There is no end to the skin care products on the market that claim to help reduce facial redness, whether you’re struggling with a condition like rosacea or are simply prone to irritation. But there’s one item that doubles as both skin care and makeup with legions of devoted fans, both online and in the HuffPost newsroom. The Erborian CC Red Correct cream is formulated to correct even the ruddiest complexion, and it is worth every penny.
According to many, this color-correcting cream is one of the best K-beauty products out there. It can help to neutralize redness and calm skin, both eliminating the issue in the moment while helping to nourish and heal skin in the long run, so you see more benefits the longer you use it. As if that weren’t enough, it also has SPF 25 sun protection.
Green pigments that automatically color correct leave you with a glowing, even skin tone. It’s formulated with centella asiatica, also known as tiger grass, which is known to be soothing and calming — it’s often used in traditional Korean medicine. Glycerin helps to hydrate and strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier, so even though you’re getting a hefty dose of active ingredients, your skin stays soft and supple. The green pigments melt into the skin and the cream seemingly transforms into a tinted SPF that leaves a foundation-like finish.
HuffPost senior reporter Lydia O’Connor cannot stop raving about this game-changer, calling it “a miracle product.” She came across it while searching for something to counter her skin’s redness and blotchiness and said, “I bought it during the Prime sale and holy cow, is it great. It’s very your-skin-but-better and just sort of blurs everything while cutting down on red undertones.” She uses it by itself on her “no makeup days” but finds that it’s great under foundation and concealer as well.
She added that her boyfriend, “who literally can’t tell the difference between wavy and straight hair,” told her, “your makeup looks really nice today,” both times O’Connor used it. She also noted that it’s the perfect beach vacation makeup, making it a must in our travel bags.
HuffPost senior reporter Carly Ledbetter said, “As someone with rosacea, it is the only ‘green’ product that makes my skin look normal.” Senior reporter Jessica Schulberg chimed in, saying, “I’ve influenced every single one of my friends to try it, it’s literally the only makeup I wear now. It’s magical.” She was astonished by how well it worked.
Ledbetter noted that the CC cream has a light powdery smell that you’d typically find in a mineral SPF, and after she brought her tube to the HuffPost office for a sniff test and I concur with her assessment. It isn’t bothersome, especially if you’re used to using zinc-based sunscreen. The finish is lighter than I expected from such a transformative product, so even those with dry skin or who are acne-prone can enjoy it. It is also worth noting that this product is best suited for those with lighter skin tones who are prone to redness. Those with more melanated skin may find that it leaves a white cast.
Keep reading to check out what other reviewers have to say about this must-have product and pick up a tube for yourself. It’s a lifesaver for those who are always trying to defeat redness.
Promising reviews:
“I have tried several red correcting bases, and this one is by far the best. Provides coverage, sunscreen, and magically matches my light skin tones. Not too heavy, doesn’t settle into pores or lines.” — erikanls
“I rarely review anything online but this product has been so amazing that I have to say something! I have very fair skin and darker hair. Every CC cream or “color matching” product pulls orange on me EXCEPT THIS!! It provides light but effective coverage. I don’t feel like I have anything on my skin. It made for the perfect “foundation” while I was on vaca in St Thomas where it was 90 degrees and humid even at night! It blends easily. Give it a minute to dry down to see the full effect. My skin feels softer and looks healthier the next day. At first I was disappointed with the price tag and the small 0.5 ounce tube. I thought it was a rip off. It lasted me a long time.” — LK
“I have such bad rosacea, and this is absolutely the best product I’ve ever used to cover the redness. Not oily, matte finish, very easy to apply. Goes on great as a base layer under makeup and also has an SPF as a bonus! It was recommended by my dermatologist, and I am blown away by how effective it is!” — 2caratmomma
“The original CC cream and the absolute best for people with rosacea. Products for rosacea like the Dr. Jart similar product have fragrances that irritate sensitive skin. This one protects and moisturizes the skin while hiding the red blotches. It is very easy because it matches many shades of lighter skin. Will rebuy this until I die” — Laura Morales
“This works well to neutralize my rosacea! It’s not too heavy but it makes it a lot easier to cover my very red cheeks. For every day use I use a lighter amount and layer with my tinted moisturizer. It also works well with a little heavier hand when I’m doing a full face.” — Janee M.
“After first application, I could not see my Rosacea, the red was gone, super simple. My skin looks and feels good. It’s light and not greasy. I was skeptical when my wife ordered it but I can’t believe the results. I’m not going to stress pictures ever again. Win!” — Lori Sanders
Looking to spice up your beauty routine? Take a look at these nourishing foundations from previous reporting that are basically skin care and makeup in one.
A hydrating tint for under $25
Infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid, this skin tint is formulated to help moisturize dry skin, leaving skin looking and feeling its very best. It has a lightweight, radiant finish that is ideal for people who love a glowy appearance, though it provides a nice amount of even, natural coverage. It's available in ten shades and is. non-comedogenic, so you can enjoy that hydration without worrying about it clogging pores.
Promising review: "Truly my favorite tinted foundation. I have dry skin and this doesn't cling to dry patches and keep my face feeling hydrated. Even after a 10 hour day it doesn't feel dry and stiff like other tinted foundations have." — Samantha
A cult-fave skin tint that is perfect for mature skin
If you think Glossier is just for young people, think again. This skin tint is actually beloved by people 40+. It has just the right amount of coverage without weighing down the skin, and it beautifully hydrates and leaves skin soft and smooth. I've been using it since it first came out, and it's held up over time despite the various ways my skin has changed, including through pregnancy, postpartum, aging and various skin issues. Glycerin keeps the skin moisturized and plump while diamond powder helps to minimize the look of pores, leaving skin looking bright and with a photoshop finish. It's available in 12 shades. Think of it as your skin, but better.
Promising review: "i have very dry problematic skin and am cool toned pale and its hard to find shade matches that also work on my skin type. this does!! actually am able to get a bit of a dewy look and it does not emphasize dry areas or lines. the only thing is it is super super light coverage. like first layer you question if anything went on your face, but its very buildable so you just keep layering and then its perfect." — myxy
A skin-improving foundation tint
Get a skin like finish with this cult-fave foundation. Just like Kosas' beloved concealer, it will leave your complexion looking better than ever. It has a comfortable texture that doesn't cake or look heavy, while niacinamide, caffeine, squalane, arnica, vitamin B5, peptides and hyaluronic acid amp up the formula and take it from makeup to skin care territory. It even provides sun protection with SPF 25.
Promising review: "I LOVE this foundation! I've used quite a few different foundations over the years, this one will forever be in my makeup bag! I have pretty dry and sensitive skin, but this is somewhat hydrating while still having medium coverage. Best of all, it did not irritate my skin! I'm just in love!" — PinkyBee23
A dermatologist- and makeup artist-beloved luxury foundation
Luminous Silk foundation by Armani Beauty is one product in particular that has been suggested to us by several experts, one of whom called it a “never cakey, lightweight and dewy” foundation that leaves a skin-perfecting, natural-looking finish. A large part of its popularity probably has to do with the fact that this foundation works well for many skin types, including acne-prone, dry and aging skin. Its hydrating, glowy-finish formula has the ability to blur imperfections without settling into fine lines or wrinkles.
Available in 40 shades, this medium-coverage and buildable foundation uses what the brand refers to as “micro-fil technology” to allow color pigments to lay flat for seamless blending and layering. The long-lasting formula also claims to improve the look of irregular skin texture while maintaining that lit-from-within glow.
Promising review: "I have been using this foundation now for three weeks and I have to say I am in love! I have super dry skin with some texture (keratosis pilaris) and this made my skin look flawless. Will definitely be repurchasing.” — msjaay
A blurring skin tint that can help to fight blue light and pollution
I was skeptical that this Ilia tint would feel oily, but I'm pleased to report that not only does it dry down really nicely, but it leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and hydrated. My wife and I both have very different skin types (mine is oily and acne-prone, hers is dry), and we both love this foundation. It feels lightweight and invisible but gives a great amount of coverage, evening out the skin beautifully and giving a natural-looking glow. It has an award-winning serum-like formula infused with niacinamide, squalane and hyaluronic acid, so you know your skin will look and feel gorgeous. There is also a pretty extensive shade range to choose from. Best of all, it has SPF 40.
Promising review: "My entire life I have had acne and super sensitive skin. Foundation always made it worse, but I was too embarrassed to go bare. Sad face. Menopause cleared up the acne, but now I have dry skin! I'm 48 and I was clueless about skin care. I decided to try ilia. I'm so appreciative that someone developed this! My neice uses this, and she swears it cleared her acne! Her skin looks gorgeous now! Where was this when I was growing up? I am in awe of how good this makes my skin look. I'm a special needs mom and there are many nights that I don't wash my face before passing out and I swear I wake up with beautiful hydrated skin! It's seriously my favorite thing to put on. The smell was a little weird at first, but I understand that the ingredients combined are responsible. The ingredients are amazing by the way. The scent goes away within seconds. The results are worth it! It's spendy, but it saves you money in the long run. It's skin care, sun screen and ACTUALLY works so you won't need to buy other products. I bought other ilia products now and I threw out my other cosmetics! Thank you Ilia!!! I'm eyeballing the eyeshadow today.... lol" — Michelle
An editor-beloved buildable foundation
I will never stop raving about the Westman Atelier Vital Skincare complexion drops. It looks like makeup, feels like skin care and leaves you with the dewiest complexion. This liquid foundation has a thin, lightweight and serum-like consistency — almost like a tinted moisturizer – with light-to-medium buildable coverage that looks just like my own skin, but way better. It blends beautifully with both brushes or a sponge and, somehow, it manages to blur my breakouts and cover redness and dark circles without looking or feeling heavy. I’ve gotten compliments almost every time I’ve worn it from people who think it’s my natural, makeup-free face. It is so feather-light that I was certain it wouldn’t even be visible, making the results all the more thrilling.
It’s gentle and hydrating, doesn’t clog pores and gives my skin an overall healthy glow. Another reason I am obsessed with it is that while it does have a dewy finish, it doesn’t leave my skin looking slick or oily. It dries down to an almost powdery consistency that leaves my skin velvety smooth and stays put all day long.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this foundation is that it’s packed with serum-style ingredients like squalane, tsubaki oil, ginseng extract and more. These work together to improve the look of skin texture, reduce redness, soothe irritation, hydrate and brighten the complexion. I regret to inform you that it's worth every penny.
A deliciously hydrating, lightweight foundation from Hourglass
Get everything you love about the Hourglass stick foundation in a lightweight tint with a dewy finish with this feathery foundation. It provides sheer buildable coverage that lasts all day long while ingredients like meadowfoam sea oil, hyaluronic acid and squalane replenish the moisture barrier, plump the skin and protect against moisture loss. It's a hydration powerhouse. You can get it in 18 different shades.
Promising review: "I’ve used this a few times since purchasing and I’m so glad I got it it gives a great finish and surprisingly doesn’t cling to my dry spots just smooths them over" — minionlaur7
A hydrating gel-like skin tint foundations
Milk Makeup's skin tint is great for people who want a buildable foundation that provides real coverage but won't fade, cake or weigh you down. It has a hyaluronic acid and niacinamide-rich formula that is hydrating and lightweight and leaves the skin with a lovely dewy finish. It's available in 15 different hues.
Promising review: "The smooth consistency and coverage of this makeup is very complimentary on my mature skin it isn’t drying and it doesn’t sit in fine lines at all it gives a nice glow and it lasts all day I don’t have to reapply during a 7 hour work shift surprisingly it looks the same at the end of the day most makeup starts to disappear on my skin by noon This makeup saves the day! It’s a great foundation !" — Renee Hudson
