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Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
Rosacea is tricky. It can look like acne, feel like an allergic reaction, and in some cases, it can cause painful flare-ups. “Rosacea is an inflammatory disease that involves multiple ideologies starting with certain skin types that are more susceptible,” says Dr. Orit Markowitz, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. Flare-ups of rosacea include redness, red bumps, visible blood vessels, and swollen skin.
Because of the complexity of rosacea and the variety of flare-ups, it can be challenging to find products that’ll work for your skin. “People with rosacea can certainly wear makeup, but with their skin being more sensitive, gentler products that aren’t aggravating are most important,” says Markowitz. Foundations, in this case, shouldn’t just cover and conceal, but should also feel comfortable, provide anti-inflammatory benefits, and neutralize redness seamlessly.
Ahead, the best foundations for rosacea available now.
Best Overall
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
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Matte, natural finish
Wide shade range
A little goes a long way
Long-wearing
No SPF
What do buyers say? 16,700+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
For that coveted soft-focus finish, I always look to this long-lasting foundation. Plus, it's medium- to full-coverage, so you can customize your look to your exact preference. While I love to apply with my fingers, a beauty sponge is best for getting those hard-to-reach spots.
Price at time of publish: $39
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 50 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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What Our Testers Say
“The oil-free formula evened out my skin, kept my T-zone matte, and the shade matched my skin tone seamlessly.” — Bianca Lambert, Product Tester
Best Budget
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup SPF 20
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Amazon
Inexpensive
Lightweight
Velvety finish
SPF 20
Not many deep shades
Infused with antioxidants like vitamin E, feverfew, and natural soy, this foundation glides on like a dream and works to improve your skin's tone and texture while it sits. Users describe it as lightweight with satiny coverage. For best results, use a dense blending brush to apply it onto the skin.
Price at time of publish: $13
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 13 | Finish: Satin | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Redness
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
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Macy's
Weightless texture
Skin looks dewy
Buildable
Shade looks a bit deeper when dry
I like to call this beloved foundation the OG color-corrector. Not only is it a buildable and full-coverage formula, but it also provides major sun protection with SPF 50, locks in moisture with hyaluronic acid, and encourages visible elasticity with collagen.
Price at time of publish: $44
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 12 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Byrdie / Tembe Denton-Hurst
Best Long-Wearing
Dermablend Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation
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Courtesy of Ulta
Smooth finish
Blends into skin seamlessly
Covers everything yet looks natural
SPF 25
Can be a little watery
A smooth finish is totally achievable—as long as you have this hard-working foundation in your arsenal. Get the coverage you want—even over uneven textures or tones—with this 16-hour formula that resists smudging and transferring. And while it works to give you a seamless complexion, the result still ends up looking natural.
Price at time of publish: $38
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 15 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Texture
Becca Cosmetics Ultimate Coverage 24 Hour Foundation
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Sephora
Long-wearing
Smooth, matte finish
Layers well over and underneath other products
Can feel heavy on the face
Creamy and decadent are two words I’d use to describe this rich formula. It provides around-the-clock coverage and deters everything from humidity to sweat. What reviewers love most is that although the texture is velvety, it’s not at all thick, and blends well over uneven areas, redness, and acne. The best part? It feels virtually weightless.
Price at time of publish: $8
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 7 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Byrdie / Khera Alexander
What Our Testers Say
"After wearing it for several hours, the 24 Hour Foundation stayed put without any discoloration, accentuating textured areas of my skin, or looking dry because of its ability to keep my skin matte." —Khera Alexander, Product Tester
Best Shade Range
Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation
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UOMA Beauty
Sits well on the skin
Six different formulas to target varying skin needs
Inclusive shade range
Only comes in a matte finish
This award-winning foundation is a total game changer for anyone looking to mask redness and rosacea. The buildable, long-wear formula hydrates while delivering a second-skin matte finish that blurs and conceals imperfections like a pro. Plus, it’s available in a whopping 51 shades, so finding your perfect match is a breeze.
Price at time of publish: $39
Coverage: Adjustable | Shade Range: 51 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
“No matter your skin tone or type, the Uoma Beauty foundation can give you the customizable matte finish you've been looking for, all while wearing nicely throughout the day.” — Celeste Polanco, Product Tester
Runner-Up, Best Shade Range
NYX Professional Makeup Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation
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Ulta
Inclusive shade range
Inexpensive
Smooth, matte finish
Can be a little drying
With 45 shades, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding the right one for you. The formula is equal parts lightweight and pigmented, making it a great go-to for everyday wear or special occasions. Plus, it’s ideal for all skin types and doesn’t dry shiny.
Price at time of publish: $15
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 39 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Mature Skin
Doucce Cache Crème Satin Foundation
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Feels like silk
Moisturizing formula
Rich, creamy texture
Not a wide shade range
You’ll feel like you’ve turned the clocks back after applying this silky-smooth foundation. With full coverage, it helps to mask blemishes and redness—plus, it even helps to moisturize dry skin.
Price at time of publish: $42
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 13 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Matte Finish
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
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Courtesy of Walmart
Sweat-proof
Blurs pores
Inexpensive
Lightweight
Can oxidize
Sometimes, you want a completely matte complexion. And that’s exactly what you’ll get with this popular formula—a seamless, poreless look that’s water-resistant and lasts all day.
Price at time of publish: $14
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 22 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Dark Skin
AbsoluteJOI Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream with Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40
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SPF 40
Lightweight
No white cast
Not for full coverage
One part moisturizer and one part color, this SPF cream is non-greasy and delivers a sheer and even finish. I love the non-irritating and mineral-based formula—but the best part, by far, is that it doesn’t leave a white cast.
Price at time of publish: $42
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: 2 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Medium Skin
Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream
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Ulta
SPF 25
Water-resistant
Hydrating formula
Expensive
Want your skin to look like your skin? Reviewers love how natural this foundation looks on medium skin tones and how well it covers problem spots, including uneven texture. Plus, the formula doesn’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles.
Price at time of publish: $52
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 10 | Finish: Satin | Size: 1.7 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Full-Coverage
Burt's Bees Goodness Glows Full Coverage Liquid Makeup
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Courtesy of Ulta
Makes skin glow
Reasonably priced
Inclusive shade range
Byrdie Clean
Could be more long-wearing
Meadowfoam seed oil is the star ingredient in this ultra-moisturizing liquid foundation. Users not only love the full coverage, but they loved how natural and glowy their skin looked after the application. You won’t find any cakey-ness here.
Price at time of publish: $17
Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 8 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Our favorite foundation for rosacea is the Becca Cosmetics Ultimate Coverage 24 Hour Foundation, thanks to its 24-hour staying power. Following close behind are color-correcting IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ for its youthful finish, and the heavy-duty formula of Dermablend's Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation.
What to Look For in a Foundation for Rosacea
Texture
“People with rosacea should stay away from thinner formulations,” says Dr. Markowitz. These are products that are more alcohol or gel-based because they tend to cause flare-ups. “Go with richer-textured formulations,” she suggests.
Ingredients
Depending on your needs, additional ingredients may be beneficial for you. SPF should be high on your list of needs, given sun exposure can trigger flare-ups, says Dr. Markowitz. Moisturizers like hyaluronic acid are also helpful in keeping your skin feeling comfortable. Soothing ingredients like licorice root extract can be exceptionally nourishing and calming.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Syden Abrenica has years of experience in the editorial beauty industry. She’s written for magazines like Health, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, and more. When she’s not interviewing dermatologists, she’s renovating her century-old home and watching Disney movies with her husband, son, and three rescue dogs.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough foundations for rosacea from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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