Make-up for Sensitive Skin

Hello Good People! Penny's baaacck!!!
Many of you know that Penny has issues (no, not the mental ones...LOL!); skin sensitivity issues. So choosing make-up and skin care is not always easy.  While visiting friends last evening, and enjoying great conversation, Penny was asked what type of make-up would be recommended for someone with very sensitive skin. Initially I recommended Bobbi Brown at first because I focused on a 'natural look' for someone who I understood didn't wear a lot of make-up, and whom I thought was a natural beauty. But the question was focused more on the type of make-up that wouldn't irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.

Before trying any make-up, Penny always advises that you first establish a good skin care regimen. A daily cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing regimen preps your skin for any make-up, no matter the skin type. I try to combat my eczema and dry skin with products specifically for those challenges. (Read full story...)

Last evening we discussed Clinique, and another brand (whose name escapes me at the moment), as being safe for easily irritated skin. But Penny expressed that Clinique was limited in their color choices...especially for women of color or olive toned skin. Some other brands to consider are:

Bare Escentuals, Tarte, Korres, NVEY Eco, Sephora, Josie Maran, Physicians Formula (Organic Wear),  L'Oreal Naturale Mineral Make-up, Neutrogena Mineral Sheers, Jane Iredale, and Bare Minerals (some found online, and some at Sephora stores).


One type of make-up I forgot to mention last evening was mineral make-up. Mineral make-up is said to be the most natural and the make-up with the least harsh chemicals. Mineral makeup is manufactured with minerals which are sterilized and pulverized into a very fine powder which is then mixed with a variety of natural inorganic colorings to produce a variety of colors. Applying a mineral makeup instead of a chemical-based makeup provides a number of benefits.

Benefits of Mineral Make-up:

Due to the fact that mineral make-up is non-comedogenic, which means it does not block the pores of the skin but instead allows the skin to breathe, mineral make-up is very appealing for those women with sensitive skin. Mineral make-up also leaves the skin with a very natural radiant glow. The best mineral make-ups contain a number of ingredients designed for the purpose of improving the well-being of the skin. These may include a broad spectrum of UVA and UVB sun protection, oil absorbing ingredients, as well as zinc, magnesium and some anti-inflammatory agents.

Disadvantages of Mineral Make-up:
If you have dry or dehydrated skin, mineral make-up may make your face look flakier. Any dry part of your face needs a liquid or emollient form for coverage. Mineral make-up will not hydrate, but contribute to the dryness of your face even accentuating the dry areas. (Penny suggests liquid or cream moisturizing foundation formulas for dry skin). Mineral make-up is often recommended for oily skin because some brands contain oil absorbing/oil-control  ingredients which help to give a flawless, matte look. However, keep in mind that mineral make-up is not travel friendly. The containers are set up for a flat surface and are claimed to be only needed to apply once. If you have oily prone skin you probably have to re-touch your make-up during the day. Mineral make-up will look great on your type of skin for the first few hours, but you will still need to carry a blotting powder for mid-day and afternoon touch ups. Mineral make-up also usually comes in a limited amount of shades and it may be hard to match your skin tone.

Next Steps
If you have had an allergic reaction to cosmetics in the past, Penny suggests looking at the ingredients of the product to identify the source of the allergy. I have reacted to enough cosmetics in my day, that by comparing product ingredients, I have often narrowed down the culprit. If you are not aware of your allergies and it is the first time you react to something, you may want to do some Internet research to see if others have had a similar reaction to yours...there is a blog for everything. LOL! Of course going to a professional (dermatologist) is highly reccommended as well.

Penny suggests that you go to a department store cosmetic counter or a cosmetic exclusive store that sell mineral make-up and simply try it. Sit down and speak with a make-up artist and have your color matched and ask questions about mineral makeup. Wear it out of the store and for the rest of the day, after that you can decide on whether mineral make-up is the solution or the answer for you. Penny actually recommends this for any make-up you consider buying/using.

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
P