This article was first published on 1 February 2022.
The new normal involves the obligatory wearing of face masks, continuous social distancing, and somehow also finding a way to reconcile B.C. (Before COVID) work-life with the new. For most women, this also involves figuring out which makeup to use with their face masks. Most experts would advise skipping it altogether; using makeup with heavy formulations, such as foundation and concealers, should be minimised, according to Refinery29. This is because the increased friction and humidity underneath your mask can make your skin more acne-prone.
Why do go for a tinted moisturiser
But what if you just need to have makeup on? It's part of your job or a regular step in your everyday routine. Your best bet would be to use noncomedogenic products with lighter formulas, such as tinted moisturisers.
Tinted moisturisers offer a light coverage (so your skin can “breathe”) or tint to your skin while also infusing it with some skincare benefits, depending on which one you’re using. Below are some of the best tinted moisturisers to wear under a face mask that you can get in Singapore.
Tarte’s Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer (SGD72) quickly became a holy grail because of its oil-free and water-based formula that doesn’t clog your pores. Aside from that, it contains a lot of ingredients that nourish and protect your skin. Healing chamomile extracts, antioxidising vitamins A, C, and E, and moisture-retaining sodium hyaluronate all make this tinted moisturiser a good option for daily wear. While it doesn’t have a lot of coverage, it does even out your skin tone and reduce the appearance of redness.
If you simply cannot handle the feeling of wearing creams on your face, then you should consider Pixi’s H2O Skintint Tinted Face Gel (SGD39) instead. Its unique formula has very, very light coverage but makes up for it with its refreshing moisture boost. If you like looking fresh-faced without packing on the products, this might be the one for you.
Another nice tinted moisturiser to wear under a face mask is the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tint Cream with SPF 30 (SGD43). You get a lot of skin-loving benefits with it since it’s formulated with vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and other nourishing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and allantoin. If you just want to minimise redness and even out your skin, you’d like the mousse-like formula it has since it also will not clog your pores. Plus, it has SPF which is always good for your skin.
Since we’re trying to avoid our skin from drying out, the hydrating hyaluronic acid will help keep the skin hydrated. It also has coconut water to further nourish and soften the skin. The oil-free, lightweight coverage from the Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer (~SGD20/USD15) is just enough to “perfect” your complexion and make you look fresh throughout the day. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable options on this list. Win-win!
The Shiseido Waso Color-Smart Day Moisturizer (SGD55) not only protects your skin from UV rays and environmental stressors with its PhytoResist System+, but it also enhances your skin tone to make it appear brighter and healthier. Specially formulated with carefully extracted whole Loquat Leaf Cells, this oil-free moisturiser leaves your skin matte and fresh.
Formulated with antioxidant-rich kombucha filtrate and hydrating marula oil, the Urban Decay Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator (SGD40.50) gives you the hydration of a moisturiser with the medium coverage of a foundation. This vegan and non-comedogenic tinted moisturiser also helps minimise the look of pores while smoothing and blurring out your skin.
If you want to double up on SPF protection, the Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow All-in-One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25 (SGD66) will be a great addition to your no-makeup makeup look. Aside from SPF, it also contains rose extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, goji berries, gold and peptides to protect and hydrate your skin — resulting in naturally dewy skin everyday.
Willing to splurge on a good tinted moisturiser? You can't go wrong with the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 / PA++ (SGD72). Made for all skin types, this lightweight tinted moisturiser hydrates your skin with French Polynesian Kopara and brightens it with vitamin C. It also gives sheer, buildable coverage that leaves your complexion looking natural, with extra oomph.
For those who want to keep their skin matte but not flat, the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 20 PA+++ (SGD86) is a must-have. Available in 14 shades, this skin-caring pick has a sheer, semi-matte finish that controls midday shine and blurs pores. Plus, the brand promises it will not oxidise so it stays true to how it looks when you first applied it.
To cap off this list, we have the innisfree Simple Label Tinted Moisturizer (SGD27). If you have sensitive skin, this hypo-allergenic tinted moisturiser has been derm-tested and approved. It also has Jeju hydrangea leaf extracts to soothe irritated skin.
Need a flexible tinted moisturiser for all occasions? The Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (SGD52) offers light to medium coverage, hydration, and sun protection in its breathable formula. It has a radiant finish that blurs and evens out your skin tone. Plus, it comes in 24 shades so you'll definitely find the right shade match for you.
The Romi Beauty Dream Skin Tint (SGD52) is a certified multitasker. It's a tinted moisturiser, serum, and sunscreen in one dreamy package. It has sheer and breathable coverage that leaves your skin looking luminous and dewy in the most natural way possible. It also claims to soothe, smooth, and hydrate your skin with its blend of niacinamide, prebiotics and probiotics, squalane, and vitamin E.
Think of the Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer (SGD48.60) as the tour de force of tinted moisturisers. It gives you dewy hydration, mineral-powered sun protection, and sheer coverage. It's also packed with skin-caring ingredients such as liquorice, aloe vera, pansy flower extract, and hyaluronic acid.
(Cover photo from: romibeautyclub.com)
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