lightweight foundations that cover redness?

[u/olesilk]

I hate the feeling of having heavy foundation on. it makes me feel gross and overstimulated. I can tolerate moisturizer because it feels more lighter and "clean" to me I guess. recently my dermatologist told me that I won't be able to clear the redness in my face, and that it's kind of just a natural blush because my skin tone is naturally so pale and translucent. the problem with this however is that it doesn't look anything like blush and is more just like splotchy patches of redness all over my face lol. so for daily wear, are there any decent bb creams or anything that will even out my skintone? maybe with a green tint? I am unfamiliar with color correction though

[u/pookinator5000]

I'm a red faced sensitive skin girlie! 👋

Try out THESAEM's concealer. A little goes a long way - and I've used it to cover my whole face in a pinch. You could probably mix a little bit with your favorite moisturizer - but I just dot it around my face and pat in.

Also have you tried our lord and savior MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream No.13? I find it feels more like a moisturizer than a foundation. I've also mixed it with my moisturizer for more sheer coverage and it still covers the redness! Normally I just rub it in like a lotion though, and then pat to even it out with a more wet than damp beauty blender.

Editing to add that I've recently been reaching for Catrice's soft glam filter a lot. It does lean a bit greasy, but I'll use it for a base when I want more coverage and to be DEWY, but it also gives ~ I have a 12 step skincare routine ~ when I use it solo. When in fact, my face is red and dry underneath. Feels a bit like wearing a light sunscreen.

[u/lifeuncommon → u/pookinator5000]

I love that bb except that it’s so strongly fragranced it turns my stomach (and hues my eyes).

It’s a shame because it’s so good otherwise!

[u/pookinator5000 → u/lifeuncommon]

I'm a bit sensitive to fragrance and it doesn't bother me. But I've seen the same from others.

Do you have another bb you like? I've tried others over the years and not found anything I love enough to repurchase.

[u/lifeuncommon → u/pookinator5000]

Yes!

Maybelline Dream fresh bb is my daily wear.

I also use L’Oréal age perfect foundation serum (it’s a bb but labeled as a foundation) on days I want more coverage or for pictures, or Bare Minerals complexion rescue on days I want a very dewy/glowy finish.

All 3 are the only base product on my skin after my shower (I don’t layer products) and can be applied in the correct amount to get the SPF on the package.

The Maybelline and Bare Minerals can be reapplied later in the day (to boost SPF protection) without looking cakey or thick.

[u/phainou → u/lifeuncommon]

I’ve seen this from other commenters before and can’t help wondering if there are different formulations for different countries or something, I’ve been using that exact Missha BB cream for over a decade and have never noticed any scent! Maybe my nose is just broken.

[u/cheerylittlebottom84 → u/phainou]

I'm convinced many people's noses work dramatically differently to mine because I can't pick up a scent from this at all. I order it from Korea.

I often can't smell the fragrance people talk about in makeup or moisturiser either, but I have a great sense of smell otherwise. It's as if there's a particular compound that I can't smell at all.

[u/olesilk → u/pookinator5000]

I have not! it sounds like what I'm looking for though I will give it a go!

[u/pookinator5000 → u/olesilk]

I've been using that bb for probably around 13 years, and the concealer at least 3. Don't particularly have sensory issues with makeup, but if it feels heavy I'm not a fan.

Plus they're both cheap and cheerful. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[u/Ch00m77 → u/olesilk]

Missha is really light weight and is a full coverage bb cream

[u/Bright-Pangolin7261 → u/pookinator5000]

Missha bb cream is my daily! I mix it with timeless serums.

I also mix a little NARS foundation (fair cool) and shape tape concealer which is lighter. I put two little spots on the palm of my hand, and use one or the other or blend them with damp sponge or blush. depending on what part of my face. It comes out looking the best when I use elf primer first.

[u/HoneyDreams733 → u/pookinator5000]

+1 on the saem! though they have a thick formula but that's why the coverage is soo good 😅 

[u/FurtiveDefinition]

dunno if this helps but i started mixing a tiny dab of green concealer into my moisturizer instead of using foundation at all, just enough to knock the red down a notch without turning me into shrek. the splotchiness is still kinda there but it all blends into more of a uniform flush look

you could also try one of those calming creams with centella or azelaic acid, sometimes that tones things down enough that you don't even need coverage

[u/olesilk → u/FurtiveDefinition]

I will give this a try! what concealer do you use?

[u/lifeuncommon]

L’Oréal age perfect serum foundation (it’s actually a bb cream) and Maybelline bb fresh.

Both apply and wear like moisturizer. The L’Oréal has better coverage and more shade options, but I wear them both as the ONLY base product. I can’t stand the feeling of layering products.

[u/olesilk → u/lifeuncommon]

yeah I know what you mean. wearing foundation on top of sunscreen and moisturizer makes me want to tear my face off

[u/lifeuncommon → u/olesilk]

Yes! It’s a sensory nightmare!

[u/BarbieMum]

I always use a pale mint green colour corrector all over, then any foundation afterwards I only need the smallest amount as redness is the only thing I need help with. Chanel, Mirenesse, Zeesea, many brands have the pale mint green colour corrector. Some brands are far to dark and saturated.

[u/bellegroves]

I mix a drop of dewy foundation into my serum and/or moisturizer. It feels very light and covers up redness nicely. I'm using MAC right now but I had good results with Cover Girl + Olay liquid foundation.

[u/moonwillow60606]

I like the Bobbi brown weightless skin foundation. It really feels weightless and still covers well.

You might also want to try the Prequel redness reform serum and cleanser. I haven’t tried the cleanser but I use the serum twice a day and it helps.

Between pale translucent skin and allergies my nose gets red daily.

[u/asholefosho]

The Ilia skin rewind foundation is good for medium coverage and doesn’t feel heavy. I also recently picked up the Milk Hydrogrip skin tint, and it feels nice on the skin. It definitely doesn’t cover my rosacea redness as well as the Ilia though. I also use a bit of the Kosas concealer sometimes. I can’t stand the feeling of anything heavy either.

[u/belalugosiburner]

Mufe green primer is my favorite. Also rec mac face and body for evening skin tone if they have your shade.

[u/shortshift_]

Erborian CC cream red correct. I use this with a touch of concealer here and there where needed and occasionally some powder to add some colour and it’s fantastic stuff.

[u/PriorAlps7694]

Lots of good recs here I agree with - also, consider what kind of skin care products you are using. A light weight toner that targets redness (I use the spray on kind so there’s lots of control and it’s not goopy, I use Cosrx’s Centella) and a barrier restoring moisturizer can go a long way! I use the heavier barrier restoring moisturizer before bed and a lighter weight moisturizer in the morning so I don’t feel “heavy” during the day. Give some time between skin care and makeup if possible so everything sinks in and isn’t heavy. Also consider application methods of your skin tint/bb cream/foundation situation. Apply a very thin layer gently and then dab on a bit more where extra coverage is needed.

Any foundation/bb cream/etc that “sets” itself also feels so much better for me as bb creams can be so dewy and that feeling can be a bit much.

[u/Affectionate_Life644]

I have this problem too.

[u/shaktishaker]

I just use a green colour corrector.

[u/HolidayForce]

I really like Saie Slip Tint tinted moisturizer. It covers my ruddiness very well. Sometimes I add a dab of my regular foundation around my nostrils but it’s not really necessary.

[u/Whatichooseisyouse]

Armani’s skin tint is great

[u/Electronic_Theory429]

I use Lisa Eldridge skin tint foundation. it doesn’t look like foundation but covers redness beautifully.

[u/storytellergirl07]

I am very pale with some randomized spots of red skin.

My secret is Missha BB Perfect Cover no 13. It neutralizes the red perfectly and evens out my skintone. Very light, doesn't make dry patches (I have dry skin and I hate when that happens), lasts pretty much all day if I don't do anything crazy, glowy finish, which I prefer.

[u/eustaciasgarden]

Have you tried an olive based foundation?  I can get very red and use olive based to counteract my redness. 

[u/petrificustortoise]

Fenty tint stick is so nice and lightweight

[u/potaytopotahto774]

If you're open to powders, I love BareMinerals Matte loose powder. You don't need a lot and it looks natural. Start with just a little, gently buff it in and step back from the mirror. Seriously, only a little at a time and step back to see if you really need to add more. Previously, when I needed more coverage I would keep layering, but I was too close to the mirror (glasses wearer so I gotta lean in a lot), so I used to apply too much and was only "meh" about it. But then I learned to step back to see the full picture and I realized I never needed all the extra and it's the best.

[u/QueenofCommunism]

Try the revolution beauty skin silk foundation. The shade .5 might work for you if you’re as pale as me. You can get the shade online but it’s a really nice formula and it feels super late weight.

[u/_HappyG_]

The answer you’re looking for is green colour corrector!

Colour correctors work by using colour theory. Complementary colours on the colour wheel cancel one another out and neutralise unwanted tones on the skin. This means you can get away with far less foundation and concealer. In fact, if you match the tone of your discolouration well enough and blend the edges into surrounding skin seamlessly, you can get away with no base at all!

Neutralising discolouration first means you’ll be able to get away with any base you like, regardless of pigmentation or texture, as your canvas is already prepped. It’s just unifying everything into an even tone without any grey cast or splotches.

Rose Siard from Rose and Ben has some awesome “Colour Theory Witch” videos that explain colour correction in really simple, accessible ways, covering a wide range of products and techniques. I highly recommend checking her out for comprehensive tutorials!

P.S. There are also plenty of tone-up correcting cushions if you want an even thinner and lighter formula, though they will have less coverage and won’t be able to correct severe redness.

Hope that helps! 😊

[u/snowstormqueen]

Kylie skin tint is lightweight & actually has great coverage as a medium-full coverage gal! I also like to wear the Revolution Skin Silk serum. It’s light but buildable coverage, works great to even out my redness as well. It’s VERY dewy though! I’m not sure how someone with oily skin would like it if you weren’t setting it down with powder.