Full coverage foundation can be a savior for your skin (and your sanity), especially when you’re dealing with redness, acne, post-acne scars, dark spots or undereye circles—and all of us are bound to experience at least one of these at some point.
How to Use Full Coverage Foundation for Skin Conditions
Full coverage foundation can be a savior for your skin (and your sanity), especially when you’re dealing with redness, acne, post-acne scars, dark spots or undereye circles—and all of us are bound to experience at least one of these at some point. A staple in any cosmetic bag, full coverage foundation can do more than just give your skin a flawless finish, and this hard-working makeup product can conceal the appearance of skin conditions such as rosacea and vitiligo as well.
We turned to board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Dermablend Power Panel member Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, MD; Dermablend Professional National Makeup Artist & Head of Education for Canada, Chelsea Bice; and Licensed Esthetician and Assistant Vice President of Education and Training for Dermablend Professional, Rachel Short, for their expert advice about several specific skin conditions—and how to use full coverage foundation to put your best face forward.
Acne and acne scars
The dermatologist says… Acne and acne scarring can be a significant concern for patients of all ages and having effective options to help conceal blemishes during treatment, as well as lingering scars, is very beneficial. For those with acne-prone skin, it’s most important to use safe products that won’t cause flare-ups, and anything that goes on the skin should be non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.The Dermablend pros say... Many products used to clear acne can have a drying effect on the skin, which is why it’s a good idea to start with a hydrating product like insta-grip™ jelly primer, which also helps smooth any post-inflammatory lesions, so foundation and concealer don’t stick and flake.
Flawless creator™ liquid foundation drops is a good choice for acne-prone skin because its weightless, oil-free formula features buildable, high-performance pigments that give you full coverage where you need it. For cases of severe acne (or those who desire the maximum level of coverage), our cover creme contains 40% pigment along with mineral-based SPF 30 for sun protection and a natural-looking finish that never appears cakey. Just remember to warm this full coverage foundation with your fingers on the back of your hand for a smooth, seamless application before building and blending. And if you’re concerned about excess oil and shine, our original loose setting powder or compact setting powder help leave skin with a long-lasting matte finish. For an oil-free option, Flawless Creator is a zero-weight, full coverage foundation that helps smooth your skin without feeling like you’re wearing any foundation!
Dark spots and dark circles
The dermatologist says… Dark spots or patches of discoloration (also called hyperpigmentation) can be caused by breakouts, hormones, birth control or sun exposure. Dark under-eye circles can be due to several factors as well, including genetics, fatigue, eye strain due to too much screen-time, allergies and sun exposure as well—which is why it’s critical to wear SPF year-round, including in your foundation. It’s important to keep in mind that although concealer and foundation can cover areas of discoloration, makeup and cosmetics cannot cure discoloration or dark circles. To actually improve the underlying pigment that causes dark spots, talk to a board-certified dermatologist about the ideal treatment options for you.
The Dermablend pros say... Full coverage foundation is key for concealing all types of dark spots and discoloration, and a product with a broad-spectrum, mineral-based SPF 25 like smooth liquid camo hydrating foundation can also help minimize the risk of forming additional sun-induced spots. Starting with a peach or orange color-corrector can make it easier to conceal discoloration by neutralizing dark circles and spots before you even reach for the full coverage foundation. Our quick fix™ color-correcting powder pigment transforms from a powder to a cream upon contact with the skin—and there’s no need to wait before applying other makeup. Just remember to always use a patting and tapping motion (not a sweeping motion) when building coverage so any makeup you’ve already applied stays put.
Redness and rosacea
The dermatologist says… The most common causes of facial redness are rosacea, acne, eczema and a variety of other skin conditions (that should be diagnosed by a board-certified dermatologist). Direct sun exposure and its associated heat are among the main reasons for redness flare-ups associated with rosacea. Anyone with a sensitive skin type who experiences facial redness should avoid products that contain fragrance, phthalates, triclosan and sodium lauryl sulfate. All of Dermablend’s products are free of these ingredients as well as dermatologist-tested, sensitive skin-tested and allergy-tested, so patients can safely use them without affecting their skin.
The Dermablend pros say... Those who have struggled with facial redness (often for years) are usually surprised when they use a true full coverage foundation for the first time and no longer see the pink they are used to. This dramatic improvement can make you feel pale or washed-out, so be sure to add color back with blush or bronzer before deciding if a shade works for you. All of Dermablend’s products are suitable for those who experience for facial redness, yet flawless creator liquid foundation drops are a good full coverage foundation choice because of its limited ingredients and weightless feel. For those who prefer a foundation with SPF, smooth liquid camo hydrating foundation contains gentle, mineral-based SPF 25 to help prevent sun-induced redness flare-ups.
Vitiligo
The dermatologist says… Vitiligo has become better understood by the public in recent years, and most realize this loss of skin pigment is a hereditary auto-immune disease—and not contagious. Areas of lighter skin have less pigment, which acts as natural protection from the sun, which is why it’s imperative that those with vitiligo protect their skin with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30. Vitiligo can cause a great psychological impact for patients. They may or may not choose to use a full coverage foundation to cover their vitiligo, and this is a completely personal decision. But with this said, those with vitiligo can safely use any of Dermablend’s products if they opt to wear makeup.
The Dermablend pros say... If you want to conceal vitiligo patches with full coverage foundation, cover creme is safe and effective option that contains the essential broad-spectrum, mineral-based SPF 30 anyone with this skin condition needs. When selecting a shade, match it to your skin tone of preference. Because of this foundation’s high concentration of pigment, it’s important to warm the cream with your fingers on the back of your hand before tapping it on to build coverage as needed. For maximum wear and resistance to smudging and transfer, set with our original loose setting powder for a flawless finish that lasts for up to 16 hours.
More full coverage foundation application tips…
- The trick for building coverage and getting a natural-looking finish is giving each layer of full coverage foundation 1-2 minutes to set before adding more. This helps the layers adhere to each other for maximum opacity, whether covering dark circles, discoloration, redness, acne, vitiligo or any other skin concerns.
- For the fullest coverage, apply foundation directly to the areas of concern with your fingers. You can then blend the edges with a brush or sponge if you’d like.
- Once you have achieved your desired level of coverage, be sure to use a patting and tapping motion (and avoid sweeping motions) when applying other makeup to prevent disturbing your foundation.
