This time of year brings many social gatherings, our calendars are filling up with fun parties and outings as we are sure yours are! We all want to look our best, so for many of us, that includes glamming up with our favorite outfits and of course having a bit of fun with makeup! There are so many choices out there, so we want to break the basics down for you and give you the information to be able to choose the right foundation for your skin’s needs.
Benefits – Why We Choose Mineral Foundation
These foundations are great because the main ingredients in most of them (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, ferrous oxide) are either anti-inflammatory, provide great sunscreen protection (as a physical blocking agent), or provide natural, mineral-based color for the skin. They are ideal for many skin types, but in particular can help calm sensitive and rosacea prone skin and the anti-inflammatory properties of many of the formulations help to improve acne prone complexions. The mineral based foundations work great with oily complexions, helping to absorb unwanted shine. Newer liquid mineral foundations are better for mature skin, and don’t settle in fine lines the way earlier formulations sometimes could.
Additionally, people with pigmentary conditions (melasma, sun spots) can be great candidates for mineral-based foundations. The physical sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) in many mineral foundations are the best possible sunscreen ingredients to combat brown discoloration. We often discuss with patients who say they are using regular sunscreen, or that their liquid foundation already has SPF, to examine active ingredients carefully. Many of those formulations contain only chemical sunscreens (the ones that are hard to pronounce, like octinoxate, octocrylene, avobenzone, oxybenzone, homosalate, etc) – these chemical sunscreens change light into heat energy on the surface of the skin – heat causes inflammation, and inflammation can lead to further pigmentation, sun damage, and even blood vessel damage. So they think they are doing a great thing using sunscreen in their makeup but may be actually making pigmentation worse. Dr. Palm tells all of her patients to look for zinc in both their sunscreen and make up for this reason!
What to look for:
- Sunscreen agents: look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active sunscreen ingredients
- Noncomedogenic labeling: this means it won’t clog pores – in general, this category of foundations is great for acne prone skin
- Fragrance: check for masking fragrances or enhancers. For sensitive skin types, this may lead to irritation of the skin or a rash/breakouts
- Boosting ingredients: many foundations are now including antioxidants. Infrared light/heat energy is a hot topic now in protecting skin and preventing sun damage. Foundations that include green tea, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), or vitamin E (tocopherol) will help thwart off the damage from infrared light exposure
- Foundation type: if you are combo skin or lean toward oily, pick a powder. Some of the lighter weight liquid foundations might be better for drier skin types
- Packaging/delivery system: how the makeup is delivered makes a difference. If you have to dip again and again into the foundation, this can lead to bacterial contamination over time. Pump formulations or prefilling brushes can minimize this. Cushion compacts may need to be replaced on a more frequent basis to prevent infection or a malodor to the product itself.
Dr. Palm’s recommendations:
- ColoreScience Sunforgetttable: this is an easy, portable on-the-fly way of delivering mineral foundation. The applicator is prefilled and replacement cartridges make it easy. It is compact. I throw it in my glove compartment and one at my desk so I can re-apply sunscreen/foundation throughout the day. It is a great solution for those who make up their faces in the morning, and don’t want to have to contend with sunscreen reapplication after makeup has been applied to the face. It has a great zinc-based sunscreen and is endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation for its effectiveness. It creates a thin but very effective barrier between the skin and the elements.
- AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact: lovely liquid formulation in this CC cream from Korea. Provides broad spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB and boasts an SPF of 50. Lightweight formulation with luminescent finish. Free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. Contains both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in great percentages for great sun protection. Contains soothing, hydrating, and antioxidant ingredients to enhance the skin such as green tea, red ginseng, and bamboo.
- Bare Minerals: This is one of the first mineral makeup lines on the market. Now they have a diverse line for many skin types not only for foundation but also eye shadow, lip products, and more. The line’s offerings can be tailored for the skin type. Acne prone types might select their complexion correcting line that contains anti-inflammatories like Aspen Bark and tea tree oil while those with drier skin may opt for their hydrating cream formulations. Contains titanium dioxide as a physical sun-blocking agent.
- L’Oreal True Match Mineral Foundation: good delivery system with built in brush that takes the mess and fuss out of makeup application. Great option from the drugstore at an affordable price. Provides adequate protection with SPF 19 coverage due to titanium dioxide content. Vitamin E and aloe juice extract provides antioxidant and soothing properties for the skin and this product does not contain talc.
If you have more questions, or would like to check out some great mineral makeup options, we offer Colorescience products here at Art of Skin MD – they are a locally-based company that offers an outstanding product and we are happy to help you find your right fit!
