The people have spoken! Clean foundation options are in demand. Here is the best of what’s out there, listed from light to full coverage : ) I’m actually quite impressed with what I discovered on this deep dive….. so many companies are now focused on infusing skin-loving ingredients into their formulas which yields an improvement in the overall condition of the skin over time.
Let me know in the comments- which of these have you tried or are planning to try?
Of the products I’ve included in this roundup, Skin Tint is the only one I have tried. I didn’t realize this one is actually listed as a “foundation”. This is definitely a light coverage product that looks like skin and provides a dewy finish. I would group this in with the tinted moisturizer category. A+ product if you’re like me and appreciate little-to-no makeup and lightweight formulations. Oily skin types may not love this because of how dewy it is. Bonus: contains hyaluronic acid and is available in a multitude of shades.
This is the next step up in the Ilia line up. It’s a buildable medium coverage foundation that contains Niacinimide, which helps with texture and strengthening the skin barrier.
This foundation contains skin loving ingredients- squalane, hyaluronic acid and peptides. Skincare + makeup in one: Yes please! The shade range is incredible. Naked Poppy recommends 1 pump for light coverage and 2 pumps for medium coverage. I might just try this!
This foundation is in a stick form. The finish is soft and powdery and it provides light-to-medium coverage. It contains sunflower oil to hydrate. One of the reviews I read mentioned it is a great replacement for the Laura Mercier illuminating Tinted Moisturizer. You can pair this product with Vapour’s Essential Daily Primer or the Illuminating Primer– both options are so popular, they’re currently sold out at Naked Poppy; I found them at Amazon.
Merit has gained quite a bit of traction since launching in January 2021. I’m sure most everyone has heard of them. You can dab this on in a few spots as a touch-up/concealer or you can apply to the full face as a foundation. You swipe it on directly from the applicator and then use Merit’s Brush No.1or your fingers to blend. Medium coverage.
This is a Medium-to-full coverage formulation that lasts 12 hours. You only need a bit. Bonus: contains squalane and aloe. I love the RMS ReEvolve Radiance Locking primer. I can imagine both products pair well together.
This is a long-wearing full-coverage foundation that leaves a matte finish. Many of the reviewers mention their surprise at how effectively this covers even though it’s a very thin/lightweight formula.
And there you have it, my clean foundation round-up. I hope you have found this to be useful. I welcome you to share your questions or content requests in the comments below. You can also email me 🙂
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