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When you try to create the perfect makeup, redness, and acne are two of the most common issues that get in the way. You apply 3 coats of foundation only to find out that your acne looks redder than ever. When covering redness, rosacea, or acne, a full-coverage foundation may not always mean “full-coverage”. That’s why there are primers that are capable of covering any discolorations on the face, including redness. Before getting into the best primers for redness, let’s brush up on the basics of color-correcting.
How does color correcting work?
Most of us found out about color correcting in the context of makeup. But actually, there’s some solid science behind color-correcting (it even involves Newton!). Makeup artists got the inspiration from the color theory and applied it to makeup to tackle covering discolorations.
Simply put, the opposite colors on the color wheel cancel each other out. It means that you can use certain colors to neutralize other colors. In the case of redness, you use green to cover and color correct redness.
What are the benefits of using a color correcting primer?
Primers come with a lot of benefits. First of all, they make your makeup last longer. They also decrease the number of makeup products you may need to use. For example, if you prime your face properly, you may not have to use finishing powder or a setting spray.
Or you don’t have to wear too much foundation just to cover pigmentations. As color-correcting primers go, they neutralize any discoloration and even out your skin tone, giving you the perfect canvas. Using a makeup primer isn’t essential, but it certainly makes things easier.
The Best Primers For Redness
1. Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30
This primer by Dr. Jart is a multitasker when dealing with redness. It treats redness on the face and works as a primer, a CC cream, and an SPF at the same time. It’s a slightly thick green-tinted cream that evens out the skin tone beautifully. It covers all acne-related redness and rosacea.
You can even skip foundation and just put on some blush and you’re good to go! It contains a lot of anti-inflammatory plant extracts including raspberry. And it has niacinamide, which is calming and restoring for the skin. But most importantly, it contains tiger grass, aka Centella Asiatica, which is known to calm irritated skin instantly.
That way, it reduces the look of redness by actually treating it. Additionally, it has SPF 30 in it to provide daily sun protection, which is super important for people with rosacea. With or without foundation, this one is perfect for creating an even complexion.
SEE THE FULL REVIEW: Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass CC Treatment SPF 30
2. Erborian CC Red Correct SPF 25
This color-correcting SPF primer contains antioxidant plant extracts with soothing benefits. It has a beautiful radiant finish as well. The fact that it also moisturizes the skin makes it perfect for people with dry skin.
It’s a simple but effective makeup primer that conceals any redness. And it gives daily sun protection with SPF 25. Use it with a dewy foundation to create the perfect dewy look.
3. Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Face Primer
When dealing with redness, it’s always better to have some skin-soothing goodies in your primer too. That way, you don’t just cover redness but also get rid of it to a certain extent. For that reason, the new Smashbox Anti-Redness Primer contains some amazing anti-inflammatories like berry extracts, vitamin E, and caffeine.
The primer is not silicone-free but not heavily silicone-y either. It’s lightweight, applies easily, and neutralizes redness as you work it into the skin. And it has a natural, matte finish and doesn’t look patchy either.
4. BareMinerals Blemish Rescue Skin Clearing Anti-Redness Mattifying Primer
Anti-Redness Primer is perfect for covering redness and acne when you have oily skin. It reduces the shine and evens out your skin tone with mineral pigments. With white clay, it manages excess oil and blurs out the look of enlarged pores.
It calms irritated skin and prevents skin flushes with chamomile. Additionally, it protects the skin with anti-bacterial goodies like sulfur. This non-comedogenic primer is the best one for oily and acne-prone skin to cover redness, acne, and pores.
5. Nyx Studio Perfect Color Correcting Primer in Green
This one is a great drugstore primer for redness. It’s lightweight and applies easily. It has a natural finish that provides full coverage for blurring out texture and canceling out redness and rosacea. This budget-friendly green-tinted primer makes makeup application super smooth and helps your foundation last longer.
Read Next: The Best Skincare Products For Redness and Rosacea
