Best Instant Redness Reducer: Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder

The contenders: Remedies — whether in cream, serum, or powder form — that claim to reduce facial redness and soothe skin both immediately and over time. Though their anti-aging qualifications may not be immediately obvious, uneven skin tone can add years to your appearance.

Testing time: 15 minutes in the lab (to test the instant claims); one week at home.

And the winner is... Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder ($32.50, amazon.com) nearly swept the category, with top scores for ease of use, consumer performance, and overall performance (a measure of lab and consumer results). "This face powder worked immediately," said one tester, adding that "it definitely minimized the amount of redness I have and did not take a lot of work to apply." Another liked its calming effect on her inflamed skin: "It felt soothing and worked great under my makeup."