How To Cover Redness
The right make-up can make such a big difference to the appearance of rosacea - and to our confidence.
It's estimated that rosacea affects as many as 1 in 10 UK women. We’ve drawn on Lynne's years of experience to compile our best tips and suggestions for an even complexion.
What is rosacea?
It's a long-term skin condition with several sub-types that can lead to a combination of the following symptoms: persistent redness and inflamed-looking skin, visible blood vessels, red bumps and whiteheads, and bumpy, rough skin.
What causes rosacea?
The cause is unknown. It's not contagious or to do with poor hygiene. It runs in families, but there isn't an identifiable genetic link. The common skin mite Demodex folliculorum is theorized as a cause, since people with rosacea have around 10 times the number of mites on their skin as other people, but the exact mechanisms are still poorly understood.
We do know that rosacea is worsened by a variety triggers in our diet (caffeine, alcohol and spicy food) and does not tend to respond well to very rich cosmetics, denatured alcohol, the SLS/SLES in foaming cleansers, fragrance or certain botanical extracts. All our recommendations take these into account.
Sun Protection
Although getting a tan will make rosacea look less obvious, UV light does make rosacea worse. So do protect your skin, either with a sunscreen or simply with the mineral protection inherent in all makeup.
Gently Does It
If you have rosacea, it's best to always treat your skin gently. Never rub the skin too much when cleansing or applying makeup as this can cause irritation and exacerbate redness. And don’t overload your skin - try to use as few products as you can, as this will mean fewer ingredients combining on your skin with with a smaller chance of an irritation occurring. Our recommendations are designed with this in mind - we are passionate about "less is more" routines.
Important Note
Our suggestions are limited to the cosmetic concealment of rosacea. Only a GP or dermatologist can work from within to tackle the root causes with prescriptions and laser treatment, and we do recommend you look into that option if rosacea is bothering you.
Our Recommendations For Rosacea
Base
Good news: just because you have redness, you don’t necessarily need full camouflage coverage all over. For the most natural effect, go for a sheer, oil-free base like Sheer Balancing Foundation, then tackle areas of redness with a concealer.
Be light-handed when you apply your base or concealer, and avoid rubbing the skin which may increase redness and sensitivity. Use soft make up brushes for application – our Buffing Brush is great for fluid and cream foundations.
Click here for all 34 shades of Sheer Balancing Foundation>>
If your rosacea has led to noticeable bumps or roughness, swap out the foundation for our lightly tinted mousse Skin Veil. This will noticeably improve smoothness, instantly, while lending a subtle tint to the skin.
Click here for the 4 shades of Skin Veil.
Concealer
On top of your sheer base, target areas of redness with our Future Flawless Concealer. Offering medium to full buildable coverage, it will conceal redness and thread veins effectively while its creamy texture will melt into skin. Choose a colour that matches, or is slightly more golden than your natural skin colour, as a flaxen tone will help subtly colour correct redness.
Click here for the 16 shades of Future Flawless Concealer.
This image shows before and after application of Sheer Balancing Foundation Fresco, and Future Flawless Cover Concealer in Gold.
Blush
A blusher that’s too pink is best avoided by those with rosacea, but peach tones will look healthy and ensure redness is downplayed. Always apply high on the apples of your cheeks, away from your nose and mouth where natural flushing tends to occur, to add shape and definition to your face.
Bronzer
Sunkissed tones will minimise the appearance of redness, but for fair skin tones it’s vital to choose a tone that’s not too orange either.
Powder
An instant complexion saviour for all-over redness is a lightly golden powder – Silk Touch Gold is used by makeup artists in TV and Film to hush high colour, invisibly. It’s very sheer and light and suitable for all pale to medium skin tones. Dust lightly with integral half moon brush and watch your complexion gain new clarity.
We're Here To Help
Our skin is deeply personal. If you would like more personalised suggestions, find the best shade for you, or have any questions, do get in touch over email. Please attach a photo for the most accurate recommendations!
Alternatively, book in for a fun make- up lesson at our Chelsea boutique. We’ll help you update your look and learn new techniques for greater beauty confidence.