Did you know?
Make-up for sensitive complexions needs to be carefully formulated, because such skin is often extremely reactive. Numerous external factors – such as pollution or air conditioning – can cause feelings of discomfort. Some sensitive complexions tend to get extremely ruddy. It is therefore important to choose the right foundation so your make-up remains fresh and even-looking all day long.

What to do on a daily basis
Before applying foundation, make sure your skin is completely clean. Remove make-up gently. Avoid soaps that dry your skin out. Before applying foundation, use a light moisturiser to protect the skin’s outer layer. Select a comfortable, hydrating foundation that will give an even look. Check the label to ensure that it is hypoallergenic. Specially developed for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic foundations minimise the risk of irritation.

Did you know?
Women today have a wide range of choices when it comes to make-up, especially foundation. With so many different textures and formulas available – some containing active ingredients that hydrate, soothe and smooth – you can choose a foundation that’s right for your skin type.

What to do:
If your skin is oily, opt for a fluid, matte finish foundation that will eliminate the shine caused by excess sebum.  If you have dry skin, try a cream-based foundation with greater hydrating properties.

Whatever your skin type, it is important to use a foundation that is gentle on the skin and lets it breathe. Look for hypoallergenic formulas that have been tested on sensitive skin and contain mineral pigments.

Some foundations are also designed to be age-specific. If you want to smooth away those first fine lines or downplay facial wrinkling, use an anti-ageing foundation. They are designed to remain supple so that facial movements are unconstrained and natural-looking. Bolstered with anti-ageing ingredients, they can also help prevent the appearance of wrinkles.

Did you know?
Sunlight can brighten our mood and provide a sort of “natural glow” that no make-up can duplicate – but the sun is actually one of skin’s worst enemies. Although sunshine feels good, ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays are damaging. Over time, they are responsible for accelerating skin ageing and, in some cases, causing cancer to develop. 

What to do on a daily basis
Choose a foundation that has a sun protection factor (SPF). Used daily, it will help protect your skin from UV rays. But watch out – foundation typically has low sun protection capabilities (SPF 15, for example). While it helps somewhat, it won’t protect as well as sunscreen. If you’re going to spend time in strong sunlight, foundation alone won’t provide enough protection because you probably use just one light application per day.

So when you’re heading outside for a prolonged period, use a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating as a make-up base under your foundation.

Did you know?
Skin imperfections are rarely caused by foundation, which lets the skin breathe. They are usually the result of a combination of mechanisms: excessive sebum production, dead cells that clog the sebum ducts, and micro-organisms that feed on sebum and trigger irritation, perpetuating excess sebum production. So choosing the right foundation is crucial, because you don’t want to intensify the underlying conditions that are causing blemishes and imperfections.

What to do on a daily basis
Cleanse your skin thoroughly in the evening and in the morning before applying foundation. Ideally, you should use a foundation for skin with imperfections. Go for a light formula that’s oil-free and non-comedogenic to avoid blocking pores. Before bed, cleanse your face thoroughly to remove all make-up, sebum and impurities.

Did you know? A dull, grey complexion is typically a sign of fatigue and can be attributed to dietary deficiencies, malabsorption of certain trace elements or vitamins, or inadequate nutrition. Poor food choices can allow glucose into the bloodstream too quickly, particularly if you overindulge in foods that are rich in refined sugar and have a high glycaemic index (GI), such as sugar, cereals, industrially processed starches like white bread, biscuits, pasta, pizza, sweets, cakes, chips, fizzy drinks, beer and spirits. They trigger the release of sebum, giving your complexion a shiny appearance that’s difficult to cover up.What to do on a daily basisMake sure you consume a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. If you notice that your complexion is dull and you look tired, eat more fruit and vegetables that are rich in natural vitamins. Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, the pigment that makes them red, which is also found in grapefruit, papaya and watermelon. Brightly coloured vegetables and fruits (such as carrots, melons, mangoes and apricots) are rich in carotenoids that convert into vitamin A. Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, etc.) and also kiwi fruit, cabbage, tomatoes (along with lycopene), peppers, strawberries, redcurrants and others. And be sure to drink at least 1.5 litres of water per day – or 2 litres if it’s hot and humid.

Did you know?Your skin adapts naturally to the environment around it. But when there is pollution in the air, it is harder for the skin to cope and to combat excessive free radicals that are generated by pollution. Day in and day out, your foundation serves as the interface between your skin and this polluted air. So it’s important to choose it carefully.

What to do on a daily basis

Choose a foundation texture that best suits your environment. If you live in an urban environment with high pollution levels, select a light foundation that lets skin breathe – you don’t want your make-up to contribute to the problem. Some formulas are also rich in anti-oxidants, which help your skin stay healthy.
Impurities can settle on the surface of your foundation and your make-up in general, so be sure to cleanse your face thoroughly each evening to remove all traces of make-up and grime.

Did you know?Under-eye dark circles often appear when we don’t get enough sleep. But for some of us, the cause is excessive pigmentation (making circles look brown) or a teeming network of blood vessels beneath the extremely delicate lower eyelid skin (resulting in bluish circles). Either way, under-eye circles make you look tired – no wonder they’re high on most women’s complaint lists. But make-up can help. What to do on a daily basisBefore applying foundation, use a concealer. Put tiny dabs of a slightly lighter shade on the lower eyelids for a fresh, more radiant look. If your circles are bluish, apply a spot of yellow corrector to neutralise the blue.

Did you know?Skin isn’t always uniform in appearance: its surface texture, colour, overall look and clarity can be affected by the seasons, the menstrual cycle, diet or even the climate. Foundations and tinted face creams that can brighten the complexion and provide a uniform skin tone are a real boon for some women, whether they’re used occasionally or every day.What to do on a daily basisFor make-up that looks flawlessly perfect, always start by cleansing your face thoroughly. Get in the habit of generously hydrating your skin with a product that suits its needs. This will lay the groundwork for an evenly applied, luminous foundation. If you have brown spots, you may want to think about using a corrective foundation to cover them. To minimise other minor flaws, try a tinted concealer: one with green undertones will neutralise red blotches, recent scars and redness, while yellow undertones will minimise the appearance of blue under-eye circles.
Then apply your foundation by dabbing small amounts on the forehead, cheekbones, bridge of the nose and chin, then blending outward and upward as if it were a cream. Alternatively, a foundation brush or damp make-up sponge can be used to achieve very natural results.

Did you know?

Corrective foundations contain high concentrations of pigments and micro-waxes. They therefore provide excellent coverage, concealing irregularities in skin texture or colour. What to do on a daily basisDon’t be afraid to try a corrective foundation. Although they are thicker, they are formulated to blend effectively when they encounter the warmth of your skin.

Did you know?The products we use on our skin don’t just treat specific dermatological needs; they can also provide genuine psychological comfort. In a world where appearance is everything, having beautiful skin is an essential part of well-being. So anything we do to benefit the skin – to protect, repair and enhance it – can provide comfort and reassurance and boost our self-confidence. Thus improving the appearance can stimulate both body and mind.
This is particularly true for make-up.A team of Japanese researchers demonstrated the beneficial effect that make-up can have with a group of individuals afflicted with facial hyperpigmentation. Make-up was applied to conceal the dark spots on test subjects’ faces. They then looked at themselves in the mirror and the emotions they felt upon seeing their unblemished faces, free of noticeable imperfections, triggered immune system responses that were scientifically measurable. Simply improving their looks strengthened their bodies’ natural defences. (Source: the “Self-esteem” link on the L’Oreal Skin-Science.com website)

What to do Today a wide range of corrective cosmetics are available to camouflage skin imperfections, whether minor (pockmarks, age-related sunspots, pimples or acne) or severe (scars, vitiligo or angiomas). Corrective make-up is easy to apply and extremely effective, enabling women to “put on a brand new face”, enjoy a new life and rediscover the pleasure of their relationships with those around them.