The importance of protecting your skin against UV light cannot be understated. Experts believe that UV exposure is responsible for up to 80% of the signs of aging, including lines, uneven texture, excess pigmentation, and loss of firmness. Beyond that, UVA rays contribute to damage that can lead to skin cancer, while UVB can burn the surface of skin, creating a weakened skin barrier leading to redness, irritation, dehydration, and further lines and patches of excess pigmentation. As we’re now repeatedly told, the only safe tan, is a faux one.
It’s for all these reasons that it’s vital to protect skin against potentially harmful sun exposure every day, not just when you’re on vacation or sitting in direct sunlight. Think of your daily UV protection as the icing on the cake that is your everyday skincare routine.
But not all sunscreens are made equal. UV filters fall into one of two camps. There are chemical sunscreens that absorb UV rays before converting them into harmless heat, and then there are mineral sunscreens. Incredibly effective, mineral sunscreens form a shield between skin and the sun, deflecting harmful UV rays away from the skin.
Benefits of mineral sunscreen
bareMinerals is renowned for excellent mineral UV protection and is arguably the brand that originally put minerals on the map.
It all began in 1995 when bareMinerals founder Leslie Blodgett introduced the world to the skin-improving benefits of mineral makeup and subsequently turned the makeup and skincare industries upside down. The now iconic ORIGINAL Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15 redefined makeup with just 5 vegan ingredients including minerals Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide that naturally deflect UV rays and deliver SPF 15 protection. Additionally, it promotes clearer, healthier looking skin over time while building from a sheer-to-full coverage that minimises the appearance of pores for a naturally luminous finish.
Since then, our makeup has evolved for different textures and finishes but they all utilise the power of minerals for natural UVA and UVB protection. The award-winning and best-selling COMPLEXION RESCUE Tinted Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and Mineral SPF 30, for example, is a firm favourite amongst those looking for long-lasting hydration, natural-looking coverage, and a dewy light coverage, plus effective mineral-based UV protection.
So, why we do we love mineral sunscreen, including zinc oxide sunscreen? In addition to creating an invisible shield over the skin’s surface, creating a barrier that deflects harmful UVA and UVB rays, the benefits of mineral sunscreen include its gentle, non-irritating nature making it ideal for sensitive and sensitised skin. The minerals are environmentally friendly and reef safe, too.
How to create a full face of SPF
Protecting your skin from UV is valuable habit for your skin as it helps prevent damage, sensitivity, and premature signs of aging. And now, social media and its thriving obsession with skin care routines and skin health, has sparked a new trend for creating an entire makeup look with SPF products. With its natural UV protection, mineral makeup is the ultimate go-to to create the look. Here’s how its done…
Step 1: Start with your skin
Apply your skincare as you normally would. For SPF 30 protection and a good dose of antioxidants try SKINLONGEVITY Phyto-Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer Mineral SPF 30. Top with a layer of PRIME TIME Protecting Primer Mineral SPF 30 to not only contribute to your UV protection but also to extend your makeup wear to 24 hours.
Now, choose your base. For a lightweight, skin-improving, buildable sheer-to-full coverage use ORIGINAL Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15, or for a dewy and super hydrating finish, apply COMPLEXION RESCUE Tinted Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and Mineral SPF 30. For a matte finish and SPF 20, try BAREPRO 24HR Wear Skin-Perfecting Matte Liquid Foundation Mineral SPF 20.
Step 2: Perfect your finish
Spot conceal any areas with blemishes or marks with a concealer that complements your foundation or tinted moisturizer. ORIGINAL Loose Powder Concealer SPF 20 effortlessly conceals redness and blemishes and COMPLEXION RESCUE Brightening Under Eye Concealer SPF 25 instantly makes the eye area look brighter.
Step 3: Add a flush of colour
Unlike most other cheek products, all bareMinerals blushes contain minerals, offering a natural top-up to your UV protection. For a powder finish apply GEN NUDE Blonzer Blush + Bronzer to the apples of your cheeks with Blooming Blush Brush and blend outwards. Or, to continue the dewy theme, apply COMPLEXION RESCUE Liquid Highlighting Blush to cheeks by pressing the colour into your skin with your fingertips.
Step 4: Set
Round-out your full face of SPF with a dusting of ORIGINAL Mineral Veil Set + Protect Brush Mineral SPF 25 PA++. This convenient on-the-go brush is talc-free, sets your makeup, improves skin texture over time, and protects skin with broad spectrum SPF. Just pop off the cap, twist the brush onto the back of your hand to prompt the flow of powder, and buff directly onto your skin.