If there’s one aspect of makeup evolution that I have welcomed with open arms, it is the evolution of base makeup, or foundation. I stayed away from using liquid foundation for many years until fairly recently, due to its texture – thick and cakey. Sheer foundation was quite unheard of back in the day – why use a sheer foundation? You might as well not wear makeup. Makeup was to be seen.
Now, we have moved on, thankfully!
With the evolution of base makeup, I’ve also noticed how cosmetics brands are positioning their foundation or base makeup, as a skincare-hybrid product. Because it goes on all over your face, almost like a moisturiser or skincare product, companies are now infusing their foundations with all sorts of skincare benefits. It started out with sunscreen (many foundations now boast a pretty high SPF) and most recently, brands are now infusing their bases with serum and skincare benefits. It may not be reflected in the name, but it’ll be there, as one of the selling points of the foundation.
I got to talking with a beauty editor recently about this, when she asked me what I thought about skincare serum in foundation, and whether it was sufficient, or if there were any benefits to be derived from it. That was interesting. I never quite thought about it before! 😀
The reason I tend not to think about it, is because in my mind, skincare and makeup are kept quite distinct and separate. Anything that goes on my skin up to the sunscreen layer, is skincare. Anything that goes on after my sunscreen, is makeup. I’m particular about what goes on before sunscreen. I’m less particular about what goes on after that, as long as it looks good – makeup for me is about aesthetics.
For me therefore, any skincare products – moisturiser, serum and/or sunscreen – infused into a foundation is a plus point, but isn’t a primary consideration when I look for a foundation. For me, texture is most important in a foundation, and how it sits on my skin.
I am quite aware that many brands now tout foundation with skincare benefits, with all sorts of anti-aging serums being added. I think it’s a great – to a degree. Serums are usually, a more concentrated formula of an active ingredient, and when used on your skin as part of your skincare routine, helps you derive benefits, be it for hydration or anti-aging or skin brightening.
However, the question that was posed to me also rang alarm bells, because it made me think – Are there people out there, who are so comfortable with the fact that their foundation contains a skincare serum or sunscreen, that they don’t use a separate serum or sunscreen? You’d have read my thoughts on the sunscreen issue and my view is the same when it comes to serum in foundation. There will never be a high enough level of skincare benefits or serum in a foundation, for it to make a big difference to your skin, unlike a separate serum as part of your skincare routine.
To me, makeup is makeup; and skincare is skincare. If a makeup product contains skincare benefits, that’s well and good. I don’t mind extra benefits for my skin, especially if it’s something I’m wearing all over, for the whole day. But it is not, and never will be a replacement for my skincare serums.
If you want to DIY, you could even infuse your own foundation with serum – just drop a drop of serum into your favourite foundation. It thins the formula, and in some cases, helps it feel more comfortable. But you may also notice how only a tiny little drop can make a big difference to texture. I personally feel the same to be true of any serum-infused foundation. Any benefits are minimal. It is a nice addition, but it is by no stretch of imagination, a replacement for your skincare.
Do you have thoughts about skincare or serum-infused foundations?
Do you think they’re gimmicky or if they do work better for skin? Do you think they are better for your skin and does it influence your purchase of a foundation?
Paris B
Gerrine says
November 22, 2016 at 9:51 amSkincare is skincare, makeup is makeup. Let’s keep it that way even though some makeup claimed to have skin care benefit.
Paris B says
November 22, 2016 at 2:15 pmHear hear! I tend to roll my eyes whenever people start extolling the virtues of their skincare in the makeup. Honestly, how much can there be in there to make a difference eh?
Jue says
November 22, 2016 at 10:46 amSkincare is skincare. I don’t believe in buying a premium foundation that supposedly added serum into it.
You know they are cheating with you on it.
Bourjois is excluded since the price point is acceptable.
Anyway, once in a blue moon I do add ANR into my foundation. Maybe it’s placebo effect but I just think it gives a dewy glow.
A serum is more effective and concentrated on it own rather than thinning it with foundation.
Paris B says
November 22, 2016 at 2:16 pmThe premium foundations are the ones that are usually infused with serums LOL! 😀 But you know I totally get you about ANR’s effects with foundations. I swear it gives a nicer glow too! Especially useful for the thicker foundations I own, to thin them out and make them feel more comfortable on skin 😉
Esther Yeong says
November 22, 2016 at 1:35 pmAgree wholeheartedly to your opinion! Besides, I enjoy my skincare routine, don’t wanna simplify it to that extent of only applying foundation as all-in-one!!
Paris B says
November 22, 2016 at 2:19 pmhaha same with me! I love my skincare routine too and while I’m happy that a particular foundation might be beneficial for my skin, it’s just a nice side benefit, not a primary consideration for me 😀
Esme says
November 22, 2016 at 1:46 pmI agree with you. I chose my skin care based on their effectiveness in making my skin look radiant, diminishing signs of wrinkles, and lightening spots. I choose foundation to cover imperfections; concealer to hide dark circles; powder to mattify.
Paris B says
November 22, 2016 at 2:19 pmThey all serve different uses – skincare to treat and makeup… to make us look better than we feel LOL 😀
Evan Chang says
November 22, 2016 at 4:25 pmI love the Dior’s Nude Air though, also the Bourjois healthy mix. Don’t really like the Bobby Brown one. Meh
Skincare inside of foundation I think would be a stupid choice? The skincare ingredient wouldn’t even go into the skin because I always put primer before using any sort of makeup, essentially making the skincare ingredient not being able to be absorbed into the skin.
Unless we don’t put moisturizer and primer onto the skin first then apply the foundation, I think only then only SOME of the skincare ingredients would go into the skin and be absorbed
HAHAHA
Paris B says
November 23, 2016 at 1:56 pmHaha we’re opposites Evan! I like the BB one but not so much the Dior one 😀 we are in agreement about Bourjois though 😉 Oh and yes, those who use primer will definitely not benefit very much from skincare in makeup. I think it’s a good thing that the brands are thinking about things like this, but ultimately, if that’s the reason for jacking up the price, it doesn’t sit so well with me
CL says
November 22, 2016 at 9:51 pmIt just makes me wonder..they say primer is supposed to act as a barrier between your skin and make up. So if I have already applied primer on my face, how would the serum-infused foundation be any beneficial to my skin? Hmm..
In conclusion, just like you, skincare is skincare, makeup is makeup, too! 😛
Paris B says
November 23, 2016 at 2:01 pmThat’s an excellent point! I don’t use primer myself so I can’t comment, but if the properties are primer are to be believed, then really, any skincare benefits from the foundation would be “wasted” 😀 Let’s just keep separate, although I think it’s to be commended that they are trying to make better quality foundations, not infused with lead, for example LOL! 😉
Lily says
November 23, 2016 at 8:48 pmI never skim on skincare, and makeup is makeup. Skincare benefits in makeup is a bonus. I wouldn’t say it’s a gimmick, nor would I say that we’re being cheated on the price hike, because we have a choice to buy something more affordable, a basic foundation.
That said, it can be misleading, especially for those who are not well informed 🙂
Paris B says
November 29, 2016 at 9:18 amI think the “problem” is that many higher end brands have taken the “skincare-in-foundation” route to sell their products, and we know how that goes. Boom! Through the roof! I don’t mind it, but I get really antsy when makeup is marketed as skincare – like those primer thingies that claim to smoothen skin etc.
Efrain says
November 24, 2016 at 11:37 amFor me it’s a big gimmick because as some have mentioned it’s almost impossible to take the foundation to the skin with sunscreen and/or primer below it.
So for me you’re paying just for a glorified foundation, they’re the BB creams of 2016.
Right now I’m in love with L’Oréal Pro Matte foundation so although sometimes I’d like a more expensive foundation I don’t feel the urge to get one more gimmicky.
Paris B says
November 29, 2016 at 9:25 amSadly I’d have to agree with you about how the primer will stop the benefits of the skincare in foundation from reaching the skin. That’s something that the brands might have to think about eh? I’m perfectly fine with foundation being just foundation. I’m fine with it having skincare benefits, so long as they don’t make it out to be some miracle product. Makeup is still makeup after all!
Daphne says
November 29, 2016 at 4:11 pmI don’t think such infused makeup can completely replace skincare products. Especially not sunscreen! We don’t wear makeup at night and the amount of foundation we use is definitely not enough to replace sunscreen!
But I think it is a good way to introduce skincare to those less in the know. HOPEFULLY they start learning more and then using proper products.
Paris B says
January 3, 2017 at 3:55 pmI read a recent article that said you’d need about 30 times the amount of foundation to get enough sun protection from makeup. Can you imagine that much foundation on the face?! Yikes! LOL!