Skin Care: Types Of Skin Foundations

Skin foundation is designed to provide a surface layer covering over your skin. It is a type of cosmetic product that can help to conceal irregularities on the face and by doing so, can give the skin a smoother looking and more even complexion. Most people tend to associate skin foundations with women, however, recently there has been a steady increase in the amount of men using foundations as part of their skincare routine.

Selecting the right type of foundation is of course, very important, as if you use the wrong type you could end up with a foundation line that runs along your jaw or neck line, or even cause your face to appear as though you are wearing a mask. If you have selected the right product this shouldn’t happen, as foundations are designed to provide an almost invisible layer on your face and not make it obvious that you are wearing makeup.

Your Skin Type

In order to get a foundation to blend into and complement your skin, you need to select one that matches your skin tone and color. For most women, this will involve a little trial and error, as you will likely have to try many different products before you find the right shade of foundation that enables you to achieve a natural look.

It is important to remember though, that foundations are not meant to be used as a concealer. So even though you may be able to somewhat reduce the appearance of blemishes, pigmentation and other flaws, if you try to use your foundation primarily for this purpose you are unlikely to ever achieve a natural look and it will appear very obvious that you have foundation on your face.

Another point worth bearing in mind is that the type of foundation you use should also be suited to your skin type, which may be classed as either normal, oily, dry, sensitive, acne or combination.

Today, women are quite fortunate, as there are now many different types of skin care products, such as cleaners, toners and moisturizers, that are specifically designed to work with different skin types. This means that whatever beauty or cosmetic product you use, you are likely to get the best results from using one that matches your skin type as closely as possible.

Discover your skin type here.

What Types Of Skin Foundations Are There?

If you go to the skincare, beauty or cosmetics section of your local department store, amongst all the different types of makeups you are likely to find a wide variety of foundations to choose from.

This is great for you as a consumer, because having so much choice means that you are likely to find a product or brand which gives you the type of results that you are looking for. Unfortunately however, all this choice can also be very confusing!

To help make your next trip to the cosmetics counter a little bit less confusing, below you will find listed some of the main types of skin foundations that you can buy and why you may or may not want to purchase them.

Tinted

Tinted foundations include a touch of color, such as pink or apricot, to give a gentle lift to your face. These can be useful if you have a pale complexion and want to add some light color to your face.

Although tinted foundations can work well for some people, such as those with rosacea, they don’t suit everyone and applying too much can give your face an unnatural looking appearance.

Tinted Moisturizers

Tinted moisturizers are basically liquid equivalents of tinted foundations. They are designed for people who like tinted foundations but find them too heavy to wear and want something lighter instead. Tinted moisturizers have a hint of color to them and are very light with a transparent finish, but are not designed to replace your existing moisturizer or face cream.

The downside to using tinted moisturizers is that because they are so light they tend not to be that effective at concealing irregularities on the skin, and may cause some skin types, such as oily skin, to appear shiny or greasy.

Note: You may sometimes see tinted moisturizers as being referred to as “sheer foundation” which means that it provides very little coverage.

Liquid

Liquid foundations are one of the most popular types of foundations currently available on the market. They are formulated for all skin types and so can be moisturizing for skins such as normal, sensitive or dry skin, or oil-free for skins such as oily or acne skin.

Some women however, find that even the oil free versions can still make their face look shiny. So whether or not a liquid foundation is likely to work well for you, really depends on how oily your skin is.

Liquid foundations generally provide sheer coverage. This makes them very light to wear and they won’t be cakey or clog your pores. This type of foundation is very easy to apply, and providing you select the right shade for your skin tone it can produce a very natural looking result.

Liquid foundations can be applied with your fingers, a cosmetic sponge or a foundation brush. They can come in light, medium and heavy coverages, but tend not to be that effective at covering up dark blemishes or deep scars although they can work well for uneven skin tones.

Cream To Powder

As the name suggests, what starts off as a cream eventually turns to a powder when it dries on your face. Being a cream means that you will be able to apply it easier, quicker and get more even coverage than you would do with a regular powder foundation. However, cream to powder foundations tend not to be suitable for oily skins as they can make the face appear overly oily.

This type of foundation can provide you with a medium to heavy coverage, and so it can work quite well at concealing skin irregularities and discolorations. But if it is applied too heavily on the face, it will cause a caked, heavy look which makes it obvious that you are wearing makeup.

Cream to powder foundations can also be found as stick foundations. A stick foundation comes in a lipstick like container, which makes them very convenient to carry around with you and when you need a quick touch-up.

Powder

Powder foundations usually come in a small portable holder. Because they are powder they won’t spill, which makes them ideal if you need a quick touch up during the day.

The main advantages of using powder foundations is that they are very easy to apply, light to wear and the matte finish that they produce can be helpful for controlling shine or excess oil on the face. They are also quite long-lasting, although you will still usually require several touch-ups throughout the day.

Because you can get light, medium and heavy coverages, powders can be used to conceal blemishes if built up enough. However, applying too much powder can result in a cakey look and so they tend not to work that well for this purpose or for concealing wrinkles or scars. Powders are also not very suitable for dry skin types, as they don’t sit very well on rough or flaky skin and can cause the skin become overly dry.

Light Diffusing

A light diffusing foundation uses tiny light diffusing particles to camouflage pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles by creating a satin finish.

This has the effect of blurring out flaws and imperfections, which makes this type of foundation especially useful for older women as it will help to give their skin a glowing and youthful looking appearance.

Light Reflecting

A light reflecting foundation reflects light off particles around your face. This can give your face a more radiant looking appearance, although it can also cause some faces to appear overly shiny if the foundation does not also use light diffusing particles.

Mineral Powders

Mineral powders are applied to the face with a foundation brush. They are light diffusing and so they can help to conceal fine lines and wrinkles whilst also giving your face a youthful glowing appearance.

Mineral foundations may also contain sunblock in the form of zinc or titanium oxide which can protect your skin from premature aging caused by too much sun exposure.

Another advantage of using a mineral foundation is that they usually contain very few ingredients and are hypoallergenic, which makes them especially suitable for those who have sensitive skin.

Spray/Airbrush

Airbrush or spray foundations are applied to the face using an airbrush. This type of foundation tends to be used by professional makeup artists as it results in a flawless finish, but it is a much more expensive way of applying foundation compared to the other more traditional methods.

An alternative to spray foundation is mouse foundation which produces similar results and is also very light to wear.

Foundation For Your Skin Type

Choosing the right foundation can give you a big boost to your overall level of confidence and self-esteem by making you look more attractive. However, the type of foundation that you use should be suited to the type of skin that you have. So below are some tips for helping to select the right foundation for different types of skins.

Dry

For dry skin choose something that is hydrating and has an oil base. Avoid oil free foundations as these will likely be too drying and sit unevenly on the face. You are likely to get the best results by using a cream or liquid foundation, as powder foundations will be too drying for you.

Oily/Acne

If you have oily or acne skin, you want something that is oil-free and produces a matte finish. Powder or mineral foundations tend to work especially well for oily or acne skins, but may not provide enough coverage for concealing acne blemishes without the use of a concealer.

Acne sufferers are likely to benefit the most from a foundation that is non comedogenic, so it doesn’t clog the pores, and contains salicylic acid to help control outbreaks.

Combination

With combination skin you need to address dry and oily patches. Look for a product that offers shine reduction in addition to something that will lock in moisture where it is needed, such as a cream to powder foundation for example.

Sensitive

Sensitive skin can react badly if you use the wrong type of makeup or skin care product. Ideally, you want something that is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and has as few ingredients in it as possible or uses all natural ingredients. Mineral foundations tend to work very well with sensitive skins.

Normal

Count yourself lucky if you have normal skin because you can use just about anything and still get good results! This is of course, provided that you select the right shade of foundation to match the tone of your skin.

How To Shop For Foundation Make Up

Out of all the skin care products available, it is often said that foundation is one of the hardest to shop for. Not only do you need to select the right color for your skin, but you also need to select a foundation that works with your skin type.

Getting the right foundation isn’t something that you are likely to do with the first foundation you buy, as it takes most people many months of experimentation before they finally find that perfect product.

The perfect foundation is one that has a color which matches your skin tone. Generally, skin tones tend to have either a pinkish or a yellowish undertone. So if you have had a hard time matching your foundation to your skin tone in the past, then it is likely that you are using a pink undertone when you need a yellow undertone and vice versa.

However, the best way to select the right foundation is by asking someone who specializes in this area, such as a sales consultant. They likely see many different faces throughout the day, and so should be able to give you good advice on selecting a product that will work with your skin type and tone.

But for now, let’s have a look at some tips to help you make an educated purchase the next time you shop for foundation.

Lighting Conditions

When you find a color which looks good on you indoors, it is always a good idea to see how it looks under different types of light.

So take a mirror with you when you go shopping, and see how your skin looks under artificial light and in sunlight. An ideal foundation should look similar regardless of the light you are under.

Testing Cosmetic Products

If you are testing a foundation in store, make sure that the sales rep puts it on the front of your cheek rather than on the sides or jaw where you can’t see it. Also, don’t test foundation on your hand or neck. Test it where you will be using it.

Get Samples

Before making a commitment to buy a product outright, it is a good idea to get a sample first so that you can test it out for a few days. Sometimes, you may react badly to a skin care product, and so this is something that you will be able to easily identify if you have a sample.

Get Something That Will Meet Your Needs

You only need one foundation that you will use for both the day and evening, and you only need one color – the one that matches your skin.

The only exception to this is if you want to use a lighter foundation during the winter and a heavier foundation during the summer.

Go Shopping In A Good Mood

One of the worst times that you can go shopping for any skin care product is when you are in a bad mood because you will think that everything looks horrible on you. So go shopping in a good mood!

Purchase A Brand That Works For Your Skin

Just because you use brand x to cleanse, tone, and moisturize, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are going to have the best foundation for your skin.

Choose a brand that works well for you and not just because you are using it already or because your friends are using it.

Get Something That Will Last A Long Time

A regular bottle of foundation should last you for around six months, so if you are buying foundation more often than this, then you are probably using too much.

The only exception to this is if you have acne skin, in which case, you should replace your foundation roughly every three to four months to prevent it from becoming contaminated with acne bacteria.

When Using A Self Tanner

If you use a tanning lotion on your face then make sure that you have it on before you shop for foundation, as otherwise you are likely to pick up the wrong product which won’t work with your skin type or tone.

Skin Foundations For Dark Skin

If you have dark skin, be very fussy about the foundation you choose and make sure that it suits your skin type well. Something which just looks ok is probably the wrong product for you, as you want something that looks as natural as possible.