We all love how we can cover our imperfections with a foundation and have silky smooth skin. Whether you wear it alone or use foundation as a base for applying makeup, you can instantly transform your face into a celebrity look.
But there’s a catch.
Your foundation could contain silicon which is toxic to your skin.
A Silicon foundation may give you instant transformation by making your skin appear flawless, smooth, and beautiful. But make no mistake, you’re fooling yourself because it’s just superficial. The damage supersedes the gains.
If you’re thinking of replacing your foundation with a natural product, then you’re at the right place.
Silicone Free Foundation
As people embrace the green environment and natural makeup, more silicone-free foundations are created.
Silicon is harmful to your skin and is toxic to the environment. However, many manufacturers still use it in makeup products because it’s a cheaper ingredient than natural products.
But there are some silicone-free foundations available in the market.
Below, we tell you why silicon is terrible and highlight the best silicone-free foundations.
The 5 Best Silicone Free Foundations:
1. W3LL PEOPLE Silicone Free Foundation
Best silicone-free foundation stick
WELL People Natural Foundation offers you light coverage leaving your face looking natural. The foundation is comfortable to wear because of its lightweight.
It has a satin finish that leaves your face smooth without creasing or looking like grease after some hours.
The creamy consistency of this foundation goes on smoothly and blends easily to cover dark circles and spots on the skin.
You can use the foundation to cover your entire face or as a corrector to erase spots and blemishes on specific parts of your face.
This organic certified foundation is free from parabens, gluten, GMO, fragrances, silicon, lead, mineral oil, Talc, and sulfates. It’s EWG certified for your safety and the environment.
2. 100% PURE Vegan Foundation
Best anti-aging silicone-free foundation
100% PURE Foundations is a fruit pigmented foundation that offers you full coverage. It has a matte finish, and it claims to control the shine on your face.
This liquid foundation is blended with natural ingredients to care for your skin. With fermented rice water as the base, the foundation reduces excess oil without clogging pores.
Its pigmentation is derived from fruit pigments. Hence, it’s free from synthetic dyes or pigments. The foundation is also free from gluten, chemicals and is 100% vegan.
As a bonus, the pomegranate oils infused in the foundation softens, moisturizes, and fights aging signs. The foundation is suitable for normal, combination, and dry skin because it hydrates the skin.
3. ILIA Serum Foundation
Best silicone-free foundation with sunscreen
ILIA foundation is not only silicon-free but a two in one product. It combines a serum and a foundation in one bottle. But the goodies don’t stop there; it also has sun protection – SPF 40with nano zinc – all for $48 only!
This vegan serum foundation is cruelty-free and does not contain toxic chemicals, fragrances, or oil. The foundation is non-comedogenic and is safe for sensitive skin. It provides light coverage that is not heavy on the face.
Blended from hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane, and niacinamide, the foundation hides fine lines, spots, and skin imperfections.
It dries fast and has a dewy finish that looks like a natural glow. The foundation hydrates your skin and seals in moisture, making your skin plump and elastic.
4. Burt’s Bees Natural Foundation
Best mattifying powder foundation, silicone-free
Burt’s Bees 100% natural foundation comes in powder form. It controls shine while giving you a smooth and even skin tone.
The foundation is perfect for oily or combination skin because the formula absorbs excess oil from your skin but doesn’t dry it out.
It is lightweight and has a matte finish though it doesn’t provide full coverage. You might need a concealer to hide dark spots and blemishes. It doesn’t settle in fine lines or get cakey because it’s sheer.
Extracted from 100% natural ingredients like bamboo, the foundation cares for your skin correcting skin problems. It’s a natural product free from silicone, parabens, phthalates, talc, petrolatum, and synthetic fragrance.
5. VAPOUR – Organic Soft Foundation
Best nourishing silicone-free Foundation
This silicone-free foundation by VAPOUR organic is vegan and gluten-free too. It’s perfect for all skin types, but for an oily face, you’ll need to balance it with a matte primer.
Formulated from Camellia seed oil, bergamot peel oil, and sunflower seed oil, the foundation is more of a skincare product. It nourishes your skin with minerals, linoleic acid, and vitamins A, B, D, and E.
It’s also rich in antioxidants for a beautiful texture and bright skin.
This foundation offers light to medium coverage, yet it’s lightweight. It hides fine lines, spots, and dark circles, leaving your skin even-toned and flawless. The liquid formula makes it easy to blend and is buildable.
It has a warm, spicey, and citrus scent from the bergamot. Plus, it’s available in 19 different shades to match your skin tone.
Types of Foundation
Silicone Free Foundation
It could be water-based or oil-based, but it doesn’t contain silicone. Silicone-free foundations are gentle on your skin hence they are suitable for dry and sensitive skin. They keep the skin hydrated and nourished.
Oil-Based Foundation
Oil is excellent for dry skin types. It’s a major ingredient and is listed among the first ones in the list of ingredients. It may be silicon-free or contain silicon.
Water-Based Foundation
Water is the main ingredient in a water-based foundation. The foundation may contain silicone or oil though it’s a water-based foundation.
Silicone Based Foundation
They control shine and achieve a matte finish. However, silicone is harmful to your health and the environment.
How to Tell if Your Foundation has silicone
Silicone is a common ingredient in most foundations because of its role as a matte-achieving agent. You may need to look at the ingredient list to find out if silicone is one of the ingredients.
If you see an ingredient ending in -cone or siloxane, then the product contains silicone. For example, names like trimethicone, dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, dimethicone, nylon, dimethyl silane, cross polymer, carbomers, copolymers, and polyvinylpyrrolidone.
Why Silicone in Your Foundation is Bad for Your Skin
Silicone may make your skin feel smooth and appear flawless, but it does more harm than good to your skin:
- Cause irritation, breakouts, and worsen acne
- Dry your skin and block moisture from being absorbed by skin, causing dull skin, fine lines, and wrinkles.
- Traps dead skin cells; hence new ones are not revealed on the skin surface, making your skin dull due to clogged pores and layers of dead skin
- Clogs pores trapping dirt, grease, and bacteria, causing enlarged pores
- It prevents skin from absorbing nutrients from skincare products by creating a barrier which in turn leads to a buildup of makeup residue
- Silicone is hard to remove from your skin because it’s heavy. It may remain even after cleaning your face; it accumulates in skin pores.
- It is not kind to the environment because it’s not biodegradable.
- It causes premature aging by drying out the skin. It makes the skin prone to fine lines and wrinkles.
Innovations in Silicone-free Foundations
The beauty industry is continuously evolving, and silicone-free foundations are no exception. One of the most significant innovations in this space is the integration of skincare benefits into the foundation formulas. Brands are now infusing their products with natural ingredients like hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane, and niacinamide, which not only provide coverage but also nourish the skin.
Another innovation is the development of foundations that double as other products. For instance, ILIA’s Serum Foundation is a two-in-one product that combines a serum and a foundation, offering skincare benefits and coverage in one bottle. It also includes sun protection, making it a triple threat in the beauty industry.
Lastly, the creation of eco-friendly and sustainable products is a significant innovation. Brands are now more conscious of their impact on the environment, leading to the development of biodegradable products and packaging.
What to Consider When Buying Silicone Free Foundation
Liquid vs Powder Foundation
Powder foundations can be loose or pressed powder. It is applied using a brush or application pad. Unlike a liquid foundation, the powder foundation is a dry formula.
The liquid foundation blends quickly and evenly. Most liquid foundations are infused with sunscreen protection and moisturizer.
Liquid foundations are better for dry skin, while oily skin looks better with powder foundation. However, both the powder and liquid foundation can achieve a matte finish. So, the choice between the two is a matter of preference.
Creamy foundation, like liquid, can make an oily face look more oily. A stick foundation is ideal for covering spots and fine lines because of its thick consistency.
Coverage
When it comes to the coverage that a foundation offers you, you can have a full, medium or light range. Most powder foundations provide a light coverage though they are buildable. You can apply more layers to cover imperfections.
A full-coverage foundation can hide all spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and acne, leaving you with flawless skin ready for makeup. Most liquid foundations offer full coverage because they have more pigment.
Ingredients
Some foundations come with the added benefit of nourishing or moisturizing your skin. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid brighten your skin while fighting premature aging.
It’s best to look for a foundation infused with oils like argan, vitamin C, B, and herbal extracts.
Skin Type
Before buying a foundation, it’s best to check that it matches your skin type. Whether your skin is normal, oily, dry, or combination skin, you can get a foundation to suit you. Foundations come in different shades for different skin tones.
FAQs
What are the benefits of using a silicone-free foundation? Silicone-free foundations are gentle on the skin and are suitable for dry and sensitive skin types. They keep the skin hydrated and nourished, unlike silicone-based foundations that can cause skin irritation and clog pores.
How can I tell if a foundation is silicone-free? Check the ingredient list of the product. If you see an ingredient ending in -cone or siloxane, then the product contains silicone. Examples include dimethicone, cyclomethicone, and trimethicone.
Are silicone-free foundations good for all skin types? Yes, silicone-free foundations are suitable for all skin types. However, depending on your skin type, you might need to balance it with a matte primer, especially for oily skin.
What are some popular brands of silicone-free foundations? Some popular brands include W3LL PEOPLE, 100% PURE, ILIA, Burt’s Bees, and VAPOUR. These brands offer a range of silicone-free foundations with various benefits.
Do silicone-free foundations provide good coverage? Yes, silicone-free foundations can provide light to full coverage, depending on the product. Some foundations are buildable, allowing you to apply more layers for increased coverage.
What is the healthiest foundation for your face?
Does Silicon Cause Blackheads?
Bottom Line
It matters what goes on your face because, in due time, the effects of toxic ingredients will be visible. You can still do makeup and also care for your skin, health, and environment.
The above silicone-free foundations are a great start to your clean makeup journey.
This article was last updated on July 1, 2024 .