Question:
Renee asks: ”What would you suggest for people with allergies who break out easily when they wear foundation?”
Answer:
Great question, Renee!
Since you have sensitive skin, I’m sure that you’ve tried many foundations and have probably experienced buyer’s remorse after experiencing a breakout.
Here are a few quick keywords to remember in order to select a foundation that will best suit your needs (and save you money):
- Noncomedogenic (Cosmetics that do not clog pores or cause the formation of blackheads or whiteheads.)
- Hypoallergenic (Cosmetics that have a decreased possibility of causing an allergic reaction.)
- Fragrance-Free (Use caution or completely avoid products that are labeled “Unscented” because they may contain chemicals to cover up the scent, which can cause a reaction.)
Whether you tend to gravitate towards cream/liquid foundations or prefer powder or mineral makeup, be sure to select one that has an SPF of 15 or higher for your day time look. I highly recommend this because those with sensitive skin are often more prone to sun damage as well.
For liquid or cream foundations, try to find a formula that contains silicone in the first 6 ingredients. The reason is because it’s least likely to cause irritation (or exacerbate any current break outs). The contents on the back of cosmetics or any beauty products are federally regulated to be listed in order of concentration by weight if it is greater than 1% (this is a great topic of discussion for a later post). This is true for products made in the USA, Canada, and France.
Powder cosmetics have fewer ingredients than their trusty liquid counterparts and are proven to be less likely to upset sensitive skin. If you do tend to to use mineral makeup, please be sure to use a soft kabuki brush or an angled brush. I don’t have sensitive skin, but on my clients I use soft goat hair brushes because I feel that it helps the product to glide on effortlessly. Speaking of brushes….
Clean your brushes!
Do you find that sometimes it’s a challenge to apply powder products to your brush or that you’re not getting enough product onto your skin? People who have oily skin tend to experience this problem because repeated use of a brush without properly cleaning them causes product to attach to the natural oils from the skin and caking on the brush fibers. There often tends to be a film on top of the powders as well, which I recommend scraping off using a makeup spatula or the back of your sanitized tweezers.
Another reason to clean your brushes: Just as we condition and clean our hair, we need to take care and nourish the fibers of our brushes. Particularly in the case of animal hair fibers, if not moisturized and conditioned, the ends will split. This will cause a course and rough application, which will further irritate your skin. No worries! A thorough tutorial on how to properly clean brushes is soon to follow.
Conduct a Patch Test
Regardless of which type of foundation you gravitate towards, it’s hard to really tell which ingredients you are actually allergic to. In order to better determine that, be sure to conduct a patch test. Do this by simply dabbing a small amount to your inner wrist and lightly massage it in as you would foundation on your face. 12 hours later, check to see if you have any redness, pustules, or itching. If so, feel free to add this to a list that includes the name of the product and the names of the first 6 or 7 ingredients. (This way, you can start to pinpoint which ingredient to steer clear from.) If you do not experience a reaction from the patch test, feel free to purchase this product.
I urge my clients to go to the cosmetic counters and conduct a test. Usually the staff at the counters will provide you with a small sample as well. If you tend to favor over the counter or drugstore brands, have no fear. Most cosmetic brands have samples for you to try. If not, be sure to review the return policy of cosmetic purchases.
Toss Out Old Makeup!
Holding onto product after they’ve passed their prime can cause irritation to your sensitive skin. Signs that your foundation is past its prime:
- It doesn’t blend on the skin as well; it streaks. (This is caused by separation of liquids inside of the container.*)
- It smells funny.
- You notice a slight color change, either darker or more orange. (This can also be from exposure to light, otherwise known as oxidation. Make sure you close the container after depositing the desired amount to apply on the face. Exposure to air can increase the rate of oxidation, thus rapidly aging the life of the product.)
*Certain MAC and Chanel formulas tend to separate, so check with the cosmetics counter if you feel that you need a replacement or reassurance.
Renee, I sincerely hope this information has been helpful to you. I know it’s a lot of information to absorb at once, but I’m confident that in time you will be able to pinpoint which ingredients cause the irritation.
