How Experts Recommend Soothing and Applying Makeup on Inflamed Skin for a Flawless Finish

Inflamed or irritated skin is one of the most common skin problems we encounter after a fun summer in the sun. It’s also one of the hardest problems to treat, especially if you’re not sure what’s causing itchy, itchy, or rough skin. Fortunately, a quick visit to your dermatologist will help you find the right treatment to return your skin to its clear, radiant glow. However, the healing process often takes time—and that’s not always in your favor. While it might seem like a no-brainer to cover redness and dry patches with makeup, using the wrong products or techniques can actually make the problem worse.

It goes without saying that it’s important to choose makeup and skincare that complement each other to help keep blemishes at bay while giving your skin a chance to heal and regenerate. But if this sounds like a lot of work to you, don’t worry. We asked Nicole Akers, VP Education & Development, SkinCeuticals, and Rachel Short, VP Education & Training, Dermablend, as well as top dermatologists and skincare experts, to break us down and give us their top tips on how to put your skin at ease with irritated skin and makeup.

What is skin inflammation?

Redness, swelling, tenderness, and warmth are telltale signs of inflamed skin, says Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. While genetics and certain chronic diseases make some people more susceptible to various inflammatory diseases, says Dr. King also noted that a number of factors can cause irritation or trigger inflammation. “For example, diet and hormone levels can affect acne, while everything from weather to skin care can affect eczema and rosacea. Illness or stress can trigger psoriasis, and environmental exposures can lead to allergic or irritant contact dermatitis. All of these are It’s about inflammation,” explains Dr. King

The appearance of inflamed skin may also vary depending on the cause of the inflammation, Dr. adds. King added. Acne is characterized by red and tender bumps that can also be cystic, while rosacea flare-ups “usually present with redness, sometimes with bumps, swelling, and a burning or warming sensation,” she explained. Inflammation from eczema or seborrhea, on the other hand, is often more chronic and associated with dryness and flaking. “In allergic contact dermatitis, such as poison ivy, acute inflammation can manifest as juicy, fluid-filled bumps that itch and sting,” adds Dr. King added.

How Can Makeup Affect Inflamed Skin?

In general, inflamed skin should be stripped of makeup to “allow the skin to breathe and heal from the source of the inflammation,” says board-certified dermatologist Debra Jaliman, assistant professor of dermatology at Monte Icahn School of Medicine. Sinai Peninsula. Akers agrees, adding, “Putting makeup on irritated skin can make it look like it’s going to disappear because the skin doesn’t appear to be in the state it needs to be in its own balance.” Congestion can also occur, leaving the skin feeling uncomfortable. More sensitivity, nervousness or discomfort, she added. That’s why using the right beauty products is critical, says Short. “Depending on the formulation, cosmetics may irritate or soothe the skin,” she explains.

“If you have irritated skin, avoid products that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids like retinoic acid or tretinoin,” says board-certified dermatologist Janet Prystowsky, because These ingredients can further irritate your skin. Instead, Akers recommends looking for soothing botanicals like cucumber, thyme, and peppermint, which can calm irritated skin and reduce swelling and pain.

Anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera and green tea also help relieve redness, irritation, and sensitivity, adds Dr. Jaliman added. “Aloe vera cools and soothes the skin, while green tea helps reduce inflammation and contains powerful antioxidants that can help fade blemishes and scars,” she notes.

How to Prep Inflamed Skin Before Makeup
Even if your skin is in perfect condition, it’s important to prep your skin before putting on makeup, but it’s even more important when you’re battling inflammation. Akers recommends starting with a “five-minute quick mask ritual” to calm and soothe skin. Below is a step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Create the perfect masking mix

Combine 4 pumps of Resveratrol B E and 1/4 of Hydrating B5 Mask in a bowl, mix well and apply to irritated skin. A combination of powerful antioxidants and hydrating ingredients protects and nourishes stressed skin while replenishing and locking in moisture.

Step 2: Add Another Layer of Defense

Apply the Bio-Cellulose Restorative Mask for at least five minutes. This mask contains bio-cellulose and cooling water to cool sensitive or irritated skin and soothe irritation. Follow with four to six drops of C E Ferulic Acid to boost skin’s defenses against further damage from pollutants, UV rays and free radicals.

Step Three: Calm Down and Correct

Soothe sensitivity and irritation further with four to six drops of Phyto Corrective Gel, which contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial botanicals to soothe signs of inflammation while minimizing dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Step Four: Protect

No matter your skin type, sun protection is a must. Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 provides broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays without leaving a white or greasy residue. Its matte finish and lightweight formula make it ideal for wearing under makeup.

Choosing the Right Cosmetics for Inflamed Skin

When choosing beauty products to cover irritated skin, it is important to focus on the types of ingredients used. “You should keep an eye out for ingredients like silicones and dimethicones because they sit on the epidermis and can prevent further transepidermal water loss or dehydration,” Short says. “Avoid ingredients like fragrance, lanolin, and isopropyl myristate, which can irritate sensitive skin,” she adds.

The quality of the ingredients and the color palette are also crucial factors if you want to get the most out of your cosmetics. “Because Dermablend uses high-performance pigments, you don’t need to use a lot of product to get great coverage,” Short explains. “I recommend matching the shade to an uninflamed area, like B. your chin or your forehead. You might want to use a neutral shade to make sure your skin doesn’t look too cool after application,” she advises.

Also, if you want to play it safe, choose products that are designed for sensitive skin and are dermatologically and allergy tested. “Using Dermablend is the perfect concealer solution because it’s the most dermatologist-recommended cosmetic,” adds Akers.

How to Cover Inflammation With Makeup

Applying the product with a blending sponge makes for a more seamless and natural-looking finish, says Short. Below, she lists some dos and don’ts when using makeup to hide discoloration and other signs of inflammation.

Press gently, as inflamed skin is easily irritated by friction. Use a blending sponge or a soft foundation brush and use light motions rather than rubbing to build up pigment in inflamed areas without irritating the skin. Gently pat the product directly into the area and sweep over the edges to ensure it blends perfectly with the skin.
For post-acne inflammatory discoloration that needs extra coverage, apply a small amount of Color Correcting Cover.
Clean sponges and brushes regularly. Dirty makeup utensils are a breeding ground for bacteria that can infect and aggravate the skin.
Don’t sleep with makeup on. Inflamed or not, leaving makeup marks on your skin overnight is sure to cause breakouts, irritation, and allergic reactions.
The right way to remove makeup from inflamed skin
Makeup should be gently removed with a gentle cleanser, like Gentle Cleanser, says Akers. Specifically formulated for irritated and stressed skin, just one swipe gently removes make-up, oil, dirt and debris while soothing and calming the skin. Akers recommends completing this step with a nightly skin care regimen. Check out her steps below.

Step 1: Reduce Discomfort

After cleansing, apply an overnight mask such as the Phyto Corrective Masque, which is enriched with soothing and nourishing ingredients, including active botanicals (cucumber, thyme and olive extracts), dipeptides and hyaluronic acid. It’s clinically tested to reduce redness and discomfort, and instantly soothe stressed and sensitive skin.

Step 2: Soothes signs of redness

Follow with Phyto Corrective Gel to further soothe signs of inflammation and reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloration.

Step Three: Hydrate

Finally wet with Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2. Enriched with essential lipids, Vitamin E and essential oils, this anti-aging facial not only fights fine lines and wrinkles, but also restores moisture, fights free radicals and balances skin texture.