There was a craze in my youth for green moisturisers and foundation, notionally designed not to treat the causes of skin redness, but to colour-correct the ensuing ruddiness. The craze died off – mostly, I imagine, because it made most people look poisoned.
I hadn’t tried one in years until I tested positive for Omicron, which gave me just enough itchy redness to put new, rebooted camouflage creams to the test. L’Oréal Paris C’est Magique CC Cream (£10.99) is an effective option at a terrific price. It’s essentially a green moisturiser containing tiny spheres of colour-adaptive foundation that sort of pop as you blend the fluid into your face with fingers or brush. The green cancels redness, the foundation provides a healthier tint, and the whole thing works very well on moderate cases.
IT Cosmetics specialises in colour correction, and makes a good green-tinted day cream called Bye Bye Redness (£40). But I’d say the hero product in its lineup is the Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF50 (£32.50), since I can think of nothing more instantly de-reddening, inclusive and indispensable to the many men and women who flush. This is a cream that camouflages all sorts of redness, including birthmarks and scars, offering full coverage while being easy to apply. It’s available in 14 shades, with no green – you just match your tone using the helpful gallery of real faces online. Buff on with a brush (or fingers) in place of foundation, then wear whatever you like on top. This keeps skin comfortable and moist (there’s a version for oily skins) and stays smoothly in place all day.
Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment (from £15) is the final step in the brand’s solid anti-redness skincare lineup. It’s a mostly cosmetic solution: a balm that, although it looks mint green in the pot, turns beige when a small amount is warmed between the fingertips. (This step is crucial, as I discovered after my first attempt, which made me look like a waxwork.)
When warmed and blended – very easily – over any red areas, it works well in unifying tone on fair to olive skins, making a fast and visible difference and readily accepting other types of makeup on top. I can certainly see why this product has been so hugely popular on TikTok. My only guidance would be that you should not attempt to use this as your moisturiser, since you’ll end up absorbing too much – and it’s very easy to go full broad bean.
