Almost everyone suffers from a bit of facial redness now and again.

Whether you are a sensitive, fair-skinned red head with splotchiness, or have rosacea, acne or even a sunburn, sometimes, no matter what we do to alleviate red tones in our skin, they stubbornly persist.

Does facial redness have you feeling a little flushed? Whether it’s rosacea, irritation, or just a natural flush, a little redness is totally normal—but sometimes, you just want a more even complexion. The good news? You can easily neutralize redness with the right techniques and products. Let’s dive into three simple steps to help you achieve a calm, even-toned look.

The 3 Steps To Cover Facial Redness

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Before reaching for makeup, start with a soothing skincare routine. Redness can often be exacerbated by irritation, so choosing gentle, hydrating products is key.

• Hydrate: Apply a calming moisturizer with ingredients like aloe, chamomile, or niacinamide to soothe redness.

• Protect: Always finish with a mineral sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) to shield sensitive skin from UV rays, which can worsen redness. Look for formulas with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for the best protection.

• Prime: A color-correcting primer with a slight green tint can help neutralize redness before you even apply foundation. This gives your skin a smooth base and helps your makeup last longer.

Step 2: Neutralize with Color Corrector

Color correction is your best friend when it comes to reducing redness. On the color wheel, green and red sit directly opposite each other, which means they cancel each other out. This makes green the perfect shade to neutralize red tones in your skin.

• How to Apply: Dab a tiny amount of green corrector onto red areas—cheeks, nose, or wherever you need it.

• Blend Gently: Use your ring finger or a damp makeup sponge to softly tap and blend. Don’t rub, as this can irritate your skin.

• Why It Works: Since green is the complementary color to red, applying a green-tinted corrector over redness balances out the skin tone before adding foundation, giving you a more even base.

"I recently had a facial laser procedure, laser resurfacing, that left my skin very red. Like, really red. For months. I was told to use a popular creamy green Korean makeup to cover the redness. That product didn’t work at all for me - it kept separating and looked splotchy. I asked Lisa about her green concealer and after some trial and error, it worked really well for me. I mixed about 1 part green concealer to 3 parts foundation (in my Neutral 2 color). I then applied it with a damp sponge. This covered the redness enough that I could get away with zoom calls and errands. I would reapply frequently. Depending on what other products you put on in addition, like healing balms or sunscreen, you may need more trial and error. But this SBM green concealer definitely saved me from many moments of post-procedure embarrassment!" Alicia K. 

Step 3: Even Out with Foundation & Concealer

Once your redness is neutralized, it’s time to create a flawless finish.

• Choose the Right Foundation: Opt for a lightweight, buildable foundation that offers good coverage without feeling heavy. A mineral foundation is a great choice as it’s gentle on sensitive skin.

• Apply with Care: Use a soft brush or a sponge to press the foundation into the skin, rather than rubbing it on. This ensures even coverage and keeps your color correction in place.

• Set for Staying Power: A light dusting of translucent setting powder helps keep everything in place for all-day wear.

Final Touches

• Add a touch of cream blush in a neutral or peachy shade for a fresh, natural look.

• Avoid overly warm or red-toned blushes, which can bring redness back to the forefront.

• Finish with a hydrating setting spray to lock in your look and add a healthy glow.

Want to explore skin-loving makeup options? Check out our gentle, redness-friendly mineral makeup to find your perfect match!

Shop This Look

Green Concealer and Color Corrector	Mineral Foundation	Warm Matte Finish Powder
Powder Buffer Brush	Perfect Concealer Brush	Mini Fluff Brush