The 11 Best Makeup Products For Eczema – 2023
Gentle makeup products that bring out your inner beauty while tackling sensitive skin.
Stephanie G-MMakeup Artist
Expertise: Makeup
Experience: 17 years
Stephanie G-M is a green makeup artist. She has worked at Fashion Weeks in London and New York and boasts of a clientele including Alexa Chung, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cara Delevingne, Elle Macpherson, Labrinth, Little Dragon, Morcheeba, and ... more
Srijani Roy Chowdhury Certified In Makeup Artistry, Certified Style & Image Consultant
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Experience: 2 years
Srijani has a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultan... more
Image: Shutterstock
If you suffer from eczema and feel that most makeup products available in the market are not meant for you, you are not alone. Many people struggle to find the best makeup for eczema-prone skin. Using regular makeup might lead to flare-ups, red patches, and leave your skin feeling more dry and itchy. However, this does not necessarily mean that you have to give up on makeup. You just have to avoid products that contain irritants like artificial fragrances and other harmful chemicals.
Celebrity makeup artist and founder of Ouli’s Ointment, Stephanie G-M says “When dealing with eczema prone skin you want to use products with ingredients that will hydrate the skin it’s covering. When skin is red and dry anything that dehydrates it more will lead to more inflammation. Always look for ingredients you understand and where possible avoid synthetic ingredients.”
Makeup products exclusively formulated for eczema-prone skin contain soothing and nourishing ingredients such as, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, glycerin. They can help cover areas that make you feel self conscious while protecting and benefiting your inflamed skin. Some makeup products for eczema-prone skin are also infused with ceramides. The trick is to know what ingredients don’t aggravate your condition and help give the desired results.
In this article, we have reviewed the 11 best products for eczema that will not trigger your skin woes and help you achieve a defined makeup look. Keep scrolling through to check out the list!
In This Article
What Is The Best Makeup For Eczema?
As you shop for a product when you have eczema, it’s best to rely on the label, to begin with. Most products that are safe for sensitive skin and are hypoallergenic are a safe bet for those with eczema. And besides that, you can also consciously make an effort to avoid products that contain questionable, chemical ingredients. It’s a good idea to look for products that are alcohol, phthalate, and paraben-free and contain hyaluronic acid which is very hydrating, along with vitamins C, E, and other natural ingredients that prevent dryness. So rather than go for a normal moisturizer, you should go for one that’s for sensitive skin or specifically for eczema.
11 Best Eczema-Friendly Makeup Products Of 2023 For A Glam Look
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint - Nude
Image: Neutrogena
This amazing tinted moisturizer not only boosts skin hydration, it also evens out your complexion. Its lightweight water gel formula features hyaluronic acid, which is known for its skin plumping and hydrating properties for upto 24 hours. What’s more, this favorite moisturizer of many is weightless, oil-free, and non-comedogenic, so no more worrying about clogged pores, and it might even be better for your skin than wearing no foundation at all. Suitable for daily use, it keeps your skin hydrated, and is available in 10 blendable shades that offer enough coverage to cover those red patches. Neutrogena eczema hydrating tinted moisturizer applies flawlessly and improves the suppleness of skin over time, and doesn’t settle into fine lines, creating a natural, moisturized and fresh look. Watch this video of the product for more information.
Pros - Oil-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Lightweight
- Contains hyaluronic acid for hydration
Cons
- Some may not find the applicator satisfactory
Pro TipPhysicians Formula Super CC Color Correction Cream - Light/Medium
If you have always had to be careful about the makeup products you use, fret no more. This product for sensitive skin has micro color-correcting pigments and superior anti-aging ingredients, and carries the benefits of an anti-aging treatment, moisturizer, foundation and SPF sunscreen. Its gentle formula helps minimize redness and other blemishes while providing SPF protection and hydration. Its lightweight and blendable creamy formula not only corrects skin imperfections, it also smooths skin texture, and evens out skin tone. This makeup for eczema sufferers adds to your wow factor by reducing age spots, dark circles, dullness, fine lines, wrinkles and other skin conditions.
Pros - Hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free
- Blendable and lightweight
- No additives or harsh irritants
Cons
- May not be suitable for warm undertones because of its orange tint
Phoera Liquid Foundation - Sand
If you have been struggling every day to cover flaky or red patches on your skin, we might have just the solution for you. This clean, sensitive skin foundation for eczema easily blends into your skin to give you a flawless, stunning look that lasts all day. It’s waterproof, oil-free, lightweight, and blendable, and hides redness, tattoos, and pimples, so you can feel confident yet comfortable through the day. It has a whitening and moisturizing repair composition, with natural full coverage that protects your delicate skin and makes it look perfect. It features micro-powders that control shine and camouflage pores and prepares your skin for makeup to cover eczema. Get that gorgeous, natural look you’ve been striving for, without having to worry about skin allergy and your eczema, with this soft, matte, and long-wear liquid foundation.
Pros - Hypoallergenic
- Waterproof
- Oil-free
- Lightweight
- Blendable and buildable
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Might settle in fine lines after a while
Dermablend Professional Flawless Creator Liquid Foundation Drops - 35W
Have you been wary of using a foundation on your eczema-prone skin? This eczema foundation has pure, concentrated pigments in a weightless suspension, with only 10 ingredients that are totally safe for your sensitive skin. It’s ideal for light skin with warm undertones with a hint of peach and has a very smooth finish that doesn’t get cakey. A little goes a long way and you literally need a few drops for that flawless complexion. This liquid makeup foundation is oil-free, water-free, and lightweight and gives full coverage. Its non-comedogenic formula doesn’t clog your pores and is suitable for sensitive skin. This vegan formula is hypoallergenic and completely free of all harmful chemicals that could cause a flare up.
Pros - Hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan formula
- Oil-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Fragrance-free
- Triclosan-free
- Non-comedogenic
- High performance pigments
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Some might face difficulty with blending it.
RememberLa Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra
This micellar water for oily, sensitive skin can do wonders for your skin and can be used as a face wash, toner, and makeup remover. It removes makeup, oil, grime, and other impurities by capturing them in its micelles, leaving the skin perfectly cleansed, hydrated, and refreshed. This gentle oil-free micellar water removes 99% of long wearing foundation and prevents flare ups if you suffer from eczema. One of the best makeup brands for eczema, it also contains a mild cleanser called poloxamer, which is so gentle that it is considered safe for your eyes and is used in contact lens solution. La Roche-Posay contains thermal spring water which is full of antioxidants and soothes irritated skin, while the glycerin in it hydrates the skin. The best part is that it also removes minute pollution particles from your sensitive skin, reducing the chances of a flare up.
Pros - Paraben-free
- Alcohol-free
- Soap-free
- Oil-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologist-recommended
- Ophthalmologist-approved
Cons
- Contains fragrance
BareMinerals Eye Color - Bare Skin
Who doesn’t appreciate an eyeshadow that is simultaneously elegant and playful, bold and delicate, soft, and striking? These eye colors are velvety smooth, lightweight, easy to apply and blend seamlessly. This medium pink taupe eyeshadow with its loose mineral eyeshadow powder formula has low-to-high opacity for complete lid color and crease contouring. These vibrant, stay-true colors can be mixed and matched for customized combinations. This eyeshadow contains no harmful chemicals and you don’t have to think twice before using it, even with the most sensitive skin. So, go ahead and try out different looks!
Pros - Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Triclosan-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Coal tar-free
- Chemical sunscreen-free
Cons
- Some may find them too glittery
RememberEau Thermale Avene High Protection Tinted Compact - Beige
This tinted compact is the ideal makeup for eczema and acne-prone skin as it has a 100% mineral SPF 50 sunscreen in a light, cream to powder formula. It’s enriched with a powerful photostable form of vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant and protects against free radicals. The mineral formulation is non-irritating and makes it very safe for eczema and sensitive skin types. Formulated with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, it provides broad spectrum UVA protection from the harmful rays of the sun. The compact comes with a mirror for those easy, on-the-go applications. It’s water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, but in any case is best reapplied after every 2 hours for best protection. This non-greasy, matte finish compact will enable you to face the world with confidence and élan.
Pros - Fragrance-free
- Water-resistant
- Non-greasy
- Matte finish
- Reef-friendly
- Contains antioxidants
- Broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen
- FSA-approved sunscreen
Cons
- Contains beeswax
Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Blush - Barely Rose
This blush defines and highlights cheekbones and is formulated with powerful minerals and antioxidants. It provides a soft wash of just-touched color in a natural shade. Non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin tones, it’s infused with natural ingredients like pomegranate extract to help calm and soothe skin, pine bark extract to provide antioxidants, and mica to promote glide. It also contains boron nitride, considered the ‘Rolls Royce’ of minerals, to help the blush adhere to your skin and diffuse light. This healthy mineral product is sensitivity tested and contains no synthetic preservatives or synthetic fragrances that can cause an eczema flare-up. This eczema-safe makeup is cruelty free, clean makeup that looks and feels good on your skin.
Pros - Cruelty-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Sensitivity tested
- No synthetic fragrances
- No synthetic preservatives
Cons
- May contain carmine
Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation Serum - Beige
If flawless, even skin tone seemed like a far-fetched dream, we are here to make it a reality. This foundation serum is suitable for all skin tones and types, and is designed to perfect your complexion with buildable coverage and a semi-matte finish, while the broad spectrum SPF 20 sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. This eczema-friendly makeup covers any rough or red patches and camouflages any blemish you may have on your skin. It helps minimize the appearance of wrinkles and visibly reduces dark spots and an uneven skin tone. It blends in beautifully with your skin and creates a luminous glow and natural flush of color.
Pros - Semi matte finish
- Lightweight
- SPF 20 sunscreen
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Some might find the texture too thick
Isdin Isdinceutics Skin Drops Fluid Foundation - Bronze
Craving for a velvety complexion? Just a few drops of this liquid foundation gives you full coverage and conceals all skin imperfections like eczema, vitiligo, discoloration, bruising, scars, and tattoos. This ultra lightweight foundation gives a matte finish to your skin for up to 12 hours. It has a high color concentration and its formula contains plant-based moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, sunflower oil, and mimosa natural wax that help your skin to remain comfortably soft and silky. It promotes overall evenness of your skin tone and leaves you with a radiant complexion. This product can be mixed with a sunscreen or moisturizer for a custom-made BB cream, and is available in 2 other shades as well— bronze and caramel.
Pros - Lightweight
- Oil-free formula
- Non-comedogenic
- Buildable coverage
- Contains natural ingredients
Cons
- Contains alcohol
Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight
This soft and creamy sculpting highlighter glides so smoothly on the skin, almost like butter. This subtle pale pink highlighter is easy to use, and has a non-chunky silver shimmer to it, giving a luminescent effect. It has rich pigment, a lovely texture, and blends effortlessly into the skin. It can be worn over bare skin or over foundation and looks natural on the skin. It’s suitable for normal to dry skin and its gentle formula makes it suitable for eczema and acne-prone skin as well. This highlighting stick is formulated with light-reflecting optics to illuminate the face, so get ready to bedazzle the world!
Pros - Oil-free
- Paraben-free
- Blendable
- Soft and creamy texture
Cons
- Contains carmine
Eczema does not mean that you have to give up on your makeup altogether. There will be certain cosmetic products that may trigger a flare-up, but there are others that are proven gentle on sensitive skin. Therefore, to help you find the correct cosmetic products for your makeup needs, especially if you have eczema, we have listed some factors to keep in mind while making your next purchase.
- Ingredients To Look For
Moisturizing ingredients like lanolin, shea butter, and glycerin repair your skin and make it soft, plump, and radiant. Hyaluronic acid helps in drawing moisture from the air to your skin cell. With this ingredient, you can enjoy an extra boost of moisture and thereby avoid dry or flaky skin.
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, helps in reducing any redness on your skin by strengthening the overall natural barrier of your skin. It is recommended that you apply niacinamide first and then use other cosmetic products.
- Ingredients To Avoid
Ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinol make your skin dry and thereby develop irritation. Such a condition is caused by a weak skin barrier, which allows irritating chemicals to get inside skin cells easily and allows more water to evaporate.
Avoid preservatives such as butylparaben or methylparaben. These ingredients lead to inflammation when put in contact with eczema-prone skin. So, use products that have natural preservatives such as grapefruit seed extract or neem oil because they are less irritating.
- Fragrances
Does not matter how soft or subtle the perfume might be, the ingredients can easily trigger eczema flare-ups. That is why it is suggested to pick cosmetics that are made for sensitive skin and are fragrance-free (rather than ‘unscented’ mentioned on the product label). Organic or natural products are generally free from fragrances. .
- Additional Features
- As a rule of thumb, select makeup products that have been labeled as formulated or hypoallergenic for sensitive skin. Such products will have fewer common allergens that can cause eczema flare-ups.
- Avoid gel-based products since their alcohol-based formulas can deprive the skin of moisture and thereby aggravate eczema symptoms.
- Avoid make-up powders. Instead opt for cream or mousse formulas, as they are less prone to drying.
Now that you have been through our review of the 11 best makeup products for eczema of 2023, it’s equally important to know what you should be looking for in cosmetics if you have eczema. Here are a few pointers which we hope will help you along the way so that you don’t have to miss out on anything to look gorgeous.
What Should You Look For In Cosmetics If You Have Eczema?
- Ingredients to look for
Shea butter, glycerin, and lanolin are great moisturizing ingredients that not only repair your skin but also help it to look healthier. Hyaluronic acid is another wonder ingredient that helps draw moisture from the air into your skin and gives an extra boost of moisture to give relief to flaky, dry skin. Niacinamide, commonly known as vitamin B3 performs its magic on red patches on your skin, and a serum or cream with niacinamide can reduce redness caused by eczema by strengthening your skin’s natural barrier.
- Ingredients to avoid
Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and retinol tend to dry out and irritate skin with eczema. This happens usually because of a weak skin barrier, which lets irritating chemicals enter your skin more easily, and let its moisture evaporate. Preservatives like butylparaben and methylparaben which keep cosmetics from going bad can also lead to inflammation. It’s better to use products with natural preservatives like neem oil or grapefruit seed extract instead. Fragrances, no matter how soft and subtle they are, can also trigger eczema flare-ups.
- Read labels
Pick cosmetics that especially mention that they are for sensitive skin. Also look for products that say ‘fragrance-free’ rather than ‘unscented’ on their label. Organic or natural products are also usually free of perfumes, but again read their labels to be sure. Chemical-free sun protection and mineral sunscreen ingredients are definitely a better option for a sunscreen. Anything that is too aggressive or full of chemicals like soaps, detergents, foaming agents, and fragrances can all trigger eczema flare-ups.
Makeup can be a boon or a curse for eczema-prone skin. Some cosmetics can irritate your skin and may flare up rashes. This is why you need makeup products specially made for eczema-prone skin to hydrate and soothe your cracked skin. The products contain natural ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid that smoothen the skin. Most of the products on our list are lightweight, non-comedogenic, and oil-free. However, it is always wise to perform a patch test before using any product on eczema-prone skin.
How To Wear Makeup With Eczema?
Step 1- It’s essential to prep your skin by thoroughly cleaning and hydrating it with products that are packed with hydrating ingredients that calm the skin. If you’re on a prescription for eczema , apply it before using any makeup. Also, always do a patch test of any new makeup product on your neck before applying it to the face.
Step 2- You can use a primer to seal your pores so that the foundation does not make it into your pores.
Step 3- It is best to start off with eye-makeup so that any chunks of eyeshadow on the cheeks can be cleaned and then covered with other makeup products.
Step 4- Apply your foundation with clean hands instead of brushes or makeup sponges as they tend to harbor germs. If you’re trying to hide dark circles, you can also use a concealer.
Step 5- Even for blush, use your fingers as it’s easier to press out to blend until you have the color you want. You can use a brush for highlighter if you’re using one, as a highlighter may require more precision while blending.
Step 6- Once your makeup is in place, you can finish it off with a lipstick of your choice.
Infographic: Tips For Applying Makeup On Eczema-Prone Skin
Applying makeup on eczema-prone skin is neither easy nor always pleasant. You will have to worry about not only finding the right products but also how your skin will react after application. The infographic below gives you some amazing tips to apply makeup on your skin without making it feel too overwhelmed. Check it out!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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When you have eczema, you are well aware of the fact that some products and cosmetics in the skincare realm can really irritate your skin and induce a flare-up. But that doesn’t mean you need to give up on makeup, it just means you need to identify those products that are gentle enough on your skin. There are literally thousands of hydrating formulas to keep your skin healthy and nourished and give you full coverage to camouflage those rough, red, itchy, dry, or inflamed patches without inducing a further flare-up. We hope our review of the 11 best makeup products for eczema will help in bringing the diva out in you and you look your gorgeous best.
Why Trust Stylecraze
The author, Srijani Roy Chowdhury, is a makeup and fashion enthusiast. She enjoys reviewing various products to help her readers make an informed choice. Choosing the best makeup products for eczema can be a daunting experience, so she curated this list of the best ones on the market after thorough research. She also consulted numerous user reviews online to shortlist the products that are gentle on the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to put makeup on eczema?
When you have eczema-prone skin, wearing makeup is difficult, but with the right products and application technique, it is safe to use makeup to help your complexion appear smoother without irritating your skin further.
What should you not put on eczema?
Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and retinol tend to dry out and irritate your skin, and are best avoided by those with eczema. Preservatives like methylparaben and butylparaben, fragrances, talcs, or any kind of chemical should also be avoided by those with eczema-prone skin.
Does makeup irritate eczema?
Some ingredients in makeup can clog pores and encourage further flare-ups, but certain types of makeup products can actually help to improve the condition. Hydrating formulas that contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin, shea butter, lanolin are all great for moisturizing your skin and reducing flakey or angry red patches.
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