a medium to high coverage. It is compatible with all skin types and provides sun protection with SPF 20. It features an exclusive brightening complex derived from Chinese Wu-Zhu-Yu extract and Evodia berries. It imparts potent anti-inflammatory properties and brightens the skin by triggering microcirculation. The hyaluronic acid in the formula hydrates the skin and soothes it, making the foundation safe for use on sensitive skin. It is free of harsh ingredients, thus preventing skin breakouts.
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Dermatologist-tested
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
12. Best Allergy-Tested:Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup Foundation
Image: Clinique Whether it is rosacea or winter flush on your cheeks, this redness foundation from Clinique can hide it all. Formulated with probiotic technology that’ll strengthen your skin’s natural barrier and keep the environmental stressors at bay, this foundation is the color corrector you need to comfort your skin and enhance it in case of skin discoloration. And as for the foundation bit, your skin has no choice but to look flawless, clear, and radiant with Clinique’s stunning full coverage formula.
Pros
- Oil-free formula
- Light and non-cakey
- Ultra-soothing and calming
- Fragrance-free
- Allergy-tested
Cons
- Offers only SPF 15 protection
13. Best Non-Greasy Formula:Cover FX Natural Finish Foundation
Image: Coverfx Let your skin feel flawless on the outside and healthy on the inside with this rosacea foundation. As it is a water-based formula, it’s great for dry to normal skin types. Yep, no more cakey and greasy feeling, as this vitamin-packed formula is so light and smooth that it ensures a second-skin finish. The blend contains vitamin C, E, and F for intense hydration and squalene to lock in the moisture. Glow up with and without makeup with this antioxidant blend this season.
Pros
- Oil-free formula
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Corrects uneven skin tone
- Ensures 12-hour natural coverage and skin health
- Protects against environmental triggers
- Free from talc, sulfates, parabens, fragrances, gluten, mineral oils, and more
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Say hello to rosy skin, not rosacea this season! There you go, those were the 13 best foundations for rosacea with gentle formulas. However, if you need more assistance with buying the right product or wondering how to use the foundation, we have some makeup tips and tricks for you in the buying guide below.
How To Choose Foundation For Rosacea?
Choosing the right foundation is crucial to maintain skin health and a radiant glow and also so that you don’t end up triggering the flare-ups with the wrong one. Here are some things you must consider before buying one and putting it to the test:
Skin type
Although most rosacea foundations are gentle and suitable for all, it’s best to choose one that is specially formulated for your skin type to ensure successful patch testing and enjoy maximum benefits. Oil-free foundations are best for combination and oily skin, whereas water-based foundations are suitable for normal to dry skin.
Coverage type
Foundations with medium coverage deliver an opaque to sheer finish, covers uneven skin tone, dark circles, and is buildable so your natural skin can show. Full-coverage foundations leave a matte finish and will provide optimal coverage to hide imperfections such as blemishes, breakouts, redness, and more.
Chemical-free
Chemicals can trigger flare-ups even more, which is why you must choose a chemical-free product. Look out for brands that are 100% organic-made and free from toxic ingredients such as parabens, mineral oils, talc, phthalates, sulfates, etc.
Skincare benefits
Choose a foundation that ensures skin-comforting benefits such as hydration, moisturization, SPF protection, acne-control, protection from environmental triggers, and more. So, while your skin looks flawless on the outside, the formula can heal, repair, and protect on the inside for the best experience.
Non-comedogenic formula
Lastly, rosacea skin is prone to acne buildup, red bumps, and breakouts. Hence, you must choose a non-comedogenic foundation that will not clog pores and trigger acne or breakouts after every use.
Ingredients To Look For According To Skin Type
Mineral-based formulas are gentle and contain zero to minimal irritating ingredients, making them great for compromised, sensitive, and extremely sensitive skin. If dryness is giving you nightmares, foundations with aloe vera, vitamin E, or hyaluronic acid are suitable to moisturize and hydrate your skin intensely while delivering a natural and flawless glow. To fight acne and rosacea together, a foundation with salicylic acid would be ideal as they claim to fight acne and reduce chances of breakouts too.
How Do You Cover Rosacea With Foundation?
It’s easy and similar to applying a regular foundation. However, here are steps for first-timers:
- Start with a gentle, calming moisturizer containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid and humectants.
- Start with a pore-shrinking, green-based primer to create an even base for the foundation.
- Now, depending on the coverage you desire, dot the foundation on the skin gently, especially on areas that require concealing.
- Then, with a wet or dry sponge blender (depending on your preference), dab on the foundation gently into the skin.
- Do not rub or sweep the foundation, but dab so you don’t end up triggering the redness more.
- Once done, finish with a setting powder or spray of your choice.
Infographic: Key Ingredients In Foundations For Rosacea
Rosacea can be a challenging skin condition to manage. People dealing with it often look out for foundations that not only conceal redness but also soothe the skin. Check out the infographic below to learn about the ingredients you should be looking for in a foundation for rosacea.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
Rosacea is tricky to deal with, and putting makeup on rosacea-affected skin is even trickier. However, the best foundations for rosacea that are attested by glowing reviews from satisfied users and knowledgeable reviewers, can significantly simplify this process. These makeup essentials are specially formulated to cover all imperfections while keeping dry skin moisturized. The non-comedogenic and chemical-free foundations do not aggravate skin irritation or redness caused by rosacea. In fact, they glide on the skin smoothly, offer sun protection, and prevent breakouts. The IT Cosmetics CC+ Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream offers an all-in-one solution for coverage, skincare, and sun protection, the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation is ideal for long-lasting wear and oily skin, and if you want a skin-nourishing foundation, try the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup. These foundations are also waterproof and smudge-resistant. Their lightweight formulas offer buildable coverage and last long. Some of the listed formulas are vegan, while most of them offer a natural-looking finish. However, avoid foundations that consist of parabens or the ones that dry out the skin.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Krati Darak, is a beauty and style enthusiast who believes in trying new products keeping your skin type and concern in mind. She has done multiple site comparisons and carefully reviewed several customer testimonials before bringing you this list of the best foundations suitable for rosacea. These foundations are specially formulated to cover redness and give you flawless and radiant skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does foundation make rosacea worse?
Yes, if the foundation has harsh chemicals or toxic ingredients or ingredients that react with your skin treatments, it can make rosacea worse. Choose a rosacea-friendly foundation with a gentle formula or consult your dermatologist before using a product.
Which ingredients should I avoid if I have rosacea?
Foundations with alcohol, glycolic acid, and fragrances can be harmful to rosacea-affected skin. Also, avoid products with camphor and witch hazel too if you have dry skin.
Is mineral makeup better for rosacea?
Absolutely! Mineral-based makeups are great for rosacea as they have less harmful ingredients, are gentle, and will not cause flare-ups.
What causes redness in rosacea?
The inflammation is due to abnormalities in the blood vessels in your skin, which increases skin redness. Other reasons could be family history, harmless skin mites, or bacteria triggering skin and causing skin inflammation.
How do you calm down rosacea fast?
Follow these steps to calm down rosacea effectively.
- Drink a lot of water.
- Keep your skin nourished with a moisturizer.
- Reduce stress
- Avoid spicy food
- Use rosacea-friendly skin care products.
- Avoid going out in the sun.
Recommended Articles
- Can Tea Tree Oil Help Manage Rosacea
- Natural Remedies To Manage Rosacea
- How To Reduce Redness On The Face: Causes And Tips
- Everything You Need To Know About Skin Inflammation
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