Putting on makeup can become a chore when your eczema is bound to flare up the moment your face comes into contact with them.
Keep that eczema flare away by using the best foundations that’s specially made for your sensitive skin condition!
The best foundation for eczema can balance out skin redness while providing enough coverage for dry patches.
Combine those with long-lasting wear, plentiful shades to choose from, a clean finish, and you’ve got yourself a winner!
To help you on your search, we’ve rated and compiled a list of the best foundation for eczema that won’t irritate your face.
12 Best Foundations for Eczema-Prone Skin, Sensitive Skin, and Dry Skin
Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals A Foundation
Best Overall
Key Features:
- Sheer to medium coverage
- Long-lasting with minimal transference
- Wide variety of shades
- Dewy finish
The brand’s Liquid Mineral Foundation acts as a treatment serum, containing hydrating properties that stop flare-ups and soothe dry patches.
The presence of Coenzyme Q10 promotes anti-aging along with a mineral formula that reflects light to reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines.
The liquid foundation also has vitamin C to decrease hyperpigmentation, evening out your skin tone.
Pros
- Contains hyaluronic acid
- Uses vitamin C and Co-Q10
- Evens out skin tones
Cons
- Lacking in coverage
- Thin consistency
- Slightly greasy
- Expensive
La Roche-Posay Rosaliac CC Cream with SPF 30 Daily Complete Tone-Correction Cream
Best Value for Price
Key Features:
- Medium coverage
- Good for all day wear
- In five universal shades
- Smooth, even finish
The La Roche-Posay Rosaliac Color Correcting Cream tackles eczema and its symptoms.
It’s made for sensitive skin since it’s been clinically tested and to be non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.
Coverage happens instantly, correcting any color flaws and redness.
An ingredient known as Ambophenol extract neutralizes redness of any type, making this product the most effective in handling your eczema-prone skin.
Pros
- Clinically tested
- Corrects redness
Cons
- Limited number of shades
Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup
Key Features:
- Medium Coverage
- Lasts throughout the day
- 14 shades for almost every skin tone
- Natural looking finish
The best foundations not only give you coverage but also treat your blemishes. Neutrogena’s SkinClearing Makeup takes the top spot by being both liquid foundation and acne treatment.
Its MicroClear Technology dissolves oil to keep your pores clear and prevents any shine. You get coverage that’s natural yet breathable.
There’s also no need to worry about breakouts and eczema flare ups because it has fast-acting salicylic acid.
This liquid makeup is great for those with oily, combination, and sensitive skin.
Pros
- Unclogs pores
- Doubles as acne treatment
Cons
- Lacks variety of shades for darker skin tones
Shimarz Mineral Liquid Foundation
All-Natural Wonder
Key Features:
- Pigmented coverage
- Lasts for hours
- Comes in 9 Shades
- Light, airy finish
This mineral foundation boasts an all-natural formula that soothes and nourishes the face. Its plant-based ingredients make it well suited for any age group.
Shimarz created this hypoallergenic foundation for those who suffer from breakouts, dark circles, wrinkles, and rosacea, among others.
Still, the Shimarz Liquid Mineral Foundation is versatile enough to be used for all skin types. You also gain the benefit of its natural mineral sunscreen that won’t be washed away easily.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Airy finish
- Has pump dispenser
- Vegan
- Infused with natural mineral sunscreen
Cons
- Scent may be disliked by others
- Difficult to blend
La Mav Organic BB Cream
Anti-Aging Miracle
Key Features:
- Medium coverage
- Suitable for longwear
- Color adaptive
- Semi-matte finish
The La Mav Organic BB Cream is filled to the brim with ingredients that preserve moisture and promote young-looking skin.
It also has licorice root extract whose anti-inflammatory qualities can benefit those with eczema-prone skin.
Moreover, there are organic oils that diminish fine lines and wrinkles, as well as minerals that protect the face like a natural sunscreen.
Pros
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines on the face
- Anti-inflammatory
- Can act as a sunscreen
Cons
- Hard to blend
- Dry finish
Physicians Formula Super All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream
The All Rounder
Key Features:
- Medium coverage
- Long-lasting
- Small selection of four shades
- Lightweight finish
The All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream is true to its name by being easy to blend and apply. The result is a flawless yet well-covered look.
The benefits don’t stop there since not only does it work as a foundation, it’s also a moisturizer with SPF protection.
The only downside is that it may not suit all skin types due to certain active ingredients, though it is considered a match for those with sensitive skin.
Pros
- Easy to blend with makeup
- SPF protection
Cons
- Can cause irritation in some cases
Tarte Cosmetics Amazonian Clay Foundation SPF15
Best Long-lasting
Key Features:
- Pigmented coverage
- 12-hour coverage
- Quite the variety of 40 shades
- Matte finish
This foundation makes use of Amazonian clay, a natural ingredient that promotes smudge-proof coverage.
It also controls oil production but won’t dry out the skin, owing to the moisture-preserving properties of the clay.
Despite being made with clay, it has a breathable coverage that can blend smoothly and give an airbrushed finish. Full pigmented coverage means that any imperfections due to eczema are hidden.
The product is also good for eczema-prone skin because of vitamin E and minerals that soften its texture.
Pros
- Controls oiliness
- Airbrush-like finish
- Has vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Not compatible for dry skin
- Removes easily
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF40
Key Features:
- Full coverage
- Good for wearing throughout the day
- 18 versatile shades
- Natural finish
This entry is an award-winning foundation, though it’s also a tinted moisturizer. It manages to integrate SPF protection, cosmetics, and skincare all into one package.
It’s safe for sensitive skin while its high SPF means it shields you against harmful UV rays and blue light. This same barrier seals in moisture, hydrating your skin, and keeps it feeling soft and firm.
To add, it can also soften any lines and evens out skin tones.
Pros
- Triple-acting functionality
- High SPF protection
Cons
- Smell can be off-putting
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Best Color Correcting
Key Features:
- Medium coverage
- All-day wear
- Comes in several shades
- Results in a healthy glow
If you need something that can balance your skin and while covering the redness, then Clinique’s Moisture Surge CC Cream is your most reliable choice.
Your skin won’t have an eczema flare up with its light and airy formula that still blends the product well. It also acts as an oil-free sunscreen.
Pros
- Oil-free
- Also a sunscreen
Cons
- Difficulty in blending
- Dries out quickly
bareMinerals BarePro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation
Key Features:
- Full coverage
- Lasts for 24 hours
- 35 shades to choose from
- Natural matte look
This product from bareMinerals allows you to look flawless while taking care of your skin all day. It has Mineral Lock Long-Wear Technology to minimize transference.
The foundation has a creamy consistency that blurs the appearance of imperfections while giving a natural color to the skin.
Using this liquid foundation can improve the skin’s texture over time and help you achieve a fresh and young look.
Pros
- Minimal transference
- Improves skin over time
Cons
- Cakey and too dry finish
Dermablend Flawless Creator Lightweight Foundation
Best Finish
Key Features:
- Full coverage
- Wears for 16 hours
- Has 22 shades to select from
- Lightweight finish
For the perfect finish or look, using the Dermablend Lightweight Foundation makes you feel like you’re not wearing any.
Good for normal, combination, and oily skin, it can cover blemishes with its oil- and water-free formula.
Packing only the essentials, your makeup will never look cakey or feel too heavy when you use this foundation.
Pros
- Smooth application
- Does not clog pores
Cons
- Too matte finish
It Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
Key Features:
- Full coverage
- Can keep up to the end of the day
- Shades come in 12 kinds
- Glowing finish
This color-correcting Cream from It Cosmetics stands out with a higher SPF protection and brightens your skin with full coverage.
Not only that, but this cream also hydrates and hides any dark spots as well as other blemishes. Your skin is left looking younger than ever after using it.
It also blurs acne scars and large pores using skin-friendly ingredients like vitamins and hyaluronic acid.
Pros
- All-in-one product
- Brightens skin
Cons
- Limited shades
A Guide to Finding the Best Foundation for Eczema
#1 Can I use foundation even if I have eczema?
YES — if you know how to find the right products.
Advances in skin research have developed new products that can cover up the redness without causing further irritation.
While this list is about the best foundation for eczema, we recommend choosing those with active ingredients combined with hydrating effects.
Notable examples include a few of our best foundations, Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals A Foundation and Shimarz Mineral Liquid Foundation.
#2 What ingredients should I look for (and avoid) in makeup and skincare products?
The Good
Hyaluronic Acid
It helps soothe dry and flaky skin by drawing moisture to the areas that need it most. It’s a better alternative to mineral oil which is used for the same reason.
Niacinamide
When you have eczema, it’s likely that your skin barrier is weak. To strengthen it, use a cream that’s rich in vitamin B3 compounds, known as niacinamide.
Shea butter, Glycerin, and Lanolin
These are more moisturizing substances that also aid in speeding up skin repair to keep it looking healthy and glowing. When you check for them, make sure that they’re listed on the top of the ingredient list.
The Bad
Fragrances
Some products indicate whether they’re fragrance-free because even the smallest of perfume can cause trouble for sensitive skin. Typically, organic products are considered fragrance-free, but it’s better to check the ingredient list to be sure.
As tempting as it is to buy products that smell great, fragrance-free products would be the best option to avoid any unwanted skin reactions!
Preservatives
Preservatives keep makeup and skincare from growing bacteria but they can cause inflammation. Go paraben-free or find products with natural preservatives like grapefruit seed extract.
Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Retinol
These can be too strong for sensitive skin, even if they’re meant to get rid of blemishes. Make sure that they’re combined with more eczema friendly ingredients to balance them out.
Other Makeup for Eczema
As for eczema makeup, there’s also a number to try. Focus on the ingredients to know if they’re good for you to use. For ones with SPF, they should use zinc oxide which acts as a sunscreen.
Generally, choose products that don’t have talcum powder or alcohol. This also applies to any mascara that you’ll be using because it’s likely to come into contact with the skin around your eyes, too.
You can also make use of complementary eczema skincare products like sheet masks. A good eczema facial mask is a sheet mask that gives a gentle moisturizing effect.
A face mask for eczema is one that doesn’t exfoliate harshly. You may need to use a moisturizing mask after using other makeup products so that your skin doesn’t get irritated and dry.
#3 How to choose the best foundation for eczema?
Shade
First, consider the shades the foundations come in. Some have a wider variety while some use only a few universal shades. Try them out and match them to your skin color so you don’t end up having a different colored neck.
Coverage
After that, decide if you want to have a fuller coverage or a lighter one. When you have eczema, you may swing between wanting to have a heavier layer to smooth out the skin or wanting a lightweight one so that your skin can breathe.
Finish
Lastly, think of the finish. A matte finish would look more natural while a dewy look makes the skin look fresh and hydrated. Based on our list, the matte look is more popular since they usually don’t contain as much oils that may clog your pores.
Final Verdict
Jane Iredale’s Liquid Minerals A Foundation is our winning foundation. It fulfilled our expectations and more by having a treatment serum for your eczema and a vitamin C that evens out the skin.
It doesn’t stop there since it also has an anti-aging formula along with the minerals that diminish fine lines. While other foundations had similar benefits, this one shined the brightest by having just the right amount of coverage and assortment of shades.
The La Roche-Posay Rosaliac CC Cream with SPF 30 Daily Complete Tone-Correction Cream is our runner-up because it has the addition of SPF protection. The product can be pricey but it’s worth the investment when it has all those benefits. Our only caveat is that it only comes in five shades.
Before You Purchase
Eczema may not have a cure, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful, and makeup is right up for the job!
Foundations are the base of any look, so choosing the right one can give you an instant upgrade in confidence.
Our list can guide you on the perfect one, but the main takeaway here is for you to know why some products are good, while some are NOT for your skin. Learn to check the ingredients list and bring out your hidden radiance!
FINAL BEAUTY TIP: If you’re looking for a way to set your makeup and make sure they don’t fade away, you can take a look at our article on Drugstore Setting Powders for Those With Dry Skin.
CHANGELOG:
August 16, 2021 – Updated product descriptions, improved article formatting, reviewed and updated overall content
July 19, 2021 – Reviewed and updated article links
