Skin Camouflage and You – Q&A

Our Skin Camouflage and You webinar can be watched on demand by registering through this link.

The answers have been provided by skin camouflage practitioners and people with lived experience of using camouflage products.

Have you got any recommendations for how to talk about camouflage with a daughter who has a birthmark on her face? The concern is not wanting her to think she should have to cover it up.

The most important thing is to take your lead from your daughter and to consider her age. Generally, the younger the child, the less bothered they are by a visible difference. It’s often when they start secondary school, meeting children they haven’t grown up with, that self-consciousness begins to emerge. Let her needs and wishes guide the conversation, rather than acting on what you feel she should want.

If she’s curious and wants to copy an older sibling, feel free to let her explore, perhaps by looking at what’s available on the high street. The key is to follow her lead entirely.

Can you reapply sunscreen during the day to the face? And if so, do you have to use a spray that might be oil-based, or can you just use a normal one that you can rub in?

This is a tricky area. Sunscreen is normally applied before camouflage cream, and most standard sunscreens will act almost like a remover if applied on top. That said, there are newer products on the market that are formulated to be worn over makeup.

It’s worth doing a little trial and error at home first, start with the sunscreens you already own before buying anything new. The products that claim to work over makeup can perform well, as long as you allow them to settle rather than rubbing your face.

You could also look for an SPF mist, it is often like a hairspray.

Applying sunscreen only once a day is not sufficient. For anyone with a skin condition, regular reapplication throughout the day is essential.

I have brown pigmentation under the eyes and work in front of the camera. So lots of lights that make dark areas look worse. Would these creams be enough of a barrier to prevent the pigmentation showing up under these conditions?

Dark under-eye pigmentation is one of the more challenging areas to cover with camouflage. The recommended approach is to begin by finding a skin-colour match for the unaffected areas and testing it on the under-eye area to see whether it provides sufficient coverage. If not, the next step is to use a skin blocker, followed by a light dusting of fine powder to set it, and then apply the skin-colour match on top.

The choice of blocker colour depends on the individual’s natural skin tone. An orange-toned blocker tends to work best for lighter to mid-range skin tones, while a rose-coloured blocker is generally more effective for darker skin tones.

What age would you suggest children start using camouflage?

There’s no universal answer — it’s a deeply personal decision that varies with age, gender, and each child’s individual experiences.

Having a visible difference often means losing a degree of control over your appearance, and sometimes over health decisions too. Giving that control and choice to every person when they have a health condition or a visible difference is important.

As a parent, you’ll naturally want to be a guide — but try to let your child come to you with questions. Teenagers face heightened challenges around body image as they navigate puberty and hormonal changes.

When it comes to very young children, extra care is needed. As well as following the child’s lead, be cautious about opening the conversation yourself with something like ‘would you like to cover your visible difference?’, as this can inadvertently send the message that it’s something that needs hiding, or that they should want to change it.

Very young children are often unbothered by their visible difference. Something usually needs to happen first, such as an unkind comment, before the topic becomes relevant to them. That is generally the right moment to start exploring the subject, rather than raising it as parents before the child has brought it up themselves.

Can you mix the camouflage colours?

Colours can be mixed within the same brand. In clinic, however, we generally aim to find a single shade that doesn’t require mixing, as achieving a consistent result from scratch each day can be tricky.

If you purchase a sample pack and find a good match, can you then purchase the same colour in a larger container?

Yes, depending on the brand, products are available in different sizes. Since you may not use it every day and products do have an expiry date, it’s worth starting with a smaller size to see how you get on.

Also bear in mind that your skin tone can shift with the seasons and sun exposure, so your perfect match in winter may not work as well in summer.

I have a daughter with a birth defect, which is vascular malformation and has lots of blue and purple areas. Will this require multiple layers of preparation?

This depends on the desired outcome. If you are looking to take out the biggest contrast then a single application can work will. If you wish to cover completely then building up thin layers tends to give the best result. Blue and purple discolouration often needs something to neutralise those tones before a skin-match colour can be applied, so one thick application simply won’t work. Two or three layers are usually needed, with around half a minute left between each application to allow it to settle. It’s not a lengthy process, but it does require a few minutes of focused care.

When do you use skin cam and when don’t you?

There are no rules about when to use skin camouflage, it’s entirely personal. Some people use it for special occasions or days when they’re feeling less confident and need to go out.

It can even be worn swimming, which may sound alarming if you’re worried it might wash off. With the right technique, such as patting the skin dry rather than rubbing, it’s entirely achievable.

The one exception is open or broken skin, camouflage should never be applied to an open wound. On clean, fully closed skin, however, it can be worn whenever you choose.

Which brand should I buy to cover redness on half of my face? I am quite busy and concerned about cost. Are there brands you can find on the high street?

When looking for a high street product, the key phrase to look for is “full coverage.” If a product is described as sheer or illuminating, it won’t provide the level of coverage needed for a visible difference. It’s also worth trying a concealer underneath or mixing your concealer and foundation together to build up coverage.

A word of caution: some high street brands claim to be waterproof, but in practice this usually means sweat-resistant rather than truly waterproof.

If you’re worried about the cost of trial and error, it may actually work out more economical to go directly to a camouflage practitioner, who can match you to the right product from the start.

For quick, effective coverage, many find Covermark the strongest option due to its high pigmentation. Discounted products are available through the Xtreme Makeup link on our website. To waterproof the finish, apply a translucent powder on top, leave it to set for 10 minutes, then brush off lightly.

Any advice on how to use camouflage to help cover texture?

Camouflage is designed primarily for colour matching, so it won’t alter the texture of the skin.

However, application techniques can influence the final appearance. Methods such as using fingers, brushes, or sponges may produce different results, and experimenting with techniques can help achieve the best outcome for individual skin types.

The first application can feel daunting, especially if you’ve never used makeup before. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques — it can make a real difference to how the product looks on your skin, even if the texture itself remains unchanged.

Can you use your normal foundation on top of the camouflage cream?

Yes, absolutely. You can use camouflage cream in two ways: either as a concealer, applying your usual foundation on top, or on its own, building up layers until you achieve the coverage you need.

Are the products suitable for sensitive skin?

The leading brands are largely formulated with sensitive skin in mind, recognising that many of the conditions they’re used for come with their own sensitivities. Some products do contain lanolin, which can be an allergen, and three out of the four main brands are also paraben-free, something many people want to know.

I have rosacea without spots or scars, just redness. What are the best products to use?

There is no single best product, as effectiveness varies between individuals.

Some people find that camouflage alone provides sufficient coverage, while others benefit from using a small amount of green-toned blocker underneath to neutralise redness before applying a skin-tone match.

Do you buy the setting powder separately from the same brand, or can you get it from a different brand?

Setting powders from different brands can generally be used interchangeably without any issue.

Do private practitioners offer guidance on other aspects? ie eyebrows that are missing.

This depends on the individual practitioner. Many are professionally trained makeup artists and would be happy to advise on techniques for things like missing eyebrows.

Which product is best to cover a tribal mark on the face?

Applying product directly onto a blue, purple, or black mark can cause it to turn grey or green. To avoid this, try a yellow, orange, or peach colour blocker underneath first, then apply a skin-matched product on top. For lighter marks, a blocker tends to work well in that case too. Covermark is a highly pigmented brand and is often considered the strongest option for overall coverage.

Is there a maximum size area that you would recommend applying camouflage preparations too?

It can be used on any sized area, all over the body if needed.

Which brand is best for black skin /has most options? Makeup ranges are limited so is this the same for camouflage creams?

There is a very wide range of colour options from all suppliers (take a look at their websites) especially with Dermacolour ranges, although those creams aren’t available on prescription they can be purchased privately.

Are there any products for pitted scarring?

A matt primer is recommended on pitted skin, prior to using camouflage products, just to give a smoother layer.

Can the creams be used on skin graft skin?

Yes they can. You just need to be sure that your skin is healed and well moisturised and hydrated first.