Debate: can foundation actually be beneficial to the skin?

There’s been a lot of talk in the beauty industry about foundations that contain skincare benefits, but what do these extra elements in the product do for the complexion and do they live up to the hype?

These foundations are more like a treatment product, packed in a pigmented formula that comes with all the benefits you’d expect from your favourite skincare serum. Not only will it provide sun protection, but some, like Esse’s new Foundation, contain active prebiotic and probiotic ingredients to protect, repair and hydrate the skin, while evening out tone and concealing blemishes. 

However, some skincare on the market can affect the skin’s natural microbiome and strip it of the powerful bacteria that protects and nourishes it. This is made evident by the rise of modern skin concerns such as pigmentation, acne, rosacea and dehydration. 

Various ingredients found in everyday skincare items can disrupt the acid mantle and microbiome. This includes but is not limited to selective preservatives, sulphates, surfactants and/or products with a high pH. Opportunistic microbes (the not so good ones) thrive in alkaline environments, so using products with a high pH should be a no-no. 

This is why bio-clinical skincare brand Esse has created a foundation line for salons and spas to retail to clients which prioritises the skin’s microbiome. Let us explain…

How does Esse’s treatment foundation benefit the skin?

Esse’s Foundation contains prebiotic and probiotic actives in a highly advanced organic formula. It harnesses the power of probiotics in an all-in-one serum foundation which boasts the brand’s signature Level 3 BIOME+ technology.  

There’s so much more to this foundation than just masking imperfections and providing coverage, it is also a multi-purpose treatment that hydrates, protects and repairs the skin using ingredients such as aloe vera, jojoba oil, vitamin C and baobab fruit extract.

These components work together to shift the skin microbiome to a new, healthy normal, strengthening barrier function and providing antioxidant protection. The pigment is blended using natural wax-coated iron oxides and titanium oxide, limiting the skin’s exposure to chemicals.

The foundation also prioritises the skin’s microbiome as it is formulated with one million tyndallised probiotic bacteria per ml and probiotic lysates, which protect against invading pathogens to boost the skin’s barrier function, all the while reducing inflammation and slowing down the ageing process.

It also offers coral reef friendly SPF30 for protection against daily UV damage and is lightweight enough to ensure a buildable application and natural finish; perfect for adding a healthy flush of colour to the complexion. 

Available in 10 shades, this part make-up, part skincare treatment is a must-have for clients looking for the protective and hydrating benefits of skincare in a pigmented and wearable foundation. 

Find out more about Esse’s Foundation range now. 

Sponsored story