The latest buzz in the beauty industry in tropical climates as the mercury levels soars are tinted moisturisers. These do not run or look blotchy.
Dr Chytra V Anand, medical director, Kosmoderma Clinics shares her views on how tinted moisturisers are creating a storm in the beauty industry.
A tinted moisturiser is a cross between a regular facial moisturiser and foundation. It is a light moisturiser with slight tint of colour for sheer coverage. It hydrates skin and evens out the complexion with sheer natural coverage and feels light on the skin. You don’t look made up and caked, as they let your skin breathe.
Tinted moisturisers have moisture and sunscreen, usually a SPF 15, for protection. They also have anti-oxidants and some are even infused with minerals. They are applied as you would a regular moisturiser, to give your skin an instant lift. You can apply a sunscreen on top of this for better sun protection. Otherwise a tinted moisturiser with SPF can replace a moisturiser, foundation and sunscreen in your bathroom shelf.
Au naturale
Everyone can use them. If you like to look natural and flawless, tinted moisturisers are for you. It can be used in any season. If you have wrinkles go for water or oil-based ones, so that they don’t settle in your wrinkles. It actually plumps up the skin and makes it dewy to give that radiant glow. Younger people can go for the matt finish ones to look less oily. Tinted moisturisers with little shimmer can also be used on the body. Sometimes these get oxidised and tend to darken once you apply on your skin. Go for a shade lighter, if you can’t find the perfect one.
Nude look
A tinted moisturiser lasts up to a couple of hours, but the good part is it doesn’t wear off, since your skin soaks it in. You may re-apply it as it sets by itself and is apt for daily use. It doesn’t conceal and cover like foundation, but it makes the blemishes, scars and pigmentation look lighter. It also covers redness or patchiness. It is not meant to be a full coverage product but it is very beneficial for your skin. The greatest benefit of all, it does not run like heavier foundation. When you are on the go in the morning, this eases time constraint just by sheer ease of application.
Avoid using tinted moisturisers with silicone, parabens, synthetic chemicals and petroleum-derivatives. Some are cloggy and are more like foundations than actual tinted ones. Some dry into a powder form once applied and make the skin look dull, so avoid these. They don’t smell the best, as usually they are fragrance free.