Beauty Trends: Skincare in Makeup? Is it Worth the $$$$?

I love all things beauty! How about you?! I’m guessing you at least LIKE most things beauty, or you wouldn’t have landed here! In case we haven’t “met” yet, my name is Tarrah, and I have been working in this business for 20 years! I worked in cosmetic sales for 5 years, before becoming a Licensed Esthetician 15 years ago! My mind was blown when I went from working in that narrow focus of cosmetics, into the world of professional skincare and skin treatments! So many things! (But I will save those details for another blog!)

What I am here to address today is the trend of “Skincare ingredients in your makeup.” I am asked regularly, if certain skincare related ingredients when formulated into cosmetics, will give the same results or give you as the customer certain benefits! My short answer………….

 A resounding NO! NOPE! NADA! (I’ll let you have a moment of silence for all of the expensive items you have purchased that are really not providing you what you thought you paid for. I truly am sorry.)

Now, I do want to clarify, the addition of quality cosmeceuticals (that is the official name of skincare ingredients that create a response in the skin, by the way!), will by no means hurt you or create damage in your skin! So you don’t necessarily need to throw them out! Also, it is important to note, that when it comes to cosmetics, it truly is trial and error and personal preference! So again, if you L-O-V-E a particular cosmetic product that contains, we will say “plant stem cells” for example, by all means, continue using that! This post is not to try and convince you to wear a certain type or brand of cosmetics or forego using something that is “working” for you! However, I also feel a responsibility to inform you as the consumer to not allow yourself to pay a high dollar for some added ingredients that your skin is not truly receiving benefits from!

What is even more important/concerning to me as your trusted skincare advisor, is I will often times hear clients dismiss using an important cosmeceutical, because “I already have that ingredient in my foundation/primer/powder/etc.” If your cosmetics contain SPF, I will be cheering that on……but I will also be quick to remind you, that you need an actual SPF to provide true protection to the skin, and even more important, it MUST be reapplied every 2 hours to work correctly! (Love powder SPF that can be reapplied through the day, by the way! But always start your beach or pool days with a nice layer of SPF underneath! Those powder formulas are for touchups/easy reapplication only!)

 I find this most common misconception with the following ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Pro-Retinol, Plant Stem Cells, Peptides, and any vitamins, but in particular Vitamin C! Just remember that these ingredients must have a particular viscosity (thickness), stabilizers, and the most important—a proper delivery system, in order to penetrate the skin’s layers or membranes in order to do a proper job. If these ingredients are blended into your cosmetic/makeup products, they are laying on the skin, not absorbing into the skin. You will need to apply these active products in a serum form (this can be anything from a thin liquid to a thicker gel, that goes on before your moisturizer) in order to work! (And now, I bet you are wondering about these ingredients in your moisturizer! Am I right? Keep reading for the answer!)

 If your moisturizer contains any of these ingredients, your skin does stand a better chance of receiving some of the benefits of said ingredient, and definitely you would stand a better chance when in a moisturizer as opposed to a foundation! But serums will always be your best bet for real results! (Unless research points us in a new direction down the road! Which who knows?! Research is always happening!)

I hope this blog leaves you feeling informed and never discouraged! My true love is educational beauty, so I love to share as much as I can. Have more questions? Never hesitate to hit me up! And as always, have a beautiful day!