There are many factors that can cause foundation to separate including excess oil, improper skin prep, applying too much product and choosing the wrong foundation for your skin type. Foundation can separate on application or as you wear it throughout the day.
A face primer goes underneath your makeup to help your makeup apply smoothly, stay in place and give your complexion an even-looking skin tone. Some primers also provide a glow-boost and extra skin benefits like hydration and moisturization, too.
What causes blocked pores? Dirt, sweat, dead skin cells and makeup can stick to the sebum as your glands continue to produce oil. This can cause a build-up which clogs and congests pores leading to pimples, blackheads and acne.
You could also try a hydrating primer to add extra hydration to the skin, while also giving your foundation something to grip onto for a long-wearing finish. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer and Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser are both excellent.
Any makeup is capable of clogging your pores, but that doesn't mean you have to stop wearing it altogether. There are steps that you can take to help ensure that your skin does not face the negative effects that they can cause.
Powder foundation is also great if you have oily skin. “Not only do they have oil-absorbing properties, but they are also less likely to clog pores which is ideal for acne-prone skin types. Just make sure you're not too heavy-handed,” says Major.
Choose: Liquid foundation
If you've got large, visible pores, liquid is also your best bet (the filler thing, again). Try Make Up For Ever's Liquid Lift Foundation ($49, amazon.com), which is oil-free (no adult acne!) and specially formulated for mature skin.
“Powder foundations are less likely to clog your pores since the pigment particles are larger,” says Dr. Zeichner.
You're Using the Wrong Formula For Your Skin Type
In addition to thinking about your skin tone when selecting your foundation, it's also important to consider your skin type. “The underlying skin can impact how foundation appears as it may not layer easily in those with dry or irritated skin,” Garshick explains.
You can use a non-comedogenic oil like jojoba or mineral oil, which unlike coconut oil, won't clog your pores. You can also use about a pea-sized drop of Vaseline to remove makeup. Cleansing balms are salve-like, oil-based makeup removers. In a pinch, you can also use certain moisturizers to remove makeup.
One of the main missteps people make when it comes to priming is applying makeup too soon afterwards. As Phillips mentioned, you want to wait a full minute or more to allow the primer to dry completely before going in with makeup, as this will help to curb pilling or patchiness.
Let the primer set for at least 30 seconds before applying makeup. Apply your Color Correctors and/or Favorite Foundation to your skin and see how much smoother your complexion looks after using a primer first.
Without a primer, your foundation will begin to melt after a few minutes. However, using a primer helps you mattify your makeup. Primers seal the pores and prevent the production of oil on the skin which further helps your skin stay flawless and oil-free for a longer period of time.
Oil, dirt & debris: When oil from your sebaceous glands, dirt, and dead skin cells get trapped inside a pore, it can lead to clogging. “Secret sources of debris can include your phone, pillowcase, hands, and anything else that regularly touches your face,” reminds Bailey.
Often a barrier of makeup increases oil production, so not wearing makeup can decrease oiliness, clogged pores and pimples." Another benefit can be on skin ailments makeup can exacerbate, like rosacea —You'll definitely see an improvement if there were any ingredients in the makeup that were irritating the skin.
✅ Without a non-comedogenic primer, the other. makeup you apply may clog your pores. ✅ Your makeup may not last as long.
What's the difference between primer and moisturiser? While you can use a moisturiser instead of primer if you just want a hydrated base, I wouldn't suggest using makeup primer as a moisturiser. Hydrating primers are designed to be an additional step for dry skin, not a substitute for moisturiser.
Thanks to the thicker, more opaque formulation, matte foundations are great at hiding acne, pores, hyperpigmentation, redness, and tattoos. “They are also great for clients with oily skin who have complaints about their foundation not lasting as long,” Talias says.