Living in Singapore means living with the sun 24/7, which means sun protection is more important than ever! With that being said, it’s always good to have on additional SPF. A simple way to incorporate an extra layer of SPF is through a foundation. But, before you ditch your sunscreen, here are some facts that you should know.
Is foundation with SPF enough to protect your face?
No, it's not. That's because most makeup does not provide sufficient protection and coverage against the sun. According to professionals, you would need seven times the normal amount of foundation as well as 14 times the average amount of powder to get the same sun protection factor from sunscreens. In other words, you can't achieve the optimal amount of sun protection with makeup. It should not substitute your actual sunscreen.
Then, why does foundation contain SPF? How much sunscreen should I apply?
The SPF in your foundation is no different from the SPF in your sunscreen. Rather, they work as an additional layer of protection or as a touch-up, instead of a substitute. Before applying makeup, make sure you apply at least ½ teaspoon of sunscreen for your face and neck in order to avoid harmful rays.
Now that we know the purpose of SPF in makeup, here are the top foundations with SPF for different skin types.
Matte foundations can cause your face to look flat as well as cakey. It's not the case with Lancome’s Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation. Infused with oil-absorbing perlite and silica, your skin will look natural and flawless with its soft matte finish. That also means no need for touch-ups throughout the day.
Do foundations leave you looking greasy at the end of the day? Don’t worry, Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation is perfect for oily skin types. Made waterproof, transfer- and humidity-resistant; this long-lasting, full coverage foundation promises to keep shine at bay.
Who likes looking cakey and shiny at the end of the day? Avoid that when you apply L'Oreal's Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation. Designed to keep the skin looking fresh and comfortable all day, the full coverage foundation is infused with a hyaluronic acid complex which hydrates and nourish tired skin.
Is your dry skin affecting your foundation and thus, looking patchy and flaky? You should try MAC’s Cosmetics Studio Waterweight Foundation. It ensures that your skin stays hydrated and flawless from day to night. That's thanks to MAC's moisturizing formula which has a gel-serum texture that delivers moisture and nourishment to dry skin.
The reason why many prefer powder foundations is that they absorb sweat and keep your skin matte all day long. If you're having that exact thought, then give Maybelline’s Fit Me Skin Fit Powder Foundation a go. Made with ultra-fine velvet powder, the foundation applies smoothly with a poreless finish. It also has SPF 32 and PA+++, which makes it suitable as a mid-day SPF touch-up too!
Always on the go? The 3CE’s Layer Covering Stick Foundation is what you'll need. This travel-friendly foundation ensures no messy spills thanks to its stick packaging that applies on creamily. It even has a brush at the other end for you to blend in your foundation! Formulated with Centella and Portulaca extract, the foundation calms redness as well as soothe irritation.
Not everyone fancies a heavy foundation, especially when living in a hot country! If you're like that, Tarte’s Babassu Foundcealer Multi-Tasking Foundation offers a nourishing formula’s which utilises the ingredient Babassu. The said ingredient is packed with antioxidants and fatty acids to protect the skin against free radicals, environmental stressors and premature ageing. Moreover, it's lightweight and does not leave the skin feeling sticky or greasy.
Trust the Koreans to produce a good foundation that's packed with nourishment and protection! Laneige’s Skin Veil Cover Foundation provides a good SPF 50 and PA++ in a milky consistency which glides onto your skin effortlessly. Wear-wise, it has a comfortable, soft matte finish that’s long-lasting too.
The last thing you may want is thick and drying foundation on the skin. Instead of forgetting about it, why not try Etude House’s Double Lasting Serum Foundation? The foundation is infused with the brand's very own moisture serum complex and Double Glow Technology to give that chok chok (plump) dewy skin finish. It also provides up to 24 hours of high coverage while making sure no signs of dryness and flakes show up.
Keep your beauty routine as short and simple as possible with Tarte’s Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer that has SPF 20. Infused with chamomile, sodium hyaluronate and vitamins A, C and E, this water-based moisturizer works to soothe and nourish the skin. A bonus is that it’s buildable so you can properly cover up marks and spots.