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Makeup should cover up your problem areas -- not cause your problem areas. While they mean well, some foundations can work against your skin type, meaning you shouldn’t use an anti-aging foundation or one for dry skin if you have really oily skin. If you think your makeup’s doing the latter, it’s time to switch to a new foundation that’s better designed to keep your pores clear and your skin flawless.
Oil-Free
Some anti-aging foundations and those for more-flaky skin types incorporate oil, which is good for those skin types, but not for you if you tend to get clogged pores. Instead, you need an oil-free foundation. These may be labeled as noncomedogenic or oil-free, meaning they won’t sink inside your pores and cause acne. If you’re worried about clogs, you should always apply an oil-free foundation.
Oil-Control Makeup
Some foundations do more than keep oil out of your pores. They also can soak up oil that typically leaves you with a greasy face in a couple of hours. Look for foundations labeled as “oil-control” or “mattifying,” which means that they won’t clog your pores, and they help your skin look as dry as when you first applied your makeup. These makeup types tend to be very blendable, so don’t go overboard with your first application. Just start with light coverage, then add more makeup when you need it.
Liquid Foundations
Liquid, oil-free foundations are best for you if you tend to feel like your makeup is too heavy. This is because they are lightweight in texture, and you can touch up later on with pressed powder. A lot of these foundations are long-wearing, so they will last a long time -- a welcome change if you feel like you are constantly touching up your makeup. However, these also tend to set fairly quickly, so you better start brushing up on how fast you can apply your makeup.
Powder Foundations
Powder foundations are well-suited to you if you have some problems with shine and your skin tends to be slightly oily or normal. These products won’t clog your pores and they can range from soft to full coverage. Clean your brush or sponge after a few applications because you want to avoid clogging your pores and introducing bacteria that make you break out even more.
