Green-Tinted Makeup Primers For Redness & Rosacea

Best Primers For Redness

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Redness, whether it’s caused by acne or rosacea, is a common issue that gets in the way of creating a perfect makeup base. You apply your foundation only to realize that your underlying redness shows through and your acne bumps look bigger than ever.

So when covering redness, rosacea, or acne, a full-coverage foundation may not always give you full coverage. But that’s what primers are for! They can help cover any discolorations on the face, including redness. Before getting into the best primers for redness and rosacea, 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 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 but just enough to cover hyperpigmentation.

As color-correcting primers go, they neutralize discolorations and even out your skin tone, giving you the perfect canvas.

Because of how multi-tasking they are, primers are among the best makeup products for people with rosacea and redness.

Best Primers For Redness and Rosacea

1. Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 - Best Primers For Redness

This is a multi-tasker that helps with redness in so many ways. It works as a primer, a CC cream, a foundation, and an SPF at the same time. It’s a slightly thick green-tinted cream that evens out the skin tone beautifully, neutralizing any redness. It covers all acne-related redness and rosacea much like a foundation. It contains anti-inflammatory 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.

Finish: Matte
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Mineral SPF

Read the Full Review: Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass CC Treatment SPF 30

2. Erborian CC Red Correct SPF 25

Erborian CC Red Correct SPF 25 - Best Primer For Redness and Rosacea

This is actually the closest alternative to Dr. Jart’s formula in that this is also green-tinted and instantly neutralizes redness. 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.

Finish: Radiant
Size: 1.5 oz/45 ml
Good To Know: Dermatologically-tested

3. Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Face Primer

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. It has a natural, matte finish and doesn’t look patchy either.

Finish: Natural
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

4. BareMinerals Prime Time Redness Reducing Primer

BareMinerals Prime Time Redness Reducing Primer

This 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.

Finish: Natural
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan

5. Nyx Studio Perfect Color Correcting Primer in Green

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.

Finish: Natural
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan

So these are the best primers for redness and rosacea. I can swear by Dr. Jart’s formula because it’s not only an amazing green-tinted primer, but it also helps redness-prone, rosacea skin in a ton of ways.

If you’re also on the lookout for base makeup, no worries. I’ve got my amazing tried and true recommendations for foundations for rosacea. If you need less coverage and more skincare benefits, remember to check out these tinted moisturizers for rosacea.

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for here, here’s how to choose a primer for redness and rosacea.

What to Look For in Primers For Redness and Rosacea

Look for green-tinted primers as they color-correct and neutralize redness on the skin. Most of them contain soothing ingredients to calm the skin as well.

Green primers are for canceling redness. But it’s not the only issue we deal with. If you’re looking to get a smooth base and blur out skin texture issues like pores too, look for silicones in your primer.

Avoid irritants such as high-concentration fragrance or essential oils. Most of the time, your redness is a result of irritation, a rosacea flare-up, or acne. There’s no reason to aggravate it by using irritating makeup products.

How to Apply Primer on Rosacea Skin

Step 1: Apply Skincare

First of all, skin prep is everything! Wash your face, pat it dry, and start with a good skincare routine. Apply your toner and serum and wait for your skin to absorb. As the last step, apply your moisturizer and if it’s daytime, apply your sunscreen. Let your skin absorb and dry before moving on to makeup.

Step 2: Use Pea-Sized Amount

If you apply too much primer, your skin will look discolored and it will affect your finished look. If you use too little, it won’t be enough to neutralize redness. So get a pea-sized amount of your primer. Starting from your cheeks and using your fingers, gently blend the primer into the skin, creating an even layer.

Step 3: Apply Only Where Needed

You don’t need to apply primer all over your face. Either apply it on the center of the face, such as the cheeks, chin, and center of the forehead or only apply it where necessary. For example, you can use a green-tinted primer only on red areas like a spot concealer. For me, that’s usually my cheeks and that’s it.

Step 4: Give It a Minute

Let your primer settle down and dry on your skin before moving on to makeup application. If you don’t, your primer might end up pilling and rubbing off your skin.

Read Next: Best Skincare Products For Rosacea

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