Professional Foundation Tips for Different Skin Conditions

Skin conditions like acne scarring, melasma, rosacea and stretch marks are no fault of your own, which can make them more frustrating to deal with. Even if you’re following the advice of a dermatologist, it can take time to see visible improvement—and you may need a little help in the coverage department while you wait. Dermablend is the #1 dermatologist recommended coverage brand, and these professional makeup artist suggestions will set you up for coverage success, no matter which skin condition you’re looking to camouflage.

Acne scarring

There are several different types of acne scars, and you may (or may not) be experiencing active breakouts as well. These are all factors to consider when selecting the ideal combination of primer and foundation for your coverage needs.

Prime

Oily and combination skin with depressed acne scars and/or visible pores is the perfect candidate for a silicone-based primer that helps blur and smooth skin texture to minimize imperfections. Dermablend’s Poresaver Matte Makeup Primer does just this, and the non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic formula won’t make breakouts worse.

If you have dry skin (naturally or caused by topical acne treatments) along with acne scarring, a hydrating primer is essential for keeping coverage looking fresh and even. This scenario also calls for flexible “grip” and skin-conditioning that helps smooth the texture transition between dry areas, scarring and active blemishes. Insta-Grip Jelly Primer features glycerin to hydrate by attracting water to the skin as panthenol helps condition the skin and provide the grip that helps makeup stay put.

Cover

When trying to cover different textures, such as acne scarring and active blemishes, you need a product that provides smooth, even coverage. “Long-wear” formulas that offer hydration are best for these situations.

Dermablend’s Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer serves up 24-hour hydration with vegetable glycerin, along with a waterproof, transfer- and smudge-resistant finish that also lasts for up to 24 hours. Pro-Tip: Dot concealer on acne scarring before applying foundation—and do not blend. Allow it to dry down, then gently buff the edges. Press foundation on top with a firm brush or beauty sponge. (Don’t use swiping or circular motions as this will disturb the concealer beneath.)

Melasma

When you have stubborn dark patches on your cheeks, forehead, upper lip or anywhere else for that matter, you can cover these areas while allowing your natural skin to shine through.

Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer gets the job done in one coat, so there’s no need to build or layer to achieve more even skin tone. This creamy, hydrating formula allows you to apply coverage just where you need it—and it melts into the skin as you blend it out.

Covering melasma is just one piece of the puzzle, and this skin condition requires ongoing maintenance in the form of daily sun protection and ingredients that help protect skin from the environmental damage that contributes to the development of dark patches. Fortunately, Dermablend’s Continuous Correction CC Cream does it all. Offering lightweight yet full coverage, broad-spectrum SPF 50+ and a blend of potent antioxidants, this multi-tasking CC cream has been clinically shown to improve skin radiance after four weeks*.

Rosacea

Gentle skincare that respects the skin barrier is essential for soothing symptoms of rosacea, and makeup can help minimize the look of redness and flushing while promoting skin health. Choosing products that are fragrance-free (instead of just non-scented), dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested and sensitive skin-tested is key. Daily broad-spectrum SPF should also be a staple in any rosacea routine, and Dermablend offers an array of primers, coverage and setting products that tick these boxes.

Whether your rosacea-prone skin is dry or oily, it can benefit from extra hydration that reinforces the skin barrier to help defend against external aggressors. Insta-Grip Jelly Primer is formulated with vegetable glycerin, a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin. Offering up to 24 hours of hydration, simply press this primer onto the skin and wait for the sticky texture to “dry down” before applying makeup.

When it comes to dry, rosacea-prone skin, Dermablend’s Smooth Liquid Camo provides long-lasting buildable coverage, up to 24 hours of hydration thanks to vegetable glycerin and broad-spectrum SPF 25 to help minimize flare-ups. Pro-Tip: For optimal results, apply Smooth Liquid Camo in swipes over the entire face and allow it to sit for a few seconds before blending with your fingertips.

For oily, rosacea-prone skin, Flawless Creator provides lightweight coverage and oil control with high-performance pigments—and just 10 other ingredients. This minimalist formula supports rosacea-prone skin by limiting the skin’s exposure to potential irritants like fragrance, sodium lauryl sulfate and menthol. Pro-Tip: This versatile oil-free and water-free foundation can be used on its own for more complete coverage, or mixed with moisturizer to create a customized skin tint.

Stretch marks

Did you know that you can enjoy the skin-perfecting benefits of foundation from head to toe? You can, but the secret is a lightweight, hydrating formula that offers smudge- and transfer-resistant wear. Featuring buildable high-performance pigments that allows you to choose between a sheer tint or more opaque coverage, Dermablend’s buildable Leg and Body Makeup has the power to camouflage the texture and color of stretch marks—and the sodium hyaluronate-infused formula eliminates the need to prep the skin with moisturizer or primer. In most cases, one layer is all it takes for stretch marks, veins and discoloration, while up to three layers can provide full coverage for tattoos, burns and birth marks. Pro-Tip: Setting with Dermablend’s Original Loose Setting Powder locks coverage in place for up to 16 hours.