Best Makeup for Lupus Skin

woman applying makeup to face in a white robe and towel, best makeup for lupus skin

Your health is your wealth, so they say, but there are various incurable conditions that can seriously interfere with your day-to-day life. Lupus is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body. In the most serious situations, lupus can result in organ failure but most people with a well-managed condition remain relatively healthy. However, one of the biggest setbacks of having lupus is that skin rashes are a common occurrence. These red, blotchy rashes can leave your confidence a little deflated, but there is no need to worry. By using good-quality makeup, you can successfully cover these rashes and forget about your health for a few hours while you enjoy everything life has to offer.  Let’s explore the best makeup for Lupus skin.

Here is our top pick from our featured products!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer for Face, Facial Moisturizer For Oily Skin, to Reduce Oil and Minimize Pores, Moisturizing Shine Control for Sensitive Skin
  • This mattifying moisturizer for oily skin targets excess oil to mattify skin and refine pores. Formulated with micro-exfoliating LHAs lipo-hydroxy acid, this oil-free face moisturizer hydrates skin while leaving it looking and feeling matte
  • Mattifying moisturizer visibly reduces the look of pores, pore minimizer. Sebulyse technology provides dual action targeting by reducing shine and large pores
  • Face moisturizer for oily skin smooths skin texture. Excellent base for make-up. Dermatologist tested, paraben free, non comedogenic, oil free, and allergy tested
  • 4 week consumer test results showed 96% felt skin was immediately mattified and less oily, 94% felt skin texture was refined
  • Formulated with Lipo Hydroxy Acid (LHA) with exfoliating and skin renewing properties, Perlite to absorb excess oil for matte finish, Silica for soft focus effect, and glycerin to hydrate

What Causes Lupus?

There are some people that are prone to developing lupus as a result of genetics; in this instance, there isn’t much that can be done. The condition cannot be prevented. For some people, there are certain things that can trigger a flare up of lupus and while skin rashes are one of the most common symptoms, sufferers may also experience extreme fatigue, swelling of the joints, pain, and low-level fever. 

ELEMIS Soothing Apricot Toner | Alcohol-Free Calming Facial Treatment Hydrates, Refreshes, and Balances Skin for a Fresh, Radiant Complexion | 200 mL , 6.7 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Complete Kit
Eau Thermale Avene Hypersensitive Skin Regimen Kit for Sensitive and Irritated Skin, 3 Count (Pack of 1)
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer for Face, Facial Moisturizer For Oily Skin, to Reduce Oil and Minimize Pores, Moisturizing Shine Control for Sensitive Skin
Mineral Sunscreen
Eau Thermale Avene Mineral High Protection Beige Tinted Compact, Broad Spectrum SPF 50 - UVA/UVB Blue Light Protection - net wt. 0.35 oz.
Product Name
ELEMIS Soothing Apricot Toner | Alcohol-Free Calming Facial Treatment Hydrates, Refreshes, and Balances Skin for a Fresh, Radiant Complexion | 200 mL , 6.7 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Eau Thermale Avene Hypersensitive Skin Regimen Kit for Sensitive and Irritated Skin, 3 Count (Pack of 1)
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer for Face, Facial Moisturizer For Oily Skin, to Reduce Oil and Minimize Pores, Moisturizing Shine Control for Sensitive Skin
Eau Thermale Avene Mineral High Protection Beige Tinted Compact, Broad Spectrum SPF 50 - UVA/UVB Blue Light Protection - net wt. 0.35 oz.
Key Ingredients
Apricot fruit extract
Thermal spring water
Oil free
SPF 50
Best For
Maintaining PH Level
Calming and protecting skin
Base for makeup
Non greasy sun protection
Amazon Product Number
B000FDCXPW
B00L87UPH2
B00B4RJP72
B001NF2A3G
ELEMIS Soothing Apricot Toner | Alcohol-Free Calming Facial Treatment Hydrates, Refreshes, and Balances Skin for a Fresh, Radiant Complexion | 200 mL , 6.7 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Product Name
ELEMIS Soothing Apricot Toner | Alcohol-Free Calming Facial Treatment Hydrates, Refreshes, and Balances Skin for a Fresh, Radiant Complexion | 200 mL , 6.7 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Key Ingredients
Apricot fruit extract
Best For
Maintaining PH Level
Amazon Product Number
B000FDCXPW
Complete Kit
Eau Thermale Avene Hypersensitive Skin Regimen Kit for Sensitive and Irritated Skin, 3 Count (Pack of 1)
Product Name
Eau Thermale Avene Hypersensitive Skin Regimen Kit for Sensitive and Irritated Skin, 3 Count (Pack of 1)
Key Ingredients
Thermal spring water
Best For
Calming and protecting skin
Amazon Product Number
B00L87UPH2
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer for Face, Facial Moisturizer For Oily Skin, to Reduce Oil and Minimize Pores, Moisturizing Shine Control for Sensitive Skin
Product Name
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer for Face, Facial Moisturizer For Oily Skin, to Reduce Oil and Minimize Pores, Moisturizing Shine Control for Sensitive Skin
Key Ingredients
Oil free
Best For
Base for makeup
Amazon Product Number
B00B4RJP72
Mineral Sunscreen
Eau Thermale Avene Mineral High Protection Beige Tinted Compact, Broad Spectrum SPF 50 - UVA/UVB Blue Light Protection - net wt. 0.35 oz.
Product Name
Eau Thermale Avene Mineral High Protection Beige Tinted Compact, Broad Spectrum SPF 50 - UVA/UVB Blue Light Protection - net wt. 0.35 oz.
Key Ingredients
SPF 50
Best For
Non greasy sun protection
Amazon Product Number
B001NF2A3G

What Is The Best Makeup For Lupus Skin?

There are several options you could try when looking for makeup for lupus skin but after rigorous research and testing, we think that the following four products are some of the best on the market. 

Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner

Elemis is a well-established skin care brand so you can feel confident using these products safe in the knowledge that any lupus flare-ups won’t be aggravated by them. Packed with gentle ingredients, full of nature, and with nothing harsh, this soothing toner is ideal for people with skin that is prone to lupus rashes and other irritations. 

Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner

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The toner boasts a non-drying formula and is perfect for people with sensitive skin. Coming in a gel form, it easily soaks into the skin without leaving it feeling greasy or weighty. Moreover, the Elemis soothing toner is a great product to use before moisturizing as it aids in the penetration of your lotion, allowing you to get the best effect from it. 

When you are tackling lupus rashes, you need something that is going to nourish the skin and calm inflammation. The apricot extracts in this toner are bursting with vitamin C which is praised for its anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, with quilla wood and sweet betty flower, you are getting the benefit of a beautiful radiant glow. These ingredients will also help to maintain the natural PH balance of the skin which is essential in keeping it looking healthy. 

Eau Thermale Avene Hypersensitive Skin Regimen Kit

If you’re prone to a flare up of lupus that causes skin rashes, you need a skin care routine that will soothe and rebalance this reaction. While many products out there contain unessential ingredients that can have an adverse effect on the skin, these sterile skin products contain only the things that are absolutely vital. Moreover, without the need to apply tap water to the face, the skin is not exposed to anything that may cause irritation. 

Eau Thermale Avene Hypersensitive Skin Regimen Kit

Buy on Amazon

During a flare-up, these three wonderful skincare products contain parcerine which will reduce inflammation and effectively soothe the skin. If you are looking for something that is super gentle and suitable for even the most sensitive skin, this should be your go-to range. While keeping the skin healthy looking and radiant, it will create a protective layer for the skin’s natural barrier, reinforcing it and reducing your skin’s sensitivity. 

Avene is one of the most well-loved skincare companies in Europe and with more than 270 years of experience, it is little wonder that the brand is so trusted. The kit comes with everything you need for well-cared for skin; cleansing lotion, spring water, and a recovery cream. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Matifying Moisturizer

Quite often, we find that oil-based products will cause the skin to appear shiny and give it too much of a glow. This is fine if you have dry skin but for anyone with oily or acne prone skin, these products should be avoided. This matte moisturizer is ideal for people with oily skin as it leaves a beautiful matte layer, reducing oil as well as reducing the look of pores. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Matifying Moisturizer

Buy on Amazon

This non-comedogenic moisturizer is also free from nasty ingredients like parabens and is gentle on the skin, reducing shine while still properly hydrating it. La Roche-Posay has an expansive team of dermatologists around the world and each product has been fully tested against allergies and is dermatologist approved. 

If you want to apply makeup to cover your lupus rashes but find that your oily skin quickly causes it to melt, this moisturizer makes a great base. Apply it after cleansing and underneath your makeup for a beautiful and long-lasting matte finish. 

Eau Thermale Avene Tinted Compact

Getting out into the sun is something that we all love, but your skin is crying out for protection. If you have sensitive skin that may be prone to lupus rashes, giving your skin the level of protection it needs is even more important. This lightweight cream to powder mineral sunscreen will give you the right protection without irritating the skin. 

Eau Thermale Avene Tinted Compact

No products found.

It is packed with good ingredients including titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which give much broader UVA and UVB protection than other ingredients. What’s more, if you’re swimming in the ocean, you can rest assured that your sunscreen won’t be harmful to the ecosystems down there and only contains reef-friendly ingredients. 

This compact tinted sunscreen comes in two shades and glides easily onto the skin with a lightweight feel. It will withstand water exposure for up to 40 minutes but we advise reapplying at least every two hours for maximum protection. 

What To Look For In Makeup For Lupus

When it comes to the kinds of products you should use on the skin when you are prone to a lupus flare up, there are several things you should consider. Taking good care of your skin is imperative as is choosing the right cosmetics. 

SPF

Regardless of your skin or whether you suffer from lupus, protection from the sun is of the utmost importance. Using products that have a good SPF gives your skin the base it needs and will prevent further, potentially more serious conditions such as melanoma. 

woman applying sunscreen by pool
Make sunscreen part of your daily routine

We would advise using a sunscreen of at least factor 30 and applying this under your base makeup every morning. If you are spending a lot of time in the sun, it is also important to reapply this throughout the day. If you are worried about spoiling all of your hard work where your makeup is concerned, you can buy tinted mineral sunscreens that double as a lightweight base for your makeup. Moreover, these products are ideal for reducing inflammation and protecting the skin from free radicals. 

Avoid Irritating Ingredients

There is no certified cause of lupus, in fact, medical specialists are still trying to figure things out. But one thing is for sure and that is that something triggers it. In order to avoid a flare up, it is essential to opt for products that contain natural ingredients that won’t cause the skin to flare up. 

One of the most common ingredients in creams that are ideal for lupus is turmeric as this is an ingredient that is known for its anti-redness properties. Moreover, it has several other properties including being antiseptic and antibacterial.

turmeric powder in a dish and spoon flatlay
Turmeric can be found in makeup

Choose The Right Colors

If you have been keeping an eye on the many beauty blogs that are out there, you’ll know that color correction is a big thing! When it comes to calming redness, green-toned correctors are a must. There are many primers out there with a green undertone and when using these, you will also benefit from creating a more even skin tone. 

Foundation Coverage

Covering redness with makeup is something that people have done for years, but in modern times, there is more of a focus on how to cover stubborn marks. 

close up of woman's cheek with skin rash
Professional products offer a variety of options

Dermablend products are excellent at this and are designed for professional use especially when covering things like tattoos and scars. For lupus redness, these products work excellently. What’s more, they are now readily available for the public to purchase. 

Medical Treatments

While using excellent beauty products is a must when attempting to cover lupus rashes, it is also important to follow the advice of your doctor. If you are having regular flare ups, you may wish to speak to your medical professional about more aggressive treatments such as steroid creams, lotions, and gels. 

older woman talking with female physician
Talk with your doctor about options

Conclusion

A good skincare routine is essential for everyone but if you have particularly sensitive skin, it becomes even more important. Sourcing makeup and beauty products that protect and soothe the skin will help to reduce lupus flare-ups and other irritations associated with sensitive skin. 

Last update on 2023-04-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API