Picture the scene: you smash an egg-white omelet for breakfast, wash it down with a turmeric latte, then hit the gym for a 30-minute HIIT sesh – all before you get to work. Would you then sit at your desk and gorge on a bag of Wotsits, two Snickers bars and a can of Coke? Of course not but all this putting-in-the-hard-work-followed-by-a-quite-dramatic undoing is what’s happening with your skin. You meticulously cleanse tone and moisturize, then smother it with make-up that – most likely – isn’t caring for your face.
‘In the past, foundation didn’t let skin function normally,’ says Debbie Thomas, celebrity skin and laser expert. ‘Skin needs to breathe, and old formulations suffocated it. Most foundations contained inflammatory and comedogenic ingredients, which caused congestion, blockages, and blackheads. On the surface, skin looked healthy, but underneath it was suffering.’
However, before you swear off base make-up and go barefaced for good, know this: the number of beauty products that claim to care for your skin has rocketed in the past two years. Formulations are now lighter and less comedogenic than ever.
In fact, half of foundation sales growth last year came from those with moisturizing benefits, and a further 22% from oil-control foundations; products with anti-ageing promises were up 6.5% and SPF-enriched formulas were up 53%*.
Therefore, the figures look good but is this simply a fad? Not if Jamie Kern Lima, founder of skin-loving make-up brands IT Cosmetics, has anything to do with it. She suffers from rosacea and hyperpigmentation, and found it hard to locate products that made her skin look healthier. Therefore, she assembled a team of dermatologists and surgeons to create a skincare/make-up fusion range that today is worth around £960 million. ‘I wanted to provide formulations that start their life as skincare – with clinically tested ingredients like hydrolyzed collagen, niacin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, peptides and antioxidants – then infuse them with quality color or coverage,’ says Kern Lima.
The future of science-backed formulations is looking bright. Holistic lifestyle brand Dr. Hauschka launched a color line earlier this year that’s 100% natural and infused with skin-loving plant oils. ‘People are concerned about the chemicals found in traditional make-up getting into their systems through their skin,’ says Tara O’Rourke, a master skin therapist for Dr. Hauschka. ‘Research suggests that they are harmful for skin and general health, and consumers are starting to listen.’
Want your make-up to love your skin as much as you do? Read on for your personalized skin prescription.
Hyper Pigmentation Prescription - IT Cosmetics Full Coverage SPF50+CC Cream
This is a full-coverage sun protection with vitamins A, B, C, and E to shield skin against the elements. Want more? It also has niacinamide to even out skin tone.
Tired Skin Prescription - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation
Wake up your skin with a blend of vitamins that provide an anti-fatigue effect. It’ll be radiant and even for up to 16 hours.
Blemished Skin Prescription - Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Cushion Compact SPF35
The cushion compact is infused with caffeine and pink silk tree extract to enliven flagging skin. Use as much coverage as you need.
Ageing Skin Prescription – Dr. Hauschka Foundation
The witch hazel and bark are rich in stabilizing substances that support the skin’s natural functions and keep it lightly hydrated. Thanks very much.
Dull Skin Prescription - Aveda Inner Light Tinted Moisturizer SPF15
This is a dewy coverage with a 25% moisture boost on application. It’s lightweight, too, and infused with tourmaline, which will boost your skin’s radiance by a fifth. You’ll be glowing.
Reactive Skin Prescription - Bare Minerals Original SPF15 Foundation
Looks like powder; glides on like cream. Moreover, its minerals reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time. We’ll grab two, thanks.
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