When you have a rosacea flare-up, the first thing you probably want to do is hide. You should not feel like you need to put your life on hold. If you know the tricks and the kinds of makeup to apply, you can cover up your rosacea so no one will have to know. Your doctor can help you to treat your rosacea, but makeup can give an instant boost to your self-confidence.

Cleanse Properly

Before you apply any makeup, you need to make sure you are cleansing your face properly and gently enough. You should choose a cleanser and moisturizer that doesn’t contain ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin, such as alcohol, according to MayoClinic.com. Choose a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin. When you are cleansing your face, be gentle. Gently pat your skin instead of rubbing it, for example. Use soft towels and washcloths rather than ones that are abrasive.

Use Gentle Products

People with rosacea should use sunscreen; too much sun is one of the most common triggers for a rosacea flare-up, according to the National Rosacea Society. Choose a sunscreen that has UVA and UVB protection. The fewer ingredients you use, the better. Try to get combination products whenever possible. Maybe you can find a moisturizer or a makeup base that also contains a sunscreen, combining two products into one. To make sure that a particular product won’t irritate you, test the product first on your arm or neck before applying it to your face. If the product burns or stings at all, don’t use it.

Green-Tinted Primer

Just before you put on your makeup, put on a green-tinted primer as your makeup base to correct the redness and even out your skin tone. If your moisturizer doesn’t have sunscreen, get a makeup base that does. You can use concealer, instead of–or in addition to–the green-tinted primer. Choose an antibacterial brush to apply it, recommends the National Rosacea Society.

Use Brushes

When you apply your foundation, it is a good idea to use an antibacterial brush to reduce the irritation. Sponges can be too harsh for sensitive skin, and fingertips can add too much oil to your face. You can use liquid or powder foundation. To use a brush with liquid foundation, apply the foundation to the back of your hand, dip the brush in and smooth the brush over your face. You typically use a brush with powder foundation, anyway, so that doesn’t change. You should clean your brush between each use.

Mineral Makeup

Mineral makeup is a good choice for people with rosacea. This type of makeup is usually free of irritants; some formulas are designed specifically to correct redness. Choose one that has a yellow tone. You probably will want to go easy on the blush and use a sheer formula for sensitive skin. If you have watery or sensitive eyes that go along with your rosacea, be gentle with your eye makeup, too. Mineral eye makeup in neutral tones is the least irritating for sensitive eyes. Choose mascara and liners that are easy to remove. Lipsticks are easy. Just remember to avoid bright red because that can call attention to any red in your face.

Photo Credit

• applying male-up image by IKO from Fotolia.com