In Development • Launching 2026

Rosacea Rescue

Foundation that corrects redness while actively calming inflammation

Created for my sister and other family members who couldn't find makeup that didn't trigger flare-ups. Oil-free, clinically-dosed actives, and optical green correction.

When Marketing Becomes Medical Harm

My brother's rosacea is worse than my sister's—not because of genetics, but because the beauty industry convinced him that barrier care was "for women."

They both developed rosacea around the same age. My sister started using moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and mineral foundation for sun protection. My brother washed with bar soap and "toughed it out" because skincare felt gendered.

Ten years later, the difference is stark. Her rosacea is manageable with occasional flare-ups. His has progressed to persistent facial redness, visible broken capillaries, and painful inflammation that affects his confidence and quality of life.

Same genetic predisposition. Same family. Different outcomes because of marketing.

The Cost of Gendered Skincare

Rosacea is a progressive inflammatory condition. Early barrier support and anti-inflammatory treatment can slow or prevent progression. But when products are marketed exclusively to women with pink packaging and "beauty" messaging, half the population delays care until damage is irreversible.

Men are diagnosed with rosacea at later stages and more severe presentations—not because their disease is worse, but because they avoid "feminized" products until it's too late.

What Kept Him From Getting Help Earlier?

  • Products marketed as "beauty" rather than "skin health"
  • Packaging and advertising that screamed "not for you"
  • Social stigma around men using "makeup" (even therapeutic formulations)
  • Lack of male representation in rosacea product marketing
  • Dermatologist recommendations dismissed as "vanity"

MAAD's Approach: Biology Over Marketing

As a chemist watching this unfold, I realized: The ingredients that help rosacea don't care about your gender. So why should the products?

Rosacea Rescue is formulated around dermatological research, not beauty trends:

  • Oil-free water-gel base (reduces microbial triggers)
  • Clinical-dose actives (niacinamide, azelaic acid)
  • Green optical correction (neutralizes redness naturally)
  • Skin-like finish (not "beauty makeup" aesthetic)

It doesn't look like traditional makeup. It looks like healthier skin—because that's what it's designed to create.

If we can prevent one person from delaying treatment because they didn't think a product was "for them," we've made a difference. Skin biology doesn't care about gendered marketing. Neither should therapeutic cosmetics.

Understanding Rosacea

To create a foundation that helps instead of harms, we first needed to understand what's actually happening in rosacea-affected skin.

What is Rosacea?

A chronic inflammatory condition affecting 16+ million people, characterized by:

  • Persistent facial redness (erythema)
  • Visible blood vessels (telangiectasia)
  • Inflammatory papules/pustules
  • Skin sensitivity and burning sensations

What Triggers Flare-Ups?

  • Heat and sun exposure
  • Stress and emotional factors
  • Certain foods (spicy, alcohol)
  • Skincare with irritants (fragrance, alcohol, oils)
  • Physical pressure or friction

The Underlying Mechanisms

  • Neurovascular dysregulation: Blood vessels overreact to triggers
  • Innate immune activation: Chronic low-grade inflammation
  • Barrier dysfunction: Increased TEWL and sensitivity
  • Demodex mite proliferation: Fed by facial oils

Why Conventional Foundation Makes It Worse

🛢️

Heavy Oils

Most foundations use mineral oil, silicones, or plant oils for texture. These feed Demodex mites and disrupt the already-compromised skin barrier, triggering inflammation.

🌸

Fragrance & Irritants

Even "sensitive skin" formulas often contain fragrances, essential oils, or preservatives that trigger inflammatory responses in reactive rosacea skin.

⚗️

Wrong pH

Many cosmetics have pH 7-8, which compromises the acid mantle. Rosacea skin needs pH 5.5-6.0 to function optimally.

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No Active Treatment

Traditional foundations just cover—they don't address inflammation, barrier repair, or microbial balance. You're hiding symptoms while making the root problem worse.

The MAAD Approach

Four therapeutic pillars that work while you wear it

1

Oil-Free Water-Gel Base

Our hydrophilic polymer matrix eliminates heavy oils entirely. This:

  • Reduces Demodex mite food source
  • Maintains barrier integrity
  • Allows skin to breathe and regulate naturally
  • Provides silky application without comedogenic oils
2

Clinical-Dose Actives

We incorporate ingredients at levels shown effective in dermatological studies:

  • Niacinamide (3%): Repairs barrier, reduces inflammation, calms redness
  • Azelaic Acid (10%): Anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial (including Demodex), reduces redness
  • Antioxidants: Scavenge free radicals that trigger flare-ups
3

Green Optical Correction

Chromium oxide green pigments neutralize redness through color theory—not heavy coverage that looks mask-like. You get:

  • Natural-looking redness cancellation
  • No oxidation (mineral pigments don't react)
  • Buildable coverage where you need it
  • Skin-like finish, not pancake
4

Protective Film Technology

Our breathable polymer film creates a shield against environmental triggers:

  • Blocks pollution and irritants
  • Maintains optimal hydration
  • Transfer-resistant for all-day wear
  • Easy removal without scrubbing

What to Expect

Immediate

  • Visible redness reduction through green correction
  • Comfortable, non-irritating wear
  • Natural, skin-like finish

2-4 Weeks

  • Barrier function improvement
  • Reduced sensitivity and reactivity
  • Less frequent flare-ups

Ongoing

  • Better overall skin health
  • Less reliance on heavy coverage
  • Confidence in your makeup choice

Important: Rosacea Rescue is a therapeutic cosmetic, not a cure. It's designed to support dermatological treatment, not replace it. Always work with your healthcare provider for comprehensive rosacea management.

Our Research Commitment

We're currently conducting:

  • Stability testing and formulation optimization (Q4 2025)
  • Controlled user testing with rosacea-diagnosed individuals (Q1 2026)
  • Dermatologist-supervised clinical evaluation (Q2 2026)
  • Barrier function and erythema measurements

Results will be published here and in peer-reviewed venues as they become available.

Join the Beta Testing List

Be Among the First

Rosacea Rescue launches Q2 2026. Join the waitlist for early access and founding member pricing.

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