The new breed of makeup offers more than just coverage. With added skin health benefits, you’ll be more than just a pretty face.
We all know makeup is a girl’s best friend for highlighting our best features and detracting from all manner of skin sins – from breakouts to late nights. But these days we expect our beauty with a side serve of benefits: makeup that’s good for us.
While our tried-and-true makeup may do the trick, a slew of practical products that do double duty are popping up. If we’re looking to get a little boost from our everyday application, cosmetics that contain extra ingredients are bringing along added benefits — so while we wear our makeup, we’re actually helping our skin at the same time.
Bases loaded
Foundations and concealers have found a new life as formulations that contain clinical skincare ingredients. They now go beyond the single added benefit of containing an SPF to fuse treatment technology within each cosmetic product, such as formulations to improve dark circles and puffiness, while incorporating ingredients to improve the skin’s appearance over time. Some foundations promote collagen production and help fight signs of ageing, while others are enriched with vitamins and antioxidants to repair, protect and perfect skin.
Eye openers
Who doesn’t want to banish their bags and lengthen their lashes for brighter eyes to bat? Disguise dark under-eye circles with bag-decreasing concealers and nourish lashes with pro-vitamin mascara formulations to strengthen, moisturise and condition.
Mineral movement
While we’ve all heard about mineral makeup, beauty experts are still buzzing about it for good reason. In addition to being all-natural, mineral products are enriched with unique ingredients that offer protection against environmental conditions and stresses while providing coverage.
Mineral foundation is made of high-pigment minerals that have been finely crushed. Without artificial ingredients, fragrance, talc, preservatives, dyes and unnecessary additives, it’s a healthier option for pores and the skin’s general appearance.
Mineral foundation contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide – an SPF 20 UVA, UVB and URA blocker – helping to protect our skin from the sun’s merciless and harmful rays. Mineral makeup is also ideal for sensitive, acne-prone or damaged skin.
These powders aid in oil absorption to keep a matte, fresh finish and they are also non-comedogenic, which means they won’t clog pores.
Mineral foundation powder is free from oils, waxes and silicone and is anti-inflammatory, so it can assist in soothing red and irritated skin. The ingredients consist of inert and natural minerals that can’t support bacteria and are preservative free.
Age related
The past decade has seen a blooming market for anti-ageing cosmetics, appealing to our desire to stay as youthful looking as possible for our age.
Products can include any number of active ingredients, including: Vitamin A derivatives such as retinol; botofirm; peptides; and other anti-ageing ingredients that stimulate collagen production.
Anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing makeup products have been shown to improve skin’s elasticity and reduce some signs of ageing.
Sun protection
In response to concerns over the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays, cosmetics manufacturers started improving their product lines by including sun protection. With moisturisers and foundations now including an SPF of 15 or 30, we’re provided with extra protection from the sun. Of course, it’s still advised we apply a traditional sunscreen product for maximum protection.
Au naturel
Gentle makeup offers fragrance-free products and hypoallergenic products for sensitive souls. Such formulations avoid harmful chemicals and preservatives and may include organic ingredients. The theory behind natural makeup is that since it’s created from natural ingredients, such as plants, the resulting product will be much more gentle on the skin.
Primed
Makeup primers are relatively new products on the market but are now gaining more and more popularity. Their aim is to prepare the skin for makeup application by pampering and creating a protective base for longer lasting, natural-looking wear.
Most of them are oil- and fragrance-free to work especially well for oily and combination skins, as they control excess shine and absorb oil. A makeup primer is also appropriate for those with very dry and sensitive skin as it nourishes the skin and calms inflammations. Makeup primers create a perfect makeup base, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores while allowing skin to breathe.
