Makeup doesn’t always have to be weighing on your skin, and there are some brands that have prioritised putting ingredients in that benefit your skin. Skin prep is an important part of skin health, but that doesn’t mean skin prep has to end when you put makeup on.
If you wish to keep your skin protected, no matter what condition your skin is in, these are 5 brands that you can choose from.
Refy Beauty
Refy Beauty is a relatively new brand on the market, but it has hit the ground running because of its commitment to being cruelty-free and its focus on prioritising skin health within the beauty industry. Particularly within the past year, they have spent the time to make products such as a face sculpt, which is a 2-in-1 moisturiser and face sculptor to depuff and hydrate. Other skincare/makeup pre- and post-products include a 2-in-1 daily cleanser for morning and night to remove makeup and their sculpting primer.
When it comes to their makeup as a whole, their philosophy is that their formulas for their lip products, cream blushes and bronzers and so forth are all suitable for an array of skin types while being fragrance-free, dermoatologically tested and paraben-free. Which means they are striving for natural formulas that complement the skin and not damage it.
BareMinerals
A pioneer in mineral makeup, it’s extremely lightweight to begin with, which is a huge bonus for those who don’t enjoy heavy volumes and more natural enhancements. They have strived for gentle formulas to make makeup feel like no makeup. Their foundations and powders are parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances or chemical sunscreens.
Their philosophy is very much a non-comedogenic product line, which makes it a very popular choice for those with sensitive skin, acne and rosacea.
Clinique
Another staple makeup option that has been a longstanding business, and they are committed to being an allergy-tested and 100% fragrance-free makeup line, which has made them a popular choice for many. They are, unfortunately, still an animal testing company, which knocks them down in the ranks. It’s important to bring to attention that large companies such as Clinique, while they may be doing things to ensure their products are good for your skin, are still using outdated techniques to test them.
ILIA
ILIA is a prominent clean beauty brand, and what that means is they are completely dedicated to creating beauty products, including makeup, that are beneficial and complementary to skin. You will find with research that their products incorporate botanical extracts, vitamins and hydrating components into a range of their products such as foundations, lip products and concealers.
It’s their entire philosophy and unique selling point to make products that have clinically proven ingredients that promote skin health. So that means that there are little to no toxic ingredients in their products, which is a huge selling point for those who may be struggling with their skin or want to be more conscious of what products they put on their skin.
Colour Sciences
This is a brand that has distinguished itself by its mineral-based makeup, similar to BareMinerals but with a stronger focus on its SPF properties. While a lot of makeup is made to be protective while in the sun, that doesn’t mean they are using a non-chemical sunscreen, which Colorescience has created.
Colour Science sunscreens within their products use physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which means that they are much less irritating on the skin compared to chemical sunscreens. This means this is a great choice for people who want things to be easier with a protective makeup option, but also suitable for those with really sensitive skin. This is a great choice for those wanting to wear something a lot more lightweight during the warmer months, but also provides that extra layer of protection from harmful UV rays.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to understanding which brands are good and which to avoid, you’ve got to consider more than just whether it’s hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested, but also consider your values and ethics, as large brands such as Clinique still don’t fully adhere to practices that are better and that they can actually afford. Research is extremely important and so accessible with the likes of Google search and AI; therefore, if you are trying to be more conscious with your brand choice, consider all the factors that are important to you, from ensuring fair trade for ingredients to recyclable and sustainable infrastructure.
