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What you do when you want to wear makeup, but your skin reacts badly?
Then you try one of the best foundations and concealers for sensitive skin.
How do you know which makeup is less likely to cause a problem?
Read the reviews below, and you’ll find out.
Contents
The first rule of thumb when choosing makeup for sensitive skin is to check the ingredients.
Unfortunately, the term “hypoallergenic” isn’t a guarantee that the product is safe (1).
Back in the 1970s, the FDA tried to hold cosmetic manufacturers accountable for using that label.
But the rule was overturned.
Nowadays, any manufacturer can say that their product is hypoallergenic without proving that it is.
On the other hand, they are required to publish the ingredients on the packaging.
If you take a couple of minutes to read them, you can guard yourself against the most common problems.
For example, fragrances are one of the most frequent causes of skin irritation (2).
I don’t mean perfume or cologne. Fragrances are what make the cosmetics smell nice. Even “unscented” makeup might have a scent that hides a chemical odor.
So, the number one way you can protect your skin is to avoid products with “fragrance” or “perfume” on the label.
Next, skip the anti-aging ingredients if you don’t need them. This includes retinol and salicylic acid.
Then, chemical sunscreen may also be a problem. Select a foundation and concealer without sunscreen or with a mineral sunscreen. You can always apply your own sunblock underneath.
What about powder foundations? Well, sometimes talc and mica can irritate sensitive skin.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for a foundation that’s water-based and oil-free. It’ll probably say, “non-comedogenic.”
Also, look for soothing ingredients like feverfew, licorice extract, lavender, and bisabolol.
Finally, you might get away with more if your skin is healthy and well-moisturized. This means that you might not have to give up your favorite brand, after all.
What is the best hypoallergenic makeup foundation?
Your dermatologist might recommend Cleure’s powder foundation. It’s made for very sensitive skin.
It’s free of talc, fragrances, gluten, dyes, bismuth oxychloride, and salicylates.
The foundation is rated as safe by the EWG Skin Deep Database and verified by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.
It’s made from crushed minerals like titanium dioxide, iron oxide, and zinc oxide. Therefore, it’s a natural sunscreen, too.
Regrettably, if you have dry skin, a powdered foundation may not be your first choice.
You may have heard that the best makeup brand for sensitive skin is Almay.
The company reports that its products are tested by dermatologists to be hypoallergenic and free of artificial fragrances.
Indeed, many users have nothing but good to say about this makeup.
(If you’re ever in doubt about a new product, test it on the inside of your arm and wait a day before you apply it to your face.)
The lightweight liquid foundation comes in six shades that adjust to different tones. It comes out of the bottle white but changes color as you smooth it on.
The coverage is buildable and provides SPF 20 sunscreen.
If you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, take a look at this foundation.
It has 2% salicylic acid to keep your pores clear.
It also sets to a soft matte finish that doesn’t cake.
Furthermore, it comes in fourteen shades.
Use this concealer with the foundation above to hide and clear up blemishes.
It has 1% salicylic acid to chase away pimples.
Plus, it comes in six shades.
Some call it the best drugstore foundation for sensitive skin. Others say it’s their favorite foundation for sensitive, oily skin.
In either case, it’s cheap!
It may not last all day, but it looks good while it lasts. It has lightweight coverage and a matte finish.
Covergirl promises that this anti-aging foundation is gentle enough for mature, sensitive skin. They say it will take five years off your looks.
Users say it provides medium coverage that feels weightless and doesn’t accentuate fine lines.
Everyone with sensitive skin has heard of Neutrogena.
Their Healthy Skin Liquid foundation filters out harmful UV rays with SPF 20 from minerals.
It has lightweight to medium coverage that brightens skin tone and smooths texture. There are a dozen shades for light to dark skin.
The combination of feverfew, soy, and vitamin E calm irritation and prevent premature aging. In fact, nearly 100% of the women who tested it said it improved their appearance.
Cover up those under-eye bags with Neutrogena’s concealer. It fixes puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles.
It also offers SPF 20 sunscreen.
One of the best foundations for sensitive skin with acne also comes from Neutrogena. It has salicylic acid to unclog pores and exfoliate dead skin.
Clinical trials reported that 100% of the women who tried it said it improved their complexions over time.
It’s oil-free, and it reduces shine on oily skin.
Choose from twelve shades that you can blend if you can’t find a perfect match.
Here’s a concealer that goes with the foundation above. It also has salicylic acid to clear up pimples and prevent acne.
On the downside, it comes in only four shades.
Let’s switch gears for a minute to full-coverage hypoallergenic makeup.
Dermacol was invented in Europe to help those with severe blemishes.
It’s waterproof and made for all skin types.
The formula has 50% pigment, which makes it fantastic for covering up all sorts of hyperpigmentation and even tattoos.
It even has sunscreen – SPF 30.
One of the best foundations for sensitive skin with rosacea isn’t a foundation at all. It’s a tinted moisturizer.
Rosacea tends to react badly to chemical sunscreen, fragrances, and also the weather. Each individual with this condition may have a different response to different ingredients.
But Physicians Formula gets kudos for developing makeup that usually doesn’t trigger rosacea or make sensitive eyes sting.
Just as important, this tinted moisturizer consists of 80% certified organic ingredients.
If you’re not worried about organic ingredients and you have hyperpigmentation, here is a color-correcting cream.
It’s a tinted moisturizer that evens out your skin tone. It also provides sunscreen and hydration.
Physicians Formula developed it by leaving out one-hundred-fifty irritants commonly found in skincare products.
This concealer goes along with either of the tinted moisturizers above. It lasts up to twelve hours while it hides scars, age spots, and under-eye circles.
For maximum endurance, set your makeup with a little powder.
The Effaclar BB cream can replace your foundation.
It soaks up oil all day long and makes your pores look invisible.
The manufacturer is a trusted name in skin care products. It’s a brand that’s often recommended by dermatologists to those with sensitive skin.
Here’s an option if you have sensitive, dry skin. The Rosaliac CC cream protects rosacea-prone skin and disguises the redness.
It has lightweight coverage and provides moisture as well.
Dermablend makes more than one kind of foundation. I selected the liquid one in the bottle because it’s a bit more sanitary than the creamy one in a jar.
Can you believe that this stuff only has ten ingredients in it?
It’s so concentrated with pigment that it provides excellent coverage. And it doesn’t even have water or oil in it. Just be sure to shake it before you use it.
Last year, Allure gave it a Best of Beauty Award. It’s definitely one to consider if you have significant blemishes to disguise.
Grab this concealer to go along with the foundation above. It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and tested against common allergens.
Although it’s free of phthalates and parabens, it does contain mineral oil and talc.
Do you have oily sensitive skin? This powder foundation is free of toxic ingredients. It won’t clog pores or make you itchy.
It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
While you wear it, it supplies SPF 15 sunscreen. Choose from four shades, from light to dark.
BaeBlu’s LUX Foundation is comprised of organic and natural ingredients with no artificial preservatives, gluten, fragrances, or dyes. It’s made in the USA, too.
This is a company that upgraded their packaging to use recycled and recyclable materials.
Select from sixteen shades that adjust to your natural skin tone. Although the liquid feels very lightweight, the coverage is buildable.
Users, both old and young, rave about this foundation. Some recommend ordering a shade or two darker than what you would normally use.
The BaeBlu concealer is vegan and cruelty-free. It has no gluten, artificial colors, fragrances, or preservatives.
It’s not based on water. Instead, the first ingredient is castor seed oil. You’d be surprised how healthy that is for your skin. It can reduce acne, for one.
That’s why when you use the concealer to cover up a zit; you’re actually treating the blemish.
Vichy’s Dermafinish is the makeup that your dermatologist might recommend. It won’t make sensitive eyes sting, and it’s safe for contact lens wearers.
The high-coverage finish lasts throughout the day without looking caked-on. And the sunscreen comes from minerals, not chemicals.
Cover up those pesky blemishes with a concealer that won’t make your skin react.
It lasts up to 14 hours.
The main downside is that it’s only available in light to medium skin tones.
Clinique’s Even Better foundation is made for dry to oily skin. It has medium to full coverage and SPF 15 sunscreen.
Now, this is a product that doesn’t specifically say it’s for sensitive skin. But many users have sworn by it for years.
The brand itself has a reputation for developing hypoallergenic makeup. Moreover, some dermatologists recommend them for this very reason.
bareMinerals is best known for its powder foundation, but it’s hard to resist this lightweight cream.
Complexion Rescue is a tinted moisturizer free of irritants like chemical sunscreen, mineral oil, talc, gluten, phthalates, parabens, fragrances, and formaldehyde.
It offers sheer to medium coverage to enhance your natural beauty.
Apply the bareMinerals concealer for up to 16 hours of full coverage. It sets to a matte finish and won’t crease.
It’s free of talc, tree nuts, and artificial fragrances, and it’s waterproof, too.
Someone asked me, “Is tarte foundation good for sensitive skin?”
I did a little research and discovered that it could be. It just depends on what you’re sensitive to.
For example, it’s free of mineral oil, gluten, and parabens. Some users with acne say that it doesn’t make them break out.
Also, it’s a fan favorite because it’s creamy and easy to blend.
You can boost your natural beauty with the right foundation and concealer.
I hope you found what you need for your sensitive skin today.
If you discovered a new makeup that respects your skin and makes you feel beautiful, let us know about it in the comments below.
Sources:
1. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling-claims/hypoallergenic-cosmetics
2. https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/ingredients-that-irritate-sensitive-skin/ by Anne L. Fritz, published January 10, 2014, accessed December 13, 2019
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