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When choosing a concealer, you typically search for one that matches your skin tone. But color-correcting concealers are a little different.

  • Pink or peach shades can help hide dark circles.
  • Purple ones can help cancel out yellow undertones.
  • Yellow hues can help brighten your skin to give it a natural glow.

So what, you might wonder, does green concealer do?

These concealers are green in color — not “green” in the eco-friendly sense. Experts recommend them to help mask skin redness.

Read on to find out what this shade can do for your skin and how to use it.

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To understand how green concealer works, let your memory take you back to your early school years, when you probably learned about complementary colors.

Remember that color wheel? If you recall, green falls directly opposite from red on the wheel — that’s why green can help neutralize any unwanted red blemishes or blotchy-ness.

Green concealers are typically sheer, so they won’t leave your skin with a greenish tint, or remain visible under any makeup you plan to wear.

Green concealers can help address various types of skin redness, including:

To apply green concealer, try these steps:

  1. First, start with a clean face.
  2. Next, follow your usual skin care routine, whether that involves moisturizer and sunscreen alone, serums and eye cream, or anything else.
  3. Optional step: Apply a primer to help create a smooth base. You can even opt for a color-correcting primer to boost your green concealer’s neutralizing power.
  4. From there, dab the green concealer on top of any red areas. You can blend it using one of three ways: patting with your finger, using a sponge, or trying a special concealer brush. Whichever method you choose, remember to apply gently to avoid irritating your skin.
  5. Apply a thin layer only — the idea here is to neutralize the redness, not completely cover it up.
  6. Next, you can apply any base makeup, like a foundation or concealer that matches your skin tone. Again, you can use a rounded brush or sponge to buff this in.
  7. Finish off with a setting spray or powder, if you choose.

Of course, you can absolutely wear green concealer alone without makeup on top. But many people find that they can get a more even look by applying makeup after green concealer, whether that’s foundation, another concealer, or even BB cream.

Like other concealers, green concealer comes in different shades.

  • Opt for a paler green if you have lighter skin, or you want to cover up small red spots and minor blemishes.
  • Try a deeper green if you have darker skin, or you want to cover up deeply red areas.

If you’re trying to cover up redness from acne or rosacea, the Society for Dermopharmacy recommends choosing a concealer free of oil and fragrance to help you avoid additional irritation.

Keep in mind, too, that you might want to consider altering your makeup and skin care routine if you have either of these conditions. A few tips to try:

  • Opt for oil-free, lightweight products.
  • Apply products gently, without scrubbing.
  • Avoid astringent ingredients that can lead to irritation, like alcohol, menthol, and witch hazel.

Remember, while green concealer can help neutralize redness and make it easier to cover up, it won’t treat the underlying cause of those red areas.

So if you have any concerns about your skin or want to find a way to treat the cause of the redness, it’s best to connect with a dermatologist.

Dermatologists can help identify and treat skin conditions on the face and elsewhere on the body.

Learn more about what a dermatologist does.

It’s also a good idea to make an appointment with a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you notice any signs of a more serious skin concern. These include:

Is it acne or rosacea?

Acne can involve different types of pimples, which range from small blackheads and whiteheads to much deeper cysts. You may also notice that your skin seems generally oily, bumpy, or both.

Rosacea, on the other hand, does sometimes cause pimples. But it typically shows up as redness across your cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead, not just directly around the pimples. This redness may come and go over time. It can also lead to sensitive skin.

A dermatologist or other healthcare professional can help diagnose either condition and offer more guidance on treatment options.

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The rising popularity of green concealers means you have plenty of options to try:

Green concealer works to neutralize the redness caused by conditions like rosacea or acne, so it can help make skin tone appear more even.

If you regularly notice facial redness that your regular concealer doesn’t hide, green concealer might offer a handy tool for your makeup kit.

That said, green concealer doesn’t treat rosacea, acne, or any other underlying causes of redness. For a more lasting solution, consider getting support from a dermatologist.

Lauren Sharkey is a U.K.-based journalist and author specializing in women’s issues. When she isn’t trying to discover a way to banish migraines, she can be found uncovering the answers to your lurking health questions. She has also written a book profiling young female activists across the globe and is currently building a community of such resisters. Catch her on Twitter.