With all the available beauty supplies in the market today, many are confused about which product is right for them. There are many skin types and many corresponding makeup products and foundations. Awareness of your skin’s characteristics is the first step in resolving the confusion. When in doubt, though, go for hypoallergenic products — especially hypoallergenic foundations since they are in closest contact — if you have sensitive skin. Combine this with organic, and you may get success. Ecco Bella FlowerColor (reviews on Amazon) is one such choice.
Knowing how and why your skin is the way it is and how it will behave under different circumstances is the first step to achieving clear, healthy skin. After you have that knowledge, you will be able to more easily pick the products that best serve your skin issues and leave you feeling confident.
There are five main types of skin that most cosmetic companies manufacture, namely: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. Those with sensitive skin need to know triggers that can cause flare-ups, such as acne, and how to avoid them when choosing cosmetics. To find out about makeup and skin types, you need to go to a makeup or cosmetology school.
Different Skin Types
Normal
Normal skin is neither dry nor oily. It is the most desirable of skin types due to its easy maintenance and carefree characteristics. Normal skin types have little to no breakout or moisturizing issues. It comes down to that you do not have to be picky about which products you use. Nearly all products should be okay on your skin, but it is good to keep an eye out for any unwanted or allergic signs.
| Foundation Makeup for Normal but Sensitive Skin | ||
| Benefit Cosmetics hello flawless oxygen - Available in 9 shades, ‘Hello Flawless!’ is an oil-free liquid foundation that builds coverage as you apply it which is handy for days when you really have something to cover! It has SPF 25 sun protection, and it has light-diffusing properties to help camouflage flaws. | CoverGirl Clean Sensitive Skin Liquid Makeup - This foundation is sheer, but it offers buildable coverage that’s easy to achieve. It absorbs oil and evens out skin tone. It has a weightless formula, so you’ll forget that it’s on(sounds good for a hot day?). Comes in different colors to satisfy different skin types and it is one of the more affordable foundations. | Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation - Normal skin can tolerate powder foundations easily, and this is a great one to try. Available in 20 shades, you can use this foundation either wet or dry. It's got a nice compact case for easy traveling. The foundation is lightweight and builds to solid coverage like the others. |
| 1 fl. oz. | 1 oz. | 0.3 oz. |
Dry
A tight, flaky face characterizes dry skin. Moisture is not produced in abundance, which makes your face less elastic and duller. As a result, moisturizing should be your priority. Excessive washing and products that dry out the skin will only make matters worse.
| Foundation Makeup for Dry but Sensitive Skin | ||
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation - With 26 shades, it's impossible not to find the right one for your skin tone. Oil-free, but very moisturizing. The formula contains HD pigments that help to even out skin imperfections for perfect smoothness and for looking great in harsh lighting. Great if you can afford it as part of your makeup arsenal. | MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation SPF15 - This creamy foundation delivers on moisture with its gel formula. It offers buildable coverage without looking cakey or artificial. Some do report a heavy feeling but at least you know you're covered. It has an SPF of 15, and it's available in 19 shades to match any skin color. Again, a little pricey but mid-range compared to MU4Ever. | Almay Clear Complexion Makeup - This affordable foundation works wonderfully with dry skin — and other skin types too. It really stays on your skin well — even in humidity — which means it is preventing dry-out. In fact, it's only drawback is that it stays on so well that you may have to work extra hard to remove it at the end of the day! |
| 1.1 fl. oz. | 1.3 oz. | 1 oz. |
Oily
Oily skin is more common, and people with this skin type likely have frequent bouts of acne and blackheads. Hydration and moisture are produced in abundance, which makes a face shiny. Oily skin requires more washing and products that help end the shine.
| Foundation Makeup for Dry but Sensitive Skin | ||
| MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation - With 26 shades, it's impossible not to find the right one for your skin tone. Oil-free, but very moisturizing. The formula contains HD pigments that help to even out skin imperfections for perfect smoothness and for looking great in harsh lighting. Great if you can afford it as part of your makeup arsenal. | MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation SPF15 - This creamy foundation delivers on moisture with its gel formula. It offers buildable coverage without looking cakey or artificial. Some do report a heavy feeling but at least you know you're covered. It has an SPF of 15, and it's available in 19 shades to match any skin color. Again, a little pricey but mid-range compared to MU4Ever. | Almay Clear Complexion Makeup - This affordable foundation works wonderfully with dry skin — and other skin types too. It really stays on your skin well — even in humidity — which means it is preventing dry-out. In fact, it's only drawback is that it stays on so well that you may have to work extra hard to remove it at the end of the day! |
| 1.1 fl. oz. | 1.3 oz. | 1 oz. |
Combination
Combination skin is the most common type from the five main categories. This type of skin will show characteristics of all skin types. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most difficult to treat since it requires specialized products or more than one solution.
To a certain degree, we all experience combination skin. This means that there are more oil-producing glands in certain areas of our face, such as around the nose. However, combination skin shows these contrasts to a much greater degree. Fortunately, there are a variety of foundations for combination skin on the market.
| Foundation Makeup for Combination but Sensitive Skin | ||
Clinique Superbalanced Makeup - As you know combination skin needs a mind reader & this foundation is smart enough to add moisture or absorb oil as needed. It's long-wearing and provides decent coverage. 17 shades and Clinique quality… | Mineral Liquid Powder Foundation SPF 15 - A nice, light makeup that also conceals very well and covers acne without inflaming. Oil, talc, and fragrance-free and claimed hypoallergenic, but not free of chemicals: read the ingredients first to get an idea! | Almay Clear Complexion Makeup - Wonderful with combo skin. It stays on your skin well — even in humidity. It's only drawback is that it stays on so well that you may have to wash twice or three times to remove it at the end of the day! Bonus is that it is the most affordable of the three. |
| 1 fl. oz. | 1 oz. | 1 oz. |
Sensitive
Welcome to the easily-aggravated club where people with sensitive skin reside. Harsh products and weather play a critical role in this group. Sensitive skin will quickly get rashes or patches, acne abounds, and spots are common. Stinging, swelling, flakiness, itching, and redness are all part of having sensitive skin. However, caring for this skin type does not have to be complicated.
The trick lies in knowing what triggers adverse reactions on your face. Testing products one by one will allow you to see if they are beneficial for your face or not. However, each product should be given at least a one-week trial before the final verdict. The process might be long, but it will help you determine which makeup items work for you. A trained esthetician can be helpful in the process, too.
This specific skin type is very individual – what works for someone you know may not necessarily work for you. Therefore, every person must figure out their dos and don’ts to effectively balance and hydrate their sensitive skin.
How to Determine Your Skin Type
Blotting Method
This method is quick and straightforward – all you need is to buy a pack of blotting sheets, which have numerous uses apart from assisting you in differentiating between skin types. The sheets help you absorb oil and dirt without disturbing your makeup. The best part is that it works with any skin type.
Blot different areas of your face with the sheet and then hold it up to a light source. If you notice heavy amounts of oil, you have oily skin. If the oil is moderate but not excessive, you might be dealing with a combination type of skin. On the other hand, if the sheet is still almost dry, you have dry skin. For better results, start with a clean face and do the test ten minutes afterward.
Nude Face Method
This requires washing your face with a mild and gentle cleanser. Then, Pat dry and wait thirty minutes to evaluate facial characteristics. You are looking for signs of oil, which makes your face appear shiny in parts. However, it is normal for the t-zone to be shinier than the rest of the face since we have more oil-producing glands in this area.
Do not wash your face again and wait another thirty minutes. Check in the mirror to see if you notice shine or oil on the cheeks, nose, and forehead. If you do, you have oily skin. You have dry skin if there is no shine and your face feels tight. If there is shine, but it is not excessive, you have combination type skin. You have normal skin if there is only a minimal amount of shine or none, and you exhibit no feelings of tightness.
How to Choose a Foundation for Sensitive Skin
Choosing the proper foundation for sensitive skin is the only way to avoid outbreaks. Foundations are the base for all other makeup and sit on your face all day and possibly all night.
It is also important to check the ingredients and overall complexion achieved. Harsh ingredients on sensitive skin will eventually lead to irritation and blemishes. There are many foundations to choose from as well, like liquid, powder, cream, stick, etc. Depending on the season, it is best to have two types of foundations that you may switch between.
Types of Foundation
Each type of foundation has its pros and its cons. Liquid foundations come oil-based for dry skin and water-based for other skin types. It’s best used to cover up more blemishes or spots.
It is better to use liquid foundations during winter to avoid excessive oil accumulation or relieve that feeling of heaviness in summer. That said, a light, mineral foundation is the safest option for sensitive skin. It offers a light to medium coverage and can be matte or satin finished.
Mineral foundations are not harsh and have fewer ingredients than regular makeup products. And, of course, you also need a color that seamlessly blends into your natural tone without noticeable issues.
Checking the Label
It would help if you were on the lookout for products with the terms hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Hypoallergenic makeup partly refers to a makeup product that has fewer ingredients than usual. Fewer ingredients help reduce the possibility of allergic reactions or breakouts for sensitive skin, as the fewer components, there are, the fewer chances you have for a reaction.
The latter — non-comedogenic — means the foundation will not clog your pores. When a pore is clogged, it could only lead to infection and eventual scarring. However, be aware that a product displaying the terms “non-comedogenic” and “hypoallergenic” in no way guarantees a safe product for your skin. As mentioned earlier, each case of sensitive skin is unique. Therefore, finding what works for you is key to makeup selection.
In general, opting for a hypoallergenic foundation as well as a non-comedogenic one will usually do the trick. If you notice any reactions, stop using the product immediately and give your skin time to heal before trying a different product. At the end of this makeup hunt, you and your face will be so happy to have found the foundation for your skin finally.
Ingredients to Avoid
Ingredients on a label are ordered by quantity, which means that the more of an ingredient a product has, the higher up the list it will be mentioned. So technically speaking, the first ingredient is the one with the most quantity. Though it will be hard to find a foundation with absolutely none of the ingredients, we suggest avoiding them; if they are shown towards the end of the list, they might be okay. Organic products are usually the only makeup foundations that can be truly without harmful ingredients — though you can still be allergic to a product whether it is organic or not. However, the likelihood of problems decreases. Here are a few well-regarded organic options:
- Ecco Bella Flower Color
– Ecco Bella used to have parabens in their formula, but not anymore – Check price and reviews on Amazon. - Afterglow’s Organic Infused Foundation – many find that this bisque doesn’t cause any problems, + some say it reduces their skin irritations.
- Lavera Natural Liquid Foundation – plenty of organic components – pretty much edible -lol!
- INIKA Liquid Mineral Foundation – this liquid has a beautiful smell and is smooooth.
- Zuii Certified Organic Liquid Foundation – certified organic – the purest and most natural on this list.
– Ecco Bella used to have parabens in their formula, but not anymore – 
– many find that this bisque doesn’t cause any problems, + some say it reduces their skin irritations.
– plenty of organic components – pretty much edible -lol!
– this liquid has a beautiful smell and is smooooth.
– certified organic – the purest and most natural on this list.The following ingredients may be too harsh or are more prone to causing allergic reactions on sensitive skins: petroleum derivatives, sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, fragrances, any oil except jojoba, and non-fatty alcohols.
In the end, the right foundation for sensitive skin is the one that works for you. Finding it may be frustrating and time-consuming, but it is the only way you will find your own personal best foundation for sensitive skin.