Women with rosacea are not only battling a chronic skin condition that currently has no cure, but they also struggle with finding the best makeup to cover up redness. Plus, there is the challenge of treating acne-like pimples and lesions that appear on the face, neck and chest.
To help those with rosacea put their best face forward confidently, we asked dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman and celebrity makeup artist Katey Denno for their advice on how to prevent flare-ups and conceal flushed skin.
Cleanse with care. Rosacea can be an extremely frustrating and embarrassing skin disorder that may force you to mask the issue with makeup, but it is important that you maintain a regular cleansing ritual. Dr. Jaliman suggests using a mild cleanser with ceramides and/or glycerin as opposed to sodium lauryl sulfate, which can be irritating.
Ceramides and glycerin are rosacea-friendly ingredients that gently remove bacteria and attract moisture. "For added hydration, use a humidifier because skin that has rosacea tends to be sensitive and needs moisture," said Dr. Jaliman. "A noncomedogenic (meaning that it won't clog pores) moisturizer with ceramides also seals moisture into the skin."
The sun is not your BFF. UV rays are one of the biggest triggers of rosacea symptoms, according to Dr. Jaliman. "Always use sunscreen, even on a cloudy day. If you have a rash, it's best to use a tinted physical sunscreen which will not irritate the skin." She recommends Obagi Rosaclear Skin Balancing Sun Protection SPF 30 because it reduces the appearance of redness and blotchiness and provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage.
Read the makeup ingredients label, seriously. Women struggling with rosacea should avoid makeup that isn't noncomedeogenic and contains oils. Dr. Jaliman also cautions against using fragrance-free products with alcohol, menthol, peppermint, witch hazel, clove oil, eucalyptus oil, glycol acid and salicylic acid. We know that's quite a list, but these ingredients can exacerbate physical symptoms.
Remember: Yellow base reduces redness. "Do not use a green base under your foundation," said Denno. "Look for yellow-tinted products to cancel out the red, otherwise, you will definitely appear greenish or gray no matter how much foundation you put on top."
Mineral makeup formulas make for a more natural look. Many women with rosacea rely on mineral makeup. Denno explained, "It's easy to use and provides immediate coverage. I'm not a huge fan of powder foundation, as it can easily go from looking flawless to looking obviously powdered."
The makeup professional's top beauty brands for those with rosacea-prone skin include Vapour Organic Beauty (this line includes products that treat and conceal), Jane Iredale (their mineral foundations are perfect for coverage) and Alima Pure (which offers samples galore so you can pick the perfect shade of foundation).
Keep your makeup application light and uniform. According to Denno, it's crucial that the texture you use to cover the worst of the breakout area is the same texture and color as the remainder of your face. If it doesn't match up, you'll draw even more attention to the outbreak.
Once you've applied a yellow base covering the most affected areas, you can then put on your foundation. Denno prefers to apply makeup with a foundation brush and then use a clean Beauty Blender sponge that has been thoroughly dampened and wrung dry in a towel to set and create a flawless finish.
"Use a sheer powder only on your T-zone, applying very lightly with a small brush just where you need it in a placement pattern (not a sweeping motion), or you'll risk displacing the foundation you've laid in place. If you're having trouble covering the red, mix some yellow mineral pigment with your face powder and lay down a thin layer of this first over the reddest areas; cover with your foundation powder," said Denno.
Do you have rosacea? Which skincare and makeup products do you use?
Learn from these stars who have common skin conditions:
Lessons Learned From Celebrities With Skin Problems
Want more HuffPost Style beauty content? Check us out on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram. (For everything else check out our main HuffPost Style Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram @HuffPostStyle.)
---
Do you have a beauty story idea or tip? Email us at beautytips@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)