Camouflage makeup
Thicker, highly pigmented, long-wearing makeup made to cover birthmarks, scars, vitiligo patches, dark marks and other visible skin differences.
Why it helps
Covering a visible skin difference can lift confidence and ease social stress, and studies in children found that camouflage makeup improved well-being, with the biggest gains in those who felt worst beforehand. It is a cosmetic choice, not a treatment.
Look for
- Products made for cover-up, often sold as camouflage or corrective makeup
- A shade range that matches your skin tone in daylight
- Waterproof, long-wearing formulas with setting powder
- Fragrance-free formulas if your skin is sensitive
- Color correctors such as green for redness or peach for dark marks
Avoid
- Heavy cover-up over open, weeping or infected skin
- Sharing applicators
- Going to sleep with it on
Caution
Skip it on broken or infected skin, and stop any product that causes stinging or a new rash.
Worth asking a clinician about
Many clinics can teach you how to use camouflage makeup, and a dermatologist can also discuss treatments for the skin condition itself.
Sources
Products
Dermablend
Professional Cover Crème
Price: higher price · For face
A high pigment cream makeup in a jar with very high, matte coverage, made to cover marks and scars, with SPF 30.
- For sensitive skin (brand)
Dermablend
Professional Leg and Body Makeup
Price: higher price · For body
A high coverage liquid body makeup with SPF 25 made to cover scars, veins, stretch marks and tattoos.
- Water resistant
Dermablend
Professional Loose Setting Powder
Price: medium price · For face
A fine loose powder used to set cover-up makeup so it lasts longer, with a soft matte finish and fragrance-free formula.
- Oil free
- Fragrance free
- Non-comedogenic (brand)
- For sensitive skin (brand)
Colorescience
Mineral Corrector Palette SPF 20
Price: higher price · For face
A pressed mineral powder palette with five color-correcting shades and SPF 20, used to cover or tone down color differences.
- Zinc oxide
- Titanium dioxide
- Mineral
- Non-comedogenic (brand)
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Hydrating Camo CC Cream
Price: medium price · For face
A full coverage, color-correcting liquid cream foundation with SPF 30 and hyaluronic acid, in 40 shades.
- Vegan
- Hyaluronic acid
- SPF 30+
- Broad spectrum
These are products Dr. Haque has reviewed and recommends for different reasons. Unless a product is clearly marked 'Affiliate link,' it is not one. Most are not.